How To Split Screen on iPhone Without 3rd Party Apps (2023)

Have you seen the iPhone split screen feature is use and are trying to discover how to split screen on iPhone so that you can use it on your own phone too?

If you have an iPhone, there are a number of ways in which you can split the screen, which makes allows you to be more productive than just using just the full screen for one single app. In particular, this is great for multitasking such as watching a video in the background while playing a game.

For some reason, Apple enabled this feature by default for the iPad, but it is not enabled for the iPhone.

But below, we'll show you how to make use of the iPhone split screen feature for certain cases.

In addition, we'll go over the mode's limitations and how you can still enjoy all of the benefits of the split screen on iOS.

If you're in a hurry - please use the below Table of Contents to browse the section of the article you need.

How to split screen on iPhone / iOS 

The iPhone Split Screen Mode is NOT enabled natively in iPhones.

Unfortunately, you cannot (natively) split your iPhone's screen to use multiple apps at the same time, at least not in the way you may have hoped (let's say just by enabling a setting).

However, you may multitask by using features such as picture-in-picture and quick program switching, or by using a 3rd party app. We'll show you how to use your phone to access these settings.

To enable true split screen mode, you will need to install a 3rd party application which enables this feature on iOS.

Even if you do not want to install a 3rd party app, there are some options you can use on the iPhone.

Before we explain how to do this, please also note that people search for this solution also using the following keywords, how to double screen on iPhone, how to divide screen on iPhone, how to do half screen on iPhone and split iPhone screen in half.

Use the iPhone's Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Mode

If you want to watch a video while doing other things, you can do so with your iPhone's picture-in-picture mode. This option separates your movie from its original location and causes it to float across your screen.

You can keep using your other apps in the remaining screen area.

PiP mode on the iPhone is only available on iOS 14 and later. To enable it, go to Settings > General > Picture in Picture and toggle the "Start PiP Automatically" switch.

Now, if you open a PiP-compatible app, you can play your movie, and then press the PiP icon. You can now drag the floating window of your video to any location on your screen.

The following text is taken verbatim from the Apple website.

While watching a video, tap the icon .

The video window scales down to a corner of your screen so you can see the Home Screen and open other apps. With the video window showing, you can do any of the following:

• Resize the video window: To make the small video window larger, pinch open. To shrink it again, pinch closed.
• Show and hide controls: Tap the video window.
• Move the video window: Drag it to a different corner of the screen.
• Hide the video window: Drag it off the left or right edge of the screen.
• Close the video window: Tap .
• Return to a full video screen: Tap  in the small video window.

Supported Picture-in-Picture Apps for the iPhone

The majority of video apps support the iPhone's picture-in-picture mode. Many official Apple apps are included, including

• Apple TV,
• Safari,
• FaceTime,
• Podcasts,
• Home,
• Music.

Other third-party apps are available that support this mode:

• Netflix,
• Amazon Prime Video,
• Disney+,
• ESPN,
• FOX NOW,
• HBO Max,
• Hulu,
• SHOWTIME,
• Tubi,
• Vudu, etc.

Furthermore, all online browsers support PiP mode, so you can use it when watching a video on a website. You can use this feature for YouTube because the platform's official app on the iPhone does not allow PiP mode without a Premium subscription. 

Split screen mode is only available for iPads

iOS split screen is a feature that many users use on a regular basis. Despite the fact that screen splitting is a very useful feature, only a small percentage of Apple users are aware of it, primarily because this feature is only enabled on iPads.

What is the reason for this? iPhone models do not support the split screen mode. We don't know why this hasn't been enabled on iPhones especially the latest models such as the iPhone 12 / 13 / 14 Pro Max & Plus models which have plenty of screen real-estate where this feature can be used comfortably.

3rd Party iPhone Split screen Mode Apps

Apple's screen splitting feature is rather limited, as it is only available on certain devices (iPads) and is not a true split screen mode. Is it possible to have a true iPhone split screen mode that allows you to view two different contents at the same time?

Yes, and it actually makes using your iPhone twice as enjoyable. The way to do this is to 3rd party apps which DO NOT require you to jailbreak your phone and lose the warranty.

So how to run two apps on iPhone?

Many applications are available in the App Store that is specifically designed to emulate the iPhone split screen mode on your device.

Many of the apps do an excellent job of displaying two screen contents side by side or on top of one another. The five best applications are listed below.

1. Split Screen View

Our top recommended app is the Split Screen View application. The app comes in both a free and a paid version and allows for simultaneous content display. This includes both websites and apps such as Instagram and Twitter.

You have complete control over which screen contents you want to share with this app. A minor flaw: the app's design appears to be a little dated or out of style.

2. WebDuo Pro

WebDuo Pro is one of the best iPhone split screen apps right now. The app is a unique web browser that allows you to view two websites at the same time. Unfortunately, the feature does not allow for the use of multiple apps at the same time.

This means you can only use split screen with this app in browsers like Safari or Chrome, not in apps like WhatsApp or Instagram. WebDuo Pro is not free; it will set you back a whopping $1.99!

3. Split Web Browser

Split Web Browser is another app that allows you to get an iPhone split screen. Similar to the WebDuo Pro app, the app is free to download from the App Store and allows you to use two browsers in parallel.

You can't use it and other apps like Twitter, Facebook Messenger, or TikTok at the same time, unfortunately. The good news is that, despite being free, the app is completely ad-free.

4. Split Web Browser Screen View app

Split Web Web Browser Screen View app, a free app, is also a good option. One of the best split screen applications currently available is hidden behind the somewhat cumbersome name. You can start using apps – whether browsers or social media apps – as soon as you download and open it.

5. Split Screen Dual Window

Our final option is the iPhone enabled Split Screen Dual Window app which is available for free on the iPad. The app has a rating of 4.3 as of 2023, though we haven't tried it ourselves.

But that doesn't mean you you shouldn't check it out.

Read More: Want to hide apps on iPhone? - here's how | Why Does My iPhone Keep Dimming | Is Android Better Than iPhone | How to Find Hidden Apps on Android

How to Switch Apps for iPhone Multitasking

In the absence of the split screen capability, another option to multitask on your iPhone is to employ rapid app switching. You can multitask by fast switching between open apps on your iPhone.

• Press, hold and swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
• Swipe left or right to scroll between your open apps.
• Tap on the app you want to switch to.

Video Walkthrough

If you'd like to see how to do this on a video, maybe because there is something you didn't follow, you can check out the following YouTube walkthrough.

How to Split Screen in iPhone FAQs

Here are some common questions about how to split screen in iPhone.

How do I enable split-screen mode on my iPhone?

To enable split screen mode, you can use PiP mode, which is enabled by default for most video capable apps such as YouTube or video browsing. In general, iPhones do not allow split screen, so you will need to install a 3rd party app from the ones mentioned above. Once this has been installed, you can rotate your iPhone to landscape orientation to enable split-screen mode. The screen splits automatically when you use an app that supports this feature. The screen is split into two panes in split-screen mode.

How do I multitask on my iPad by splitting the screen?

To multitask on your iPad, follow theses steps. The first step is to arrange all of the applications that you intend to use. All you have to do now is line up all of the apps at the same time using the elipses button and dragging them to the right place.

Does iPhone have split screen on a small screen?

The iPhone supports PiP mode for videos but otherwise does not support split screen mode out of the box. While doing other tasks, you can watch a video using PiP mode for iOS 14 and above (for apps that support this feature). The iPhone 7 has a small screen; anything above the iPhone 8 has a large screen, starting with the iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, and iPhone 12, 13 and now also the 14 and its Pro Max and Plus versions. But these phones do not support split screen mode unless using 3rd party apps.

How to use split screen on iPhone?

The most common way to use split screen on iPhone is to watch video while doing other stuff, maybe watching music videos. The easieast way to do this is using PiP (or Picture in Picture mode) that is available natively on the iPhone 13, 14 or other models with iOS 14 or later. 

How to multitask on iPhone?

You can multitask on iPhone with certain apps (such as Music or Spotify) natively, where they can remain in background playing which you do other stuff. If you want to perform multitasking for video, you can use the Picture in Picture mode, which is a feature of iOS 14 or later. Otherwise, you will need to get an app that allows you to split iPhone screen into two, so you can multitask in the top and bottom parts of the screen.

How to split screen on iPhone 11, 12, 13 or 14 or Pro Max Variants ?

The iPhone does not allow split screen natively, but you can do the following. Open the Apple App Store on your Apple iPhone 11, 12 or / iPhone 11, 12 Pro. Search for “Split Screen Multitasking” on the App Store or click  here. Open the App and click on the Split Screen button to start the multi-window experience. Now you can open two windows at the same time. You can resize the screens by dragging the center line up or down.

How to open two apps at once?

You can open two apps at once, but you can use them both at the same time, unless you install an app described in this article. To have two apps open at once, just hold and drag your iPhone from the button and switch to a different app. You don't need to close the app that you are already using.

How to double screen on iPhone?

To double screen on iPhone, the same techniques that apply to split the screen apply. Follow all of the above suggestions to get it to work for you asap.