What is Picture-in-Picture?
Picture-in-Picture lets you continue watching a video in a small window while navigating to other apps or the home screen.
- Multitask - Browse other apps while watching
- Stay informed - Keep videos playing while checking notifications
- Background viewing - Continue watching without the full app interface
Picture-in-Picture is a standard Android feature that SmartTube integrates with. Your TV must support PiP (Android 8.0 Oreo or higher).
Enabling Picture-in-Picture
PiP is not enabled by default. Follow these steps to activate it:Enable Picture in Picture
Toggle on “Picture in picture” mode.This enables PiP when you press the Home button during video playback.
How to Use Picture-in-Picture
Once enabled, activating PiP is simple:Method 1: Home Button (Default)
Method 2: Back Button (Optional)
Controlling PiP Window
Once in PiP mode, you can control the video:Playback Controls
- Play/Pause - Click on the PiP window
- Close PiP - Press the close button (X) on the PiP window
- Return to Full Screen - Click on the PiP window and select expand
Window Position
On most Android TV devices:- Move the window - Use directional buttons to reposition
- Resize - Some devices allow resizing (limited support)
- Corners - Typically snaps to screen corners
PiP window controls vary by device and Android version. Not all features may be available on your TV.
Use Cases
Picture-in-Picture is perfect for:Music While Browsing
Keep music videos or playlists playing while browsing for your next video or using other apps.
News & Live Streams
Watch news or live streams in the corner while checking other apps or browsing.
Tutorial Videos
Follow along with tutorials while taking notes or using other apps.
Sports Highlights
Keep sports content playing while checking scores or schedules in other apps.
Podcasts & Talks
Listen to podcasts or talks while doing other tasks on your TV.
Background Entertainment
Keep entertainment going while navigating menus or settings.
Configuration Options
Background Playback Settings
SmartTube offers several background playback configurations:Picture in Picture (Main Setting)
Picture in Picture (Main Setting)
Location: Settings > General > Background playback > Picture in pictureWhat it does: Enables PiP mode when pressing Home during video playback.Recommended: Enable for PiP functionality
Background Playback Activation
Background Playback Activation
Location: Settings > General > Background playback (activation)What it does: Controls which button triggers PiP mode.Options:
- Home button only (default)
- Back button only
- Both Home and Back buttons
Audio-Only Background Playback
Audio-Only Background Playback
Alternative to PiP: If you don’t want the video window but want audio to continue:Location: Settings > General > Background playbackWhat it does: Continues audio playback without a video window when you leave the app.Use case: Perfect for music or podcasts where you don’t need to see the video.
Limitations
Device Compatibility
- Requires Android 8.0+ (Oreo or higher)
- Not all Android TVs support PiP - some manufacturers disable it
- Feature availability varies by device manufacturer and model
Functional Limitations
- Limited window control - position and size options depend on your TV
- No quality adjustment - video quality is maintained from full-screen mode
- Single window only - cannot have multiple PiP windows
- May pause in some apps - certain apps may interfere with PiP playback
Performance Considerations
PiP mode requires your TV to:
- Decode video while running other apps
- Maintain multiple apps in memory
- Render the floating window overlay
Troubleshooting
PiP mode doesn't activate
PiP mode doesn't activate
Possible causes and solutions:
- PiP not enabled in SmartTube
- Check Settings > General > Background playback > Picture in picture
- Device doesn’t support PiP
- Verify your TV is running Android 8.0 or higher
- Some manufacturers disable PiP - check your TV’s documentation
- System PiP permissions
- Some devices require system-level PiP permission
- Check TV Settings > Apps > SmartTube > Permissions
Video stops when entering PiP
Video stops when entering PiP
Try these solutions:
- Check background playback settings
- Ensure audio background playback isn’t conflicting
- Device memory issues
- Close other apps to free up RAM
- Restart SmartTube
- System restrictions
- Check if your TV has battery/performance modes that limit PiP
Can't control PiP window
Can't control PiP window
Control options vary by device:
- Try different buttons
- Navigate: D-pad/arrow keys
- Play/Pause: OK/Select button
- Close: Back or Menu button
- Device-specific controls
- Check your TV’s manual for PiP controls
- Some TVs have dedicated PiP buttons on remote
- Return to full screen
- Usually: Click on the PiP window and select expand
- Or: Reopen SmartTube from launcher
PiP window is too small/large
PiP window is too small/large
Window size is typically controlled by Android TV:
- System default size
- Most devices use a fixed PiP window size
- SmartTube cannot override this
- Check TV settings
- Some TVs allow PiP size adjustment in system settings
- Look in Display or Accessibility settings
- Device limitation
- Window size may be fixed on your device
- This is a hardware/OS limitation, not a SmartTube issue
Back button triggers PiP instead of going back
Back button triggers PiP instead of going back
PiP vs Audio Background Playback
SmartTube offers two types of background playback. Choose based on your needs:
| Feature | Picture-in-Picture | Audio Background Playback |
|---|---|---|
| Video visible | ✅ Small window | ❌ No video |
| Audio continues | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Device requirements | Android 8.0+ | Any version |
| Performance impact | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Multitasking with video | Music, podcasts |
| Screen overlay | ✅ Floating window | ❌ None |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PiP work with all videos?
Does PiP work with all videos?
Yes, PiP works with all videos that play in SmartTube, including:
- Regular videos
- Live streams
- Music videos
- Playlists
- Age-restricted content (if logged in)
Can I use PiP while gaming on my TV?
Can I use PiP while gaming on my TV?
This depends on your TV and the game. PiP is an Android system feature that should work across apps, but:
- Some games may pause PiP
- Performance may suffer with both running
- Android games typically support PiP
- Native TV games may not
Does PiP use more battery/power?
Does PiP use more battery/power?
Yes, PiP uses more resources than audio-only playback because:
- Video decoding continues
- Multiple apps run simultaneously
- Display renders additional layers
Can I adjust PiP quality to save bandwidth?
Can I adjust PiP quality to save bandwidth?
PiP inherits the quality settings from your full-screen playback. The quality doesn’t automatically reduce in PiP mode. To save bandwidth:
- Lower video quality before entering PiP
- Use audio background playback instead
Why doesn't my TV support PiP?
Why doesn't my TV support PiP?
Some Android TV manufacturers disable PiP because:
- Hardware limitations on older/cheaper models
- Manufacturer customization choices
- Regional firmware differences
Tips for Best Experience
Use with Music
PiP is perfect for keeping music videos playing while browsing for your next song.
Home Button Only
Keep Back button PiP disabled to preserve normal navigation behavior.
Close Background Apps
Free up RAM by closing unused apps for better PiP performance.
Audio for Podcasts
For podcasts and talks, consider audio background playback instead of PiP to save resources.