iPhone multitasking tips for iOS 18 (split view & picture-in-picture)

By Tech Expert Published on January 12, 2025 7 min read

With the release of iOS 18, Apple has significantly enhanced the multitasking capabilities on iPhones, making it easier than ever to work with multiple apps simultaneously. In this guide, we'll share essential iPhone multitasking tips for iOS 18, focusing on split view and picture-in-picture features that can transform your productivity.

Understanding iOS 18 Multitasking

iOS 18 introduces several improvements to iPhone multitasking, building upon the foundation established in previous versions. These enhancements allow you to:

Run multiple apps side by side with split view
Watch videos while using other apps with picture-in-picture
Quickly switch between recently used apps
Use drag and drop to transfer content between apps
Customize multitasking settings for your workflow

How to Use Split View on iPhone (iOS 18)

Split view allows you to use two apps simultaneously on your iPhone screen. Here's how to activate and use it:

Activating Split View

Open the first app you want to use
Swipe up from the bottom to access the App Switcher
Find the second app you want to use
Press and hold the app's icon
Drag the app to the left or right side of the screen
Release when you see the screen split into two sections

Adjusting Split View

Once you've activated split view, you can customize the layout:

Resize Apps: Drag the divider between the two apps left or right to adjust their size
Swap Apps: Drag an app from the App Switcher to replace one of the apps in split view
Exit Split View: Drag the divider all the way to one side of the screen to close one app

For more productivity tips, check out our article on iPhone productivity tips for remote workers 2025.

Best Split View App Combinations

Some of the most effective split view combinations include:

Notes + Safari: Take notes while researching online
Mail + Calendar: Respond to emails while checking your schedule
Messenger + Photos: Share photos while chatting
Calculator + Notes: Perform calculations while taking notes
Files + Pages: Access files while working on a document

Mastering Picture-in-Picture on iPhone (iOS 18)

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) allows you to watch videos or participate in FaceTime calls while using other apps. Here's how to use it:

Activating Picture-in-Picture

There are several ways to activate PiP in iOS 18:

For Videos: Start playing a video in an app like Safari or YouTube, then swipe up from the bottom to return to the Home screen
For FaceTime: While on a FaceTime call, tap the PiP button (two overlapping rectangles) in the call interface
For Supported Apps: Some apps have a dedicated PiP button in their interface

Controlling Picture-in-Picture

Once PiP is activated, you can:

Move the Window: Drag the PiP window to any corner of the screen
Resize the Window: Pinch to zoom in or out on the PiP window
Play/Pause: Tap the window to reveal controls, then tap the play/pause button
Return to Full Screen: Tap the full-screen button in the PiP controls
Close PiP: Tap the close button (X) in the PiP controls

For more tips on using iOS 18 features, check out our article on How to use iOS 18 StandBy Mode hidden settings.

Supported Apps for Picture-in-Picture

iOS 18 supports PiP for many popular apps, including:

Apple TV
Safari
FaceTime
YouTube (with Premium subscription)
Netflix
Disney+
Amazon Prime Video
Spotify (for video content)

iOS 18 Multitasking Gestures

iOS 18 introduces new gestures to make multitasking even easier:

App Switcher Gestures

Swipe Up and Hold: From the bottom of the screen, swipe up and hold to access the App Switcher
Horizontal Swipe: In the App Switcher, swipe left or right to navigate between apps
Swipe Up on App Card: Swipe up on an app card to close it

Drag and Drop Gestures

iOS 18 enhances drag and drop functionality:

Press and hold an item (text, photo, file) until it lifts up
While holding the item, use another finger to navigate to the destination app
Release the item to drop it in the destination app

Multitasking with the Dock

The Dock is another powerful tool for multitasking:

Swipe up from the bottom to reveal the Dock
Press and hold an app icon in the Dock
Drag the app to the left or right side of the screen to open it in split view
Drag the app to the center of the screen to open it normally

Advanced Multitasking Tips for iOS 18

Take your iPhone multitasking to the next level with these advanced tips:

1. Customize Your Multitasking Settings

iOS 18 allows you to customize multitasking behavior:

Go to Settings > Home Screen & Multitasking
Adjust settings like:

App Switcher layout
Picture-in-Picture preferences
Dock appearance
Drag and drop behavior

2. Use Multitasking with Keyboard

If you use an external keyboard with your iPhone, take advantage of these multitasking shortcuts:

Command + Tab: Switch between open apps
Command + Shift + 3: Take a screenshot
Command + Space: Open Spotlight search
Command + H: Return to Home screen

3. Manage App Switcher Efficiently

Keep your App Switcher organized:

Regularly close unused apps by swiping up on their cards
Use App Library to find apps instead of cluttering your home screens
Pin frequently used apps to the Dock for quick access

4. Use Split View for Productivity

Maximize your productivity with split view:

Use Notes and Safari together to research and take notes simultaneously
Use Calendar and Mail to schedule meetings while responding to emails
Use Messages and Reminders to create tasks while chatting with colleagues
Use Files and Pages to work on documents while accessing reference materials

For more tips on using Notes, check out our article on How to use iOS Notes as a project management tool.

5. Combine Split View and Picture-in-Picture

You can use both split view and PiP simultaneously on your iPhone:

Open two apps in split view
Start playing a video or FaceTime call
Activate PiP for the video or call
Now you'll have two apps in split view and a PiP window on top

Troubleshooting Common Multitasking Issues

Here's how to fix some common multitasking problems in iOS 18:

1. Split View Won't Activate

If you can't activate split view:

Make sure your iPhone supports split view (iPhone XS and later)
Update to the latest version of iOS 18
Restart your iPhone
Check if the apps you're trying to use support split view

2. Picture-in-Picture Doesn't Work

If PiP isn't working:

Go to Settings > General > Picture in Picture
Make sure "Start PiP Automatically" is enabled
Check if the app you're using supports PiP
Update the app to the latest version

3. Apps Crash When Using Multitasking

If apps crash while multitasking:

Close unused apps to free up memory
Update the problematic apps to the latest version
Restart your iPhone
Check for iOS updates

4. Drag and Drop Doesn't Work

If drag and drop isn't functioning:

Make sure both apps support drag and drop
Restart your iPhone
Update to the latest iOS version
Check if there's a known issue with the apps you're using

Multitasking on Different iPhone Models

Multitasking capabilities vary slightly depending on your iPhone model:

iPhone 15 Series

The latest iPhone 15 models offer the most advanced multitasking features:

Full support for split view and picture-in-picture
Enhanced performance for running multiple apps simultaneously
Support for the latest iOS 18 multitasking gestures

iPhone 14 Series

The iPhone 14 series also has excellent multitasking support:

Full support for split view and picture-in-picture
Good performance for most multitasking scenarios
Support for all iOS 18 multitasking features

iPhone XS to 13 Series

Older iPhone models still support multitasking but with some limitations:

Support for split view and picture-in-picture
Performance may vary depending on the number of apps running
Some advanced features may be limited

Best Apps for Multitasking in iOS 18

Some apps are particularly well-suited for multitasking in iOS 18:

Productivity Apps

Notes: Great for split view with Safari or Mail
Pages: Works well with Files for document editing
Numbers: Perfect for split view with Notes or Mail
Reminders: Useful with Calendar or Messages
Todoist: Excellent for split view with Safari

Media Apps

YouTube: Great for picture-in-picture video viewing
Netflix: Perfect for watching shows while browsing
Spotify: Good for listening to music while using other apps
Apple TV: Excellent for picture-in-picture

Communication Apps

Messages: Works well with Photos or Files
Mail: Great for split view with Calendar or Notes
FaceTime: Perfect for picture-in-picture calls
WhatsApp: Useful for split view with Photos

Conclusion

iPhone multitasking in iOS 18 has reached new heights, offering powerful features like split view and picture-in-picture that can significantly boost your productivity. By mastering these features and following the tips in this guide, you'll be able to make the most of your iPhone's multitasking capabilities.

Remember to experiment with different app combinations and settings to find the workflow that works best for you. With practice, you'll be able to seamlessly switch between apps, work on multiple tasks simultaneously, and get more done in less time.