iPhone does not have split screen, but iPad does

iPhones cannot display two apps side by side on the same screen. Apple's smaller phones are designed to show one app at a time, and there is no setting or feature to change this. If you need to view two apps simultaneously, you will need to switch between them by swiping up from the bottom or tapping the app switcher.

iPad, however, has had split screen features since 2015. Depending on your iPad model and iPadOS version, you can run two apps at once using Split View, or three apps using Stage Manager on newer models. This difference exists because iPad screens are large enough to display useful portions of two apps without making either one too cramped to use.

The reason Apple does not offer split screen on iPhone comes down to screen size. A typical iPhone screen is 6 to 6.7 inches diagonally. Splitting that space between two apps leaves each one with roughly 3 inches of width, which is too narrow for most apps to display their controls properly. iPad screens range from 8.3 to 12.9 inches, giving each app enough room to remain functional.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhones cannot run split screen under any circumstances — this is a hardware and software limitation, not a hidden setting.
  • iPad supports Split View on most models made after 2015, allowing two apps to run side by side.
  • Newer iPad models with Stage Manager can display up to three apps at once, though Stage Manager requires iPadOS 16 or later.
  • If you need to compare information between two apps on iPhone, you will need to switch between them using the app switcher or by swiping.

How split screen works on iPad

To open Split View on iPad, open the first app you want to use. Then swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the Dock. Find the second app you want to run and hold your finger on it until a menu appears. Tap "Split View" from that menu. The screen will divide, with your first app on the left and the second app on the right.

You can adjust the dividing line between the two apps by dragging it left or right. This lets you give more screen space to whichever app you need to focus on. If you want to close split screen, drag the divider all the way to one edge of the screen.

Not all apps support Split View. Older apps or apps designed only for iPhone may refuse to open in split screen mode. If an app does not appear in the Dock or if tapping "Split View" does nothing, that app has not been built to work this way.

Stage Manager on newer iPad models

Stage Manager is a newer way to multitask on iPad, available on iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation and later), and iPad Air (5th generation and later). Stage Manager lets you open up to four apps at once and resize them freely, rather than forcing them into a split screen layout.

To turn on Stage Manager, go to Settings, tap Multitasking, and toggle Stage Manager on. Your apps will now appear as floating windows that you can move and resize by dragging their edges. You can also open the app switcher on the left side of the screen to quickly jump between different groups of apps.

Stage Manager takes more practice to learn than Split View because you have more control over window placement. If you prefer the simpler side-by-side layout, you can keep using Split View even if Stage Manager is available on your iPad.

Why iPhone does not have this feature

Apple made a deliberate choice to keep split screen off iPhone because the screen is too small. When you split a 6-inch screen in half, each app gets roughly 3 inches of width. Most iPhone apps are designed to fill the entire screen, and shrinking them that much makes buttons hard to tap and text hard to read.

iPad apps, by contrast, are often designed to work in landscape mode with extra space on the sides. They can adapt to split screen without becoming unusable. Apple's design philosophy prioritizes making sure every feature works well on the device it is on, rather than forcing features onto devices where they would not work properly.

This is also why iPhone does not have a file system you can browse like a computer does, and why iPad's file management tools are more advanced. Each device is built around what its screen size and hardware can actually support.

Alternatives for viewing two things at once on iPhone

If you need to reference two apps on iPhone, the fastest method is to use the app switcher. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold, or swipe left from the right edge of the screen. This shows thumbnails of your recently used apps. Tap the one you want to switch to, and you can jump back and forth between two apps in seconds.

Another option is to use Picture in Picture if you are watching video. Open a video in the built-in TV app, Apple TV+, YouTube, or another app that supports Picture in Picture. Swipe up from the bottom to go to the home screen, and the video will shrink into a small window in the corner that you can move around while you use another app.

For comparing text or images, you can also open Safari and use its tab switcher to view multiple web pages, or use Notes to keep reference information visible while you work in another app. These are not true split screen, but they reduce the amount of switching you need to do.

Which iPad models support split screen

Most iPad models made after 2015 support Split View. This includes all current iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad mini models, as well as the standard iPad (7th generation and later). The iPad (6th generation and earlier) does not support Split View.

To check whether your specific iPad supports Split View, go to Settings, tap Multitasking, and look for the Split View option. If it appears and is toggled on, your iPad can use it. If the option does not appear, your iPad is too old to support the feature.

Stage Manager, the newer multitasking system, requires more powerful hardware and is only available on iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation and later), and iPad Air (5th generation and later). Older iPad models and the standard iPad cannot use Stage Manager.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use split screen on iPhone 15 or the latest iPhone model?

No. Apple has not added split screen to any iPhone model, including the newest ones. The feature remains exclusive to iPad because iPhone screens are too small for it to work well. This is unlikely to change in future iPhone models unless Apple makes phones with significantly larger screens.

What if I have an iPad but split screen is not working?

First, check that the app you are trying to open in split screen actually supports the feature — older apps may not. Second, make sure you have enough free storage space on your iPad, as low storage can prevent apps from opening. If both apps support split screen and you have storage available, try restarting your iPad by holding the power button and swiping to power off.

Can I use split screen with two copies of the same app?

Most apps do not allow this. If you try to open the same app twice in Split View, the second instance usually closes the first one instead. Some apps like Safari and Mail are designed to handle multiple windows, but most are not.

Does split screen use more battery on iPad?

Running two apps at once does use more battery than running one, because both apps are active in memory and may be processing data. However, the difference is usually small — a few percent per hour depending on what the apps are doing. If battery life is a concern, close one app when you are done with it.

Is there a way to force split screen on iPhone through settings?

No. There is no hidden setting, developer option, or workaround that enables split screen on iPhone. It is not a feature that can be turned on or off — it straightforward does not exist in iPhone's operating system.