How To Split Screen on Mac

Wondering how to split screen on your MacBook Pro, iMac, or Macbook Air? In the following article we will show you how to split screen on Mac along with some useful tips and tricks.

If you work with multiple applications and windows at the same time, it can be frustrating to constantly switch from one window to another. Depending on what you’re working on, you might need to look at two different windows at the same time. For instance, if you’re copying information from a document into a spreadsheet it can be helpful to see those two windows side by side.

The split screen feature should help you with that. As the name suggests it will split your screen into two halves and allow you to view two apps side by side simultaneously. For example, it is possible to have Safari in full-screen mode and then divide the screen into two halves to have another application, such as a text editor next to it. This is a very useful feature for all techies, as well as for regular users.

From the arrival of OS X El Capitan, Mac users can take advantage of applications in full screen and in a split view of the screen as well. The split screen on Mac devices is called Split View. Split View adjusts the window sizes automatically, and you can later adjust how wide you would like each window to be. Split View is pretty easy to use, although accessing it may be tricky until you get used to it. 

There are two ways to access Split View or split screen mode on Mac and below we will explain both methods.

How To Split Screen on Mac From Any Window

Undoubtedly, the easiest way to access Split View from any window on macOS is as easy as holding the green maximize button which is located at the top left part of the window. The latest macOS versions like macOS Catalina and Big Sur differ a little bit in the steps required to access the Split View mode. Below we will show you the steps for macOS Catalina and Big Sur, as well as other versions of the operating system.

macOS Catalina and Big Sur

To split screen on macOS Catalina and Big Sur:

Step 1:

Head over to the top left corner of the window that is currently open, click and hold the green circle with outward arrows.

Step 2: 

In the menu that appears, select the “Tile Window to the Left of Screen” or “Tile Window to the Right of Screen” options. The window will fill the chosen area. There is also an option to enter the full screen if you want to use it.

Step 3:

Now the only thing left is to select the second window you would like to open in the empty half of the screen.

Older Versions of macOS

This implies to all of the operating systems starting from OS X El Capitan all the way you macOS Catalina.

Step 1:

Head over to the top left corner of the window that is currently open, click and hold the green circle with outward arrows.

How To Split Screen on Mac From Any Window

Step 2:

The window will shrink instantly and you will be able to drag it to the side of the screen of your choice.

Step 3:

Release the window to place it on the left or right side.

Step 4:

Now the only thing left is to select the second window you would like to open in the empty half of the screen.

How To Split Screen on Mac from Mission Control

Perhaps this way of accessing Split View on Mac isn’t as direct as the previous ones, but for the people who frequently use Mission Control can be a good option. 

Step 1:

Access Mission Control on your macOS device. There are a few ways you can do this:

  • Press the F3 function key on your Apple keyboard,
  • Hold Control + Up Arrow keys at the same time,
  • Swipe up with three fingers on Magic Trackpad
  • Double-tap with two fingers on the surface of the Magic Mouse

Step 2:

All of the open apps will be automatically positioned and presented to you. Drag and drop the window you want to use in split screen to the top bar outside of any of the created desktops.

How To Split Screen on Mac from Mission Control

Step 3:

Drag the second window you would like to use in split screen mode over the thumbnail image of the first window you put in the top bar in the previous step. Now those 2 windows should be in split screen mode.

How To Adjust Windows in Split Screen Mode on Mac

In Split View mode it is possible to adjust the real estate of the screen that a certain window occupies. To do this, you just need to place the mouse cursor over the line between the two windows. When the mouse cursor becomes a horizontal line with an arrow at each end, simply click and move the separation line to the side you want. You will immediately see how both windows change their sizes.

How To Adjust Windows in Split Screen Mode on Mac

How To Exit the Split View Mode on Mac

If you want to exit the Split View mode on your macOS device simply press the Escape button to return windows back to normal. This method may not work if the Escape button has a different function in one of the applications. In this case, you can click the green circle in the upper left corner of the window to exit one of the applications, the other window will go to the full-screen mode which you can then minimize.

For anyone that multitasks, the split screen feature is a must, especially if you have only one display at your disposal. What productivity tips do you use on your macOS device? Please let us know in the comments below and feel free to visit our blog if you want to check other amazing tech tips and tricks.