How to Use Split Screen on Mac
So here’s the deal: if you want to use split screen on your Mac, all you gotta do is follow these simple steps. First things first, click on the Apple menu at the far left of your screen. A little drop-down menu will appear with a bunch of options. Look for “System Preferences” and give it a click. This will take you to a whole new world of settings and customization.
Alright, now that you’re in System Preferences, it’s time to find “Mission Control.” This is where the magic happens. Once you’re there, take a good look around and see if you spot the option that says “Displays have separate Spaces.” Make sure it’s turned on, ’cause that’s what you need for split screen to work.
Now, here’s a nifty little tip: if you wanna get to Mission Control super fast, all you gotta do is press Cmd+Space. This will bring up a handy search bar where you can type “Mission Control.” The app will appear right there at the top. Click it and you’re good to go!
Using the Split Screen
Alright, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of how to actually use split screen on your Mac. First off, we’ll cover macOS Catalina, but don’t worry—I’ll explain how it works on previous versions too.
Catalina
So, you’ve got an app window open and you wanna split your screen. Easy peasy! Just bring your cursor over to the full-screen button in the top left corner of the window. When you hover over it, a little drop-down menu will appear with three options:
- Enter Full Screen
- Tile Window to Left of Screen
- Tile Window to Right of Screen
When you want to position a window on a specific side, simply click on another app window in the empty tile. The window will snap right into place, and you’re good to go.
Quick Note: You can also reveal the three options by clicking or holding the full-screen button, but keep in mind that you won’t be able to drag the shrunken window to snap it in place. You’ll need to choose the desired positioning.
For Older MacOS Versions
As mentioned earlier, you should click and hold the full-screen button to enter Split View. The app window will shrink down, and you can drag it left or right to snap it to a tile. Once you release it, choose another window for the other half.
To select a window for an empty tile, simply hover your cursor over it and click. macOS will neatly stack the windows on top of each other, making it easy to access them. If you change your mind during the process, just click on an empty space within the free tile, and everything will snap back to normal.
Tips and Tricks for Split View
No matter which version of macOS you have, you can reveal the menu bar by positioning your cursor towards the top of an app window. If you want to switch the window’s position, click and hold the window outline, then drag it left or right.
By default, split-view windows take up an equal amount of space on the screen. If you want to make one larger, simply grab the split line in the middle and move it to the left or right.
Both windows open in a new desktop, and you can have as many new split-view desktops as you want. To return to the main desktop, use the multi-touch gesture. In case you forgot it, just do a two-finger swipe on the trackpad or magic mouse.
When it comes to using split-view windows, the navigation and usage are smooth. You simply move your cursor, and the system knows which app you want to use. If you want to exit completely, just click once on the full-screen window, and it will snap back to your main desktop.
However, the other split-view window will expand to full screen, and you’ll need to go back and shrink it down by clicking on the corresponding button.
The Split View on iPad Pro
Using the Split View feature on iPad is intuitive, and the interactions take cues from macOS.
To get started, launch an app and swipe from the bottom to reveal the Dock. Press and hold the other app you want to open, then drag it to the desired side of the screen (right or left edge). The two apps will snap into Split View.
If you want to switch from Split View to Slide Over, simply swipe down from one of the apps. When you want to close one of the windows, just move the divider over the window you no longer need.
What’s really cool is that you can drag and drop between Split View windows. For example, you can add photos to your email or copy-paste pieces of text into Notes.
To select an item, press and hold it until it lifts from the app, then drag it to the desired position. You can also drag and drop multiple images and other files, although it may take a bit of practice to get the hang of it.
Specifically, tap and hold one item, move it slightly, and then use another finger to pick up more items. You’ll see a badge that indicates how many things you’ve selected.
Split Screens and More
Split View is one of those features that really gets you hooked. And rest assured, it will become your go-to option for multitasking. The best part is that iPadOS’s Split View actually improves on some limitations of macOS.
Do you want to see Split View on iPhone? Are there any third-party Split View apps that you know and use? Share your preferences in the comments section below.
