How To Use Picture-In-Picture On Elementary OS
Picture-in-picture (PiP) mode keeps a video in a small, floating window while you work in another application. On elementary OS, this is especially useful when following a tutorial, monitoring a livestream, attending an online meeting, or watching a presentation while taking notes.
PiP is generally provided by the web browser or the video application rather than by a single universal elementary OS setting. The exact controls therefore depend on whether you use Firefox, Chromium, Google Chrome, a compatible media player, or a meeting service with its own pop-out feature.
Once the floating window is active, you can move it around the desktop, resize it, pause or resume playback, and return to the original browser tab. A few small adjustments to your workspace and notification settings can make the experience much smoother.
What Picture-In-Picture Does
In normal browser playback, a video stays inside its tab. Switching to a document, terminal, email client, or calendar can hide the video behind another window. Picture-in-picture separates the player from the tab and displays it as a compact window above other applications.
This is useful for more than entertainment. You can follow an elementary OS installation guide while changing system settings, watch a coding demonstration while working in a text editor, or keep a remote presenter visible during a conference call. The video continues playing even when the browser tab is no longer in focus.
PiP does not duplicate the entire browser window. It usually displays only the selected video, with a small control bar for playback and closing the floating player. The original tab remains open in the browser, so selecting the option to return to the tab restores the video to its original location.
On elementary OS, the window can normally be treated like other desktop windows. It may be moved between workspaces, positioned near a screen edge, or resized to suit the activity underneath it. Some applications keep PiP above all other windows, while others follow the browser’s window behavior.
Starting PiP In A Browser
The most reliable method is to use a browser that supports native picture-in-picture. Firefox and Chromium-based browsers commonly provide it for HTML5 video. Open the video in a supported website, start playback, and move the pointer over the player to reveal its controls.
In Firefox, look for the picture-in-picture button that appears near the right side of the video when the pointer moves over it. Selecting the button opens a separate floating player. Firefox can also offer a context-menu command after right-clicking the video, although some websites use a custom menu and require a second right-click to reveal the browser option.
Chromium and Chrome may show a PiP button in the video controls or provide a picture-in-picture command through the video context menu. The wording and icon can vary with the browser version. If the option is missing, try right-clicking directly on the moving image rather than on a website overlay.
After the floating player opens, the original browser tab may display a message indicating that the video is being shown elsewhere. You can then switch to another application without stopping playback. To restore the normal player, use the return-to-tab button in the floating window or close PiP and select the original browser tab.
A website can disable or modify browser controls, particularly for protected streaming content. In that situation, PiP may be unavailable, limited to an official desktop application, or controlled through a special player menu. Browser extensions can add extra functionality, but native controls are usually safer and less likely to interfere with playback.
Managing Online Meetings
Video meetings require a slightly different approach because a meeting page may contain several video feeds, a screen share, chat, and presenter controls. PiP support often depends on the service and the browser. Some platforms offer a dedicated pop-out window, while others allow the browser to detach only the shared presentation or a selected video stream.
Before relying on PiP during an important meeting, test it in a private or low-stakes call. Join the meeting, start a camera feed or screen share, and look for a pop-out, mini-player, or picture-in-picture control. Check whether audio continues when you change workspaces and whether the floating view shows the participant or content you actually need.
If the browser provides PiP for a meeting video, activating it normally leaves the call connected in the original tab. Keep the main meeting tab open so that microphone, camera, chat, and screen-sharing controls remain available. The floating window is best used as a viewing surface rather than as a replacement for the complete meeting interface.
Audio behavior deserves attention. A PiP video and a meeting may compete for system audio, especially when both are playing sound. Use the meeting’s mute controls, the browser’s per-tab audio controls, or the application volume settings to prevent overlapping speech. When presenting, confirm that the audience receives the intended audio source rather than the sound from another browser tab.
The elementary OS desktop can help organize this arrangement. Place the meeting controls on one workspace and the floating video or shared presentation on another, or keep the small player beside your notes. If the meeting service supports keyboard shortcuts, learn the mute and camera commands before moving the main window out of view.
Choosing A Setup For Different Tasks
The best PiP arrangement depends on the type of video and the amount of desktop space available. A compact player is convenient for reference material, while a larger floating window is better for reading slides or watching a detailed software demonstration.
| Use case | Recommended window size | Useful placement | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Following a short tutorial | Small | Beside the editor or terminal | Keep controls easy to reach |
| Watching a presentation | Medium | Near the top or side of the screen | Preserve readable text |
| Monitoring a livestream | Small | In an unused screen corner | Reduce distraction |
| Participating in a meeting | Medium | Beside notes or chat | Keep meeting controls accessible |
| Comparing instructions with settings | Medium | Adjacent to System Settings | Avoid covering dialogs |
| Using a small laptop display | Small | Lower corner or a separate workspace | Protect available work area |
On a single-monitor laptop, avoid placing the player over buttons, dialog fields, or notification areas. The window can often be resized from its corners, although the minimum and maximum dimensions are controlled by the browser. A narrow player may be enough for spoken instructions, while visual demonstrations need more width.
With an external monitor, dedicate one display to the meeting or video and use the other for notes and applications. If you prefer virtual workspaces, keep the floating player on the workspace where it is needed. Some browsers keep PiP visible while changing workspaces; others may show it only on the current workspace, so verify the behavior on your setup.
Elementary OS’s visual simplicity makes small layout changes noticeable. You can customize elementary OS to make the surrounding desktop more comfortable for long viewing sessions, whether that means adjusting appearance preferences, arranging applications, or refining your general workspace habits.
Controlling The Floating Player
A PiP window usually provides a small set of controls: pause or play, return to the browser tab, and close. Some browsers also include a mute button, a seek bar, or a control for moving the player between screens. Move the pointer over the window to reveal these controls, then move it away to keep the video unobstructed.
Drag the floating player by its main surface or title area to reposition it. Avoid dragging from the controls, since that may pause the video or activate another command. Resize it from a corner when you need more detail, and return it to a smaller size when the content becomes background reference material.
Always-on-top behavior varies. A PiP player is commonly designed to remain visible above other windows, but application focus and workspace changes can affect that behavior. If the player disappears, use the dock or application switcher to locate the browser process, check the current workspace, and reopen PiP from the source tab if necessary.
Keyboard shortcuts may be available, but they differ between browsers and websites. Use the visible controls when reliability matters, particularly during a meeting. For a hands-busy workflow, browser-specific shortcuts can be useful after you have tested them and confirmed that they do not trigger an unwanted page action.
Solving Common PiP Problems
When no picture-in-picture button appears, first confirm that the content is an actual HTML5 video. Some pages use canvas elements, embedded streams, advertisements, or protected playback systems that do not expose a standard video control. Try another browser or an openly available video to determine whether the issue is site-specific.
If right-clicking does nothing, the website may be intercepting the context menu. In Firefox, move the pointer over the video and look for the dedicated PiP icon. In Chromium-based browsers, try the browser’s media controls or the icon shown in the address bar when media is playing. Updating the browser can also restore missing controls after a compatibility change.
A floating window that closes immediately may be affected by an extension, a browser policy, or the website’s playback implementation. Temporarily disable video-related extensions and test in a private window. If the problem disappears, re-enable extensions one at a time to identify the conflict.
Performance problems are more common when the video is high resolution or the computer is handling several demanding applications. Lower the playback quality, close unnecessary tabs, and check whether hardware acceleration is enabled in the browser. On older hardware, a smaller PiP window may reduce rendering demands, though the video stream itself can still use significant processor or network resources.
Meeting video may freeze while audio continues, or the reverse may happen. Check the call’s connection indicator, reduce the number of active camera feeds, and avoid running multiple high-bandwidth streams at once. If the service offers a dedicated desktop application, compare its behavior with the browser version before an important call.
A Practical PiP Routine
A few habits make picture-in-picture more predictable across browsers, video sites, and meeting platforms:
- Test the video or meeting service before a scheduled session, especially after a browser or elementary OS update.
- Keep the original browser tab open so you can quickly recover meeting controls or restore the full video player.
- Place the floating window away from form fields, notification banners, and buttons that you need to click.
- Mute one of two competing audio sources instead of relying on volume changes alone.
- Use a separate workspace or monitor when a PiP player becomes a distraction on a small screen.
It is also worth checking privacy and permission settings before joining a call. PiP itself does not grant camera or microphone access, but the meeting page may request those permissions separately. Confirm that the correct input devices are selected, and close the meeting tab when the session ends.
For instructional videos, pause before changing system settings and resume only when you are ready to follow the next step. This prevents missed commands and gives you time to verify each change. For meetings, keep the player large enough to read shared content while preserving access to mute, chat, and leave controls in the main window.
Make PiP Part Of Your Desktop Workflow
Picture-in-picture works best when it solves a specific layout problem rather than simply adding another window. Use it for reference video, a presentation, or a meeting view that must remain visible while another elementary OS application is active. Keep the player compact for background information and enlarge it only when visual detail matters.
Open a supported video in Firefox or a Chromium-based browser, activate the floating player, move it to a clear area, and test the controls before starting important work. Once this routine becomes familiar, elementary OS can handle tutorials, remote meetings, streams, and demonstrations without forcing you to choose between watching and working. Enable PiP on your next relevant video and build the arrangement that fits your desktop.
