Instagram Reels with New PiP Feature - Everything You Need to Know

Meta has started testing a brand-new feature for Instagram Reels: Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode. With this update, any reel on Instagram can keep playing in a small floating window while you scroll through the Instagram app, answer DMs, or even switch to another task on your phone.

This move shows once again how Instagram is drawing inspiration from TikTok videos and focusing on deeper engagement. Just like on TikTok, the ability to watch reels while multitasking is expected to keep Instagram users on the platform longer and make short videos even more addictive.

What is an Instagram Reel?

If you’re new to short-form video, you might be wondering: what exactly is a reel? An Instagram reel is a short, vertical video clip that you can record and edit directly in the Instagram app. You can create reels with trending audio, add effects, text, or even use your own original audio.

The guide to Instagram Reels is simple:

• Create a reel by recording one or multiple clips that add up to 90 seconds.
• Import a video from your camera roll and combine it with trending sounds from the Instagram music library.
• Choose a cover photo (or a reel cover) so your Instagram feed looks cohesive.
• Add a caption, tag people, and share your reel on the reels tab on your profile or directly to your feed.

Unlike Insta Stories, which disappear after 24 hours, reels stay live on your profile and can reach anyone on Instagram - even people who don’t follow your Instagram account. That’s why posting more reels has become one of the fastest ways to grow your audience.

Why Meta is Testing Picture-in-Picture for Reels

Meta knows the modern Instagram user likes multitasking. With PiP, you can:

• Keep a reel playing while browsing your Instagram profile.
• Respond to messages without pausing the video clip.
• Explore trends and find reels while your current one continues in a floating window.

For creators, that means:

• Longer watch times.
• More opportunities to engage audiences.
• Better performance in the Instagram reels algorithm.

In short, this trial reels feature is designed to boost retention, increase visibility, and give brands stronger reasons to use Instagram Reels as part of their Instagram strategy.

Instagram Reels for Business - How to Use Them

If you run a brand, you can use Instagram to build awareness and sales by producing engaging reels. Thanks to the new PiP mode, a reel on Instagram can stay visible even as users multitask, giving your video content more exposure.

Some ideas to take your reels further:

• Create reels with tutorials or behind-the-scenes footage.
• Showcase products using reel templates and creative tools.
• Add a location, add a caption, and use hashtags to boost discoverability.
• Work with influencers and leverage trending audio to share a reel with a wider audience.

With reels, Instagram for business becomes more powerful. You can use your own original audio, add voiceovers, and build a library of entertaining videos that stand out in the reels and TikTok battle.

Instagram Reels vs. Stories

Reels and stories are often confused, but they serve different purposes:

• Stories disappear after 24 hours and are great for quick updates.
• Reels, on the other hand, remain in the reels tab and can be discovered by anyone on Instagram, making them far more effective for long-term growth.

That’s why marketers recommend combining both. Share regular updates in stories, then use reels for more polished video creation that can reach a wider audience.

When Will PiP Be Available for Everyone?

Currently, PiP is in testing and only available to select Instagram users. Meta hasn’t confirmed a global launch date yet, but considering how fast trends move and the competition with TikTok, we can expect to see PiP roll out more broadly in the coming months.

The new PiP mode shows that Instagram is serious about improving the viewing experience for Instagram videos and competing directly with TikTok. For creators, it’s a chance to schedule Instagram Reels, experiment with editing reels, and reach a larger audience.

If you want to grow your Instagram account, use this update as motivation to create a reel, add audio, share to your feed, and experiment with new formats. With the right template, cover image, and original audio, you can easily share reels that stand out.

In other words: PiP is more than just a small window - it’s another way to keep Instagram Reels at the center of your Instagram strategy.

Bibliography

Seize Marketing Agency. (2025, September 4). Meta tests Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode for Instagram Reels. Seize Marketing Agency. Retrieved September 10, 2025, from https://seizemarketingagency.com/meta-tests-pip-mode-for-instagram-reels/