iPhone doesn’t have split screen: Other options for multiple windows

  • You can’t split the iPhone screen to view two apps at the same time like you can on an iPad.
  • But you can use picture-in-picture mode to overlay a video on another app.
  • It’s also possible to quickly switch between recently opened apps by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.

For many people, the ability to split the screen is the foundation of productivity, and the ability to display different apps on either side of the screen has been available on the desktop for decades.

The iPhone doesn’t have a proper split screen feature

While you can properly split the screen on an iPad and even some Android phones, a traditional full-featured split screen isn’t an option for the iPhone.

All is not lost, however; You still have a few options that give you some flexibility with multiple windows.

How to use picture-in-picture mode on an iPhone

The iPhone may not allow you to split the screen between any two apps, but you can display a floating video window over another app with picture-in-picture mode, allowing you to continue watching a YouTube video, for example, while you Read a webpage in Safari or while working in Google Docs. The only requirement is that your iPhone must be running iOS 14 or later.

First, make sure that picture-in-picture mode is enabled. start this settings App, tap Generallyand then tap picture in picture. Insure yourself Start PiP automatically activated by swiping the button to the right.

Picture-in-picture settings on iPhone.

If PiP isn’t working, it’s probably because you haven’t enabled it in the settings.

Dave Johnson/Insider



Now you can launch any Picture-in-Picture compatible app and start a video. When you close the app, the video continues playing in a smaller overlay window that appears on top of any other app you launch. Many video players now support iOS’s PiP mode, including YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV, and numerous others.

How to quickly switch between apps on iPhone

It would be great to be able to put two apps side-by-side on the same screen on your iPhone, but if you really need that, consider using an iPad. Still, you can use quick app switching to quickly switch between iPhone apps you’ve used recently.

To do this, simply swipe up at the very bottom of the screen. Each swipe to the right and left of this screen cycles through another recently opened app. When you scroll through apps you don’t want to see, you can close unwanted apps to make quick switching more efficient and convenient.

Switch apps on iPhone.

Swipe up and horizontally from the bottom of the screen to quickly switch between apps.

Dave Johnson/Insider