Alex Ruben
How To Use Split Screen on iPhone with iOS 26 in 2025
Juggling multiple apps on the iPhone got a bit better with iOS 26, which introduced some fancy multitasking features. Not everyone realizes you can do split view on an iPhone — I mean, it’s kinda weird, but Apple does have those weird corner cases. Usually, it’s doable, but sometimes the feature doesn’t show up right away or needs some tweaks. So, this guide walks through how to enable it, what apps support it, and tips to troubleshoot when things go sideways. After this, you’ll be able to view two apps side-by-side, which is a game-changer for productivity or just scrolling through stuff while texting.
How to Fix or Enable Split Screen on Your iPhone in iOS 26
Method 1: Check if Your iPhone Supports Split Screen and Enable It
This is kind of a no-brainer — not all iPhones or all apps are ready for split view yet, especially on iPhones where multitasking isn’t a core feature like on iPads. Typically, only iPhone models with larger screens (like the latest Pro models) support this, and even then, it’s sometimes buggy. Still, you want to verify everything’s set correctly:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and look for General, then tap on it.
- Navigate to Multitasking & Dock — yes, it’s in there. If you don’t see that, your device probably isn’t supported for split view on the iPhone.
- Make sure options like Allow Multiple Apps or Show Suggested and Recent Apps are toggled on — sometimes these settings help the split view button show up more reliably.
This helps Windows or iOS recognize your device as capable, which might seem obvious but, surprisingly, some settings can block the split-screen option from appearing.
Method 2: Using the Dock for Quick Access
If your device supports split view, the main method is pulling up the app switcher and dragging apps into split view. Sometimes, the feature is “hidden” until you try these steps:
- Open the app you want to split-screen with.
- Bring up the Dock by swiping up from the bottom (or from the very bottom edge, depending on your gestures).
- long-press on a second app icon in the Dock and drag it to the left or right edge of the screen. After a moment, your current app should slide to one side, and the new app will fill the other half.
Pro tip: this is the usual way to set up split view on supported iPhones. Not all apps play nice, so if it doesn’t work with one, try another. On some setups, the split screen button might only appear if you’re already in certain apps or from specific screens.
Method 3: Update iOS and Apps (A.K.A. Make Sure Everything’s Fresh)
On some setups, split screen just won’t turn on if you’re running an old version of iOS or the app isn’t updated. It helps to keep everything current, especially since Apple tends to fix bugs or tweak multitasking features with updates. To check for updates:
- Head to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If an update’s available, follow the prompts to download and install — make sure your phone is plugged in or has decent battery life, or it might refuse to install.
Also, check in the App Store if the apps you want to split view are up to date. Sometimes, older versions don’t support any multitasking features, or there’s a bug that fix comes with the latest release.
Method 4: Use a Dedicated App for Split Screen (Because of Course, iOS Needs Its Own Apps)
Since native split view is kind of a gray area on iPhone, some users resort to third-party apps claiming to do split screen or multitasking. Not always reliable, but if the native way gives you dead ends, it’s worth exploring:
- Open the App Store.
- Search for “split screen” or “multitasking.” The results vary, but look for apps with recent reviews and high ratings.
- Download and grant permissions as usual. Read the reviews because some apps only simulate multitasking or are buggy.
Keep in mind: Apple’s restrictions mean these apps can’t truly split your iPhone screen in the way they do on iPads, but they might help with some workflows.
Additional Tips & Troubleshooting
- If the split screen button or gesture isn’t showing, try a quick restart. It sounds lazy, but sometimes iOS just gets its wires crossed.
- Make sure the apps you are trying to use actually support multi-window multitasking; not everything will play ball.
- Reset the settings if necessary — go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. It’s drastic, but it resets system configs that might be blocking multitasking features.
Wrap-up
This isn’t exactly a straightforward feature on iPhone, especially if you’re used to iPads. Some bugs or quirks make it a bit frustrating, but it still can be done on supported devices with the right settings, gestures, and app versions. Remember, not every app is gonna support split view, so check compatibility first.
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours of fiddling, or at least gets you closer to multitasking on your iPhone without giving up entirely.
Summary
- Verify your iPhone supports split view (large screens).
- Enable multitasking options in Settings.
- Use the Dock to drag apps into split view.
- Update iOS and apps for best compatibility.
- Try third-party apps if native split isn’t working.
Final word
iOS multitasking on iPhone isn’t as fluid as on iPads, but with a bit of patience and recent updates, it’s doable. Expect some trial and error—sometimes it’s an app limitation, sometimes a setting—so don’t get discouraged if it’s not seamless right away. Fingers crossed this helps, and good luck with your multitasking experiments!