diff --git a/src/constants.js b/src/constants.js
index f45e30fb8..8065f0905 100644
--- a/src/constants.js
+++ b/src/constants.js
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@ const IpcChannels = {
   APP_READY: 'app-ready',
   RELAUNCH_REQUEST: 'relaunch-request',
 
+  REQUEST_FULLSCREEN: 'request-fullscreen',
+  REQUEST_PIP: 'request-pip',
+
   SEARCH_INPUT_HANDLING_READY: 'search-input-handling-ready',
   UPDATE_SEARCH_INPUT_TEXT: 'update-search-input-text',
 
diff --git a/src/main/index.js b/src/main/index.js
index 3e671abcc..fa300a90c 100644
--- a/src/main/index.js
+++ b/src/main/index.js
@@ -928,6 +928,14 @@ function runApp() {
     return app.getPath('pictures')
   })
 
+  ipcMain.on(IpcChannels.REQUEST_FULLSCREEN, ({ sender }) => {
+    sender.executeJavaScript('document.getElementById("videoContainer").requestFullscreen({navigationUI: "hide"})', true)
+  })
+
+  ipcMain.on(IpcChannels.REQUEST_PIP, ({ sender }) => {
+    sender.executeJavaScript('document.getElementById("video").requestPictureInPicture()', true)
+  })
+
   ipcMain.handle(IpcChannels.SHOW_OPEN_DIALOG, async ({ sender }, options) => {
     const senderWindow = findSenderWindow(sender)
     if (senderWindow) {
diff --git a/src/renderer/components/distraction-settings/distraction-settings.js b/src/renderer/components/distraction-settings/distraction-settings.js
index cdb0f4f01..002631739 100644
--- a/src/renderer/components/distraction-settings/distraction-settings.js
+++ b/src/renderer/components/distraction-settings/distraction-settings.js
@@ -203,7 +203,6 @@ export default defineComponent({
       'updateHideLiveChat',
       'updateHideActiveSubscriptions',
       'updatePlayNextVideo',
-      'updateDefaultTheatreMode',
       'updateHideVideoDescription',
       'updateHideComments',
       'updateHideCommentPhotos',
diff --git a/src/renderer/components/ft-list-video/ft-list-video.js b/src/renderer/components/ft-list-video/ft-list-video.js
index 2356c816e..e65b772e7 100644
--- a/src/renderer/components/ft-list-video/ft-list-video.js
+++ b/src/renderer/components/ft-list-video/ft-list-video.js
@@ -377,6 +377,10 @@ export default defineComponent({
       return this.$store.getters.getExternalPlayer
     },
 
+    externalPlayerIsDefaultViewingMode: function () {
+      return this.externalPlayer !== '' && this.$store.getters.getDefaultViewingMode === 'external_player'
+    },
+
     defaultPlayback: function () {
       return this.$store.getters.getDefaultPlayback
     },
@@ -479,13 +483,18 @@ export default defineComponent({
       return this.isInQuickBookmarkPlaylist ? 'base favorite' : 'base'
     },
 
-    watchPageLinkTo() {
-      // For `router-link` attribute `to`
+    watchVideoRoute() {
       return {
         path: `/watch/${this.id}`,
         query: this.watchPageLinkQuery,
       }
     },
+
+    // For `router-link` attribute `to`
+    watchVideoRouterLink() {
+      return !this.externalPlayerIsDefaultViewingMode ? this.watchVideoRoute : {}
+    },
+
     watchPageLinkQuery() {
       const query = {}
       if (this.playlistIdFinal) { query.playlistId = this.playlistIdFinal }
@@ -531,6 +540,11 @@ export default defineComponent({
     }
   },
   methods: {
+    handleWatchPageLinkClick: function() {
+      if (this.externalPlayerIsDefaultViewingMode) {
+        this.handleExternalPlayer()
+      }
+    },
     fetchDeArrowThumbnail: async function() {
       if (this.thumbnailPreference === 'hidden') { return }
       const videoId = this.id
diff --git a/src/renderer/components/ft-list-video/ft-list-video.vue b/src/renderer/components/ft-list-video/ft-list-video.vue
index 7d63dcf98..0f1ccd322 100644
--- a/src/renderer/components/ft-list-video/ft-list-video.vue
+++ b/src/renderer/components/ft-list-video/ft-list-video.vue
@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@
       <router-link
         class="thumbnailLink"
         tabindex="-1"
-        :to="watchPageLinkTo"
+        :to="watchVideoRouterLink"
+        @click.native="handleWatchPageLinkClick"
       >
         <img
           :src="thumbnail"
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@
         {{ isLive ? $t("Video.Live") : (isUpcoming ? $t("Video.Upcoming") : displayDuration) }}
       </div>
       <ft-icon-button
-        v-if="externalPlayer !== ''"
+        v-if="externalPlayer !== '' && !externalPlayerIsDefaultViewingMode"
         :title="$t('Video.External Player.OpenInTemplate', { externalPlayer })"
         :icon="['fas', 'external-link-alt']"
         class="externalPlayerIcon"
@@ -112,7 +113,8 @@
     <div class="info">
       <router-link
         class="title"
-        :to="watchPageLinkTo"
+        :to="watchVideoRouterLink"
+        @click.native="handleWatchPageLinkClick"
       >
         <h3 class="h3Title">
           {{ displayTitle }}
diff --git a/src/renderer/components/ft-shaka-video-player/ft-shaka-video-player.js b/src/renderer/components/ft-shaka-video-player/ft-shaka-video-player.js
index 074739caf..1f5fcf271 100644
--- a/src/renderer/components/ft-shaka-video-player/ft-shaka-video-player.js
+++ b/src/renderer/components/ft-shaka-video-player/ft-shaka-video-player.js
@@ -104,12 +104,25 @@ export default defineComponent({
     vrProjection: {
       type: String,
       default: null
+    },
+    startInFullscreen: {
+      type: Boolean,
+      default: false
+    },
+    startInFullwindow: {
+      type: Boolean,
+      default: false
+    },
+    startInPip: {
+      type: Boolean,
+      default: false
     }
   },
   emits: [
     'error',
     'loaded',
     'ended',
+    'player-destroyed',
     'timeupdate',
     'toggle-theatre-mode'
   ],
@@ -139,11 +152,15 @@ export default defineComponent({
     const isLive = ref(false)
 
     const useOverFlowMenu = ref(false)
-    const fullWindowEnabled = ref(false)
     const forceAspectRatio = ref(false)
 
     const activeLegacyFormat = shallowRef(null)
 
+    const fullWindowEnabled = ref(false)
+    const startInFullwindow = props.startInFullwindow
+    let startInFullscreen = props.startInFullscreen
+    let startInPip = props.startInPip
+
     /**
      * @type {{
      *   url: string,
@@ -1046,6 +1063,15 @@ export default defineComponent({
       emit('ended')
     }
 
+    function handleCanPlay() {
+      // PiP can only be activated once the video's readState and video track are populated
+      if (startInPip && ui.getControls().isPiPAllowed() && process.env.IS_ELECTRON) {
+        startInPip = false
+        const { ipcRenderer } = require('electron')
+        ipcRenderer.send(IpcChannels.REQUEST_PIP)
+      }
+    }
+
     function updateVolume() {
       const video_ = video.value
       // https://docs.videojs.com/html5#volume
@@ -1648,7 +1674,7 @@ export default defineComponent({
        */
       class FullWindowButtonFactory {
         create(rootElement, controls) {
-          return new FullWindowButton(fullWindowEnabled.value, events, rootElement, controls)
+          return new FullWindowButton(fullWindowEnabled.value, startInFullwindow, events, rootElement, controls)
         }
       }
 
@@ -1733,7 +1759,7 @@ export default defineComponent({
     /**
      * As shaka-player doesn't let you unregister custom control factories,
      * overwrite them with `null` instead so the referenced objects
-     * (e.g. {@linkcode events}, {@linkcode fullWindowEnabled}) can get gargabe collected
+     * (e.g. {@linkcode events}, {@linkcode fullWindowEnabled}) can get garbage collected
      */
     function cleanUpCustomPlayerControls() {
       shakaControls.registerElement('ft_audio_tracks', null)
@@ -2517,6 +2543,12 @@ export default defineComponent({
       if (props.chapters.length > 0) {
         createChapterMarkers()
       }
+
+      if (startInFullscreen && process.env.IS_ELECTRON) {
+        startInFullscreen = false
+        const { ipcRenderer } = require('electron')
+        ipcRenderer.send(IpcChannels.REQUEST_FULLSCREEN)
+      }
     }
 
     watch(
@@ -2703,6 +2735,12 @@ export default defineComponent({
      */
     async function destroyPlayer() {
       if (ui) {
+        if (ui.getControls()) {
+          // save the state of player settings to reinitialize them upon next creation
+          const controls = ui.getControls()
+          emit('player-destroyed', controls.isFullScreenEnabled(), fullWindowEnabled.value, controls.isPiPEnabled())
+        }
+
         // destroying the ui also destroys the player
         await ui.destroy()
         ui = null
@@ -2755,6 +2793,7 @@ export default defineComponent({
 
       handlePlay,
       handlePause,
+      handleCanPlay,
       handleEnded,
       updateVolume,
       handleTimeupdate,
diff --git a/src/renderer/components/ft-shaka-video-player/ft-shaka-video-player.vue b/src/renderer/components/ft-shaka-video-player/ft-shaka-video-player.vue
index 6b2762e4e..7fc433912 100644
--- a/src/renderer/components/ft-shaka-video-player/ft-shaka-video-player.vue
+++ b/src/renderer/components/ft-shaka-video-player/ft-shaka-video-player.vue
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 <template>
   <div
+    id="videoContainer"
     ref="container"
     class="ftVideoPlayer shaka-video-container"
     :class="{
@@ -9,6 +10,7 @@
   >
     <!-- eslint-disable-next-line vuejs-accessibility/media-has-caption -->
     <video
+      id="video"
       ref="video"
       class="player"
       preload="auto"
@@ -19,6 +21,7 @@
       @play="handlePlay"
       @pause="handlePause"
       @ended="handleEnded"
+      @canplay="handleCanPlay"
       @volumechange="updateVolume"
       @timeupdate="handleTimeupdate"
     />
diff --git a/src/renderer/components/ft-shaka-video-player/player-components/FullWindowButton.js b/src/renderer/components/ft-shaka-video-player/player-components/FullWindowButton.js
index 2f0db723e..13c5de405 100644
--- a/src/renderer/components/ft-shaka-video-player/player-components/FullWindowButton.js
+++ b/src/renderer/components/ft-shaka-video-player/player-components/FullWindowButton.js
@@ -5,11 +5,12 @@ import i18n from '../../../i18n/index'
 export class FullWindowButton extends shaka.ui.Element {
   /**
    * @param {boolean} fullWindowEnabled
+   * @param {boolean} startInFullWindow
    * @param {EventTarget} events
    * @param {HTMLElement} parent
    * @param {shaka.ui.Controls} controls
    */
-  constructor(fullWindowEnabled, events, parent, controls) {
+  constructor(fullWindowEnabled, startInFullWindow, events, parent, controls) {
     super(parent, controls)
 
     /** @private */
@@ -62,6 +63,12 @@ export class FullWindowButton extends shaka.ui.Element {
       this.updateLocalisedStrings_()
     })
 
+    if (startInFullWindow) {
+      events.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('setFullWindow', {
+        detail: true
+      }))
+    }
+
     this.updateLocalisedStrings_()
   }
 
diff --git a/src/renderer/components/player-settings/player-settings.js b/src/renderer/components/player-settings/player-settings.js
index 4705f5ec3..b2aa809ea 100644
--- a/src/renderer/components/player-settings/player-settings.js
+++ b/src/renderer/components/player-settings/player-settings.js
@@ -60,6 +60,13 @@ export default defineComponent({
       screenshotFolderPlaceholder: '',
       screenshotFilenameExample: '',
       screenshotDefaultPattern: '%Y%M%D-%H%N%S',
+      viewingModeValues: [
+        'default',
+        ...(process.env.IS_ELECTRON ? ['fullscreen'] : []),
+        'fullwindow',
+        ...(process.env.IS_ELECTRON ? ['pip'] : []),
+        'external_player'
+      ]
     }
   },
   computed: {
@@ -119,10 +126,24 @@ export default defineComponent({
       return this.$store.getters.getDefaultQuality
     },
 
+    defaultViewingMode: function () {
+      const defaultViewingMode = this.$store.getters.getDefaultViewingMode
+      if ((defaultViewingMode === 'external_player' && this.externalPlayer === '') ||
+        (!process.env.IS_ELECTRON && (defaultViewingMode === 'fullscreen' || defaultViewingMode === 'pip'))) {
+        return 'default'
+      }
+
+      return defaultViewingMode
+    },
+
     defaultTheatreMode: function () {
       return this.$store.getters.getDefaultTheatreMode
     },
 
+    externalPlayer: function () {
+      return this.$store.getters.getExternalPlayer
+    },
+
     hideRecommendedVideos: function () {
       return this.$store.getters.getHideRecommendedVideos
     },
@@ -177,6 +198,23 @@ export default defineComponent({
       ]
     },
 
+    viewingModeNames: function () {
+      const viewingModeNames = [
+        this.$t('Settings.General Settings.Thumbnail Preference.Default'),
+        ...(process.env.IS_ELECTRON ? [this.$t('Settings.Player Settings.Default Viewing Mode.Full Screen')] : []),
+        this.$t('Video.Player.Full Window'),
+        ...(process.env.IS_ELECTRON ? [this.$t('Settings.Player Settings.Default Viewing Mode.Picture in Picture')] : [])
+      ]
+
+      if (this.externalPlayer !== '') {
+        viewingModeNames.push(
+          this.$t('Settings.Player Settings.Default Viewing Mode.External Player', { externalPlayerName: this.externalPlayer })
+        )
+      }
+
+      return viewingModeNames
+    },
+
     enableScreenshot: function() {
       return this.$store.getters.getEnableScreenshot
     },
@@ -289,11 +327,12 @@ export default defineComponent({
       'updatePlayNextVideo',
       'updateEnableSubtitlesByDefault',
       'updateProxyVideos',
-      'updateDefaultTheatreMode',
+      'updateDefaultViewingMode',
       'updateDefaultSkipInterval',
       'updateDefaultInterval',
       'updateDefaultVolume',
       'updateDefaultPlayback',
+      'updateDefaultTheatreMode',
       'updateDefaultVideoFormat',
       'updateDefaultQuality',
       'updateVideoVolumeMouseScroll',
diff --git a/src/renderer/components/player-settings/player-settings.vue b/src/renderer/components/player-settings/player-settings.vue
index 0c736a398..78eb347c0 100644
--- a/src/renderer/components/player-settings/player-settings.vue
+++ b/src/renderer/components/player-settings/player-settings.vue
@@ -81,6 +81,41 @@
         />
       </div>
     </div>
+    <ft-flex-box>
+      <ft-select
+        :placeholder="$t('Settings.Player Settings.Default Viewing Mode.Default Viewing Mode')"
+        :value="defaultViewingMode"
+        :select-names="viewingModeNames"
+        :select-values="viewingModeValues"
+        :icon="['fas', 'expand']"
+        @change="updateDefaultViewingMode"
+      />
+      <ft-select
+        :placeholder="$t('Settings.Player Settings.Default Video Format.Default Video Format')"
+        :value="defaultVideoFormat"
+        :select-names="formatNames"
+        :select-values="formatValues"
+        :tooltip="$t('Tooltips.Player Settings.Default Video Format')"
+        :icon="['fas', 'file-video']"
+        @change="updateDefaultVideoFormat"
+      />
+      <ft-select
+        :placeholder="$t('Settings.Player Settings.Default Quality.Default Quality')"
+        :value="defaultQuality"
+        :select-names="qualityNames"
+        :select-values="qualityValues"
+        :icon="['fas', 'photo-film']"
+        @change="updateDefaultQuality"
+      />
+      <ft-select
+        :placeholder="$t('Settings.Player Settings.Video Playback Rate Interval')"
+        :value="videoPlaybackRateInterval"
+        :select-names="playbackRateIntervalValues"
+        :select-values="playbackRateIntervalValues"
+        :icon="['fas', 'gauge']"
+        @change="updateVideoPlaybackRateInterval"
+      />
+    </ft-flex-box>
     <ft-flex-box>
       <ft-slider
         :label="$t('Settings.Player Settings.Fast-Forward / Rewind Interval')"
@@ -127,33 +162,6 @@
         value-extension="x"
         @change="updateMaxVideoPlaybackRate"
       />
-      <ft-select
-        :placeholder="$t('Settings.Player Settings.Video Playback Rate Interval')"
-        :value="videoPlaybackRateInterval"
-        :select-names="playbackRateIntervalValues"
-        :select-values="playbackRateIntervalValues"
-        :icon="['fas', 'gauge']"
-        @change="updateVideoPlaybackRateInterval"
-      />
-    </ft-flex-box>
-    <ft-flex-box>
-      <ft-select
-        :placeholder="$t('Settings.Player Settings.Default Video Format.Default Video Format')"
-        :value="defaultVideoFormat"
-        :select-names="formatNames"
-        :select-values="formatValues"
-        :tooltip="$t('Tooltips.Player Settings.Default Video Format')"
-        :icon="['fas', 'file-video']"
-        @change="updateDefaultVideoFormat"
-      />
-      <ft-select
-        :placeholder="$t('Settings.Player Settings.Default Quality.Default Quality')"
-        :value="defaultQuality"
-        :select-names="qualityNames"
-        :select-values="qualityValues"
-        :icon="['fas', 'photo-film']"
-        @change="updateDefaultQuality"
-      />
     </ft-flex-box>
     <br>
     <ft-flex-box
diff --git a/src/renderer/main.js b/src/renderer/main.js
index 548eb98ca..d0ebfcc9d 100644
--- a/src/renderer/main.js
+++ b/src/renderer/main.js
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ import {
   faEnvelope,
   faExchangeAlt,
   faExclamationCircle,
+  faExpand,
   faExternalLinkAlt,
   faEye,
   faEyeSlash,
@@ -158,6 +159,7 @@ library.add(
   faEnvelope,
   faExchangeAlt,
   faExclamationCircle,
+  faExpand,
   faExternalLinkAlt,
   faEye,
   faEyeSlash,
diff --git a/src/renderer/store/modules/settings.js b/src/renderer/store/modules/settings.js
index b790b4da2..d5f8e0537 100644
--- a/src/renderer/store/modules/settings.js
+++ b/src/renderer/store/modules/settings.js
@@ -179,6 +179,7 @@ const state = {
   defaultQuality: '720',
   defaultSkipInterval: 5,
   defaultTheatreMode: false,
+  defaultViewingMode: 'default',
   defaultVideoFormat: 'dash',
   disableSmoothScrolling: false,
   displayVideoPlayButton: false,
diff --git a/src/renderer/views/Watch/Watch.js b/src/renderer/views/Watch/Watch.js
index d822680f9..95a642f30 100644
--- a/src/renderer/views/Watch/Watch.js
+++ b/src/renderer/views/Watch/Watch.js
@@ -66,6 +66,9 @@ export default defineComponent({
   },
   data: function () {
     return {
+      startNextVideoInFullscreen: false,
+      startNextVideoInFullwindow: false,
+      startNextVideoInPip: false,
       isLoading: true,
       firstLoad: true,
       useTheatreMode: false,
@@ -166,6 +169,12 @@ export default defineComponent({
     defaultTheatreMode: function () {
       return this.$store.getters.getDefaultTheatreMode
     },
+    defaultViewingMode: function () {
+      return this.$store.getters.getDefaultViewingMode
+    },
+    externalPlayer: function () {
+      return this.$store.getters.getExternalPlayer
+    },
     defaultVideoFormat: function () {
       return this.$store.getters.getDefaultVideoFormat
     },
@@ -313,7 +322,7 @@ export default defineComponent({
       this.checkIfPlaylist()
 
       // this has to be below checkIfPlaylist() as theatrePossible needs to know if there is a playlist or not
-      this.useTheatreMode = this.defaultTheatreMode && this.theatrePossible
+      this.setViewingModeOnFirstLoad()
 
       if (!process.env.SUPPORTS_LOCAL_API || this.backendPreference === 'invidious') {
         this.getVideoInformationInvidious()
@@ -324,6 +333,21 @@ export default defineComponent({
       window.addEventListener('beforeunload', this.handleWatchProgress)
     },
 
+    setViewingModeOnFirstLoad: function () {
+      this.useTheatreMode = this.defaultTheatreMode && this.theatrePossible
+
+      switch (this.defaultViewingMode) {
+        case 'fullscreen':
+          this.startNextVideoInFullscreen = true
+          return
+        case 'fullwindow':
+          this.startNextVideoInFullwindow = true
+          return
+        case 'pip':
+          this.startNextVideoInPip = true
+      }
+    },
+
     changeTimestamp: function (timestamp) {
       const player = this.$refs.player
 
@@ -1228,6 +1252,12 @@ export default defineComponent({
       this.activeFormat = 'audio'
     },
 
+    handlePlayerDestroyed: function(startNextVideoInFullscreen = false, startNextVideoInFullwindow = false, startNextVideoInPip = false) {
+      this.startNextVideoInFullscreen = startNextVideoInFullscreen
+      this.startNextVideoInFullwindow = startNextVideoInFullwindow
+      this.startNextVideoInPip = startNextVideoInPip
+    },
+
     handleVideoEnded: function () {
       if ((!this.watchingPlaylist || !this.autoplayPlaylists) && !this.playNextVideo) {
         return
diff --git a/src/renderer/views/Watch/Watch.vue b/src/renderer/views/Watch/Watch.vue
index 575da23bd..c558b3004 100644
--- a/src/renderer/views/Watch/Watch.vue
+++ b/src/renderer/views/Watch/Watch.vue
@@ -34,10 +34,14 @@
           :theatre-possible="theatrePossible"
           :use-theatre-mode="useTheatreMode"
           :vr-projection="vrProjection"
+          :start-in-fullscreen="startNextVideoInFullscreen"
+          :start-in-fullwindow="startNextVideoInFullwindow"
+          :start-in-pip="startNextVideoInPip"
           class="videoPlayer"
           @error="handlePlayerError"
           @loaded="handleVideoLoaded"
           @timeupdate="updateCurrentChapter"
+          @player-destroyed="handlePlayerDestroyed"
           @ended="handleVideoEnded"
           @toggle-theatre-mode="useTheatreMode = !useTheatreMode"
         />
diff --git a/static/locales/en-US.yaml b/static/locales/en-US.yaml
index eda527276..c827c8479 100644
--- a/static/locales/en-US.yaml
+++ b/static/locales/en-US.yaml
@@ -392,11 +392,16 @@ Settings:
   Player Settings:
     Player Settings: Player
     Play Next Video: Play Next Video
-    Turn on Subtitles by Default: Turn on Subtitles by Default
+    Turn on Subtitles by Default: Enable Subtitles by Default
     Autoplay Videos: Autoplay Videos
     Proxy Videos Through Invidious: Proxy Videos Through Invidious
     Autoplay Playlists: Autoplay Playlists
-    Enable Theatre Mode by Default: Enable Theatre Mode by Default
+    Enable Theatre Mode by Default: Enable Theater Mode by Default
+    Default Viewing Mode: 
+      Default Viewing Mode: Default Viewing Mode
+      Full Screen: Full Screen
+      Picture in Picture: Picture in Picture
+      External Player: External Player ({externalPlayerName})
     Scroll Volume Over Video Player: Scroll Volume Over Video Player
     Scroll Playback Rate Over Video Player: Scroll Playback Rate Over Video Player
     Skip by Scrolling Over Video Player: Skip by Scrolling Over Video Player