How to Minimize YouTube

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This wikiHow will show you how to minimize YouTube videos on your computer, phone, or tablet without interrupting playback.

How You Can Minimize Youtube

  • iPhone or Tablet: Open YouTube in Firefox. Play a video and tap the three-dot button in the top-right corner. Click Request Desktop Site then go to your home screen.
  • Android Oreo: Turn on Picture-in-picture in Settings. Open a YouTube video then tap the home button. To stop playback, drag the PiP to the bottom of the screen.
  • Computer: Install the Floating for Youtube Chrome extension. Open a youtube video and click the extension icon in your browser’s toolbar.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Firefox on a Phone or Tablet

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    This method works for iPhone, iPad, and Android phones/tablets. If you don’t have the Firefox web browser, you can download it for free from the Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iOS).
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-2.jpg\/aid11212761-v4-728px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Go to https://youtube.com . You'll need to use your web browser instead of the YouTube app.
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b7\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b7\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-3.jpg\/aid11212761-v4-728px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The video will begin to play.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-4.jpg\/aid11212761-v4-728px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A menu will expand. [1]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-5.jpg\/aid11212761-v4-728px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This reloads the site as though you're looking at it on a computer. [2]
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-6.jpg\/aid11212761-v4-728px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
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    Your YouTube video will be in the background, but still playing.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Minimizing YouTube on Android Oreo

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-8.jpg\/aid11212761-v4-728px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    PiP allows you to continue watching YouTube videos even after you’ve minimized the app. If you aren’t a YouTube Premium subscriber, you will see ads in the video.
    • Navigate to Settings > Apps & Notifications (or Apps ) > Advanced (or ⋮ ) > Special access > Picture-in-picture .
    • Tap YouTube .
    • Tap to turn the switch on next to “Allow permission.” [3]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4a\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4a\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-9.jpg\/aid11212761-v4-728px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This looks like a white play icon on a red background. You’ll find it on your homepage, in the app drawer, or by searching.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-10.jpg\/aid11212761-v4-728px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The video should start playing.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-11.jpg\/aid11212761-v4-728px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is usually the button in the middle of the navigation bar. The YouTube video will shrink to the side of your screen but will continue playing.
    • Drag the PiP to the bottom of the screen to stop playback.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using a Chrome Extension on a Computer

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-12.jpg\/aid11212761-v4-728px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":548,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Go to https://chrome.google.com/webstore in Google Chrome. You’ll install an extension that will allow YouTube videos to overlay your browser so you can watch the video without being in the YouTube tab.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-13.jpg\/aid11212761-v4-728px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You’ll find the search bar on the left of the browser.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-14.jpg\/aid11212761-v4-728px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":548,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The app is called “Floating for YouTube Extension" offered by Deanzel. [4]
    • A warning that the extension will have access to your browsing information will appear. Click Add extension to continue.
    • A window will pop up when the installing process is complete, but before you can use the extension, you need to install the app.
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    Go to the Floating for YouTube app web store page . This app will enable the extension to work.
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    You’ll be redirected to your Apps page after it installs.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Minimize-YouTube-Step-17.jpg\/aid11212761-v4-728px-Minimize-YouTube-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":347,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":549,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
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    You’ll see this in the upper right corner of the Chrome browser window. The app icon looks like a white pin on a red background. The video will then appear in a small window to the upper left of your screen and will stay there as you switch tabs. [5]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/viewing-desktop-sites-firefox-ios
      2. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/viewing-desktop-sites-firefox-ios
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/7552722?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&hl=en#zippy=%2Cturning-picture-in-picture-on
      4. ↑ https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/floating-for-youtube/jjphmlaoffndcnecccgemfdaaoighkel
      5. ↑ https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/picture-in-picture-extens/hkgfoiooedgoejojocmhlaklaeopbecg?hl=en

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Go to https://youtube.com in the Firefox web browser.
      2. Navigate to and tap on the video you want to play.
      3. Tap the three-dot menu.
      4. Tap Request desktop site .
      5. Tap the video to start it.
      6. Tap the home button to minimize the YouTube video in the background.

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