YouTube's picture-in-picture iOS test for premium subscribers is over, and a full rollout isn't ready yet
-
Loading... - Daniella Chapman
- 12 Apr 2022
- 309 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Despite a now-deleted tweet from YouTube’s support account that seemingly indicated otherwise, YouTube Premium subscribers can no longer sign up to test YouTube’s picture-in-picture feature on iOS. Picture-in-picture has disappeared from YouTube’s list of available experimental features, where it was previously listed with an April 8th expiry date. 9to5Google reports that some users are seeing a “the feature you’re trying has been turned off” banner notifying them that the test has ended. Both 9to5Google and iMore add that the feature is still working on accounts that previously signed up for the test.
The tweet was posted in response to a user asking about a previous test of the feature, which was available to YouTube Premium subscribers. Just last month, the search giant brought picture-in-picture support to its YouTube TV service on iOS, and according to Google spokesperson Allison Toh, the tweet was referring to YouTube TV — not the main YouTube app. The @TeamYouTube support account has now tweeted again with the corrected information:
Are you using an iOS smartphone? If so, the Picture-in-Picture feature is still rolling out & will be available in a matter of days across all iOS 15+ devices. Tweet back @ us if needed.
— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) April 10, 2022
Picture-in-picture support is available for video services generally at a system level for both iPhones and iPads, but YouTube’s support for the feature has been spotty, requiring workarounds like watching it through a browser rather than via its native app. But YouTube’s Premium test made the feature much more seamless, and it allowed viewers to continue watching after they navigate away from the main YouTube app.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23381482/Screen_Shot_2022_04_11_at_9.05.08_AM.jpg)
YouTube’s test of picture-in-picture support for premium users was always meant to be limited. First announced in June last year, the beta period was originally set to end on October 31st before being extended. But although the test was only for premium users, last month YouTube reiterated its hope to roll out the feature for all iOS users in the US, including non-premium users, “in the coming months.” Read More…
