How to Split Screen on Mac: A Simple Guide for Multitasking

Techopedia explains How to Split Screen on Mac

If you’re constantly switching between apps or trying to compare documents, Split Screen on Mac can make life a lot easier. It lets you split your screen in two, so you can keep both apps open side by side without all the back-and-forth.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about setting up Split Screen, troubleshooting common issues, and even some alternative ways to manage your windows if you’re looking for more control.

Key Takeaways

Split View allows you to easily work with two apps side by side on your Mac, making multitasking simpler and more efficient.
Compatibility requires macOS El Capitan (10.11) or later, and Split View works on most Mac models, including MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
Manual window placement and third-party apps like Magnet or Rectangle offer additional options for arranging windows beyond Split View.
Mission Control provides another way to set up a split-screen layout, giving you a flexible way to manage multiple desktops.
If Split View isn’t working, common fixes include checking system compatibility and enabling “Displays have separate Spaces” in Mission Control.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

Key Takeaways
What is Split Screen?
Prerequisites for Split Screen on Mac
How to Split Screen on Mac
4 Troubleshooting Tips for Split View
Alternatives to Split Screen
The Bottom Line
FAQs
References

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways
What is Split Screen?
Prerequisites for Split Screen on Mac

Show Full Guide

How to Split Screen on Mac
4 Troubleshooting Tips for Split View
Alternatives to Split Screen
The Bottom Line
FAQs
References

What is Split Screen?

Split Screen, or Split View on Mac, is a feature in macOS that allows you to view two applications side-by-side on a single screen. It divides your display, so you can work with each app at half screen on your Mac without juggling windows or resizing everything manually. This setup is great if you need to compare information, refer to one app while working on another, or just like having everything open at once.

Think of it as a dual screen on Mac – only on a single display – making it easier to get things done without constantly switching back and forth.

Prerequisites for Split Screen on Mac

To use Split Screen on your Mac, there are just a couple of things you’ll need to check:

macOS version

Split Screen is available on macOS El Capitan (10.11) and later. So, if your Mac is running that version or anything newer, you’re good to go. Keeping your macOS updated can also help things run more smoothly.

Mac model

Split Screen works on most Macs – whether you’re on a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, or Mac Mini. While it can be easier on a bigger screen, like an iMac or a MacBook Pro, any model will work just fine.

If you’ve got these basics covered, you’re all set to start managing windows in Split Screen mode!

How to Split Screen on Mac

Ready to improve your overall efficiency? Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to use Split Screen on Mac.

Use Split View in macOS

Open the two apps you want side by side
Make sure both apps are open and ready.
Enter Split View
1. Hover over the green full-screen button at the top left of one of the app windows.
2. You’ll see options like “Enter Full Screen,” “Tile Window to Left of Screen,” and “Tile Window to Right of Screen.”
3. Choose either “Tile Window to Left” or “Tile Window to Right” to snap that app to one side.
Pick the other app
Once the first app is in place, your other open apps will appear on the other side. Click the one you want to view alongside it, and voilà – you’ve split the Mac screen into two.
Switching the main window in Split View
To make one app the main focus, just click on it. macOS will shift focus, making it easy to jump between tasks.

And that’s it! You’re now set up with Split View, ready to work with both apps at once.

How to Exit Split View on Mac

If you’re ready to return to your regular screen layout, here’s how to exit Split Screen on Mac.

Move your mouse to the top of the screen
This will reveal the window controls for each app.
Click the green full-screen button
In either of the Split View apps, click the green button to exit full-screen mode.
Return to separate windows
Once you exit Split View, both apps will go back to their regular windows, letting you move and resize them as needed.

You’re now back to a single-screen view.

Use Window Placement in macOS

If you’d rather skip Split View, you can still set up your windows side by side manually:

Open the two apps you want to use
Start by opening the apps or windows you want to view together.
Resize the windows
To resize each window, click and drag its edges. If you want a side-by-side look, set each one to take up about half the screen.
Position the windows
Drag each window to one side of the screen. This way, you’re doing your own version of a dual screen on Mac without using Split View.

This approach gives you more control over the layout, so you can adjust things exactly how you like for multitasking.

Use a Third-Party App for More Control

You can also use third-party apps to arrange your windows. These apps let you set up a double screen on Mac, create a multi-screen layout, or arrange windows just the way you like without using Split View.

Here are a few popular options.

Magnet

Lets you snap windows into different arrangements, so you can set up split screens, side-by-side views, or even four-way layouts with a quick drag or shortcut.

Rectangle

A free app that offers similar options to snap and resize windows however you want.

Moom

Lets you create custom window layouts and save them, so you can quickly jump back to your favorite setups. Great for juggling multiple projects or tasks.

How to Split Screen on Mac Using Mission Control

Mission Control is another easy way to set up split screens on your Mac.

Here’s how:

Open Mission Control
You can get to Mission Control by swiping up with three fingers on the trackpad, pressing the F3 key, or using the Control + Up Arrow shortcut.
Arrange your windows
In Mission Control, you’ll see all your open windows. To set up a split screen, drag one window to the top where it says “Desktop” and let it go – it’ll create a new space.
Add a second window
Now, drag another window to that same new space. The two will automatically split into a side-by-side view.

This is a quick way to do a split screen on Mac without relying solely on Split View.

4 Troubleshooting Tips for Split View

If Split View isn’t working quite right, here are some quick fixes for common issues.

Split View not showing up

If you don’t see the Split View option, make sure your Mac is running macOS El Capitan (10.11) or later. To check, go to Apple menu > About This Mac.

Can't resize windows

Sometimes the windows won’t resize evenly in Split View. Try exiting Split View and setting it up again – this usually resets the sizing.

No Split View option on the green button

If the green button isn’t giving you a Split View option, go to System Preferences > Desktop & Dock > Mission Control and make sure Displays have separate Spaces is checked.

App won't work in Split View

Some apps just don’t support Split View. If that’s the case, try pairing it with a different app, or go with a manual window setup instead.

These tips should help you get Split View working smoothly!

Alternatives to Split Screen

If Split Screen isn’t quite cutting it, here are a few other ways to manage multiple windows on your Mac:

Use a second monitorTry a third-party appMission control

Adding an extra monitor gives you a ton of extra screen space, so you can have multiple apps open without needing to cram them all onto one display. It’s great if you’re working on something detailed, like design or data work.

Apps like Magnet, Rectangle, and Moom let you snap, resize, and arrange windows exactly how you want. These are super handy if you’re looking for more control than macOS gives you by default.

Mission Control lets you set up multiple desktops (or “spaces”), so you can spread out your apps across different screens. It’s a nice way to keep things organized when you’ve got a lot open.

The Bottom Line

Split Screen on Mac is a handy way to work with two apps side by side without all the fuss of resizing windows. It’s great for things like comparing documents, referencing notes, or just keeping two apps open at once.

That said, it does have its limits – not every app plays well with Split Screen. If you need more flexibility, third-party apps or an extra monitor might be worth a look.

All in all, Split Screen is a simple, built-in feature that gets the job done for everyday multitasking.