YouTube limits Apple tvOS 14’s PiP mode to ‘Premium’ subscribers

Some users found a workaround for this as soon as iOS 14 rolled out. Initially it was possible to enabled PiP when accessing YouTube via the Safari browser. However, that option has been closed now.

YouTube app icon. (Pixabay)

When Apple introduced iOS 14 at WWDC conference earlier this year, many were excited to see the Picture in Picture or PiP native feature in it. Many were looking forward to watch YouTube videos over other apps running in the background. However, now that the OS version has rolled out, a major limitation is found within YouTube. The video platform has apparently limited the PiP mode to its YouTube Premium subscribers. What's inconsistent here is that this feature is free to use on iPad (via Safari). 

Some users found a workaround for this as soon as iOS 14 rolled out. Initially it was possible to enabled PiP when accessing YouTube via the Safari browser. However, that option has been closed now. But Macrumors notes that PiP is still working for videos that are embedded in third party websites, suggesting that YouTube may have intentionally stopped this feature. 

And this is not all, YouTube has still not brought the ‘promised' 4K resolution playback on tvOS 14. Although the feature was there in beta versions, the final version doesn't have it yet. “Sorry about the back and forth — jumping in to clarify that Apple TV 4K will support 4K playback soon. Stay tuned for an update here," said YouTube on Twitter.

Talking about Apple software and Google, the search giant has finally made its widgets available on iOS 14. You can also move widgets from the ‘Today' screen on your iPhone. To use Google's new widgets for iOS 14 you must have the Google app downloaded on your iPhone.