Instagram Is Testing A New YouTube-Like Feature For Reels, And It Could Change How You Watch Videos

Meta is said to be working on a new feature for Instagram, changing the way users watch Reels. The company is reportedly testing a YouTube-like Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode that lets you watch videos on Instagram while texting, scrolling your feed, or using other apps on the phone. Users will be able to keep watching reels in a floating window even after exiting the app – much like what YouTube offers. Also Read: YouTube Gets Dedicated Mental Health And Wellbeing Section For Teenagers: Who Can Access, What's Special?

App researcher Radu Oncescu, who first spotted the upcoming feature, shared a screenshot of the feature on Threads. It shows a pop-up in Instagram prompting users to “Try Picture in Picture.” Once the feature is enabled, users can watch Reels in a small, resizable window sitting on top of other apps. Also Read: YouTube’s Next Big AI Upgrade: Lip-Syncing For Auto-Dubbed Videos Coming Soon

According to the screenshot shared by Oncescu, the user received a notification from Instagram prompting them to try the feature. When the user taps on “Try it” button, the app directs them to the Reels’ Menu screen where the PiP mode can be toggled on/off. Also Read: Meta Wants Employees To Build The Metaverse 5X Faster Using AI

This feature will make multitasking easier for Instagram users, as they can respond to messages, browse the web, make notes, or use another app while still watching a Reel on their phone.

The PiP feature is also expected to benefit creators, as viewers can keep playing the video in the background while doing other things on the phone. This may increase the total watch time for creator videos.

Earlier, Instagram head Adam Mosseri had also hinted about the PiP feature coming to the social media networking app. However, no timeline was announced back then.

Now with Instagram actually testing the feature, it could make way to the app soon. That said, Meta also has a history of shelving features from its apps if they don’t perform well during testing and trials. So, it’s still early to say if the PiP mode for Instagram Reels will roll out widely to the app.