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In today’s digital age, videos have become an integral part of our lives. With the popularity of platforms like YouTube, people are constantly watching and sharing videos online. If you’re a Mac user and want to enhance your multitasking capabilities, you may wonder how to put a YouTube video on the corner of your screen while you work on other tasks. This blog post will explore various methods to achieve this, allowing you to have a video playing in a corner of your Mac screen while you browse the web, type documents, or engage in other activities.
Why You Need to Put YouTube Video on Corner of Screen Mac
There are several reasons why you might want to put a YouTube video in the corner of your Mac screen. Here are a few advantages of this feature:
- Increased productivity: By having a video playing in the corner of your screen, you can multitask and make the most of your time.
- Convenience: You don’t have to switch between tabs or windows to watch a video while working on other tasks.
- Continued entertainment: If you enjoy background noise or like to listen to music while you work, having a video on hand can provide a continuous stream of entertainment.
- Enhanced learning: For educational purposes, having a tutorial or lecture playing in the corner of your screen can help you follow along while performing tasks on your Mac.
Now, let’s dive into the methods that will allow you to put a YouTube video on the corner of your Mac screen.
Video Tutorial:
Part 1. Safari Picture-in-Picture Mode
The Safari browser on Mac has a built-in feature called Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode that allows you to watch videos in a small overlay window while you continue to work on other tasks. Here’s how to use it:
Before steps:
Make sure you have the latest version of Safari installed on your Mac. Go to the Apple menu, click on "About Safari," and check if any updates are available.
Steps:
1. Open Safari on your Mac.
2. Go to YouTube and find the video you want to watch.
3. Start playing the video.
4. Right-click on the video player or control-click if you’re using a trackpad.
5. In the context menu that appears, select "Enter Picture-in-Picture."
6. The video will now pop out into a small window that you can move around.
7. Resize the window by dragging its corners or sides.
8. Position the video window in the corner of your screen where you want it to be.
9. Continue working on other tasks while the video plays in the corner.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Easy and convenient built-in feature in Safari. | 1. Limited to Safari browser only. |
| 2. Allows you to watch videos from YouTube or other websites. | 2. PiP mode may not be available for all video sources or websites. |
| 3. Decreases distractions as the video is confined to a small window. | 3. PiP mode may occasionally glitch or not be available for certain videos. |
Part 2. Using Third-Party Apps
If you prefer to have more flexibility and options when putting a YouTube video on the corner of your Mac screen, you can utilize third-party apps specifically designed for this purpose. One such popular app is Helium. Here’s how to use it:
Before steps:
Download and install the Helium app from the Mac App Store.
Steps:
1. Open the YouTube video you want to watch in Safari.
2. In Safari, go to the "Window" menu and select "Open Page in Helium."
3. The video will now open in a floating window that you can resize and position anywhere on your screen.
4. Click on the "⋮" (ellipsis) icon in the Helium window to access additional options, such as changing the video opacity or locking the window position.
5. Enjoy watching the video in the corner of your screen while working on other tasks.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Provides more customization options compared to Safari’s PiP mode. | 1. Requires downloading and installing a third-party app. |
| 2. Supports various video sources and websites, not limited to YouTube. | 2. Free version of the app has some limitations, such as ads and limited configuration options. |
| 3. Allows you to have multiple videos playing in separate floating windows. | 3. Some advanced features may only be available in the paid version of the app. |
Part 3. Browser Extensions
Another way to achieve the desired functionality of having a YouTube video on the corner of your Mac screen is by using browser extensions. Extensions add extra features and capabilities to web browsers, and there are specific extensions available for this purpose. Let’s explore an example using the Google Chrome browser:
Before steps:
Make sure you have Google Chrome installed on your Mac.
Steps:
1. Open the Google Chrome browser on your Mac.
2. Go to the Chrome Web Store.
3. Search for a YouTube video player extension like "Floating for YouTube™."
4. Find and select an extension that suits your needs.
5. Click on the "Add to Chrome" button to install the extension.
6. Once installed, navigate to YouTube and start playing a video.
7. Look for the extension icon in your browser’s toolbar.
8. Click on the extension icon.
9. The video will now open in a floating window that you can move and resize.
10. Position the video window in the corner of your screen for easy viewing.
11. Carry on with your work while the video plays in the corner.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Can be used with your preferred web browser, not limited to Safari. | 1. Requires installing and relying on browser extensions. |
| 2. Offers alternative features and customizations compared to built-in browser options. | 2. Extension availability and compatibility may vary depending on the browser. |
| 3. Provides a wide range of options for resizable and movable floating windows. | 3. Some extensions may have limitations or compatibility issues with certain websites or video sources. |
Part 4. Desktop Apps
For those who prefer standalone applications over browser-based methods, there are desktop apps available that offer similar functionality. One such app is IINA, a powerful media player for Mac that supports playing YouTube videos. Here’s how to use it:
Before steps:
Download and install the IINA app from the official website.
Steps:
1. Open the IINA app on your Mac.
2. In the IINA menu, go to "File" and select "Open URL."
3. Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want to watch.
4. Paste the video URL into the "Open URL" dialog box in IINA and click "Open."
5. The video will now play in the IINA media player.
6. In IINA, go to the "Window" menu and select "Float on Top."
7. The video will become a floating window that you can position and resize as needed.
8. Move the video window to the corner of your screen and continue working while enjoying the video.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Standalone desktop app with robust media player capabilities. | 1. Requires downloading and installing a separate application. |
| 2. Allows playing YouTube videos and other media formats. | 2. App-specific features may require a learning curve for new users. |
| 3. Provides additional features like customization options and subtitle support. | 3. Limited to playing videos within the IINA app. |
What to Do If You Can’t Put YouTube Video on Corner of Screen Mac
If you encounter issues or limitations with the methods mentioned above, don’t worry. There are alternative solutions you can try:
1. Use a second screen: If you have access to a second monitor or a television screen, connect it to your Mac and play the YouTube video on that display while you work on your primary screen.
2. Resize windows: Instead of having a video in the corner of your screen, try resizing windows to create a split-screen effect. You can have YouTube open in one window and your work or other tasks in another window side by side.
3. Use a playlist: Create a YouTube playlist of videos you want to watch and let them play one after another. This way, you won’t have to constantly switch between tabs or windows to play the next video. You can easily access the playlist while focusing on your work.
Bonus Tips
Here are three bonus tips to enhance your YouTube video watching experience on your Mac:
1. Keyboard shortcuts: To control playback of YouTube videos without having to switch to the video player, familiarize yourself with the available keyboard shortcuts. For example, use the spacebar to play/pause the video or press "F" to enter full-screen mode.
2. Video speed control: Many videos on YouTube allow you to adjust the playback speed. You can speed up or slow down the video to better suit your preferences or to quickly skim through content.
3. Ad blockers: If you find ads interrupting your viewing experience on YouTube, consider using ad-blocking browser extensions or third-party apps that can help remove or skip ads automatically.
The Bottom Line
Putting a YouTube video on the corner of your Mac screen can be a game-changer for multitasking and productivity. Whether you choose to use Safari’s PiP mode, third-party apps, browser extensions, or desktop media players, there’s a method that will suit your needs. Experiment with these options and find the one that works best for you. Enjoy watching YouTube videos while staying engaged in your work and activities.
5 FAQs about Putting YouTube Video on Corner of Screen Mac
Q1: Can I use Safari’s PiP mode with other video sources besides YouTube?
A: Yes, Safari’s PiP mode works with various video sources and websites, not just YouTube. You can use it with platforms like Vimeo, Dailymotion, and more.
Q2: Do I need to keep the Safari or browser tab open for PiP mode to work?
A: No, once you activate PiP mode in Safari or using a browser extension, you can close the tab or even quit the browser, and the PiP video will continue to play.
Q3: Are third-party apps safe to download and install on my Mac?
A: Before downloading and installing any third-party app, make sure it comes from a trusted source or the official app store. Read reviews and do some research to ensure the app is safe and reliable.
Q4: Can I resize and move the floating video windows created by third-party apps?
A: Yes, third-party apps like Helium and browser extensions allow you to resize and move the floating video windows freely on your screen, giving you flexibility and customization options.
Q5: What if the YouTube video doesn’t work in a specific method mentioned above?
A: YouTube frequently updates its platform and restricts certain functionalities. If a method mentioned above doesn’t work for a specific YouTube video, try using alternative methods or seek other solutions like using different browsers or other video platforms.