You can control media playback such as music, videos, and other audio in Google Chrome using built-in media controls.
When you play music or a video in Chrome, a media control icon (usually a small music note or play symbol) appears in the top-right corner of the browser. Click this icon to open the global media controls panel.
From this panel, you can pause or play content, skip tracks, and switch between different tabs that are playing media. This is useful when you have multiple tabs open with audio or video.
You can also control playback directly from the tab. Tabs playing audio show a speaker icon. Click this icon to mute or unmute the tab.
Additionally, you can right-click a tab and select Mute site to silence all audio from that website.
If you are using keyboard media keys (such as play, pause, or skip), Chrome can respond to those controls as well, depending on your device settings.
On some systems, Chrome also integrates with system-level media controls, allowing you to manage playback from your keyboard, lock screen, or notification panel.
Control music, video or anything that plays sound in a Chrome tab.
Play music or sound across Chrome tabs
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- In a tab, play music, a video or anything else with sound. You can stay on that tab or navigate to a different one.
- To control the sound, at the top right, select Media control
.
- You can pause, go to the next song or video, or select to go back to the tab where the song or video plays.
Tip: Your media will continue to play whether you stay in the tab or go to a different one.
Change your default sound permissions on your computer
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, select More
Settings.
- Select Privacy and security
- Under 'Content', select Additional content settings
- Select the option that you want as your default setting.
Watch a video across Chrome tabs
You can play a video from one tab in a smaller window on top of the other tabs that you browse.
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- In a tab, play a video.
- To view the video while browsing on other tabs, at the top right, select Media control
.
Tip: To reposition, select and drag the video window.
Important: You can use automatic picture-in-picture on a website if it's enabled by the developer.
When you allow automatic picture-in-picture in Chrome, you can watch a video while you use your screen for other tasks.
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- Go to a website where you can watch a video.
- Play the video.
- When prompted, select from:
- Allow this time
- Allow on every visit
- Don't allow
Change your automatic picture-in-picture permissions:
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, select More
- Select Privacy and security
- Under 'Permissions', select Additional permission settings
- Select your preferred permission:
- Sites can enter picture-in-picture automatically
- Don't allow sites to enter picture-in-picture automatically
Tips:
- On the left of the address bar, you can also turn on Automatic picture-in-picture when you select Page info
.
- Automatic picture-in-picture is off in Incognito mode by default.
Cast media to available devices
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- In a tab, play music, a video or anything else with sound. You can stay on that tab or navigate to a different one.
- To open the media controls, to the right of the address bar, select Media control
- At the bottom left-hand corner of the pop-up, select Cast to a device.
- Select the device that you want to cast to.
If you have feedback on this feature, learn how to send feedback in Chrome. To submit feedback related to Google Cast, go to chrome://cast-feedback.
Learn how to cast from Chrome to your TV.
In summary, Chrome provides easy ways to control music and videos through its media controls panel, tab options, and keyboard integration, helping you manage playback across multiple tabs efficiently.
