diff --git a/app/(auth)/player/direct-player.tsx b/app/(auth)/player/direct-player.tsx
index a384e94cf..937c32092 100644
--- a/app/(auth)/player/direct-player.tsx
+++ b/app/(auth)/player/direct-player.tsx
@@ -825,12 +825,10 @@ export default function DirectPlayerPage() {
     ],
   );
 
-  /** PiP handler for MPV */
   const _onPictureInPictureChange = useCallback(
     (e: { nativeEvent: { isActive: boolean } }) => {
       const { isActive } = e.nativeEvent;
       setIsPipMode(isActive);
-      // Hide controls when entering PiP
       if (isActive) {
         _setShowControls(false);
       }
@@ -848,6 +846,9 @@ export default function DirectPlayerPage() {
 
   // Memoize video ref functions to prevent unnecessary re-renders
   const startPictureInPicture = useCallback(async () => {
+    // Hide controls BEFORE entering PiP so the window captures a clean view
+    _setShowControls(false);
+    setIsPipMode(true);
     return videoRef.current?.startPictureInPicture?.();
   }, []);
 
@@ -1253,6 +1254,7 @@ export default function DirectPlayerPage() {
                 nowPlayingMetadata={nowPlayingMetadata}
                 onProgress={onProgress}
                 onPlaybackStateChange={onPlaybackStateChanged}
+                onPictureInPictureChange={_onPictureInPictureChange}
                 onLoad={() => setIsVideoLoaded(true)}
                 onError={(e: { nativeEvent: MpvOnErrorEventPayload }) => {
                   console.error("Video Error:", e.nativeEvent);
diff --git a/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/MPVLayerRenderer.kt b/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/MPVLayerRenderer.kt
index ff45438eb..753bfb28f 100644
--- a/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/MPVLayerRenderer.kt
+++ b/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/MPVLayerRenderer.kt
@@ -236,37 +236,43 @@ class MPVLayerRenderer(private val context: Context) : MPVLib.EventObserver {
     }
     
     /**
-     * Attach surface and re-enable video output.
-     * Based on Findroid's implementation.
+     * Attach surface and ensure video output is active.
+     *
+     * During PiP transitions, the surface is destroyed and recreated by Android.
+     * We keep the VO pipeline alive (not killed with vo=null) so that rendering
+     * resumes immediately when the new surface is attached — avoiding the black
+     * screen that occurs when the VO is fully re-initialized via setOptionString.
      */
     fun attachSurface(surface: Surface) {
         this.surface = surface
+        Log.i(TAG, "[PiP] attachSurface — isRunning=$isRunning, vo=$voDriver, surface=${surface.hashCode()}")
         if (isRunning) {
             MPVLib.attachSurface(surface)
-            // Re-enable video output after attaching surface (Findroid approach)
             MPVLib.setOptionString("force-window", "yes")
-            MPVLib.setOptionString("vo", voDriver)
-            Log.i(TAG, "Surface attached, video output re-enabled (vo=$voDriver)")
+            // Read back vo to confirm it's still active
+            val activeVo = try { MPVLib.getPropertyString("vo") } catch (e: Exception) { null }
+            Log.i(TAG, "[PiP] attachSurface — attached, activeVo=$activeVo")
         }
     }
-    
+
     /**
-     * Detach surface and disable video output.
-     * Based on Findroid's implementation.
+     * Detach surface without killing the VO pipeline.
+     *
+     * The previous approach (vo=null / force-window=no) destroyed the entire video
+     * output pipeline on every surface transition. During PiP mode, the rapid
+     * destroy/recreate cycle caused a black screen because setOptionString("vo", ...)
+     * did not properly re-initialize rendering into the new PiP surface.
+     *
+     * By keeping the VO alive, frames are simply dropped while no surface is
+     * attached, and rendering resumes immediately when the new surface arrives.
      */
     fun detachSurface() {
         this.surface = null
+        Log.i(TAG, "[PiP] detachSurface — isRunning=$isRunning, vo=$voDriver")
         if (isRunning) {
-            try {
-                // Disable video output before detaching surface (Findroid approach)
-                MPVLib.setOptionString("vo", "null")
-                MPVLib.setOptionString("force-window", "no")
-                Log.i(TAG, "Video output disabled before surface detach")
-            } catch (e: Exception) {
-                Log.e(TAG, "Failed to disable video output: ${e.message}")
-            }
-            
             MPVLib.detachSurface()
+            val activeVo = try { MPVLib.getPropertyString("vo") } catch (e: Exception) { null }
+            Log.i(TAG, "[PiP] detachSurface — detached, activeVo=$activeVo (should still be $voDriver)")
         }
     }
     
@@ -277,7 +283,24 @@ class MPVLayerRenderer(private val context: Context) : MPVLib.EventObserver {
     fun updateSurfaceSize(width: Int, height: Int) {
         if (isRunning) {
             MPVLib.setPropertyString("android-surface-size", "${width}x$height")
-            Log.i(TAG, "Surface size updated: ${width}x$height")
+            Log.i(TAG, "[PiP] updateSurfaceSize — ${width}x${height}")
+        } else {
+            Log.w(TAG, "[PiP] updateSurfaceSize — called but renderer not running")
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Force mpv to render a frame to the current surface.
+     * Steps forward one frame then seeks back to the original position.
+     * Used after PiP entry to work around mpv stopping pixel output.
+     */
+    fun forceRedraw() {
+        if (!isRunning) return
+        val pos = cachedPosition
+        Log.i(TAG, "[PiP] forceRedraw — stepping frame then seeking to $pos")
+        MPVLib.command(arrayOf("frame-step"))
+        if (pos > 0) {
+            MPVLib.command(arrayOf("seek", pos.toString(), "absolute"))
         }
     }
     
diff --git a/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/MpvPlayerModule.kt b/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/MpvPlayerModule.kt
index 2e3f9a868..2d1cfddd5 100644
--- a/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/MpvPlayerModule.kt
+++ b/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/MpvPlayerModule.kt
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ class MpvPlayerModule : Module() {
             }
 
             // Defines events that the view can send to JavaScript
-            Events("onLoad", "onPlaybackStateChange", "onProgress", "onError", "onTracksReady")
+            Events("onLoad", "onPlaybackStateChange", "onProgress", "onError", "onTracksReady", "onPictureInPictureChange")
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/MpvPlayerView.kt b/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/MpvPlayerView.kt
index 066afe90b..4df7fe0b3 100644
--- a/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/MpvPlayerView.kt
+++ b/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/MpvPlayerView.kt
@@ -2,12 +2,15 @@ package expo.modules.mpvplayer
 
 import android.content.Context
 import android.graphics.Color
-import android.os.Build
+import android.graphics.Rect
+import android.graphics.SurfaceTexture
+import android.os.Handler
+import android.os.Looper
 import android.util.Log
 import android.view.Surface
-import android.view.SurfaceHolder
-import android.view.SurfaceView
-import android.widget.FrameLayout
+import android.view.TextureView
+import android.view.View
+import android.view.ViewGroup
 import expo.modules.kotlin.AppContext
 import expo.modules.kotlin.viewevent.EventDispatcher
 import expo.modules.kotlin.views.ExpoView
@@ -28,26 +31,27 @@ data class VideoLoadConfig(
 
 /**
  * MpvPlayerView - ExpoView that hosts the MPV player.
- * This mirrors the iOS MpvPlayerView implementation.
+ * Uses TextureView for reliable Picture-in-Picture support.
  */
-class MpvPlayerView(context: Context, appContext: AppContext) : ExpoView(context, appContext), 
-    MPVLayerRenderer.Delegate, SurfaceHolder.Callback {
-    
+class MpvPlayerView(context: Context, appContext: AppContext) : ExpoView(context, appContext),
+    MPVLayerRenderer.Delegate, TextureView.SurfaceTextureListener {
+
     companion object {
         private const val TAG = "MpvPlayerView"
     }
-    
+
     // Event dispatchers
     val onLoad by EventDispatcher()
     val onPlaybackStateChange by EventDispatcher()
     val onProgress by EventDispatcher()
     val onError by EventDispatcher()
     val onTracksReady by EventDispatcher()
-    
-    private var surfaceView: SurfaceView
+    val onPictureInPictureChange by EventDispatcher()
+
+    private var textureView: TextureView
     private var renderer: MPVLayerRenderer? = null
     private var pipController: PiPController? = null
-    
+
     private var currentUrl: String? = null
     private var cachedPosition: Double = 0.0
     private var cachedDuration: Double = 0.0
@@ -56,23 +60,29 @@ class MpvPlayerView(context: Context, appContext: AppContext) : ExpoView(context
     private var pendingConfig: VideoLoadConfig? = null
     private var rendererStarted: Boolean = false
     private var pendingSurface: Surface? = null
+    private var surfaceTexture: SurfaceTexture? = null
+
+    // PiP state tracking
+    private var isWaitingForPiPTransition: Boolean = false
+    private var isPiPSurfaceForced: Boolean = false
+    private val pipHandler = Handler(Looper.getMainLooper())
 
     init {
         setBackgroundColor(Color.BLACK)
 
-        // Create SurfaceView for video rendering
-        surfaceView = SurfaceView(context).apply {
-            layoutParams = FrameLayout.LayoutParams(
-                FrameLayout.LayoutParams.MATCH_PARENT,
-                FrameLayout.LayoutParams.MATCH_PARENT
+        // Create TextureView for video rendering (composites into app window for PiP support)
+        textureView = TextureView(context).apply {
+            layoutParams = ViewGroup.LayoutParams(
+                ViewGroup.LayoutParams.MATCH_PARENT,
+                ViewGroup.LayoutParams.MATCH_PARENT
             )
-            holder.addCallback(this@MpvPlayerView)
+            surfaceTextureListener = this@MpvPlayerView
         }
-        addView(surfaceView)
+        addView(textureView)
 
         // Initialize PiP controller with Expo's AppContext for proper activity access
         pipController = PiPController(context, appContext)
-        pipController?.setPlayerView(surfaceView)
+        pipController?.setPlayerView(textureView)
         pipController?.delegate = object : PiPController.Delegate {
             override fun onPlay() {
                 play()
@@ -85,6 +95,23 @@ class MpvPlayerView(context: Context, appContext: AppContext) : ExpoView(context
             override fun onSeekBy(seconds: Double) {
                 seekBy(seconds)
             }
+
+            override fun onPictureInPictureModeChanged(isInPiP: Boolean) {
+                if (isInPiP) {
+                    if (!isWaitingForPiPTransition) {
+                        isWaitingForPiPTransition = true
+                        pipHandler.removeCallbacksAndMessages(null)
+                        for (delay in longArrayOf(500, 1000, 1500, 2000)) {
+                            pipHandler.postDelayed({ forcePiPBufferSize() }, delay)
+                        }
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    isWaitingForPiPTransition = false
+                    pipHandler.removeCallbacksAndMessages(null)
+                    restoreFromPiP()
+                }
+                onPictureInPictureChange(mapOf("isActive" to isInPiP))
+            }
         }
 
         // Renderer is created lazily in loadVideo once we have the voDriver setting
@@ -102,32 +129,29 @@ class MpvPlayerView(context: Context, appContext: AppContext) : ExpoView(context
         try {
             renderer?.start(voDriver ?: "gpu-next")
             rendererStarted = true
-            Log.i(TAG, "Renderer started with vo=$voDriver")
 
-            // If surface was created before renderer started, attach it now
             pendingSurface?.let { surface ->
                 renderer?.attachSurface(surface)
                 pendingSurface = null
-                Log.i(TAG, "Attached pending surface after renderer start")
             }
         } catch (e: Exception) {
             Log.e(TAG, "Failed to start renderer: ${e.message}")
             onError(mapOf("error" to "Failed to start renderer: ${e.message}"))
         }
     }
-    
-    // MARK: - SurfaceHolder.Callback
-    
-    override fun surfaceCreated(holder: SurfaceHolder) {
-        Log.i(TAG, "Surface created")
+
+    // MARK: - TextureView.SurfaceTextureListener
+
+    override fun onSurfaceTextureAvailable(surfaceTexture: SurfaceTexture, width: Int, height: Int) {
+        this.surfaceTexture = surfaceTexture
+        val surface = Surface(surfaceTexture)
+        surfaceTexture.setDefaultBufferSize(width, height)
         surfaceReady = true
 
         if (rendererStarted) {
-            renderer?.attachSurface(holder.surface)
+            renderer?.attachSurface(surface)
         } else {
-            // Renderer not started yet - store surface to attach after start
-            pendingSurface = holder.surface
-            Log.i(TAG, "Surface created before renderer started, storing as pending")
+            pendingSurface = surface
         }
 
         // If we have a pending load, execute it now
@@ -137,19 +161,23 @@ class MpvPlayerView(context: Context, appContext: AppContext) : ExpoView(context
             pendingConfig = null
         }
     }
-    
-    override fun surfaceChanged(holder: SurfaceHolder, format: Int, width: Int, height: Int) {
-        Log.i(TAG, "Surface changed: ${width}x${height}")
-        // Update MPV with the new surface size (Findroid approach)
+
+    override fun onSurfaceTextureSizeChanged(surfaceTexture: SurfaceTexture, width: Int, height: Int) {
+        surfaceTexture.setDefaultBufferSize(width, height)
         renderer?.updateSurfaceSize(width, height)
     }
-    
-    override fun surfaceDestroyed(holder: SurfaceHolder) {
-        Log.i(TAG, "Surface destroyed")
+
+    override fun onSurfaceTextureDestroyed(surfaceTexture: SurfaceTexture): Boolean {
+        this.surfaceTexture = null
         surfaceReady = false
         renderer?.detachSurface()
+        return false // mpv manages the SurfaceTexture
     }
-    
+
+    override fun onSurfaceTextureUpdated(surfaceTexture: SurfaceTexture) {
+        // Called every frame — no action needed, mpv drives rendering directly
+    }
+
     // MARK: - Video Loading
 
     fun loadVideo(config: VideoLoadConfig) {
@@ -169,10 +197,10 @@ class MpvPlayerView(context: Context, appContext: AppContext) : ExpoView(context
 
         loadVideoInternal(config)
     }
-    
+
     private fun loadVideoInternal(config: VideoLoadConfig) {
         currentUrl = config.url
-        
+
         renderer?.load(
             url = config.url,
             headers = config.headers,
@@ -181,124 +209,173 @@ class MpvPlayerView(context: Context, appContext: AppContext) : ExpoView(context
             initialSubtitleId = config.initialSubtitleId,
             initialAudioId = config.initialAudioId
         )
-        
+
         if (config.autoplay) {
             play()
         }
-        
+
         onLoad(mapOf("url" to config.url))
     }
-    
+
     // Convenience method for simple loads
     fun loadVideo(url: String, headers: Map<String, String>? = null) {
         loadVideo(VideoLoadConfig(url = url, headers = headers))
     }
-    
+
     // MARK: - Playback Controls
-    
+
     fun play() {
         intendedPlayState = true
         renderer?.play()
         pipController?.setPlaybackRate(1.0)
     }
-    
+
     fun pause() {
         intendedPlayState = false
         renderer?.pause()
         pipController?.setPlaybackRate(0.0)
     }
-    
+
     fun seekTo(position: Double) {
         renderer?.seekTo(position)
     }
-    
+
     fun seekBy(offset: Double) {
         renderer?.seekBy(offset)
     }
-    
+
     fun setSpeed(speed: Double) {
         renderer?.setSpeed(speed)
     }
-    
+
     fun getSpeed(): Double {
         return renderer?.getSpeed() ?: 1.0
     }
-    
+
     fun isPaused(): Boolean {
         return renderer?.isPausedState ?: true
     }
-    
+
     fun getCurrentPosition(): Double {
         return cachedPosition
     }
-    
+
     fun getDuration(): Double {
         return cachedDuration
     }
-    
+
     // MARK: - Picture in Picture
-    
+
     fun startPictureInPicture() {
-        Log.i(TAG, "startPictureInPicture called")
+        isWaitingForPiPTransition = true
         pipController?.startPictureInPicture()
+
+        // Resize buffer to match PiP window after animation settles
+        pipHandler.removeCallbacksAndMessages(null)
+        for (delay in longArrayOf(500, 1000, 1500, 2000)) {
+            pipHandler.postDelayed({ forcePiPBufferSize() }, delay)
+        }
     }
-    
+
+    /**
+     * Resize the SurfaceTexture buffer AND TextureView layout to match the PiP
+     * visible rect so mpv renders at the PiP window's actual dimensions.
+     */
+    private fun forcePiPBufferSize() {
+        if (!isWaitingForPiPTransition || !surfaceReady) return
+
+        val rect = Rect()
+        textureView.getGlobalVisibleRect(rect)
+        val visW = rect.width()
+        val visH = rect.height()
+        val vw = textureView.width
+        val vh = textureView.height
+
+        if (visW <= 0 || visH <= 0 || (vw == visW && vh == visH)) return
+
+        surfaceTexture?.setDefaultBufferSize(visW, visH)
+        renderer?.updateSurfaceSize(visW, visH)
+
+        // Force TextureView layout to match PiP visible area.
+        // layoutParams alone doesn't work during PiP because the parent
+        // never re-lays out its children.
+        textureView.measure(
+            View.MeasureSpec.makeMeasureSpec(visW, View.MeasureSpec.EXACTLY),
+            View.MeasureSpec.makeMeasureSpec(visH, View.MeasureSpec.EXACTLY)
+        )
+        textureView.layout(0, 0, visW, visH)
+        isPiPSurfaceForced = true
+    }
+
+    private fun restoreFromPiP() {
+        if (!isPiPSurfaceForced) return
+        isPiPSurfaceForced = false
+
+        val lp = textureView.layoutParams
+        lp.width = ViewGroup.LayoutParams.MATCH_PARENT
+        lp.height = ViewGroup.LayoutParams.MATCH_PARENT
+        textureView.layoutParams = lp
+        textureView.requestLayout()
+    }
+
     fun stopPictureInPicture() {
+        isWaitingForPiPTransition = false
+        pipHandler.removeCallbacksAndMessages(null)
         pipController?.stopPictureInPicture()
     }
-    
+
     fun isPictureInPictureSupported(): Boolean {
         return pipController?.isPictureInPictureSupported() ?: false
     }
-    
+
     fun isPictureInPictureActive(): Boolean {
         return pipController?.isPictureInPictureActive() ?: false
     }
-    
+
     // MARK: - Subtitle Controls
-    
+
     fun getSubtitleTracks(): List<Map<String, Any>> {
         return renderer?.getSubtitleTracks() ?: emptyList()
     }
-    
+
     fun setSubtitleTrack(trackId: Int) {
         renderer?.setSubtitleTrack(trackId)
     }
-    
+
     fun disableSubtitles() {
         renderer?.disableSubtitles()
     }
-    
+
     fun getCurrentSubtitleTrack(): Int {
         return renderer?.getCurrentSubtitleTrack() ?: 0
     }
-    
+
     fun addSubtitleFile(url: String, select: Boolean = true) {
         renderer?.addSubtitleFile(url, select)
     }
-    
+
     // MARK: - Subtitle Positioning
-    
+
     fun setSubtitlePosition(position: Int) {
         renderer?.setSubtitlePosition(position)
     }
-    
+
     fun setSubtitleScale(scale: Double) {
         renderer?.setSubtitleScale(scale)
     }
-    
+
     fun setSubtitleMarginY(margin: Int) {
         renderer?.setSubtitleMarginY(margin)
     }
-    
+
     fun setSubtitleAlignX(alignment: String) {
         renderer?.setSubtitleAlignX(alignment)
     }
-    
+
     fun setSubtitleAlignY(alignment: String) {
         renderer?.setSubtitleAlignY(alignment)
     }
-    
+
     fun setSubtitleFontSize(size: Int) {
         renderer?.setSubtitleFontSize(size)
     }
@@ -316,15 +393,15 @@ class MpvPlayerView(context: Context, appContext: AppContext) : ExpoView(context
     }
 
     // MARK: - Audio Track Controls
-    
+
     fun getAudioTracks(): List<Map<String, Any>> {
         return renderer?.getAudioTracks() ?: emptyList()
     }
-    
+
     fun setAudioTrack(trackId: Int) {
         renderer?.setAudioTrack(trackId)
     }
-    
+
     fun getCurrentAudioTrack(): Int {
         return renderer?.getCurrentAudioTrack() ?: 0
     }
@@ -349,16 +426,16 @@ class MpvPlayerView(context: Context, appContext: AppContext) : ExpoView(context
     }
 
     // MARK: - MPVLayerRenderer.Delegate
-    
+
     override fun onPositionChanged(position: Double, duration: Double, cacheSeconds: Double) {
         cachedPosition = position
         cachedDuration = duration
-        
+
         // Update PiP progress
         if (pipController?.isPictureInPictureActive() == true) {
             pipController?.setCurrentTime(position, duration)
         }
-        
+
         onProgress(mapOf(
             "position" to position,
             "duration" to duration,
@@ -366,50 +443,51 @@ class MpvPlayerView(context: Context, appContext: AppContext) : ExpoView(context
             "cacheSeconds" to cacheSeconds
         ))
     }
-    
+
     override fun onPauseChanged(isPaused: Boolean) {
-        // Sync PiP playback rate
         pipController?.setPlaybackRate(if (isPaused) 0.0 else 1.0)
-        
+
         onPlaybackStateChange(mapOf(
             "isPaused" to isPaused,
             "isPlaying" to !isPaused
         ))
     }
-    
+
     override fun onLoadingChanged(isLoading: Boolean) {
         onPlaybackStateChange(mapOf(
             "isLoading" to isLoading
         ))
     }
-    
+
     override fun onReadyToSeek() {
         onPlaybackStateChange(mapOf(
             "isReadyToSeek" to true
         ))
     }
-    
+
     override fun onTracksReady() {
         onTracksReady(emptyMap<String, Any>())
     }
-    
+
     override fun onVideoDimensionsChanged(width: Int, height: Int) {
-        // Update PiP controller with video dimensions for proper aspect ratio
         pipController?.setVideoDimensions(width, height)
     }
-    
+
     override fun onError(message: String) {
         onError(mapOf("error" to message))
     }
-    
+
     // MARK: - Cleanup
-    
+
     fun cleanup() {
+        isWaitingForPiPTransition = false
+        pipHandler.removeCallbacksAndMessages(null)
         pipController?.stopPictureInPicture()
         renderer?.stop()
-        surfaceView.holder.removeCallback(this)
+        surfaceTexture = null
+        surfaceReady = false
     }
-    
+
     override fun onDetachedFromWindow() {
         super.onDetachedFromWindow()
         cleanup()
diff --git a/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/PiPController.kt b/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/PiPController.kt
index 438ccaa1f..2a24440bf 100644
--- a/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/PiPController.kt
+++ b/modules/mpv-player/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/mpvplayer/PiPController.kt
@@ -1,51 +1,62 @@
 package expo.modules.mpvplayer
 
 import android.app.Activity
+import android.app.Application
 import android.app.PictureInPictureParams
+import android.app.RemoteAction
+import android.content.BroadcastReceiver
 import android.content.Context
+import android.content.Intent
+import android.content.IntentFilter
 import android.content.pm.PackageManager
+import android.graphics.drawable.Icon
 import android.graphics.Rect
 import android.os.Build
+import android.os.Bundle
+import android.os.Handler
+import android.os.Looper
 import android.util.Log
 import android.util.Rational
 import android.view.View
 import androidx.annotation.RequiresApi
 import expo.modules.kotlin.AppContext
 
-/**
- * Picture-in-Picture controller for Android.
- * This mirrors the iOS PiPController implementation.
- */
 class PiPController(private val context: Context, private val appContext: AppContext? = null) {
-    
+
     companion object {
         private const val TAG = "PiPController"
         private const val DEFAULT_ASPECT_WIDTH = 16
         private const val DEFAULT_ASPECT_HEIGHT = 9
+        private const val ACTION_PIP_PLAY_PAUSE = "expo.modules.mpvplayer.PIP_PLAY_PAUSE"
+        private const val ACTION_PIP_SKIP_FORWARD = "expo.modules.mpvplayer.PIP_SKIP_FORWARD"
+        private const val ACTION_PIP_SKIP_BACKWARD = "expo.modules.mpvplayer.PIP_SKIP_BACKWARD"
     }
-    
+
     interface Delegate {
         fun onPlay()
         fun onPause()
         fun onSeekBy(seconds: Double)
+        fun onPictureInPictureModeChanged(isInPiP: Boolean)
     }
-    
+
     var delegate: Delegate? = null
-    
+
     private var currentPosition: Double = 0.0
     private var currentDuration: Double = 0.0
     private var playbackRate: Double = 1.0
-    
-    // Video dimensions for proper aspect ratio
+
     private var videoWidth: Int = 0
     private var videoHeight: Int = 0
-    
-    // Reference to the player view for source rect
     private var playerView: View? = null
-    
-    /**
-     * Check if Picture-in-Picture is supported on this device
-     */
+
+    // PiP state tracking
+    private var isInPiPMode: Boolean = false
+    private var pipEntryNotified: Boolean = false
+    private val pipHandler = Handler(Looper.getMainLooper())
+    private var lifecycleCallbacks: Application.ActivityLifecycleCallbacks? = null
+    private var lifecycleRegistered = false
+    private var pipBroadcastReceiver: BroadcastReceiver? = null
+
     fun isPictureInPictureSupported(): Boolean {
         return if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.O) {
             context.packageManager.hasSystemFeature(PackageManager.FEATURE_PICTURE_IN_PICTURE)
@@ -53,10 +64,7 @@ class PiPController(private val context: Context, private val appContext: AppCon
             false
         }
     }
-    
-    /**
-     * Check if Picture-in-Picture is currently active
-     */
+
     fun isPictureInPictureActive(): Boolean {
         if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.O) {
             val activity = getActivity()
@@ -64,69 +72,69 @@ class PiPController(private val context: Context, private val appContext: AppCon
         }
         return false
     }
-    
-    /**
-     * Start Picture-in-Picture mode
-     */
+
     fun startPictureInPicture() {
-        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.O) {
-            val activity = getActivity()
-            if (activity == null) {
-                Log.e(TAG, "Cannot start PiP: no activity found")
+        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < Build.VERSION_CODES.O) return
+
+        val activity = getActivity() ?: run {
+            Log.e(TAG, "Cannot start PiP: no activity")
+            return
+        }
+
+        if (!isPictureInPictureSupported()) {
+            Log.e(TAG, "PiP not supported on this device")
+            return
+        }
+
+        try {
+            val params = buildPiPParams(forEntering = true)
+            val result = activity.enterPictureInPictureMode(params)
+
+            if (!result) {
+                Log.e(TAG, "enterPictureInPictureMode rejected by system")
+                isInPiPMode = false
                 return
             }
-            
-            if (!isPictureInPictureSupported()) {
-                Log.e(TAG, "PiP not supported on this device")
-                return
-            }
-            
-            try {
-                val params = buildPiPParams(forEntering = true)
-                activity.enterPictureInPictureMode(params)
-                Log.i(TAG, "Entered PiP mode")
-            } catch (e: Exception) {
-                Log.e(TAG, "Failed to enter PiP: ${e.message}")
-            }
-        } else {
-            Log.w(TAG, "PiP requires Android O or higher")
+
+            isInPiPMode = true
+            pipEntryNotified = true
+            delegate?.onPictureInPictureModeChanged(true)
+            registerLifecycleCallbacks()
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            Log.e(TAG, "Failed to enter PiP: ${e.message}")
         }
     }
-    
-    /**
-     * Stop Picture-in-Picture mode
-     */
+
     fun stopPictureInPicture() {
-        // On Android, exiting PiP is typically done by the user
-        // or by finishing the activity. We can request to move task to back.
+        isInPiPMode = false
+        pipEntryNotified = false
+        unregisterLifecycleCallbacks()
         if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.O) {
             val activity = getActivity()
             if (activity?.isInPictureInPictureMode == true) {
-                // Move task to back which will exit PiP
                 activity.moveTaskToBack(false)
             }
         }
     }
-    
-    /**
-     * Update the current playback position and duration
-     * Note: We don't update PiP params here as we're not using progress in PiP controls
-     */
+
+    fun isCurrentlyInPiP(): Boolean = isInPiPMode
+
     fun setCurrentTime(position: Double, duration: Double) {
         currentPosition = position
         currentDuration = duration
     }
-    
-    /**
-     * Set the playback rate (0.0 for paused, 1.0 for playing)
-     */
+
     fun setPlaybackRate(rate: Double) {
         playbackRate = rate
-        
-        // Update PiP params to reflect play/pause state
+
+        if (rate > 0) {
+            registerLifecycleCallbacks()
+        }
+
+        // Update PiP params so autoEnterEnabled and action icons track play/pause state
         if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.O) {
             val activity = getActivity()
-            if (activity?.isInPictureInPictureMode == true) {
+            if (activity != null) {
                 try {
                     activity.setPictureInPictureParams(buildPiPParams())
                 } catch (e: Exception) {
@@ -135,28 +143,19 @@ class PiPController(private val context: Context, private val appContext: AppCon
             }
         }
     }
-    
-    /**
-     * Set the video dimensions for proper aspect ratio calculation
-     */
+
     fun setVideoDimensions(width: Int, height: Int) {
         if (width > 0 && height > 0) {
             videoWidth = width
             videoHeight = height
-            Log.i(TAG, "Video dimensions set: ${width}x${height}")
-            
-            // Update PiP params if active
             updatePiPParamsIfNeeded()
         }
     }
-    
-    /**
-     * Set the player view reference for source rect hint
-     */
+
     fun setPlayerView(view: View?) {
         playerView = view
     }
-    
+
     private fun updatePiPParamsIfNeeded() {
         if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.O) {
             val activity = getActivity()
@@ -169,23 +168,16 @@ class PiPController(private val context: Context, private val appContext: AppCon
             }
         }
     }
-    
-    /**
-     * Build Picture-in-Picture params for the current player state.
-     * Calculates proper aspect ratio and source rect based on video and view dimensions.
-     */
+
     @RequiresApi(Build.VERSION_CODES.O)
     private fun buildPiPParams(forEntering: Boolean = false): PictureInPictureParams {
         val view = playerView
         val viewWidth = view?.width ?: 0
         val viewHeight = view?.height ?: 0
-        
-        // Display aspect ratio from view (exactly like Findroid)
+
         val displayAspectRatio = Rational(viewWidth.coerceAtLeast(1), viewHeight.coerceAtLeast(1))
-        
-        // Video aspect ratio with 2.39:1 clamping (exactly like Findroid)
-        // Findroid: Rational(it.width.coerceAtMost((it.height * 2.39f).toInt()), 
-        //                    it.height.coerceAtMost((it.width * 2.39f).toInt()))
+
+        // Video aspect ratio with 2.39:1 clamping
         val aspectRatio = if (videoWidth > 0 && videoHeight > 0) {
             Rational(
                 videoWidth.coerceAtMost((videoHeight * 2.39f).toInt()),
@@ -194,70 +186,235 @@ class PiPController(private val context: Context, private val appContext: AppCon
         } else {
             Rational(DEFAULT_ASPECT_WIDTH, DEFAULT_ASPECT_HEIGHT)
         }
-        
-        // Source rect hint calculation (exactly like Findroid)
+
         val sourceRectHint = if (viewWidth > 0 && viewHeight > 0 && videoWidth > 0 && videoHeight > 0) {
             if (displayAspectRatio < aspectRatio) {
-                // Letterboxing - black bars top/bottom
                 val space = ((viewHeight - (viewWidth.toFloat() / aspectRatio.toFloat())) / 2).toInt()
-                Rect(
-                    0,
-                    space,
-                    viewWidth,
-                    (viewWidth.toFloat() / aspectRatio.toFloat()).toInt() + space
-                )
+                Rect(0, space, viewWidth, (viewWidth.toFloat() / aspectRatio.toFloat()).toInt() + space)
             } else {
-                // Pillarboxing - black bars left/right
                 val space = ((viewWidth - (viewHeight.toFloat() * aspectRatio.toFloat())) / 2).toInt()
-                Rect(
-                    space,
-                    0,
-                    (viewHeight.toFloat() * aspectRatio.toFloat()).toInt() + space,
-                    viewHeight
-                )
+                Rect(space, 0, (viewHeight.toFloat() * aspectRatio.toFloat()).toInt() + space, viewHeight)
             }
         } else {
             null
         }
-        
+
         val builder = PictureInPictureParams.Builder()
             .setAspectRatio(aspectRatio)
-        
+
         sourceRectHint?.let { builder.setSourceRectHint(it) }
-        
-        // On Android 12+, enable auto-enter (like Findroid)
+
+        ensurePiPReceiverRegistered()
+        builder.setActions(buildPiPActions())
+
         if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.S) {
-            builder.setAutoEnterEnabled(true)
+            builder.setAutoEnterEnabled(forEntering || playbackRate > 0)
         }
-        
+
         return builder.build()
     }
-    
+
     private fun getActivity(): Activity? {
-        // First try Expo's AppContext (preferred in React Native)
         appContext?.currentActivity?.let { return it }
-        
-        // Fallback: Try to get from context wrapper chain
+
         var ctx = context
         while (ctx is android.content.ContextWrapper) {
-            if (ctx is Activity) {
-                return ctx
-            }
+            if (ctx is Activity) return ctx
             ctx = ctx.baseContext
         }
         return null
     }
-    
-    /**
-     * Handle PiP action (called from activity when user taps PiP controls)
-     */
-    fun handlePiPAction(action: String) {
-        when (action) {
-            "play" -> delegate?.onPlay()
-            "pause" -> delegate?.onPause()
-            "skip_forward" -> delegate?.onSeekBy(10.0)
-            "skip_backward" -> delegate?.onSeekBy(-10.0)
+
+    // MARK: - Lifecycle-based PiP Detection
+
+    private fun registerLifecycleCallbacks() {
+        if (lifecycleRegistered) return
+
+        val app = context.applicationContext as? Application ?: run {
+            Log.w(TAG, "Cannot access Application for lifecycle callbacks, falling back to polling")
+            startFallbackPolling()
+            return
         }
+
+        lifecycleCallbacks = object : Application.ActivityLifecycleCallbacks {
+            override fun onActivityCreated(activity: Activity, savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {}
+            override fun onActivityStarted(activity: Activity) {}
+
+            override fun onActivityResumed(activity: Activity) {
+                if (!isInPiPMode) return
+                if (!activity.isInPictureInPictureMode) {
+                    isInPiPMode = false
+                    pipEntryNotified = false
+                    delegate?.onPictureInPictureModeChanged(false)
+                }
+            }
+
+            override fun onActivityPaused(activity: Activity) {
+                // Proactively hide controls when user leaves while playing,
+                // before the PiP window captures the UI. onActivityStopped
+                // will restore if PiP didn't actually enter.
+                if (playbackRate > 0 && !isInPiPMode) {
+                    isInPiPMode = true
+                    pipEntryNotified = true
+                    delegate?.onPictureInPictureModeChanged(true)
+                }
+            }
+
+            override fun onActivityStopped(activity: Activity) {
+                pipHandler.postDelayed({
+                    val inPip = activity.isInPictureInPictureMode
+
+                    if (inPip && !isInPiPMode) {
+                        isInPiPMode = true
+                        pipEntryNotified = true
+                        delegate?.onPictureInPictureModeChanged(true)
+                        return@postDelayed
+                    }
+
+                    if (!isInPiPMode) return@postDelayed
+                    if (inPip) return@postDelayed
+
+                    // Not in PiP after 1s — check again to avoid false positive during transition
+                    pipHandler.postDelayed({
+                        if (!isInPiPMode) return@postDelayed
+                        if (!activity.isInPictureInPictureMode) {
+                            isInPiPMode = false
+                            pipEntryNotified = false
+                            delegate?.onPictureInPictureModeChanged(false)
+                        }
+                    }, 1500)
+                }, 1000)
+            }
+
+            override fun onActivitySaveInstanceState(activity: Activity, outState: Bundle) {}
+
+            override fun onActivityDestroyed(activity: Activity) {
+                isInPiPMode = false
+            }
+        }
+
+        app.registerActivityLifecycleCallbacks(lifecycleCallbacks)
+        lifecycleRegistered = true
+    }
+
+    private fun unregisterLifecycleCallbacks() {
+        if (!lifecycleRegistered) return
+        lifecycleCallbacks?.let {
+            (context.applicationContext as? Application)
+                ?.unregisterActivityLifecycleCallbacks(it)
+        }
+        lifecycleCallbacks = null
+        lifecycleRegistered = false
+        pipHandler.removeCallbacksAndMessages(null)
+        unregisterPiPBroadcastReceiver()
+    }
+
+    private fun startFallbackPolling() {
+        var falseReadCount = 0
+        pipHandler.removeCallbacksAndMessages(null)
+        pipHandler.postDelayed(object : Runnable {
+            override fun run() {
+                if (!isInPiPMode) return
+
+                var ctx = context
+                var activity: Activity? = null
+                while (ctx is android.content.ContextWrapper) {
+                    if (ctx is Activity) { activity = ctx; break }
+                    ctx = ctx.baseContext
+                }
+
+                val stillInPip = activity?.isInPictureInPictureMode == true
+
+                if (!stillInPip) {
+                    falseReadCount++
+                    if (falseReadCount >= 3) {
+                        isInPiPMode = false
+                        delegate?.onPictureInPictureModeChanged(false)
+                        return
+                    }
+                    pipHandler.postDelayed(this, 500)
+                    return
+                }
+
+                falseReadCount = 0
+                pipHandler.postDelayed(this, 1000)
+            }
+        }, 3000)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - PiP Remote Actions
+
+    private fun ensurePiPReceiverRegistered() {
+        if (pipBroadcastReceiver != null) return
+
+        pipBroadcastReceiver = object : BroadcastReceiver() {
+            override fun onReceive(context: Context, intent: Intent) {
+                when (intent.action) {
+                    ACTION_PIP_PLAY_PAUSE -> {
+                        if (playbackRate > 0) delegate?.onPause() else delegate?.onPlay()
+                    }
+                    ACTION_PIP_SKIP_FORWARD -> delegate?.onSeekBy(10.0)
+                    ACTION_PIP_SKIP_BACKWARD -> delegate?.onSeekBy(-10.0)
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        val filter = IntentFilter().apply {
+            addAction(ACTION_PIP_PLAY_PAUSE)
+            addAction(ACTION_PIP_SKIP_FORWARD)
+            addAction(ACTION_PIP_SKIP_BACKWARD)
+        }
+        val registerFlags = if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.TIRAMISU) {
+            Context.RECEIVER_EXPORTED
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+        context.applicationContext.registerReceiver(pipBroadcastReceiver, filter, registerFlags)
+    }
+
+    private fun unregisterPiPBroadcastReceiver() {
+        pipBroadcastReceiver?.let {
+            try {
+                context.applicationContext.unregisterReceiver(it)
+            } catch (_: Exception) {}
+        }
+        pipBroadcastReceiver = null
+    }
+
+    private fun buildPiPActions(): List<RemoteAction> {
+        val isPlaying = playbackRate > 0
+
+        return listOf(
+            RemoteAction(
+                Icon.createWithResource(context, android.R.drawable.ic_media_rew),
+                "Rewind", "Skip backward 10 seconds",
+                createPiPPendingIntent(ACTION_PIP_SKIP_BACKWARD)
+            ),
+            RemoteAction(
+                Icon.createWithResource(
+                    context,
+                    if (isPlaying) android.R.drawable.ic_media_pause else android.R.drawable.ic_media_play
+                ),
+                if (isPlaying) "Pause" else "Play",
+                if (isPlaying) "Pause playback" else "Resume playback",
+                createPiPPendingIntent(ACTION_PIP_PLAY_PAUSE)
+            ),
+            RemoteAction(
+                Icon.createWithResource(context, android.R.drawable.ic_media_ff),
+                "Fast Forward", "Skip forward 10 seconds",
+                createPiPPendingIntent(ACTION_PIP_SKIP_FORWARD)
+            )
+        )
+    }
+
+    private fun createPiPPendingIntent(action: String): android.app.PendingIntent {
+        val flags = if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.M) {
+            android.app.PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+        return android.app.PendingIntent.getBroadcast(
+            context.applicationContext, 0, Intent(action), flags
+        )
     }
 }
-
diff --git a/modules/mpv-player/src/MpvPlayer.types.ts b/modules/mpv-player/src/MpvPlayer.types.ts
index 9de7ad60f..b6bd04711 100644
--- a/modules/mpv-player/src/MpvPlayer.types.ts
+++ b/modules/mpv-player/src/MpvPlayer.types.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ export type OnErrorEventPayload = {
 
 export type OnTracksReadyEventPayload = Record<string, never>;
 
+export type OnPictureInPictureChangePayload = {
+  isActive: boolean;
+};
+
 export type NowPlayingMetadata = {
   title?: string;
   artist?: string;
@@ -77,6 +81,9 @@ export type MpvPlayerViewProps = {
   onProgress?: (event: { nativeEvent: OnProgressEventPayload }) => void;
   onError?: (event: { nativeEvent: OnErrorEventPayload }) => void;
   onTracksReady?: (event: { nativeEvent: OnTracksReadyEventPayload }) => void;
+  onPictureInPictureChange?: (event: {
+    nativeEvent: OnPictureInPictureChangePayload;
+  }) => void;
 };
 
 export interface MpvPlayerViewRef {
diff --git a/modules/mpv-player/src/MpvPlayerView.tsx b/modules/mpv-player/src/MpvPlayerView.tsx
index cec13b0ff..1e1c80659 100644
--- a/modules/mpv-player/src/MpvPlayerView.tsx
+++ b/modules/mpv-player/src/MpvPlayerView.tsx
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import { MpvPlayerViewProps, MpvPlayerViewRef } from "./MpvPlayer.types";
 const NativeView: React.ComponentType<MpvPlayerViewProps & { ref?: any }> =
   requireNativeView("MpvPlayer");
 
+const PIP_LOG = "[PiP] MpvPlayerView.tsx:";
+
 export default React.forwardRef<MpvPlayerViewRef, MpvPlayerViewProps>(
   function MpvPlayerView(props, ref) {
     const nativeRef = useRef<any>(null);
@@ -40,16 +42,24 @@ export default React.forwardRef<MpvPlayerViewRef, MpvPlayerViewProps>(
         return await nativeRef.current?.getDuration();
       },
       startPictureInPicture: async () => {
+        console.log(PIP_LOG, "startPictureInPicture → native");
         await nativeRef.current?.startPictureInPicture();
+        console.log(PIP_LOG, "startPictureInPicture ← native returned");
       },
       stopPictureInPicture: async () => {
+        console.log(PIP_LOG, "stopPictureInPicture → native");
         await nativeRef.current?.stopPictureInPicture();
+        console.log(PIP_LOG, "stopPictureInPicture ← native returned");
       },
       isPictureInPictureSupported: async () => {
-        return await nativeRef.current?.isPictureInPictureSupported();
+        const result = await nativeRef.current?.isPictureInPictureSupported();
+        console.log(PIP_LOG, "isPictureInPictureSupported =", result);
+        return result;
       },
       isPictureInPictureActive: async () => {
-        return await nativeRef.current?.isPictureInPictureActive();
+        const result = await nativeRef.current?.isPictureInPictureActive();
+        console.log(PIP_LOG, "isPictureInPictureActive =", result);
+        return result;
       },
       getSubtitleTracks: async () => {
         return await nativeRef.current?.getSubtitleTracks();