How to Split Screen on iPhone

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Apple still hasn’t added true split-screen to the iPhone. iPads have had Split View for years, and Android phones have had multi-window since 2016, but if you’re on an iPhone — even the latest iPhone 16 Pro Max, you can’t run two apps side by side out of the box.

That said, there are several ways to get close to split-screen functionality on your iPhone. Some are built into iOS, others require third-party apps. Here’s what actually works in 2026.

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Does the iPhone Have Split Screen?

No. As of iOS 18, iPhones do not support native split-screen or Split View. That feature remains exclusive to the iPad.

Apple has never officially explained why, though the most likely reason is screen size — even a 6.7-inch Pro Max is tight for two apps running side by side with full usability. The upcoming iPhone Fold is expected to be the first iPhone with true split-screen multitasking, using its larger foldable display to support iPad-style app layouts.

For now, if you want to multitask on a standard iPhone, you’ll need to use the built-in tools and workarounds below.

Method 1: Picture-in-Picture (Built Into iOS)

This is the closest thing to split-screen that Apple actually built into the iPhone. Picture-in-Picture (PiP) lets you shrink a video or FaceTime call into a small floating window that stays on top while you use another app.

How to turn it on:

Open Settings > General > Picture in Picture
Toggle on Start PiP Automatically

How to use it:

Once PiP is enabled, start playing a video in any supported app — FaceTime, Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, Twitch, most streaming apps — then swipe up to go home or switch to another app. The video shrinks into a small overlay window.

You can drag the PiP window to any corner, pinch to resize it, or swipe it off-screen to hide it (the audio keeps playing). Tap the window to bring up controls for going back to full screen or closing it.

What it’s good for: Watching a tutorial while taking notes, keeping a FaceTime call going while checking messages, following a recipe video while shopping for ingredients.

Limitations: It only works with video and video calls — you can’t PiP a text-based app like Safari or Messages.

Method 2: Landscape Mode in Certain Apps

Larger iPhones (any Plus, Max, or Pro Max model) support a limited split-pane layout when you rotate to landscape in some built-in apps. This isn’t true split-screen between two separate apps, but it does show two panels at once within a single app.

Apps that support this include:

Mail — shows your inbox list on the left, email content on the right
Messages — conversation list on left, chat on right
Settings — menu on left, options on right
Notes — note list on left, note content on right
Files — folder navigation on left, file list on right

How to use it: Simply rotate your iPhone to landscape while inside one of these apps. If your phone supports it, the two-pane layout appears automatically.

Make sure rotation lock is off: Swipe into Control Center and check that the rotation lock icon isn’t highlighted.

Method 3: Split-Screen Browser Apps

If what you really need is two web pages open at the same time, there are third-party browsers built specifically for this.

Split View Multitasking Screen is available on the App Store and lets you run two browser windows stacked vertically or side by side. You get independent address bars, independent scrolling, and can browse two sites at the same time. It works in both portrait and landscape.

Other options include Split Browser and Dual Browser, which do roughly the same thing. These are useful if you’re comparing products, referencing one page while filling out a form on another, or just want two tabs visible at once.

Keep in mind these are browsers only — they won’t let you run two different apps (like Safari and Notes) at the same time.

Method 4: Slide Over-Style Apps

A few third-party apps try to recreate the iPad’s Slide Over experience on iPhone. These typically let you open a small floating panel — like a notepad, calculator, or browser — on top of whatever you’re doing.

The App Store has several options if you search for “floating apps” or “multitasking.” Quality varies, and most are limited to their own set of built-in mini-apps rather than letting you float any installed app over another.

What About the iPhone Fold?

Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone is expected to be the first iPhone with real split-screen multitasking. When unfolded, the larger display will support an iPad-like layout where two apps can run side by side. It’ll still run iOS rather than iPadOS, but with multitasking features adapted for the bigger screen.

This won’t change anything for standard iPhones, though. If you have an iPhone 14, 15, or 16, the methods above are still your best options.

Quick Comparison

Method	Built-in?	Two different apps?	Works in portrait?
Picture-in-Picture	Yes	Yes (video + any app)	Yes
Landscape split pane	Yes	No (single app only)	No
Split-screen browser apps	No (App Store)	No (two browser tabs)	Yes
Slide Over-style apps	No (App Store)	Limited	Yes

FAQ

Can I run two apps side by side on iPhone? Not natively. The only built-in option that comes close is Picture-in-Picture, which floats a video over another app. For two full apps side by side, you’ll need to wait for the iPhone Fold or use a third-party workaround.

Which iPhones support Picture-in-Picture? Any iPhone running iOS 14 or later, which covers iPhone SE (2nd gen) and newer. PiP works on all screen sizes — you don’t need a Plus or Pro Max model.

Why doesn’t Apple add split-screen to the iPhone? Apple hasn’t said, but it likely comes down to screen real estate. Even 6.7 inches is cramped for two usable app windows. Apple seems to prefer keeping the iPhone focused on single-app experiences with PiP as the exception.

Does YouTube support Picture-in-Picture on iPhone? Yes. YouTube PiP works for Premium subscribers by default. Non-Premium users can also use it — go to Settings > General > Picture in Picture in the YouTube app and enable it. This was rolled out widely in late 2023.

Will iOS 19 add split-screen? There’s no confirmation from Apple. Rumors suggest split-screen will remain exclusive to the foldable iPhone when it launches, rather than coming to the standard lineup.