California (Web Desk): Instagram has started testing a new “Picture-in-Picture” (PiP) feature for its short videos, known as Reels, aiming to make viewing more convenient for users. With this feature, users will be able to watch Reels even while using other apps, allowing videos to continue playing outside the Instagram app.
Instagram initially hinted at this feature back in March of this year, and it is now being trialed with a select group of users. Screenshots released by app researchers show that the PiP option has been added to the playback settings of Reels.
This update is especially beneficial for users who frequently multitask on their devices. Similar to TikTok and YouTube, which already support PiP, Instagram’s move aligns with the growing trend of allowing continuous video playback in the background.
Thanks to the PiP feature, users can watch videos in a small window while continuing to navigate other apps, with audio playing in the background as well. This enhancement is expected to increase the time users spend watching Reels.
Currently, the feature is in its testing phase and is available to a limited audience, but it is anticipated that Instagram will soon roll it out globally for all users.