Ever wished you could watch a video and scroll through Instagram at the same time on your iPhone 14? While your iPhone 14 doesn’t offer a traditional side-by-side split screen feature like some larger tablets or other devices, it does have a super useful trick up its sleeve: Picture-in-Picture (PiP). This cool function lets you keep a video playing in a small, movable window while you navigate and use other apps. It’s the closest you’ll get to multitasking with two active windows on your iPhone, and it’s surprisingly easy to set up.
How to Split Screen on iPhone 14
You might be hoping for a magical button that splits your screen into two equal halves for different apps. Unfortunately, that’s not how iPhones work just yet! However, we can get pretty close by using the Picture-in-Picture feature, which is perfect for keeping a video playing while you do something else. Let’s walk through how to activate this handy multitasking tool.
Step 1: Start playing a video in a compatible app.
Begin by opening an app that supports Picture-in-Picture, such as Apple TV, Safari, YouTube (with Premium), or many other video streaming apps.
Once you’ve found your desired video, tap on it to start playing. Make sure it’s running in full-screen mode or at least expanded enough to see clearly. This is your first step towards "splitting" your screen.
Step 2: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
While your video is playing, gently swipe your finger upwards from the very bottom edge of your iPhone screen, just like you would to go back to your Home screen.
Instead of closing the video, you’ll notice it shrinks down into a smaller, floating window. This window will stay on top of whatever else you do on your phone, like a mini TV that follows you around.
Step 3: Navigate to another app.
With your video now in PiP mode, you can open any other app you want. Tap on an app icon from your Home screen or swipe through your app library.
The video will continue playing in its small window while you browse the web, check emails, or chat with friends. It’s like having two screens at once, even if one is just for watching.
Step 4: Manage the Picture-in-Picture window.
You’re not stuck with the PiP window in one spot. You can drag it to any of the four corners of your screen to position it where it’s least in the way.
Need to make it bigger or smaller? Pinch out or pinch in on the window, just like you would to zoom in or out on a photo. If you want to temporarily hide it, swipe it off to the side of the screen, and a small tab will remain, ready for you to pull it back.
After you complete these steps, your chosen video will continue to play in a movable, resizable window while you freely use another app on your iPhone 14. It’s a fantastic way to multitask, ensuring you don’t miss a beat of your show while staying productive or entertained elsewhere.
Tips for Split Screening on iPhone 14
- Check App Compatibility: Not all video apps support Picture-in-Picture. If a video doesn’t shrink when you swipe up, that particular app might not have the feature enabled.
- Master the Gestures: Practice dragging the PiP window to different corners and pinching to resize it. It becomes second nature quickly and makes multitasking much smoother.
- Temporarily Hide the Window: If the PiP window is ever in the way, simply swipe it off the edge of your screen. It won’t stop playing; it’ll just hide, and you can bring it back with another swipe.
- Double-Tap to Go Full Screen: Want to jump back to full-screen video instantly? Just double-tap the PiP window, and it will expand to fill your entire display.
- YouTube Premium for PiP: While Safari videos generally support PiP, for the YouTube app, you’ll typically need a YouTube Premium subscription to use Picture-in-Picture outside of a browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really put two different apps side-by-side on my iPhone 14?
No, unfortunately, the iPhone 14 (and all iPhones, actually) doesn’t have a native feature that lets you run two entirely separate apps side-by-side on the screen at the same time. That’s a capability usually found on iPads or some Android devices.
So, what exactly is Picture-in-Picture (PiP)?
Picture-in-Picture is a cool iOS feature that lets you keep a video playing in a small, floating window while you navigate and use other applications on your phone. It’s designed specifically for video playback, not for running two interactive apps at once. Think of it as a mini-TV you can move around your screen.
How do I know if an app supports Picture-in-Picture?
Most Apple apps like Safari and TV support PiP automatically. Many third-party video apps also do. The easiest way to check is to start a video and then swipe up to your Home screen. If the video shrinks into a small window, the app supports it. If the video just closes, it doesn’t.
Can I use PiP for video calls?
Yes, many video calling apps like FaceTime, Zoom, and Google Meet now support Picture-in-Picture. This means you can keep your call active in a small window while you check a document or browse the web, which is super helpful for multitasking during meetings.
What if I want to turn off Picture-in-Picture for good?
If you’d rather not have videos automatically go into PiP mode, you can turn off the feature. Just go to your iPhone’s Settings app, then tap on "General," and then "Picture in Picture." From there, you can toggle off "Start PiP Automatically." You can still manually activate it by tapping the PiP icon in a video player, but it won’t happen automatically anymore.
Summary of How to Split Screen on iPhone 14
- Start video in compatible app.
- Swipe up from bottom.
- Navigate to another app.
- Manage PiP window position/size.
Conclusion
Alright, so we’ve covered the ins and outs of how to get the closest thing to a split screen on iPhone 14. While it might not be the two-apps-side-by-side experience some folks imagine, the Picture-in-Picture feature is a genuine game-changer for anyone who loves to multitask. Imagine watching your favorite cooking tutorial while you’re looking up an ingredient list in Safari, or keeping an eye on a sports game while you answer a quick email. It brings a whole new level of convenience to your daily phone use, making your iPhone feel even smarter and more capable.
It’s important to remember that Apple designs iOS with a focus on simplicity and a singular main task at hand, which is why a true split-screen for two full applications isn’t a standard feature like on some other devices. However, the PiP function is a brilliant compromise, offering genuine utility without cluttering your screen or complicating the user experience. You’re still getting the powerful performance of your iPhone 14, just with an added layer of flexibility.
So, go ahead and experiment with it! Don’t be shy about dragging that video window around, resizing it, or even temporarily tucking it away. Once you get the hang of these simple gestures, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. It truly transforms how you interact with your phone, allowing you to stay connected, informed, and entertained all at once. Even though you can’t literally split screen on iPhone 14 for two apps, PiP is a fantastic alternative that truly enhances your mobile experience. Keep exploring those iOS features, because there’s always a new trick to make your tech work better for you!