How to Split Screen on Mac in Seconds
Learning how to 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 split screen on Mac using 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 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 to how to split screen on Mac:
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: Dragging a window to a screen edge or corner to tile it automatically is a feature of macOS Sequoia or later — it is not available in Sonoma or earlier. Classic Split View via the green button is available on all Macs running OS X El Capitan or later.
Quick version reference: El Capitan+: Split View (green button method); Sequoia+: built-in window tiling/snap layouts (drag to edge or corner). Holding Option while dragging on Sequoia 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.
Important note on Split View shortcuts: macOS does not have a single universal built-in keyboard shortcut that directly launches Split View with two apps. The shortcut Ctrl + Command + F toggles full screen for the active app only — it does not create a two-app Split View.
The keyboard-driven path to Split View is the Mission Control method described above (Control + Up Arrow or F3), and the only true shortcut workaround for tiling is creating custom App Shortcuts for Tile Window to Left of Screen and Tile Window to Right of Screen as shown above.
Other helpful keyboard shortcuts:
- 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 How to Split Screen on Mac
If you run into any problems while trying to enter split screen mode, here’s a quick list of troubleshooting tips to help you get how to split screen on Mac working correctly:
- 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
It’s important to understand a key limitation: native Split View on Mac always creates a separate full-screen Space. If you want two windows visible side by side without entering full-screen mode, you have two approaches depending on your macOS version.
On macOS Sequoia or later — use built-in window tiling:
- Hover over the green button on the first window and choose a half-screen layout (such as Tile Window to Left of Screen), or drag the window to the left or right edge of the screen until a highlight appears, then release.
- Click the second window when prompted to place it on the opposite side.
- Both windows will sit side by side on your normal desktop — no full-screen Space is created.
On macOS Ventura, Sonoma, or earlier — manual resizing or a third-party app:
Because built-in Split View on these versions always takes over the full screen, the only native option for a non-full-screen side-by-side layout is to manually drag and resize two windows so they sit next to each other on your desktop. This works, but it requires eyeballing the sizes each time.
For a more reliable experience on older macOS versions, a third-party tiling app is the practical solution. Rectangle (free) and Magnet (paid) both let you snap windows into halves, thirds, or quarters on your normal desktop with a keyboard shortcut or drag gesture — without entering full-screen mode. If avoiding full screen is a priority for you, either of these tools is worth installing regardless of your macOS version.
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:
- Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Mission Control and enable Displays have separate Spaces. After toggling this setting, sign out of your Mac and sign back in for the change to take effect. Note: on older macOS releases, this setting may appear under System Preferences > Mission Control instead.
- 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 a range of tools to resize, reposition, and manage your open windows. Here is a practical rundown of the actions you are most likely to need while in Split View:
- Resize the divider: Click and drag the vertical divider bar between the two apps left or right to give more space to one side. Note that some apps have minimum width limits, so the divider may not move all the way to an exact 50/50 or 70/30 split — it will stop at the app’s minimum allowed width.
- Reveal the menu bar and window controls: Move your cursor to the very top of the screen. The menu bar and the window control buttons (red, yellow, green) will appear for whichever app is active.
- Swap the left and right apps: Move your cursor to the top of the screen to reveal the title bar, then click and drag one app’s title bar across to the opposite side. The two apps will swap positions.
- Remove one app from Split View without closing it: Move your cursor to the top to reveal the window controls, then click the green button on the app you want to remove. Choose Move Window to Desktop to pull that app out of Split View and return it to your normal desktop. The other app will exit Split View and return to full screen on its own.
- Replace one side with a different app: Rather than exiting Split View entirely, open Mission Control (Control + Up Arrow or F3) while in the Split View space. You can then drag a different window onto one side of the Split View thumbnail at the top of the screen to swap it in, without dismantling the whole setup.
- Access the Dock: The Dock is hidden in Split View. Move your cursor to the bottom edge of the screen and pause briefly to reveal it.
Alternatives to Split Screen on Mac
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 split screen on Mac:
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
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.
