How to keep VLC playing in the background on Android (VLC 3.7)

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-keep-vlc-playing-in-the-background-on-android/ · Checked October 2026 · build CP3A.261005.005 · Google Pixel 10a, Android 17

3 of 3 steps with real screenshots · 2 official sources below

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005)

App

VLC

Real screenshots

3 of 3 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Tap More, then Settings

   More is the last tab at the bottom; Settings is at the top next to About.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Background/PiP mode

   Under Video: Select VLC behaviour when you switch to other application from video playback.

   Done

3. 

   Choose what happens

   Stop, Play videos in background, or Play videos in Picture-in-picture mode. Ours was on Stop.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• Want a small window for one video only? In the player, the three dots menu has Pop-Up player. VideoLAN says it launches the video in Picture-in-Picture mode. Source: Video Player

  

• Using an older phone? VideoLAN says phones before Android 8.0 also need Use custom Picture-in-Picture popup in Video settings. Source: Video settings

If this does not work

• Picture-in-picture does not open? VideoLAN says the phone's PiP permission for VLC must be on as well as Background/PiP mode. Source: Video settings
• Video stops when you leave VLC? Background/PiP mode is still on Stop. Change it in step 3. Source: Video settings

About this guide

This setting decides what VLC does when you switch to another app during a video.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 and VLC 3.7.1 from the Play Store, taken on 25 October 2026. Our test video is a screen recording, so it shows a phone screen. We opened the choices and tapped Cancel.

Good to know

To change the speed, see change playback speed in VLC on Android.

In short: More, Settings, Background/PiP mode, choose.

📷 See real photos from the Pixel 10a in our Camera Lab, next to 10 other phones.