A small but powerful change is being tested on Instagram that could fundamentally alter how we consume short-form video. The platform is trialing a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode, a feature that prevents Reels from being interrupted when you need to answer a message, effectively changing the dynamic between content and communication.
This new functionality is elegantly simple. While a Reel is playing, switching to another app will cause the video to shrink into a floating overlay that remains on your screen. You can continue watching while you text, email, or browse, transforming what was once a disruptive choice into a seamless multitasking action. This feature aims to make your social media and social life coexist harmoniously.
This is more than just a convenience; it’s a strategic enhancement that benefits content creators. A major hurdle for engagement is the “interruption factor.” By allowing videos to persist through these interruptions, Instagram is providing creators with a tool to achieve higher completion rates, a key signal to the platform’s recommendation algorithm.
This social-centric update is accompanied by the launch of a full-featured, native iPad application. This offers an optimized, large-screen portal to Instagram, making it easier to view and engage with content in a more relaxed, shareable setting. Both moves highlight a push towards a more integrated and flexible platform.