According to report by MacRumors, the upcoming iOS 27 update will finally introduce a dedicated split-screen multitasking feature to the iPhone through a new “App Adaptation” system.
While basic multitasking has existed on iOS for years through the App Switcher, this new App Adaptation system is said to allow two apps to run side-by-side in a true split-view mode on the iPhone.
For over a decade, iPhone users have asked for the ability to watch a video while replying to a message or browse the web while taking notes, without having to constantly flick between apps. While the iPad has enjoyed Split View for years, Apple has resisted bringing these to the smaller screen of the iPhone, citing concerns over usability and screen real estate.
The App Adaptation feature in iOS 27 reportedly uses a smart scaling engine that detects the content of an app and shrinks it down to fit exactly half the screen. This isn’t just about squashing a full-sized app into a smaller window. Rather it involves a dynamic redesign of the app’s layout so that buttons, text, and images remain readable and tappable in the new, narrower orientation.
The system is rumoured to be highly intuitive. Users can likely drag an app icon from the Home Screen or the App Library and drop it onto an already open application. The screen will then snap into a 50/50 split.
It is important to note that Apple has not officially confirmed these details. However, if these reports hold true, iOS 27 could be the most significant update to the iPhone’s core functionality in recent years.
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