iPhone does not support traditional split-screen multitasking between two separate apps — but that does not mean you are stuck switching back and forth constantly. iOS offers several built-in features that get you surprisingly close, and a handful of third-party apps fill the gap for true side-by-side viewing. Whether you want to watch a video while browsing, switch rapidly between apps, or use a dual-browser setup, this guide covers every method that actually works on your iPhone right now.
Does iPhone Have a Split Screen Feature?
The short answer is no — iPhones do not have native split-screen multitasking like the iPad’s Split View. Apple has designed the iPhone around single-app focus, and that has not changed with iOS 18. However, three built-in features come close: Picture-in-Picture for video and FaceTime, landscape two-pane view on larger models, and the App Switcher for fast switching between open apps. For true side-by-side browsing, third-party apps from the App Store are your best option. None of these require jailbreaking — everything here works on a standard, unmodified iPhone.
Method 1: Picture-in-Picture Mode
Picture-in-Picture is Apple’s primary multitasking solution for iPhone and the closest thing to split screen available natively. It lets you keep a video or FaceTime call playing in a small floating window while you use any other app freely. It works on iPhone XS, XR, and all newer models running iOS 14 or later.
How to Enable Picture-in-Picture
First, make sure PiP is turned on. Go to Settings, tap General, select Picture in Picture, and toggle on Start PiP Automatically. This ensures compatible videos shrink into a floating window automatically when you navigate away.
To activate it during video playback on a Face ID iPhone, start playing a video in a supported app and swipe up from the bottom edge to return to your Home Screen. The video shrinks into a small window in the corner. On older iPhones with a Home button, press the Home button while a video is playing to trigger the same effect. Some apps also show a dedicated PiP button in the video player — tap it to activate PiP manually without leaving the app.
Controlling the PiP Window
Once the floating window is active, tap and drag it to reposition it to any corner of your screen. Use a pinch gesture to resize it — spread two fingers to enlarge or pinch to shrink. If it is in the way, swipe it off the left or right edge of the screen to hide it while audio continues playing. A small tab stays visible so you can pull it back. To close it entirely, tap the window and hit the X button. To return to full-screen, tap the expand icon in the corner of the PiP window.
Compatible apps include Apple TV, Safari, FaceTime, Podcasts, Prime Video, Disney Plus, Hulu, and many others. Netflix support varies by region. YouTube requires either a Premium subscription or the Safari workaround covered below.
Method 2: YouTube Picture-in-Picture Without Premium
YouTube restricts PiP in its official app to Premium subscribers outside the United States. The workaround is simple: open Safari instead of the YouTube app, navigate to youtube.com, find your video, and tap the full-screen button. You should see a PiP icon appear in the video controls overlay — tap it to launch the floating window. On some iOS versions you may need to tap it twice. This method works on iOS 14 and later at no cost and keeps the video playing while you use other apps or open additional Safari tabs.
Method 3: Landscape Two-Pane View on Larger iPhones
On iPhone Plus, Max, and Pro Max models, rotating your device to landscape orientation unlocks a two-pane view inside certain apps. This is not true split screen between different apps, but it creates an iPad-like layout within a single app that significantly improves navigation efficiency. If your screen is not rotating when you tilt your device, check that Portrait Orientation Lock is turned off in Control Center.
In Settings, the categories list appears on the left while the selected settings panel opens on the right. In Mail, your inbox sits on the left and the open email fills the right. Messages, Notes, and Files behave similarly. The feature activates automatically when you rotate to landscape in a compatible app — no settings to change. Not every app supports it, as developers must build it in specifically, but Apple’s own apps all do.
Method 4: Use a Split Screen App from the App Store
For genuine side-by-side viewing, third-party split screen browser apps are the most practical solution. These create two independent browser windows that display simultaneously on your screen, letting you browse two websites or web-based services at the same time.
Split Screen — Dual Window App
Search for “Split Screen” in the App Store and you will find several options, with Split Screen — Dual Window among the most downloaded. The app creates two independent browser panes on a single screen. Each window scrolls and navigates independently. You can drag the divider bar to resize the windows, giving more space to whichever side needs it. It supports bookmarks, browsing history, and both portrait and landscape orientations. The free version includes ads — a paid upgrade removes them.
Keep in mind these apps operate as web browsers, so you will be using the web versions of services like YouTube, Instagram, or Gmail rather than their dedicated apps. For most everyday multitasking — comparing two pages, watching a tutorial while taking notes on a web form, or browsing two feeds simultaneously — this works well enough.
Choosing the Right Split Screen App
When picking a split screen browser, check the last update date in the App Store listing. Apps that have not been updated in over a year may have compatibility issues with current iOS versions. Read recent reviews specifically — an app with a high overall rating but no updates since iOS 16 may break on iOS 18. Prioritise apps from developers with active support histories. Also review the privacy policy before entering any login credentials, since these are third-party browsers that handle your browsing data outside of Safari’s privacy framework.
Method 5: App Switcher for Fast Multitasking
The App Switcher is the fastest built-in way to jump between open apps without returning to the Home Screen each time. On Face ID iPhones, swipe up from the bottom edge and pause briefly in the middle of the screen — your open apps appear as scrollable cards. Tap any card to switch directly to that app. On Home button iPhones, double-click the Home button to open the same view.
For even faster two-app switching, swipe left or right along the very bottom edge of the screen on a Face ID iPhone. This gesture instantly toggles between your current app and the one you used immediately before it — useful when copying text between apps, cross-referencing information, or moving between a browser and a notes app repeatedly. You can also take a screenshot at any point to capture what is on screen before switching away.
Method 6: Dynamic Island App Switching (iPhone 14 Pro and Later)
On iPhone 14 Pro, 15 series, 16 series, and 17 series, the Dynamic Island at the top of the screen doubles as a multitasking shortcut. When an app is running in the background — a timer, a music player, a navigation session, or a call — it appears as an activity indicator in the Dynamic Island. Tap it to jump back to that app instantly without opening the App Switcher. Long-press it to expand and see controls for the background activity without leaving your current app. It is a small but genuinely useful shortcut for keeping two activities running simultaneously.
People Also Ask
Can you do split screen on iPhone?
iPhones do not support true split screen between two separate apps natively. Apple’s iPad has Split View for this purpose, but iPhones are designed around single-app focus. The closest alternatives are Picture-in-Picture mode for videos and FaceTime, landscape two-pane view within individual apps on larger iPhone models, and third-party split screen browser apps from the App Store that display two web windows simultaneously.
How do I open two apps at once on iPhone?
You cannot run two full apps simultaneously on the same screen on a standard iPhone. However, you can run a video or FaceTime call in a floating Picture-in-Picture window while using any other app freely. For browsing two websites at once, download a split screen browser app from the App Store. For rapid switching between two apps, swipe left or right along the bottom edge of the screen on a Face ID iPhone to toggle instantly between your two most recently used apps.
How do I bring my iPhone to half screen?
If your screen has suddenly dropped to the bottom half of the display, you have activated Reachability — a feature designed to bring the top of the screen within thumb reach on larger iPhones. It is not split screen. To dismiss it, tap the empty area at the top of the screen or swipe down on the Home Screen indicator. To disable it permanently, go to Settings, tap Accessibility, select Touch, and toggle off Reachability.
Pro Tips for iPhone Multitasking
Customise your Control Center with the tools you use most so you can access them from any app without switching. Go to Settings, then Control Center, and add screen recording, timer, calculator, or notes shortcuts. This reduces the number of times you need to leave your current app for quick tasks. You can also screen record on iPhone directly from Control Center without opening any additional app.
If you use an external keyboard with your iPhone, Command-Tab switches between open apps, Command-H returns to the Home Screen, and Command-Space opens Spotlight search — all without touching the screen. These shortcuts significantly speed up multi-app workflows.
Siri handles a surprising number of tasks hands-free. Asking Siri to set a timer, send a message, add a reminder, or look something up means you never have to leave the app you are in. Managing your time-sensitive notifications on iPhone properly also reduces the need to switch apps constantly just to check alerts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Picture-in-Picture work with all video apps?
Picture-in-Picture works with many video apps but not all. Compatible apps include Apple TV, Safari, FaceTime, Podcasts, Music, Prime Video, Disney Plus, ESPN, HBO Max, and Hulu. Netflix support varies by region and subscription type. YouTube requires a Premium subscription outside the United States, or you can use the Safari workaround. App developers must specifically implement PiP support, so not every video app will have it available.
How do I enable Picture-in-Picture if it is not working?
First verify PiP is enabled in Settings under General, then Picture in Picture, with Start PiP Automatically toggled on. Ensure your iPhone runs iOS 14 or later by checking Settings, General, Software Update. Confirm the specific app supports PiP by checking its own settings. Try restarting your iPhone if PiP still fails to activate. Some apps require you to tap a dedicated PiP button in the video player rather than automatically activating when you exit.
Can I use split screen while on a phone call?
Yes. Regular phone calls allow full access to all apps while the call continues in the background. FaceTime video calls support Picture-in-Picture mode, letting you maintain visual contact in a floating window while using other applications — useful for taking notes during calls or looking up information without interrupting your conversation.
Does using Picture-in-Picture drain battery faster?
PiP does consume additional battery compared to pausing video since it maintains continuous video decoding and display updates, but the impact is modest because the smaller window requires fewer resources than full-screen playback. Battery drain increases more significantly when streaming over cellular rather than Wi-Fi. Overall the impact depends more on network conditions and video quality than the PiP feature itself.
Will iPhone Ever Get True Split Screen?
Apple has not announced plans to bring full split-screen multitasking to standard iPhones. Industry speculation points toward a potential foldable iPhone that could introduce true side-by-side app support with a larger flexible display. Apple has filed patents for foldable technology with adaptive interfaces, but no release date has been confirmed. For now, the combination of Picture-in-Picture, third-party split screen apps, fast app switching, and Dynamic Island covers the most common multitasking needs on a standard iPhone without waiting for future hardware.
