This wikiHow teaches you how to use more than one application at the same time on your iPhone or iPad. If you're using a modern iPad, you can use advanced multitasking features like Slide Over, Split Screen, and Video Overlay to display multiple apps on the screen simultaneously.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Swap Apps on an iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Open various applications on your iPhone or iPad
You can easily switch between open applications without having to return to the home screen each time. Start by opening at least 2 applications that you want to use at the same time.
Step 2. Open the App Switcher
This feature displays all your open applications at the same time in a scrollable format. The process is a little different depending on your model:
- If your iPhone or iPad has a physical "Home" button at the bottom of the screen, double-tap it to display the App Switcher.
- If your iPhone or iPad doesn't have a "Home" button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to almost halfway, and then lift your finger when you see the App Switcher.
Step 3. Swipe left or right to the application you want to use
A preview of each app will appear in the center of the screen as you swipe.
Step 4. Press the application to open it
The selected application will open in full size on your phone or tablet.
Step 5. Close an app by swiping up on the App Switcher (optional)
If you want to exit an app so it no longer runs in the background, swiping up instead of tapping it will force it to close.
Method 2 of 5: Use Slide Over on an iPad
Step 1. Open an application
Slide Over allows you to open an additional application on top of the one that is already open. This makes it possible to have more than one application open on the screen at the same time.
- Slide Over works on iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation and later), iPad Air 2 and later, or iPad mini 4 and later.
- Slide Over is enabled by default. If you've disabled it in the past, here's how you can re-enable it:
- Open the app Setting and select Home screen and Dock.
- Press Multitask.
- Slide the "Allow multiple apps" switch to the on (green) position.
Step 2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen
The Dock will appear in the bottom center.
If you don't see the app you want to use in the Dock, open it now and then close it. This causes the application icon to be added to the "recently used" space at the far right of the Dock
Step 3. Press and hold an application icon in the Dock
Don't lift your finger.
Step 4. Drag the application icon to the middle of the screen
When you lift your finger, the app will appear in a smaller window on the right side of the screen. This is the Slide Over window.
Step 5. Add additional applications to Slide Over (optional)
You are not limited to just one Slide Over app! To add additional applications, drag their icons from the Dock to the Slide Over window. This will add the other applications to the "stack". Here's how you can multitask with the apps that are on the Slide Over stack:
- To switch between open apps, swipe left or right on the horizontal line at the bottom of the Slide Over window. Stop swiping once you reach the app you want to use.
- To see all the apps that are in Slide Over at once, slide the horizontal line at the bottom of the window up. Then you can tap one of the apps to open it in Slide Over.
Step 6. Move the Slide Over window (optional)
There are different ways to adjust the location and size of the Slide Over window:
- To move the Slide Over window to the other side of the screen, drag the top of the window to the desired location.
- To make the Slide Over window disappear, drag the top of the window away from the right side of the screen.
- To see the Slide Over window if it's hidden, swipe left from the right side of the screen.
- To switch to Split Screen mode from Slide Over, drag the top of the Slide Over window to the lower left or lower right corner of the screen.
Method 3 of 5: Use Split Screen on an iPad
Step 1. Open an application
Split Screen allows you to have two applications open on the screen at the same time. Start by opening one of the applications you want to use.
- Split Screen is only available for iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation and later), iPad Air 2 and later, and iPad mini 4 and later.
- Since Split Screen is enabled by default, you shouldn't have to turn it on. If you've disabled it in the past and can't use this method, follow these steps to enable Split Screen:
- Open the app Setting and select Home screen and Dock.
- Press Multitask.
- Slide the "Allow multiple apps" switch to the on (green) position.
Step 2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen
This will show the Dock in the bottom center.
Step 3. Drag an icon from the Dock to the left or right edge of the screen
To drag the application icon, press and hold it and then without lifting your finger, drag it to the left or right edge. The new application will now appear on the screen next to the application that was already open.
If the application you want to open is not in the Dock, you will need to open the application from the home screen and then close it. This will make the application icon appear on the far right of the Dock in the recently used applications space
Step 4. Adjust Split Screen to suit your needs
There are different ways you can customize Split Screen:
- Drag the vertical app divider in the center of the two apps to adjust the amount of screen space each app consumes.
- To close Split Screen, drag the vertical app divider to the edge of the screen over one of the apps.
- To switch from Split Screen to Slide Over, swipe down from the top of one of the open apps.
Method 4 of 5: Use Overlay Videos on an iPad
Step 1. Open an application that plays video
Overlay Videos allows you to continue watching a video (or use Facetime) in a smaller window while using applications. Start by starting the video or making your Facetime call.
- Video Overlay is available on iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation or later), iPad Air 2 and later, and iPad mini 4 and later.
- If you have disabled Overlay Videos in the past, you will need to re-enable it. This is how you do it:
- Open the app Setting and select Home screen and Dock.
- Slide the "Overlay Videos" switch to the on (green) position.
Step 2. Press the Overlay Videos icon
It looks like a hollow rectangle with a down arrow and a smaller filled rectangle at its bottom edge. The video or Facetime call will collapse and move to the upper right corner of the screen.
If you don't see the icon, tap the screen once to show the hidden icons
Step 3. Open another application
For example, if you want to send an email while on a Facetime call, you can open the app Mail or Gmail. The Overlay Videos window will float over the new app in the upper right corner of the screen.
Step 4. Use both apps simultaneously
Now you can work in the new application without having to stop watching your video. Here's what you can do with Overlay Videos as you work:
- To move the smaller video window, just drag it to another location.
- Press the video window to display its controls.
- Pinch the video window to make it smaller, or spread your fingers on the screen to increase its size.
- Press the Overlay Videos icon in the smaller window to return the video or Facetime call to the normal full screen size.
- To hide the video window, drag it away from the left or right edge of the screen. Then, you can press the arrow icon to return it.
- To close the video window, press the x from the top.
Method 5 of 5: Use "Background Update" on an iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Open the Settings app
from your iPhone.
You will find it on the home screen or in a folder.
If "Background Update" is enabled for an application, that application can continue to search for new content through your internet connection while you use other applications. Use this method to control how this feature works
Step 2. Scroll down and hit General
It is the option with a gear that is in the third group of options.
Step 3. Press Background update
It's near the middle of the menu.
Step 4. Choose when to update apps in the background
Press Background update at the top of the menu, and then do the following:
- If you only want background apps to access the Internet over Wi-Fi, select Wifi.
- To allow background apps to update regardless of your connection type, tap Wi-Fi and cellular data.
- To prevent background apps from using the internet, select disabled.
- Press the back button to return to the previous menu.
Step 5. Manage background update by application
If you selected Wifi or Wi-Fi and cellular data, all applications can be updated in the background. You can disable this feature for any app on the list by sliding the corresponding switch to the off (gray) position.