Overview

• Instagram confirmed to TechCrunch that it is testing Picture-in-Picture for Reels.
• The feature lets users keep a Reel playing in a small floating window while using other apps.
• Access is opt in, with a “Try picture in picture” pop-up, a toggle on the Share screen, and controls in the menu.
• The experiment is limited to a small group of users, and there is no announced timeline for broader availability.
• App researcher Radu Oncescu first spotted the test, and reports note the move aligns Instagram with TikTok and YouTube and could lift watch time for longer Reels.