The days of your Reels being abruptly interrupted every time you switch apps may be numbered. Instagram has begun testing a game-changing Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode, which will allow videos to continue playing seamlessly in a floating window.
This new functionality, currently available to a select group of users, is designed to make the video experience on Instagram far more flexible. When you leave the app, instead of stopping, the Reel you’re watching will shrink into a mini-player that you can position anywhere on your screen. This is a massive leap forward in user convenience.
Content creators have every reason to celebrate this development. By enabling continuous playback, PiP is expected to significantly improve audience retention and watch time, metrics that are crucial for success on the platform. For those who may not want the feature, Instagram is including an easy-to-access off switch.
This major video enhancement is being rolled out alongside another significant platform update: the launch of a dedicated Instagram app for the iPad. This new app is fully optimized for the tablet experience, providing a more intuitive and visually appealing interface.