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How to multitask on an iPhone

Your iPhone is a pretty handy invention, packed with apps designed to help you communicate, be on time, have fun, shop, bank and browse. These apps are designed to be at your fingertips, and so are usually running in the background even when you are not using them, with the best way to view, navigate and manage running apps is through multitasking. Multitasking is a handy tool every iPhone has, which allows you to scroll through all your recent activity, ultimately allowing you to manage apps and view videos while using your phone, eliminating the need for back-and-forth navigation. If you’re looking to get the most out of your iPhone’s multitasking capabilities, read on with this Canstar Blue guide.

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How to multitask between apps on iPhone

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.

Multitasking between applications for an iPhone with a Home Button

Pressing Home Button on iPhone

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

Step One: Double click the Home button. Your recent applications will appear.

Step Two: Swipe left or right across the screen to view your recent applications.

Step Three: Select the app you want to use.

Multitasking between applications for an iPhone without a Home Button

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

Step One: Swipe up from the bottom to the middle of your screen. Hold until the App Switcher appears.

Step Two: Swipe left or right across the screen to view your recent applications.

Step Three: Select the app you want to use.

Compare iPhone plans

Looking for a new iPhone? Check out some of the available plans and providers for the iPhone 15 below.

The following table compares a selection of 24-month 128GB iPhone 15 plans as published on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our phone plan comparison tool to compare plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

The following table compares a selection of 24-month 128GB iPhone 15 Plus plans as published on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our phone plan comparison tool to compare plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

The following table compares a selection of 24-month 128GB iPhone 15 Pro plans as published on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our phone plan comparison tool to compare plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

The following table compares a selection of 24-month 256GB iPhone 15 Pro Max plans as published on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our phone plan comparison tool to compare plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

How to multitask with 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:

Step One: Locate the minimise button in the corner of your video iPhone Picture in Picture

Step Two: Tap the minimise button. Your video will now appear in the top left-hand of your phone screen.

Step Three: 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 iPhone Expand Button

How to enable multitasking on iPhone

To enable multitasking on 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:

Step One: Double click the Home button. Your recent applications will appear.

Step Two: 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:

Step One: Touch and hold the bottom of the screen.

Step Two: Swipe up and hold your finger in place until multitasking options appear.

Step Three: 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?

Using iPhone apps

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.

How to split screen on an iPhone

You are not able to split screen on an iPhone without downloading a third-party application from the Apple Store.

Photo Credit: ImYanis/shuttestock.com, DenPhotos/shutterstock.com, GaudiLab/shutterstock.com, Twin Design/shutterstock.com

Original Author: Luciana Lawe Davies

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