What is PiP video?
Used in a sentence: Let's run a short PiP video on the cards screen that shows how to set a spending limit, and let users drag it out of the way.
How it works
A PiP video sits in a small window, usually in a lower corner, above the app’s normal content. It plays muted by default with captions. The user can drag it aside, tap to expand it to full screen, or close it.
Because the screen underneath stays usable, PiP suits moments when a user is already doing something related. It is typically triggered by an event, such as first visit to a screen, a new feature release or an abandoned flow. Targeting rules decide who sees it, and frequency rules stop it from appearing again once watched or closed. A call-to-action button can sit under or beside the video.
Example
An OTT app launches a “download for offline” feature. The growth team sets a short PiP video to play when a user opens a show’s page for the first time after the release. The muted clip shows a thumb tapping the download icon and the episode appearing in the downloads tab, with a “Try it” button. Users who have already downloaded an episode are excluded.
PiP video vs full-screen video
| PiP video | Full-screen video | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | Small window, app stays usable | Takes over the screen |
| Interruption | Low | High |
| Best for | Feature tips, light promos | Launch moments, onboarding intros |
PiP lets the user keep going. Full-screen asks them to stop and watch.
Best practices
- Keep the video short and show one action from start to finish.
- Autoplay muted with captions, and make closing obvious.
- Place it where it does not cover the element the video explains.
- Measure feature usage for viewers against a holdout, not just play rate.
How to do this with Digia Engage
A growth team uploads the clip, picks the screen and sets the trigger from CleverTap, MoEngage or WebEngage events, all in Digia’s no-code builder. Placement, playback and the call to action are set per campaign, along with frequency rules. The video goes live without an app release. See the format on the in-app PiP video page and the wider in-app videos product.
Frequently asked questions
- Does PiP video autoplay with sound?
- It should autoplay muted. Sound that starts without warning is jarring, especially in public, and many users close the video straight away. Add captions so the message works without audio, and offer a clear tap to unmute or expand the video for users who want to watch with sound.
- What should an in-app PiP video be about?
- Something easier to show than to describe: how to use a feature, what a new screen does, or a time-limited offer with a clear action. Keep it short and tied to the screen where it plays. A generic brand video rarely earns attention inside the app, where users are trying to get something done.
Related terms
Read more
Part of the In-app engagement glossary.