MX Player Picture-in-Picture Not Working: Android Settings Fix

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) is one of those Android features you only notice when it breaks. One minute you are watching a video while replying to a message, and the next minute MX Player refuses to shrink into a floating window, closes playback when you leave the app, or shows PiP for some apps but not for MX Player. The good news is that most PiP failures are caused by a small set of Android settings, permissions, and device restrictions. This guide walks through the highest-probability fixes, in the right order, so you can get MX Player PiP working again.

1. Confirm You Are Actually Using Android Picture-in-Picture

Before changing settings, it helps to confirm what “PiP” means on your device, because Android has a few similar looking behaviors (like split-screen, floating windows, or vendor-specific “pop-up view”). True Android Picture-in-Picture is a special mode that lets a supported app continue playing video in a small always-on-top window while you use other apps.

1.1 Check Your Android Version and the Basic Requirement

Android’s official Picture-in-Picture feature is supported from Android 8.0 (Oreo) and newer. If your phone or tablet is older than Android 8.0, Android PiP will not be available system-wide, and any “floating window” behavior would be a device-specific feature rather than Android PiP.

• Open Settings and search for About phone or About device.
• Find Android version.
• If it is 8.0+, continue with the steps below.

If you are on Android 8.0+, PiP can still be blocked per app, by battery restrictions, by manufacturer “security” toggles, or by running an MX Player build or playback mode that does not trigger PiP.

1.2 Confirm MX Player Is Expected to Enter PiP in Your Use Case

Even on a PiP-capable Android device, whether MX Player will enter PiP depends on app support and what you are playing. In general, PiP behavior is most reliable when:

• You are playing a standard video in the main player UI.
• You press the Home button or use gesture navigation to go Home.
• Your Android setting Picture-in-picture is allowed for MX Player.

PiP can be inconsistent if you are casting, using certain web streams, using a non-standard playback surface, or if the app is prevented from running in the background. The rest of this article focuses on the Android-side settings that most commonly stop PiP from working even when it should.

2. Enable Picture-in-Picture Permission for MX Player

On modern Android, PiP is controlled by a per-app permission-like toggle. If it is off, MX Player can look perfectly normal during playback, but the moment you leave the app it will either pause, minimize without PiP, or close.

2.1 Turn On PiP for MX Player (Standard Android Path)

Try this exact sequence first:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps (or Apps & notifications).
3. Find and tap MX Player.
4. Tap Picture-in-picture.
5. Enable Allow picture-in-picture.

If you cannot find “Picture-in-picture,” use Settings search and type picture in picture or pip, then locate MX Player in the list.

2.2 If the PiP Toggle Is Missing

If you do not see a Picture-in-Picture option for MX Player, the cause is usually one of these:

• Android version is below 8.0, so there is no Android PiP menu.
• The device manufacturer moved the setting under a “Special app access” area.
• Work profile or parental controls are restricting special permissions.

Alternative path that often works on Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and other skins:

1. Open Settings and search for Special app access.
2. Open Special app access.
3. Tap Picture-in-picture.
4. Enable MX Player.

3. Fix Battery and Background Restrictions That Break PiP

PiP is a background-like behavior. If Android (or your manufacturer skin) aggressively restricts background activity, the system may prevent the app from maintaining playback after you leave the foreground, which can look like “PiP not working.”

3.1 Disable Battery Optimization for MX Player (Recommended Test)

As a troubleshooting step, exclude MX Player from battery optimization. This does not permanently damage anything, but it can reduce battery life if you leave it disabled for many apps. The goal is to test whether background limits are the cause.

1. Open Settings and search for Battery optimization (sometimes called Optimize battery usage).
2. Switch the view to All apps if needed.
3. Find MX Player.
4. Select Don’t optimize (or Unrestricted depending on device).
5. Retry PiP: play a video, then go to Home.

3.2 Check Background Activity Permissions (Android 12+ Common Issue)

Some devices expose an explicit background restriction setting per app. If MX Player is set to “Restricted,” PiP may fail.

• Go to Settings > Apps > MX Player > Battery.
• Set it to Unrestricted (for testing) or Optimized (if Unrestricted is not available).

If PiP begins working after setting Unrestricted, you have found the cause. You can then decide whether to keep it Unrestricted or re-enable optimization and accept occasional PiP interruptions.

3.3 Manufacturer “Auto-Start” and “Background Pop-Up” Controls

On some manufacturer Android builds (especially those with aggressive task killing), PiP can be blocked unless the app is allowed to start in the background or show pop-ups while running in the background.

Look for settings like:

• Auto-start or Allow background activity
• Display pop-up windows or Appear on top (this is not always PiP, but can influence multi-window behavior)
• Lock app in recents (prevents it from being killed)

These options vary a lot by brand, so use Settings search for terms like auto start, background activity, pop-up, or appear on top.

4. Check Multi-Window and PiP Conflicts

Android’s multi-window system includes split-screen and PiP, and some manufacturer skins add floating windows. Conflicts between these modes can prevent PiP from triggering cleanly.

4.1 Turn Off Split-Screen and Try Again

If you are currently in split-screen, exit split-screen and retry PiP from a normal full-screen playback session:

1. Close split-screen so MX Player is full-screen.
2. Start playback.
3. Press Home.

Some phones behave inconsistently when transitioning from split-screen to PiP.

4.2 Disable Third-Party “Floating Window” Tools Temporarily

Apps that draw overlays (chat heads, screen filters, automation tools, floating launchers) can interfere with video surfaces or focus changes. As a test:

• Temporarily disable overlay-heavy apps.
• Restart the phone.
• Test PiP again.

If PiP starts working, re-enable those apps one by one to identify the conflict.

5. Update MX Player and Android System Components

PiP depends on both the app and Android’s system services. Bugs in either can break PiP after an update. Keeping key components current is a practical, evidence-based troubleshooting step.

5.1 Update MX Player and Re-Test

Update MX Player from the Google Play Store, then reboot your device and test again. A reboot matters because it clears stuck media sessions and resets some background policy enforcement.

• Update the app.
• Force close it.
• Reboot.
• Play a local video and press Home.

5.2 Update Android System WebView and Google Play Services

Even though PiP is an OS feature, media apps commonly rely on system components for playback, DRM, web content, and notifications. If PiP fails specifically with online content or embedded pages, updating these can help:

• Android System WebView
• Google Play services

After updating, reboot and re-test.

6. Reset the App State Without Losing Everything

If your settings are correct but PiP still fails, the next most common cause is corrupted app state, a stuck background restriction, or a misbehaving configuration after an update. Do the least destructive resets first.

6.1 Force Stop, Then Clear Cache

Clearing cache is safer than clearing storage, and it often resolves UI state problems.

1. Settings > Apps > MX Player
2. Tap Force stop
3. Tap Storage & cache
4. Tap Clear cache
5. Open MX Player and test PiP again

6.2 Clear Storage Only If Necessary

Clearing storage (or “Clear data”) resets the app more completely and can remove preferences and local databases (such as watch history inside the app). Only do this if you are comfortable setting MX Player back up.

1. Settings > Apps > MX Player > Storage & cache
2. Tap Clear storage (or Clear data)
3. Re-open MX Player and re-test PiP

7. Device-Specific Fixes (Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Pixel)

Because Android settings differ by brand, these are the most common brand-adjacent areas where PiP gets disabled or constrained. Use these as a targeted checklist.

7.1 Samsung Galaxy: Special Access and Background Limits

On Samsung, PiP is usually under Special access, and background limits can stop PiP if the app is sleeping.

• Check Settings > Apps > Special access > Picture-in-picture.
• Check Settings > Battery and device care > Battery > Background usage limits.
• Ensure MX Player is not in Deep sleeping apps during testing.

7.2 Xiaomi (MIUI/HyperOS): Autostart and Battery Saver

Xiaomi devices can restrict background activity more aggressively. If PiP fails intermittently, check:

• Autostart permission (allow during testing).
• Battery saver mode for MX Player (set to no restrictions during testing).
• Any security app setting that blocks background pop-ups.

7.3 OnePlus/Oppo/Realme: Background Activity and App Battery

These brands often expose a direct per-app battery control that can block background playback.

• Set MX Player battery usage to Unrestricted for testing.
• Disable any global power saving modes temporarily.

7.4 Google Pixel: Use the Built-In PiP Toggle and Battery Setting

On Pixel devices, the PiP toggle is usually straightforward:

• Settings > Apps > Special app access > Picture-in-picture
• Settings > Apps > MX Player > Battery set to Unrestricted for testing

8. Why PiP Works for YouTube But Not MX Player

This is a common and useful clue. If YouTube (or Google Maps) can enter PiP but MX Player cannot, that usually means:

• System-wide PiP is working.
• MX Player is blocked by app-level PiP permission, battery restrictions, or a player-mode limitation.

8.1 The Fast Differential Diagnosis Checklist

Use this short checklist to isolate the cause quickly:

1. Does PiP work for another app? If yes, focus on MX Player settings.
2. Is MX Player allowed in Settings > Picture-in-picture? If no, enable it.
3. Is MX Player battery set to Restricted or in a sleep list? If yes, remove restrictions.
4. Does PiP fail only for online videos? If yes, update system components and test with a local file.
5. Does PiP fail only when an overlay app is enabled? If yes, disable overlays and re-test.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

9.1 How Do I Know PiP Is Enabled on Android?

Open Settings, search for Picture-in-picture, and confirm the master list shows MX Player as allowed. On many phones the setting is under Apps or Special app access.

9.2 Do I Need “Display Over Other Apps” for Picture-in-Picture?

Not necessarily. Android PiP is a separate system feature from the “draw over other apps” overlay permission. Some devices and skins blur this distinction with extra floating window features, but the most reliable control is the dedicated Picture-in-picture toggle for the app.

9.3 Why Does PiP Close Immediately After I Go Home?

The most common reasons are:

• MX Player is not allowed for PiP.
• Battery optimization or background restrictions are killing the app.
• A device power saving mode is active.

Start by enabling PiP permission and setting MX Player battery to Unrestricted as a test.

9.4 Will Reinstalling MX Player Fix PiP?

Sometimes, yes, but it is usually not the first thing you should try. Reinstalling is roughly equivalent to clearing storage, and it is most useful when a settings migration or corrupted app state is causing the PiP trigger to fail.

9.5 What Is the Most Reliable “One-Minute Fix” to Try First?

If you want the highest-impact steps with the least effort:

1. Enable Settings > Apps > MX Player > Picture-in-picture > Allow.
2. Set Settings > Apps > MX Player > Battery to Unrestricted for testing.
3. Reboot and test PiP using a local video file.

10. A Simple “Known Good” Test Procedure

When troubleshooting, you want a repeatable test that avoids variables. Use this sequence each time you change a setting:

1. Reboot the device (optional but helpful).
2. Open MX Player.
3. Play a local video file (not a web stream) for 10 to 15 seconds.
4. Press the Home gesture/button once.
5. Observe: PiP window appears, or playback stops/closes.

If PiP works for local video but not for certain online videos, focus your next steps on the specific playback mode, system component updates, and overlay conflicts rather than global PiP settings.

If you work through the article in order, you will usually find the culprit: the PiP toggle is off, the battery policy is too strict, or a manufacturer background control is silently killing playback. Once those are corrected, MX Player PiP typically behaves like other PiP-capable apps, reliably shrinking into a floating window when you go Home.

Citations

• Picture-in-picture overview. (Android Developers)
• Special app access on Android (includes Picture-in-picture in many builds). (Google Support)
• Battery optimization behavior and how it can affect apps. (Android Developers)
• About Picture-in-Picture and how to manage it (varies by device). (Google Support)