How to Split Screen on Mac to Maximize Workflow
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 all just about the same, step-wise. First, though, you should be aware of some prerequisites. This feature began in 2015 and has been standard on all macOS versions since, so if your Mac device is older, you may not be able to enter split screen. Also, not all apps support split screen, so if you try these steps, and it doesn’t work, perhaps try a different app and see if that changes.
Here are the steps:
Step 1: Open the two windows you want to use for split screen (ex. Apps, browser windows, etc.)
Step 2: Choose the window you want on the left side of the screen
Step 3: Hover the pointer over the green button in the upper-left corner of this window. Some options will pop up. Select Full screen, then Left of Screen. Depending on your macOS, this may say “Tile Window to Left of Screen,” or some similar variation. Alternatively, you can do the same thing to choose the screen that displays on the right by selecting “Tile window to Right of screen”
Step 4: Your screen should now be on the left side (or right)
Step 5: Clicking on the screen you want to show on the right side should automatically make it display on the right. You can use the slider to adjust screen sizing as desired
Note: For newer macOS, such as Sequoia, the split screen can also be activated by simply clicking on the icon that opens up when you hover over the green button. It looks like this:
Keyboard shortcuts to Split Screen on Mac
While the steps of how to split screen on MacBook/Macs are relatively simple, some users prefer even faster methods, such as a keyboard shortcut. If you’re one of those users, here are the steps:
Step 1: Open the windows that you want to split screen
Step 2: Press Control + Up Arrow at the same time to open Mission Control. This lets you see all of your windows
Step 3: Drag your first window to the top of the screen by the desktop icon. This means if you click on that window, it will now show as a full screen
Step 4: From the windows still open on Mission Control, choose one and drag it up next to the first window that was in full screen. You’ll see you have the option to place it to the left or right
Step 5: This creates the split view. Just click on this to open up a full-screen view of the new split screens
To create your own customized split view keyboard shortcut:
- Click on the Apple logo on the top left of your screen
- Go to System Preferences/Settings (depending on your OS)
- Scroll down to Keyboard
- Go to Keyboard Shortcuts
- Choose App Shortcuts
- Click the + button on the right and add “Tile Window to Left of Screen,” using the keyboard shortcut you prefer
- When you use your new shortcut, the active window will move to the left of the screen, and you can choose an additional window that will automatically move to the right side
Connecting to a Second Monitor
While this next method isn’t technically split screening, it is quite similar in that you’ll be able to see two screens at once. Literally. You can use a separate monitor in addition to your Mac and display one program on each screen, doubling your visibility. Here’s how:
Step 1: Connect the monitor to your Mac device, using a compatible cable/connector
Step 2: Turn on the monitor and Mac
Step 3: Often, the second monitor will automatically detect your Mac screen and display it. You may even be able to just drag your screen from one monitor to the next. However, if you want more control, go to Display Settings on your Mac. Do this by going to the Apple menu, then System settings, then Displays
Step 4: From this menu, you can customize things like resolution and brightness and arrange how things display across external screens
Split Screen with Third Party Apps
While the native split screen capabilities that come with your Mac may be good enough, some users prefer more streamlined control or extra functions. After all, Mac does have limitations when it comes to functions like split screening. In these cases, there are several well-received third party apps that should give you plenty of options and take fewer steps to navigate. Here are a few favorites:
This app is available on the Mac App Store and greatly simplifies split screening. It’s as easy as pushing a button to resize windows to precisely half of your display screen, and you can decide which shortcut keys you prefer. You can also resize these windows to your preferences. Just be aware, there is no compatibility for dual monitors so if that’s an issue for you, maybe try another app.
One of the more popular Mac apps, Rectangle not only lets you split screen windows, you can also snap areas, resize displays and customize keyboard shortcuts, all with a great deal of precise control. Make sure you look for the newest version and pay attention to free versus pay to use tiers.
Magnet has a lot to offer Mac users. Not only can you split screen, you can divide the screen into quarters, thirds, and easily handle vertical displays. It has some very precise controls so you can organize your windows however you please. Easy peasy.
How to Exit Split Screen on Mac
When you’re through with using the split screen feature, here’s how to exit:
Step 1: Choose the window you want to get rid of
Step 2: Hover your cursor to the top left of that screen until the red and green circles appear
Step 3: Tapping on the green icon will exit split screen and tapping the red icon will close the window
Step 4: You can also hover over the green icon and choose “Move Window to Desktop”
Step 5: Note, if you have created multiple desktops through your split screen options, you can manage them via Mission Control. Just open up Mission Control and drag them where you want, or close them as needed. You can also find your other window here after you’ve exited or closed split screen
Force Quitting in Emergencies
If things get overwhelming, you can also force quit your split screen. Here’s how:
Step 1: You can use the following keyboard shortcut: Option + Command + Escape
Step 2: From there, a pop-up Force Quit menu will open. Select the app or browser window you want to close and then hit the Force Quit button
Step 3: Another method, besides the shortcut, is to go to the Apple logo on the top left of your screen and access the Force Quit menu from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
To switch between two or multiple windows, use these shortcuts:
• To switch to the previous window push Command + Tab
• To cycle between open windows Push and hold the Command key, push the Tab key, then push the Right or Left arrow key to scroll through your open windows. When you find the one you want, let go of the Command key
If you need to access another application or program without exiting your split screen, you’ll want to open mission control without closing split view.
Here are some methods:
1. Push F3
2. Swipe three of your fingers up on your trackpad
3. Push Control and the Up arrow at the same time
4. Now you can see all of your open windows/applications. Click or tap on the one you want to access1.
Make sure you don’t have an application running in full-screen mode. You have to activate split screen from the default window view or it won’t work. Other possibilities include:
• Make sure your macOS is compatible. It must be an operating system that’s 10.11 or newer.
• Some apps don’t support the split screen mode. Sometimes it may even have a pop-up indicating that the app is incompatible, saying “Not available in this split view.”
• Another possibility is that you don’t have the “Displays have separate spaces,” option toggled on. Access this via Mission Control and be sure the box for this option is checked.
These two display functions are very similar in that they let the user view multiple windows at one time. However, they are slightly different in how you go about it and what purpose they serve. Here’s a comparison of split screen versus screen snapping:
Split Screen: This is when you have two applications taking up the screen side by side. It enables you to work on two things at once and you have to exit Split View to work on other windows. It basically treats it like two separate monitor screens that happen to be side by side.
Screen Snapping: When you want to screen snap on a Mac, you basically arrange windows on your screen so that they automatically snap into position, usually along the edges of the screen, such as the top, bottom, right, or left. This enables multiple windows to be open at the same time and the user can move and resize them as they see fit, but it’s not as focused as a Split Screen setting. It is worth noting that, while Windows 11 has snap layouts and functions to make it easier, Mac’s native snapping functions are a bit limiting. Third-party apps are a popular way to get past this.
