Split Screen iOS 17: Best Easy Guide 2023

Split Screen iOS 17
Image by Teona Swift

With a bevvy of new features that have made Android users drool, the release of iOS 17 has been a watershed moment in the digital world.

iOS 17 has raised the bar for mobile operating systems with its revolutionary ‘Check In’ feature and superior AirDrop capabilities. But one important question that keeps coming up is whether iOS 17 supports split-screen.

Let’s find out…

Overview

With the introduction of iOS 17, Apple unveiled several fresh and cutting-edge features. Even the most recent iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max use iOS 17 better. The split screen, however, has been one of the most requested improvements by Apple enthusiasts over the past few years. Because of this, many iPhone users are unsure about how to use a split screen on iOS 17.

Unfortunately, iOS 17, as of September 2023, does not offer split-screen capabilities. However, if you want a split-screen experience on your iPhone with iOS 17, you’re in luck. On the iPhone, third-party apps from the App Store can enable split screens, allowing you to run two apps simultaneously.

Does iOS 17 Support Split Screen?

Split Screen has long been one of the most sought-after features for iPhones, yet iOS 17 still does not support it.

On the other hand, Split Screen has been available to Android users for a long time. Split View, which allows two apps to run simultaneously side by side, like Split Screen, is available to iPad and Mac users. On iOS 17, however, this is not feasible.

Why Apple hasn’t included a full-screen functionality or Split View compatibility for the large 6 to 6.7-inch iPhone screens is a mystery.

Split Screen on iOS 17: Third-Party Apps

While iOS 17 lacks native split-screen support, third-party apps can help. These apps are available for download from the App Store and allow you to split your screen and run two apps at the same time. Here are some prominent alternatives:

  • Multitasking Split Screen
  •  Split Screen – Dual Window
  •  Split Screen View

Why is Split Screen Not Supported by iOS?

Although Apple hasn’t explained why Split Screen capability isn’t available to iPhone users using iOS 17, there may be a larger problem with apps that don’t adapt well to various sizes and configurations. Apple doesn’t want to take a chance on it just yet, whatever the situation may be.

About Multitasking and Split Screen

Advantages of using Multitasking:

  • Quick access to your favourite websites
  • Display downloaded files in one area of the screen while using the browser in another.
  • There are two video viewing modes. Download and watch movies offline
  • Quick changeover between full-screen and dual-screen

How to Enable iOS 17’s Picture-in-Picture Feature

Although split screen is not natively supported on iOS 17, the Picture in Picture functionality provides an option for multitasking, particularly if you want to view a film or make a FaceTime call while using other apps.

  1. Start a video or a FaceTime call.
  2. To return to the Home Screen, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or hit the Home button on previous iPhones) while the video or call is active.
  3. The video or call will be scaled down to a corner of the screen, allowing you to use other apps while remaining focused on the video or call.
  4. Pinch the video window open or closed to resize it, press the video window to reveal or hide controls, and drag the video window to a different corner of the screen.
  5. Tap on the small video window to return to a big video screen.

Enjoying Split View on the Mac and iPad

Surprisingly, Apple has included Split View in its Mac and iPad lineups.

This feature allows two apps to be displayed side by side, enabling multitasking.

This is not, however, a full-fledged Split Screen functionality, and its absence in iOS 17 is notable.

How to Use Mac Split Screen

Apple provides the Split View Mac. Here’s how to put it to use:

  • Hover on the green icon with two arrows inside it at the upper left of any open window or program. Those who have not yet updated to macOS Catalina should click and hold the icon.
  • If you have Catalina or later, a drop-down menu will appear, from which you can choose Tile Window to Left of Screen or Tile Window to Right of Screen. If you’re running an earlier version of macOS, holding down the icon causes the window to shrink, and you can drag it to the left or right.
  • Click a window on the opposite side of the screen, and you’re done.
  • To modify the width, drag the vertical line in the center or drag a window to the other side.

How to Use iPad Split Screen

Split View is available from Apple on the iPad but operates differently than on a Mac. SlideOver can also be used to create a smaller floating window for a second app. Here’s how it’s done:

  • Open an app and tap the three-dot multitasking button at the top.
  • Select the Split View or Slide Over buttons.
  • Select a second app from your home screen (swipe left or right or choose from the Dock).
  • In Split View, drag the divider to modify app sizes, and in Slide Over, drag left or right with the multitasking button.
  • To move between Split View and Slide Over, hit the multitasking button (three dots) at the top or select Full Screen to exit.

How to Use iPhone Picture-in-Picture

  • It should be enabled by default, but check Settings > General > Picture in Picture to make sure Start PiP Automatically is enabled.
  • When you open a compatible program, such as FaceTime, Safari, or Netflix, you can activate it by tapping the PiP icon (two rectangles with an arrow).
  • The video window will resize to fit into a corner of your screen. You can move it about by dragging it, pinching it open to make it bigger, or pinching it closed to make it smaller.

The History of Split Screen on Android

It’s worth noting that Android has had split-screen capabilities for quite some time.

This functionality allows users to run two apps concurrently, improving multitasking and efficiency.

It’s a useful feature, and it’s one of the reasons some people choose Android over iPhones.

Conclusion

Despite the unavailability of built-in split-screen capabilities in iOS 17, third-party apps and the Picture-in-picture feature provide viable options for multitasking on your beloved iPhone.

I hope you found the guide useful and that you now understand how to split screens on iOS 17 using third-party solutions.

References

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