How to Split Screen on Your Mac for Better Multitasking
Split screen on Mac lets you work with two apps side by side, making everyday multitasking faster and more efficient. Whether you’re comparing documents, following instructions while you work, or keeping messages visible, this feature helps you stay focused without constantly switching windows.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to use Mac Split View step by step, covering the quickest methods so you can set it up in seconds and get more done.
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Benefits of Split Screen on Mac
Split View arrived with macOS El Capitan (10.11) and remains in current macOS releases. If you’re on an older version or an app doesn’t support it, try a different app or update macOS to use this handy feature.
Being able to jump between windows is incredibly useful when completing any number of tasks on your Mac. Some instances when you’d want to use split screen include:
- Running two apps side by side, such as a video call alongside your calendar.
- Viewing reference material while working on a task, like citing sources for a school report.
- Keeping two browser windows open at once, reducing the need to switch back and forth between tabs.
The uses for split screens (and other screen Mac features) are numerous. Once you notice how often you switch between windows, it quickly becomes clear how much time you save by keeping everything visible at once.
How to Enter Split Screen on Mac: Step-By-Step Guide
So, how do you split the screen on a MacBook Pro or another Mac device?
Here are the steps:
Step 1: Open the two windows you want to use (apps, browser windows, etc.).
Step 2: Hover your pointer over the green window button (top-left) of the first window.
Step 3: Choose Tile Window to Left of Screen or Tile Window to Right of Screen. (Wording may vary slightly by macOS version.)
Step 4: The chosen window fills that side; the other side displays your remaining windows. Click the second window to place it on the opposite side of your screen.
Step 5: Drag the vertical divider to resize each side. You can also move your pointer to the top to reveal the menu bar, switch apps, or swap sides.
Tip: On newer macOS versions (such as Sonoma or Sequoia), you can drag a window to an edge or corner to tile it automatically. Holding Option while dragging reveals additional layout options.
Keyboard shortcuts to Split Screen on Mac
If you prefer using the keyboard to activate screen Mac features, use these built-in options and create your own tiling shortcuts.
Step 1: Open the windows you want to tile.
Step 2: Press Control + ↑ (Up Arrow) or the Mission Control key (F3) to open Mission Control.
Step 3: Drag your first window to the top into its own full-screen space.
Step 4: Drag a second window onto the thumbnail of that full-screen space to pair them in Split View (left/right).
Step 5: Click the Split View space to open it. Resize with the divider as needed.
Create a custom shortcut:
- Apple menu > System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts.
- Choose App Shortcuts > +.
- Add menu titles like Tile Window to Left of Screen and assign your preferred keyboard shortcuts. Be sure to use the exact wording shown when you hover over the green window button, as those titles are what macOS recognises.
Other helpful keyboard shortcuts:
- To enter and exit Split View: Press Ctrl + Command + F
- To access Mission Control: Press Ctrl + Arrow Up
- To switch between various apps: Press Command + Tab
- To Force Quit: Press Command + Option + Esc
- To show desktop: Press F11 or Command + F3
Troubleshooting Split Screen
If you run into any problems while trying to enter split screen mode, here’s a quick list of split screen Mac troubleshooting tips:
- Restart your Mac, especially if Split View worked previously but suddenly stopped.
- Confirm the app you’re using actually supports Split View, as not all apps are compatible.
- If windows overlap or appear stuck, go to System Settings → Displays → Resolution and adjust the display settings, which can affect how Split View behaves.
- Update macOS to ensure you’re not running into bugs that have already been fixed in newer versions.
Split Screen Mac Productivity Tips
Using split screen on Mac can save you time and increase your productivity. Here are some practical ways to use it more effectively:
- Reduce constant switching between windows and tabs to keep your workflow moving smoothly.
- Work with key apps side by side, such as Google Docs and Safari or Notes and WordPress.
- Keep email or Slack open on one side of the screen so you can respond quickly without losing momentum.
- Skip the cost and desk space of a second monitor while still enjoying a dual-window setup.
- Use split screen for studying or school projects, especially when referencing sources as you write.
Split Screen Without Full Screen
When you use Split View on your Mac, it will automatically divide the two windows into a full screen. However, sometimes it may be useful to use split screen without having to enter full-screen mode. To do this, you can manually drag and resize windows to position them side by side, and customize your layout.
What to Do if an App Doesn’t Support Split Screen
If you go to split your screen and see the message “Not available in this Split View” it means the app isn’t compatible. Here are some potential fixes that may help:
- Click the Apple button, select System Preferences, select Mission Control, and choose Displays have separate spaces.
- Try an alternative app that is Split View compatible.
- Try updating to the latest version of macOS.
Managing Windows in Split View
Once you’re in Split View, macOS gives you simple tools to resize, reposition, and manage your open windows more effectively. Here are a few ways to adjust window sizes and positions while using Split View on Mac:
- Drag the divider between the two apps to resize each window as needed.
- To swap app positions, move your cursor to the top of the screen to reveal the toolbar, then drag one window to the opposite side.
- The menu bar and dock are hidden in Split View. Move your cursor to the top to access the menu bar, and exit Split View to bring the Dock back.
Note: Some apps have fixed sizing limits. For example, Apple Photos can only be resized within certain bounds.
Alternatives to Split Screen
Built-in tools like split screen on Mac are fantastic, but third-party apps can provide more flexibility by adding grid layouts, custom snap zones, and per-app rules. Here are some of our favorites:
Split Screen: This app makes 50/50 layouts and quick resizes simple, with configurable shortcuts. However, note that it offers no dual-monitor-specific layouts.
Rectangle App: Popular, powerful window management with snapping, custom shortcuts, and fine-grained control. Check the latest version and free vs. Pro features.
Magnet: Great for halves, thirds, quarters, and vertical displays with precise snapping controls if that is central to your needs.
Working with Multiple Desktops in Split View
Spaces is a feature within Mac that lets you create up to 16 different virtual desktops so you can organize your workflow better. You can then use Split View in each desktop, if you like. Here’s how:
- Go to Mission Control.
- Go to the Spaces bar and select the Add button.
- When you’re finished, click the thumbnail for the space you want to access.
- To stay organized, you can create a unique desktop picture for each space by changing the wallpaper in each one.
Connecting to a Second Monitor
This screen Mac feature isn’t exactly Split View, but it’s quite similar. You can use an external display to view apps side-by-side across two screens.
Step 1: Connect the monitor to your Mac using a compatible cable/adapter.
Step 2: Turn on both devices.
Step 3: If it doesn’t auto-arrange, go to System Settings > Displays to manage resolution, arrangement, and mirroring/extend.
Step 4: For multi-monitor behavior, check System Settings > Desktop & Dock (Mission Control section) for Displays have separate Spaces. Toggle this setting on to give each display its own spaces and menu bar. You may need to log out and in again after changing.
How to Exit Split Screen on Mac
When you’re done using the split screen feature, here’s how to exit:
Step 1: Move the pointer to the top of the screen to reveal the window buttons.
Step 2: Click the green button on either window to exit Split View (or click the red button to close that window).
Step 3: You can also hover the green button and choose Move Window to Desktop to pull it out of Split View.
Step 4: If you created multiple desktops/spaces, manage them in Mission Control (Control + ↑ or F3). Then drag to rearrange, or hover thumbnails to add/remove spaces.
Split Screen Mac: Force Quitting in Emergencies
If an app freezes while in Split View, you can force quit on Mac safely as follows.
Step 1: Use the shortcut Option + Command + Esc.
Step 2: In the Force Quit window, select the app and click Force Quit.
Step 3: Or go to the Apple menu (top-left) > Force Quit.
Frequently Asked Questions
To switch between two or multiple windows, use these shortcuts:
• Switch apps: Command + Tab
• Cycle within the current app’s windows: Command + ` (backtick)
• Open Mission Control: Control + Up Arrow or F3, then click the window you want
Open Mission Control without closing Split View, then choose another app.
Try these methods:
1. Press F3 (Mission Control key)
2. Swipe up with three fingers on the trackpad
3. Press Control + Up Arrow
4. Click the window/app you want to open
Check these common causes:
• Make sure you’re not already in full-screen on one app without using the Tile options.
• Verify your macOS version supports Split View (10.11+).
• Some apps don’t support Split View and may show “Not available in this split view.”
• In multi-monitor setups, ensure <strong>Displays have separate Spaces</strong> is enabled (System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Mission Control). Log out/in after changing.
Split View and window snapping both let you work with multiple apps at once on a Mac, but they serve different purposes. Split View places two apps side by side in a single full-screen workspace with a divider, making it ideal for focused, distraction-free work.
Window snapping or tiling, on the other hand, lets you arrange windows into halves, thirds, quarters, or corners without entering full-screen mode. On newer macOS versions, you can drag windows to screen edges or corners (holding Option reveals more layouts), while third-party tools like Rectangle or Magnet offer even more flexible grid controls.
Tip: If you prefer a flexible multitasking view without Split View’s full-screen space, try Stage Manager (System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Stage Manager) to keep active apps centered with other windows neatly grouped at the side.
