YouTube is indeed an enjoyable site for watching videos but there come moments on your iPhone where you feel you can use your phone for something else while the video is still playing. Maybe you want to respond to a text message or read your emails or any other web pages; minimizing YouTube can be very useful in these situations. In this article, I will explain how to minimize YouTube on your iPhone and I will do this by giving step-by-step instructions that are very easy to follow.
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Why Do You Need to Minimize YouTube?
Have you ever gotten the urge to watch a video on YouTube while still performing other functions on your phone? Or are you the kind of person who just wishes they could listen to a podcast without having to hit the pause button every couple of minutes? There are many such situations and minimizing YouTube can help you do all of them.
Here’s why you would like to minimize YouTube:
- Multitasking: This is a very fundamental advantage of YouTube that when a user minimizes the application, the video can be continued watching in a small window where the user can multitask on other applications. This is most useful when users are cleaning up the house or have some errands to run.
- Stay Focused and Save Time: If you are engaged in other activities, instead of pausing a YouTube video, you can simply minimize it. This will enable you to retain time and concentration on your task.
- Play Music on YouTube: Several YouTube videos due to their content such as music and talk shows can be watched when engaged in other activities. Minimizing YouTube gives you the advantage of listening to such videos without them terminating.
Minimizing YouTube increases the level of flexibility and control you have while using an iPhone, so let’s start with the steps!
How to Minimize YouTube on an iPhone
This can be done in many ways, and the common methods include the Picture-in-Picture feature and Youtube Premium among others.
Method 1: Using Picture in Picture Mode
One can minimize YouTube on an iPhone by utilizing Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode. It provides a feature where one can continue playing a video sequentially while running other apps in the background.
Step 1: Enable PiP Mode
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll down and tap on General.
- Select Picture-in-Picture.
- To enable PiP, toggle the switch to the
ON
position.
Step 2: Minimize YouTube Video
- Let us start with opening YouTube.
- From there, look for the video you want to minimize and go ahead and click on it.
- Afterward, swipe up or click the home button which is located at the bottom of the screen.
- Once you are there, the video can be minimized to a small movable window.
Method 2: Using Safari for Picture-in-Picture
You can also still benefit from PiP mode without YouTube Premium. This consists of watching YouTube videos on safari. This is how it is done.
- Opening Safari: This time, launch the Safari application on your iPhone.
- Browse through YouTube: Go to YouTube’s page and play any video you would like.
- Switch to Fullscreen: Click on the icon that depicts making the video larger.
- Go Into PiP Mode: Click the PiP icon or swipe the screen upwards to go back to the home screen. It will load on a minimized screen version.
Method 3: Using YouTube Premium for Background Play Mode on a Windows
Purpose: One more technique to minimize (or even PIP) YouTube – Premium subscription. This way, it will be possible to play videos using other applications in the background.
Step 1: Subscribe to YouTube Premium
However, such a person will have to incur a monthly charge for using this service. As of 2024, the average price is about $11.99.
Step 2: Play and Minimize Video
- Open the YouTube App: Play the video you want.
- Switch Apps: Now you can switch to any other application and the video will continue playing in the background.
Method 4: Performing Split View in iPad (for iPad Users)
If you own an iPad, through Split View, you can watch YouTube and at the same time, utilize another app.
- Open YouTube: Open the YouTube app on your iPad.
- Swipe Up: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see the Dock.
- Drag Another App: Drag another app from the Dock to the side of the screen.
- Adjust the Split: You can adjust the size of each app by dragging the divider.
How Popular is YouTube on iPhone?
Among the most favorite applications on the iPhone, YouTube is surely one of them. How many users of YouTube upload content is given in the facts and figures given below:
- Each month more than 2 billion YouTube accounts log in with many of those accounts logging in through mobile devices which include the iPhones.
- Mobile users are the ones that occupy around 70 percent of the watching habits and times on YouTube.
- 4 hours and 30 minutes: The average daily time engaged by a user on mobile applications, with YouTube being one of the platforms enjoyed the most.
Hence, these numbers indicate that for most people knowing how to effectively work with YouTube on an iPhone is a very relevant matter.
Alternatives to Minimize YouTube on iPhone
The most common methods to minimize YouTube are using PiP and signing up for YouTube Premium, but other possibilities exist. Let’s consider a couple of possibilities:
Using an Alternative Application
Some third-party apps able to minimize YouTube videos exist. This is how it can be done with one:
- Download an App: Search for “minimize YouTube” in the App Store and download a well-rated app.
- Play Video: Open the app, log in to your YouTube account, and play a video.
- Minimize: Follow the app’s instructions to minimize the video.
However, the risks involving third-party applications always exist and the security and stability of these applications is not guaranteed.
Using YouTube on an iPhone with a Shortcut
It is possible to program the YouTube application to minimize the videos launched on your device’s YouTube application using the Shortcuts application. The steps are outlined below:
- Open Shortcuts App: Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
- Create a New Shortcut: Tap the “+” button to create a new shortcut.
- Add Action: Add the “Open App” action and select YouTube.
- Minimize: Add an action to minimize the app.
This method involves a bit more work, but it does provide a tailored option.
Best Practices to Enhance YouTube Usage on iPhone
Here are some additional YouTube tips when you use iOS that will get the most out of your iPhone:
- Use Headphones: For a more immersive experience while multitasking.
- Keep Your iPhone Updated: Make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version to enjoy all features.
- Use Wi-Fi: Streaming videos can use a lot of data, so it’s best to use Wi-Fi when possible.
FAQs
How Do I Minimize YouTube on an Old iPhone?
Yes, but it depends slightly on the iPhone model’s iOS used at the time.
Is PiP Mode Accessible In All Regions?
PiP Mode is offered in some of countries but is subject to limitations in some countries.
Are Minimizing YouTube’s Functions Kindly Restrict Its Battery Usage?
Yes, videos running in the background may consume extra battery particularly when the network is engaged.
Conclusion
Using a phone to listen to YouTube while working on your iPhone is a fantastic way to multitask. YouTube provides several options, including Picture-in-Picture and YouTube Premium mode, that can enhance your experience. These strategies will be useful to those watching videos on mobile devices because more than 70 percent of youtube views occur on mobile devices.
Be sure to update your applications frequently and try various methods to find the one that works best for you.