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Does the iPhone Support Split Screen?
If you have used an iPad’s Split View feature and wondered why your iPhone does not do the same thing, you are not alone. Apple has kept true side-by-side app multitasking exclusive to the iPad since the feature launched. On iPhone, there is no built-in way to run two apps next to each other on the screen at the same time.
That said, Apple does offer a few workarounds that let you view two things at once on your iPhone. Safari split tabs, Picture-in-Picture video, and fast app switching can all get you close to a split-screen experience. This guide covers every available method as of iOS 19 in 2026, so you can choose the approach that fits your workflow best.
Method 1: Safari Split Tabs in Landscape Mode
Safari on iPhone lets you display two web pages side by side when you rotate your phone to landscape orientation. This feature works on larger iPhone models, including any Plus or Max variant from the iPhone 6s Plus onward.
How to Open Two Safari Tabs Side by Side
- Open Safari on your iPhone.
- Navigate to the first web page you want visible on the left side.
- Find a link on that page that you want to open as the second tab. Long-press the link until a menu appears.
- Tap Open in New Window.
- Rotate your iPhone to landscape (horizontal) orientation.
- Both web pages now appear side by side, each taking up half the screen.
You can tap on either side to scroll and interact with that page independently. To close the split view, simply rotate your iPhone back to portrait (vertical) orientation. Safari will keep both tabs open, but only show one at a time.
Important Limitations
- This only works in Safari. You cannot split two different apps this way.
- Standard-size iPhone models (non-Plus, non-Max) do not support landscape split view in Safari.
- Rotation lock must be turned off. Swipe open your Control Center and make sure the rotation lock icon is not active.
How to Merge Split Tabs Back Together
If you want to close the split and go back to a single-tab view, you have two options. First, you can just rotate back to portrait mode. Second, you can long-press the tab switcher icon (the overlapping squares) in Safari and select Merge All Windows to combine all open tabs into one window.
Method 2: Picture-in-Picture for Video
Picture-in-Picture (PiP) lets you watch a video in a small floating window while using another app. Apple introduced this feature in iOS 14, and it works on every iPhone from the iPhone 8 and newer. As of 2026, it remains the closest thing to true split-screen multitasking on iPhone.
How to Activate Picture-in-Picture
- Open a video in Safari, Apple TV, FaceTime, or any supported app.
- Start playing the video in full screen.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to go to the Home Screen (or press the Home button on older models).
- The video will automatically shrink into a small floating window in one corner of your screen.
- Open any other app. The floating video keeps playing on top.
Controlling the PiP Window
Once the video is in Picture-in-Picture mode, you have several controls:
- Move it: Drag the floating window to any corner of the screen.
- Resize it: Pinch in to shrink it or pinch out to make it larger.
- Hide it: Swipe the window off the edge of the screen. The audio keeps playing, and a small tab appears on the edge so you can pull it back.
- Playback controls: Tap the floating window to reveal play, pause, skip, and a button to return to full screen.
- Close it: Tap the X button that appears when you tap the PiP window.
How to Enable PiP in Settings
Picture-in-Picture should work automatically, but if videos do not shrink into a floating window when you leave the app, check your settings:
We put together a full guide on how to backup iPhone that pairs well with this.
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap General.
- Tap Picture in Picture.
- Toggle on Start PiP Automatically.
App Compatibility
Most major video and streaming apps support PiP on iPhone. Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, Max, and Hulu all work without issues. YouTube requires a YouTube Premium subscription for PiP to function. FaceTime video calls also support PiP, which is great for checking something on your phone during a call without hanging up.
Method 3: Fast App Switching
While not a true split screen, quick app switching on iPhone is fast enough that many people find it just as productive as having two windows open. The gesture takes less than a second, and iOS keeps your apps running in the background so you pick up right where you left off.
How to Switch Apps Quickly
- Open your first app and start working on your task.
- Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and pause briefly in the middle to open the App Switcher.
- Tap your second app to jump to it.
- To go back, repeat the swipe-up gesture and tap the first app.
You can also swipe left or right along the very bottom edge of the screen (on the Home indicator bar) to switch between your most recent apps without opening the App Switcher at all. This gesture is especially useful when you are copying information between two apps.
Method 4: Third-Party Split Browser Apps
Several apps on the App Store offer split-screen web browsing on iPhone. These apps create a divided browser window where you can load two websites at once. Some popular options include Split Screen View and Multitasking Split Screen.
Keep in mind that these apps can only split web content. They cannot display two native iOS apps side by side because Apple restricts that ability at the operating system level. However, if you need to compare two web pages, fill out a form while referencing another site, or read an article while checking email in a web browser, these apps do the job well enough.
iPhone vs. iPad: Split Screen Comparison
If you are wondering why the iPad gets all the multitasking features and the iPhone does not, it comes down to screen size. Apple designed Split View, Slide Over, and Stage Manager for the iPad’s larger display. Here is a quick comparison of what each device supports in 2026.
| Feature | iPhone | iPad |
|---|---|---|
| Split View (two apps side by side) | Not supported | Fully supported |
| Safari split tabs (landscape) | Plus and Max models only | All models |
| Picture-in-Picture | Supported (iOS 14 and later) | Supported (iPadOS 14 and later) |
| Slide Over | Not supported | Fully supported |
| Stage Manager | Not supported on-screen | M1 iPads and newer |
For anyone who regularly needs two apps visible at the same time, the iPad offers a significantly better experience. But for occasional multitasking, the iPhone’s PiP and fast app switching handle most situations well enough.
Our how to connect AirPods to iPhone walkthrough covers this from a different angle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Apple ever add split screen to iPhone?
As of iOS 19 in 2026, Apple has not added full split-screen support to the iPhone. There were rumors about bringing a limited version of Stage Manager to the iPhone Pro models, but nothing has been officially announced. For now, Picture-in-Picture and Safari split tabs remain the best options.
Does split screen work on iPhone SE?
The iPhone SE does not support Safari split tabs because its screen is the same size as a standard iPhone. However, Picture-in-Picture works on the iPhone SE (2nd generation and newer) running iOS 14 or later. Third-party split-browser apps also work on any iPhone SE model.
Can I watch a video and browse at the same time?
Yes. Picture-in-Picture lets you do exactly this. Start a video in a supported app, swipe to the Home Screen, and then open Safari or any other app. The video continues playing in a floating window that you can move, resize, or tuck to the side of the screen.
How do I close split screen in Safari?
Rotate your iPhone back to portrait orientation. Safari automatically returns to a single-page view. You can also long-press the tabs icon in Safari and select Merge All Windows to combine your split tabs back into one window.
Tips for Better Multitasking on iPhone
Even without true split screen, you can make multitasking on your iPhone feel smoother with a few habits and settings adjustments.
Use Widgets on Your Home Screen
Widgets give you a live glance at information from apps without opening them. You can see your calendar, weather, reminders, stock prices, and more right on your Home Screen. This reduces the need to switch between apps for quick checks. Long-press on your Home Screen, tap the plus (+) button, and browse available widgets to set them up.
Copy and Paste Between Apps
When you are moving information between two apps, the clipboard is your best friend. Copy text, images, or links from one app, switch to the other with a quick swipe, and paste. Starting with iOS 16, you can even copy text directly from photos using Live Text, which makes it easy to grab phone numbers, addresses, or other text from images without retyping anything.
Use Siri for Quick Tasks
Instead of switching apps to set a reminder, send a message, or check something, ask Siri to handle it. Siri can run in the background while you stay in your current app, which effectively lets you do two things at once without leaving your screen.
Wrapping Up
Need internet on the go? See our iPhone hotspot setup guide.
For more iPhone and iOS tips, see our guide on how to access iCloud photos from any device.
True split-screen multitasking is not available on iPhone in 2026, but Apple provides several alternatives that cover the most common use cases. Safari split tabs work great for comparing two web pages on a larger iPhone. Picture-in-Picture is perfect for watching videos while working in other apps. And fast app switching, while not a visual split, lets you move between apps so quickly that it feels close to the real thing. Pick the method that fits what you need, and you will find multitasking on your iPhone much more productive.
