The phrase concerns the functionality of a video playback feature on Apple’s mobile operating system being disrupted. This commonly manifests as the inability to minimize a video being viewed within the official application or through a web browser on an iPhone or iPad, thus preventing the video from playing in a smaller, movable window while the user interacts with other apps. For example, a user attempts to watch a video while simultaneously checking email, but the video ceases playback or remains within the full-screen application.
The utility of this feature lies in its facilitation of multitasking. It allows users to maintain visual content engagement while attending to other tasks, enhancing productivity and convenience. Historically, this capability was introduced to iOS as a core feature, becoming a standard expectation for media consumption. Its absence or malfunction creates user frustration and reduces the device’s perceived utility as a multimedia tool.
