How to Split Screen on Your Mac for Better Multitasking
If you’re wondering how to split screen on Mac, you’ve come to the right place. Being able to have two windows open simultaneously is extremely helpful if you need to multitask.
This guide will cover all the steps, methods, and instructions so you can make the most out of this feature. Regardless of what technique you use, it is all very simple.
We’ll show you how you can split screen on Mac with ease.
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Benefits of Split Screen on Mac
Being able to jump from one window to the next at the same time is marvelously useful. Whether you need to learn how to split screen on Mac for work purposes, school studies, or just to make your casual computer use easier, this is a feature you’ll probably use often. Some examples of why you’d want to use split screen include:
- Using two apps at once, such as a video call and your calendar
- Being able to view a reference as you work on something, such as if you’re working on a school report and need to cite a source
- Having two browser windows open next to each other, which saves you the time of jumping back and forth
The uses for split screens are numerous. Just pay attention to how often you jump from one window to another, and you’ll see pretty fast how handy it is to eliminate that extra step.
How to Enter Split Screen on Mac: Step-By-Step Guide
How do you split the screen on a MacBook Pro or other Mac device? It’s essentially the same on all modern Macs. 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.
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 shows your remaining windows. Click the second window to place it on the opposite side.
Step 5: Drag the vertical divider to resize each side. You can also move your pointer to the top to reveal the menu bar and switch apps or swap sides.
Newer macOS tip: On recent versions (e.g., Sonoma/Sequoia), you can also drag a window to an edge or corner to tile; holding Option while dragging reveals more placement targets.
Keyboard shortcuts to Split Screen on Mac
Prefer the keyboard? Use these built-in options and (optionally) 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 key combos. (Use the exact wording shown when you hover the green button.)
Connecting to a Second Monitor
Not exactly Split View, but similar: 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 on to give each display its own spaces and menu bar (log out/in after changing).
Split Screen with Third Party Apps
The built-in tools are great, but third-party apps can add grid layouts, custom snap zones, and per-app rules.
This app (Mac App Store) makes 50/50 layouts and quick resizes simple, with configurable shortcuts. Note: no dual-monitor-specific layouts.
Popular, powerful window management with snapping, custom shortcuts, and fine-grained control. Check the latest version and free vs. Pro features.
Great for halves, thirds, quarters, and vertical displays with precise snapping controls.
How to Exit Split Screen on Mac
When you’re through with 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). Drag to rearrange, or hover thumbnails to add/remove spaces.
Force Quitting in Emergencies
If an app freezes while in Split View, you can force quit it safely.
Step 1: Use the shortcut Option + Command + Escape.
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.
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 Displays have separate Spaces is enabled (System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Mission Control). Log out/in after changing.
Both let you work with multiple windows, but they behave differently:
Split View: Two apps share a full-screen space side by side with a divider. Best when you want distraction-free focus on two windows.
Snapping/Tiling: Arrange windows to halves, thirds, quarters, or corners without creating a full-screen space. On recent macOS versions you can drag to edges/corners (hold Option for more targets). Third-party apps like Rectangle or Magnet add powerful grid layouts.
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.
What’s New in This Update
- Updated step-by-step flow to match current macOS wording: Tile Window to Left/Right of Screen (via the green button).
- Added modern tiling behavior: drag windows to edges/corners; hold Option for more placement targets.
- Clarified Mission Control shortcuts (F3, Control + ↑) and window-cycling (Command + `).
- Explained where to find Displays have separate Spaces (System Settings > Desktop & Dock) and when to log out/in.
- Cleaned up FAQ formatting and removed empty list content.
Last updated: October 22, 2025
