No More Interruptions: Instagram’s New PiP Mode Lets Reels Play On

Instagram is working on a solution to keep your Reel-scrolling sessions uninterrupted, even when you need to use another app. The platform has started testing a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode, which allows a Reel to continue playing in a small, floating window that hovers over your screen.
This feature is all about seamless multitasking. Imagine getting an important email while watching a Reel; with PiP, you could open your mail client and draft a reply without the video ever pausing. The small player can be dragged to any corner of the screen, ensuring it doesn’t get in the way. This functionality is currently being trialed with a select group of users to fine-tune the experience.
Content creators are poised to benefit significantly from this change. The longer a viewer can stay with a video, the better it is for engagement metrics. PiP mode reduces the likelihood that a viewer will abandon a Reel to attend to another task. For those who prefer the current full-screen experience, a toggle to disable PiP will be readily available in the Reel’s settings.
Alongside this convenient new feature, Instagram has also launched an official app for the iPad. This is a massive upgrade for tablet users, who can now enjoy a properly scaled and optimized interface for browsing their feed and watching Reels on a larger, more immersive screen.