- It allows you to extract videos from any tab to keep them always visible on top of other applications.
- Firefox supports playing multiple floating windows simultaneously, unlike other browsers.
- It can be activated via a direct button, the context menu (double right click) or the advanced settings about:config.
Have you ever wanted to follow a tutorial while jotting down key points in a document, or perhaps catch a glimpse of a football match while answering work emails? The truth is, juggling multiple tabs can be a real headache, but there's a brilliant solution called Picture-in-Picture (PiP) that lets you detach videos from their original websites.
Basically, this feature turns any HTML5 video into a separate, floating window . Best of all, this window stays on top of any other open applications or tabs, giving you complete freedom to organize your screen as you like while continuing to enjoy the visual content without interruption.
How to enable Picture-in-Picture mode in Firefox
If you use Firefox, activating this feature is very simple, although depending on your version, the process may vary slightly. In more recent versions, the browser usually includes an intuitive blue button that appears directly over the video when you hover your mouse over it. Just click it and, voilà!, the video opens in its own window.
Now, if for some reason you don't see the button or you're using a version where it's not enabled by default, don't worry, we can force it from within the browser's settings. To do this, type about:config in the address bar and accept the risk warning. Once there, find the preference media.videocontrols.picture-in-picture.enabled and change it to true . If you also want the visual button to appear, find media.videocontrols.picture-in-picture.video-toggle.enabled and set it to true as well . After restarting your browser, it should be working.
There's an extra trick for sites that try to block this option or don't display the button. On platforms like YouTube, simply double-click on the video; the first click opens the website's menu, but the second opens the Firefox context menu where you'll find the option to enable the floating window.
Advantages and tricks to get the most out of it
One of the things that makes Firefox stand out from other browsers, such as Edge or Chrome, is its ability to manage multiple picture-in-picture (PiP) windows simultaneously . While others limit you to a single video, here you can repeat the process as many times as you want, allowing you to have, for example, a lecture in one corner and a reference video in another.
- Full customization: You can move the window to any corner of your monitor and adjust its size by stretching the edges, although there is usually an approximate limit of a quarter of the screen so as not to cover all the content.
- Quick controls: From the floating window, you can pause, mute, or skip forward and backward in the timeline. If the video is part of a playlist, you'll even see buttons to skip to the next clip.
- Real multitasking: It's the perfect tool for those who cook following a video recipe, students taking notes in Slack, or people who need to entertain children or pets while they finish a pending task.
Comparison and compatibility with popular websites
It's important to mention that, although the Picture-in-Picture API is a standard, not all websites cooperate equally. Some browsers only allow PiP mode if the website natively supports it, excluding giants like Netflix or Vimeo in certain configurations. However, Firefox's implementation (and Vivaldi's as well) is much more aggressive and flexible, allowing you to force floating mode even on sites that don't offer it by default.
However, keep in mind that some advanced features, such as subtitles on Netflix , might not be displayed in the floating window, as it's a simplified version of the original player. Despite these minor details, the ability to navigate the operating system without the video being hidden is a huge competitive advantage.
Mastering the use of floating windows in Firefox allows you to optimize your workflow to the fullest, enabling you to manage the playback of multimedia content independently, resize videos as you wish, and, above all, view multiple streams at once regardless of the source website or site interface restrictions.