Instagram has begun testing a new Picture-in-Picture feature for Reels, as confirmed by the company this week.
The feature, which has been available on many other platforms for some time, will allow users to continue watching Reels in a small floating window while simultaneously using other apps on their device.
Currently, the feature is only visible to a small group of users who have reported seeing a pop-up notification explaining how it works and how to activate it.
For many, the ability to multitask while keeping a Reel playing in the background has already proven useful, especially for longer clips that demand more sustained attention.
At a time when user attention spans are shrinking and competition for screen time is fiercer than ever, Picture-in-Picture could help keep audiences engaged without requiring them to remain locked into the Instagram app.
The update also places Instagram more competitively against rivals like TikTok and YouTube, both of which have long supported Picture-in-Picture playback.
By matching these features, Instagram reduces one of the advantages its competitors have enjoyed and gives its users fewer reasons to leave the app in favor of others.
For creators, the potential benefits are even more pronounced. With the option to keep a video running in the background, audiences are less likely to drop off halfway through a clip.
This means higher retention, more complete views, and better overall performance for content creators trying to maximize reach and engagement.
According to Instagram boss Adam Mosseri, the feature has been in development for several months and is on track for a wider rollout soon, though no exact timeline was shared. This was in response to a question where he said he would “talk to the team and see if we can figure something out”.
