Ethan Brooks
How To Enable iPhone Split Screen Without Jailbreaking
Honestly, trying to get split screen on an iPhone without jailbreaking feels kinda frustrating because Apple doesn’t officially support true multitasking on iPhones the way Android or iPads do. But there’s a workaround that kinda works if you’re willing to get a bit creative with third-party apps and some settings tweaks.
Prerequisites
Before jumping into this, make sure you have these:
- An iPhone running iOS 11 or later — because earlier versions are mostly useless here.
- Good internet connection — you’ll be downloading some apps or tweaks.
- Patience and openness to trying stuff that’s not exactly “built-in.”
Method 1: Using a Third-Party App Like Split Screen – Dual Window
So, why does this even help? Well, since iOS doesn’t natively support true split view on iPhones, some apps claim to give you a split-screen experience by running two apps in one interface. Not perfect, but better than nothing. Usually, these apps work better on bigger screens, but it’s worth a shot.
Here’s how to get it working:
- Head over to the App Store.
- Search for Split Screen – Dual Window or similar apps (honestly, there’s a few). Some popular options are Split Screen – Dual Window.
- Download and install it (tap Get and confirm).
After installation, open the app and see if it shows two app windows. Here’s the thing — it’s kind of weird, but some apps might not function perfectly. On one setup it worked smoothly, on another… not so much.
Method 2: Using Picture-in-Picture (PiP) for Videos
This isn’t exactly split-screen, but if you wanna watch a YouTube video while browsing or doing other stuff, PiP mode is your friend. Why it helps: it kinda overlays a small floating video window that stays on top.
Here’s what to do:
- Play a video in a supported app (like YouTube or Safari). Not all apps support PiP, so if it’s not there, you’re out of luck.
- Tap the PiP icon (looks like a rectangle with a little arrow). If you don’t see it, make sure PiP is enabled: Settings > General > Picture in Picture toggle is on.
- The video shrinks into a small window that you can drag around. You can then switch to other apps and keep watching.
Not sure why it works sometimes and not others, but sometimes restarting the app or even the device helps PiP pop up more often.
Method 3: Using App Switcher & Multitasking Hacks
When all else fails, mastering the app switcher makes a difference. Swipe up from the bottom (or double-click the Home button on older iPhones) to see all open apps. This isn’t true split view, but it lets you quickly jump between apps, which kinda gives multitasking a semi-boost.
It’s more about speed than splitting screens, but on some setups, this makes multitasking feel a little easier. Still, do close apps you don’t need in the background — because of course, iOS sometimes struggles if you leave too many open.
Additional Tips & Common Issues
If the apps you want to split aren’t supporting this, or if your device is lagging, here’s what might help:
- Ensure your apps are updated — developers sometimes add split view or PiP support in updates.
- Close unused apps from the app switcher to free up resources.
- For some weird reason, rebooting the phone can clear up stuck states that block multitasking features.
Because of course, iOS has to make it harder than necessary. Sometimes features get limited by Apple, and we just have to accept that.
Summary
- Download third-party apps to push split-screen-like features (but they’re not perfect).
- Use PiP mode for watching videos while multitasking.
- Get comfy with the app switcher for quick navigation.
- Update your apps and reboot if things act flaky.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. It’s kinda of a hacky workaround, but it’s better than nothing on an iPhone that refuses to offer true multitasking without jailbreaking. Fingers crossed this helps.