In a new test, Meta is letting select users keep watching Instagram Reels as a floating window on their devices even after they close the app. Here’s what it looks like.
As spotted by Radu Onescu on Threads, Instagram is prompting select users to “Try Picture in Picture” with a pop-up when they swipe through posts made on Reels:
The pop-up reads:
“Try picture in picture Turn this on to continue watching reels in a floating window on your device after you’ve left Instagram. Manage your picture in picture setting in the ••• menu at any time.”
Once the user taps the “Try it” button, Instagram’s native Share screen comes up, letting the user toggle the Picture in Picture switch on.
As noted by TechCrunch:
“The launch of the test follows comments made a few months ago by Instagram head Adam Mosseri, who suggested the feature could be coming soon. At the time, Mosseri said he would ‘talk to the team and see if we can figure something out’ in response to a question asking: ‘When will IG offer PIP (picture in picture in picture) like TT and YT?’”
As with most tests like this, there’s no word yet on when (or if) the feature will roll out more broadly. We’ll keep an eye out and share the news once it’s available.
Accessory deals on Amazon