How to Multitask on an iPhone

How to multitask between apps

Multitasking between applications allows you to view all of your recently used applications, and to quickly and easily choose between them. How you switch apps will depend on which model iPhone you have, with multiple models explored below.

If your iPhone has a Home Button

If you have an iPhone with a Home Button, multitask between applications through the following steps:

1. Double click the Home Button. Your recent applications will appear.
2. Swipe left or right across the screen to view your recent applications.
3. Select the app you want to use.

If your iPhone doesn’t have a Home Button

If you have an iPhone without a Home Button, multitask between applications through the following steps:

1. Swipe up from the bottom to the middle of your screen. Hold until the App Switcher appears.
2. Swipe left or right across the screen to view your recent applications.
3. Select the app you want to use.

How to multitask with a Picture in Picture on iPhone

Picture in Picture on iPhone gives you the ability to use a video call app or watch videos while you use your phone, with the video only taking up a section of the screen. To multitask with the Picture in Picture function, follow the steps below:

1. Locate the minimise button in the corner of your video.
2. Tap the minimise button. Your video will now appear in the top left-hand of your phone screen.
3. Once your video has been minimised, you can return to your Home screen and continue using your phone as usual.

You can play around with the video even when it has been minimised. You’ll be able to resize the video screen size, pause, play, rewind the video as well as drag the video around your phone screen to suit your preferences. You can return the video to its original full-size by tapping the expand button.

How to enable multitasking on your iPhone

To enable multitasking on your iPhone, go to Settings – Home Screen & Dock – Multitasking, where you can toggle multitasking on or off.

How to force quit an app using multitasking on iPhone

You can use the multitasking feature to force quit apps which aren’t responding. How you can do this will depend on what model of iPhone you have, with options explored below.

Force quitting applications for an iPhone with a Home Button

If you have an iPhone with a Home Button, you can force quit applications by following the steps below:

1. Double click the Home Button. Your recent applications will appear.
2. Swipe up to close an application or page.

Force quitting applications for an iPhone without a Home Button

If you have an iPhone that doesn’t come with a Home Button, you can force quit applications by following the steps below:

1. Touch and hold the bottom of the screen.
2. Swipe up and hold your finger in place until multitasking options appear.
3. Tap and hold on the app you want to quit until the red circle with the “-” symbol appears in the top left corner of the app. Tap the symbol and your app will force quit.

Is multitasking different to split screen?

Multitasking is different to using a split screen. Multitasking is moving between different applications which are open on your phone, while a split screen is having two applications open at the same time, and using them at the same time. You cannot split screens on an iPhone without downloading a third-party application from the Apple Store.

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About the reviewer of this page

This report was reviewed by Canstar Content Producer, Caitlin Bingham. Caitlin is an experienced writer whose passion for creativity led her to study communication and journalism. She began her career freelancing as a content writer, before joining the Canstar team.