Instagram Begins Testing Reels Picture-in-Picture Viewing
Instagram has begun testing a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature for reels, allowing users to continue watching videos in a small, floating window while navigating other apps. The test, confirmed by Instagram after being initially spotted by app researcher Radu Oncescu, will prompt participating users with instructions on how to activate the functionality.
The PiP feature aims to improve viewer retention, especially for longer Reels, by preventing interruptions when users switch apps to respond to messages or browse elsewhere. This could benefit creators by increasing watch time.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri previously indicated the possibility of PiP, stating he would discuss it with his team after a user inquiry. The addition of PiP aligns Instagram with competitors TikTok and youtube, which already offer similar functionality.
Currently,the feature is limited to a small group of testers,and Instagram has not announced a timeline for wider release.
