Guide to Split Screen Multitasking on iPhone: Alternatives and Workarounds

As of August 2023, split screen multitasking is primarily designed for iPads, offering more advanced features compared to iPhones. However, with a few strategic adaptations and third-party app support, you can still achieve a similar experience on an iPhone. Let's explore the various methods to increase your productivity and simplify your workflow using your iPhone.

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Mode

PiP mode is a valuable tool for keeping videos visible while you use other apps. Here's how to enable and use it:

Start playing a video in a compatible app. Supported apps include YouTube, Netflix, and other video streaming services. Swipe up or press the home button to minimize the video to a small window. You can now move this miniaturized video around the screen.

App Switcher

The App Switcher is a simple yet powerful feature that allows you to navigate between apps quickly and efficiently:

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen on newer iPhone models or double-tap the home button on older models. This action will open the App Switcher, showing a list of recently used apps. You can tap on any app to switch to it instantly.

Notifications and Widgets

Notifications and widgets provide another level of multi-tasking convenience:

Swiping down from the top of the screen reveals the Notification Center, where you can see unread notifications. On the home screen or lock screen, swipe right to access the Today View, where you can customize and view various widgets.

Third-Party Apps

Third-party apps often offer their own versions of split-screen functionality, allowing you to view multiple pieces of content side by side:

Some document management apps like Notion or Evernote support split-screen viewing, enabling you to view notes and documents simultaneously. Web browsers like Safari or Chrome may offer extensions or built-in features that support split-screen viewing.

It's important to note that not all apps support split-screen viewing, so compatibility will vary.

Alternative Techniques

Additionally, there are techniques you can enable to switch your iPhone to Split Screen mode with a change in orientation:

Enabling Split Screen via Zoom Mode

If you need to split your screen manually, you can do so by:

Going to Settings > Display Brightness > Display Zoom > Zoom Set > Use Zoom. Once this setting is enabled, rotate your device to a horizontal position (acrostyle). Your device will now enter Split Screen mode, allowing you to view two apps side by side. To exit Split Screen mode, simply rotate your device back to the vertical position.

However, not all apps support this split-screen mode, so you may encounter limitations with certain applications.

Conclusion

While true split-screen multitasking is available on iPads, avid iPhone users can still benefit from various alternative methods and third-party app features to enhance their productivity and workflow. Stay updated with the latest iOS updates from Apple, as they frequently introduce new functionalities that can further improve your iPhone experience.

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