Look, let’s be honest. Juggling a dozen open windows on your MacBook is a recipe for disaster.
You’re writing an email, referencing a spreadsheet, and trying to keep an eye on Slack. It’s chaos.
But what if you could neatly organize two windows side by side, creating the ultimate command center? That’s the magic of the split screen on mac.
This powerful split screen feature, officially called Split View in the macOS ecosystem, allows you to split your screen into two, letting you multitask with incredible ease.
Forget the frantic clicking; it’s time to use split screen and work smarter, not harder.
This guide will walk you through every method to enter split view, from a simple click and hold on the green button to mastering Mission Control.
You’ll learn how to manage each side of the screen, what to do if an app doesn’t support split screen, and how to exit split screen mode smoothly.
01
of 09Quick Guide: Three Ways to Split Your Screen
| Method | Best For | Ease of Use | Key Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Green Button | Quick, everyday multitasking | Easiest | Hover the cursor over the full-screen green button and choose ‘Tile Window’. |
| Mission Control | Organizing multiple apps & desktops | Intermediate | Drag one window onto another full-screen app thumbnail at the top of Mission Control. |
| Keyboard Shortcuts | Power users seeking ultimate speed | Advanced | Often requires third-party apps, as macOS has no default shortcut. |
02
of 09What Is Split View and Why Should You Use It?
So, what’s the big deal with this feature?
The split view mode on your macbook is a native macOS function designed to help you focus and multitask more efficiently.
Instead of having windows overlapping or hidden, this mode lets you pick two apps and have them sit perfectly side by side, each taking up half of the screen.
The power of split screen is in its simplicity; it eliminates distractions by hiding the Dock and menu bar, immersing you in a focused, two-app environment.
Splitting your screen allows you to run two programs simultaneously without needing a second monitor.
Imagine writing a report in Pages on the left side of the screen while pulling data from Safari on the right side of the screen.
This setup is perfect for students, professionals, and any mac user looking to streamline their workflow and maximize their screen space.
03
of 09The Easiest Way to Enter Split Screen on Your MacBook
Ready to try it? The most direct way to initiate split view is built right into the window controls of almost every app.
It all comes down to that little green button in the top-left corner of your window.
For years, clicking it made the app enter full screen mode, but now it holds the key to the split screen world.
Simply hover your cursor over the green full-screen button. Don’t click yet! A small menu will appear.
From there, you can choose to tile window to left of screen or tile window to right of screen.
Select one, and that app you want will snap to fill that half of your screen.
The other side of your screen will then show your other open windows; just click the second app you want, and boom—you’re officially using the split screen on your mac.
04
of 09Using Mission Control to Enter Split View Mode
If you’re more of a visual organizer, Mission Control offers another fantastic way to split your screen on a mac.
Mission Control gives you a bird’s-eye view of all your open windows, desktops, and full-screen apps.
It’s an ideal tool when you already have one app in full-screen mode and want to add another to it.
First, make sure the app you want to use is not in full-screen mode.
Then, activate Mission Control (you can do this by pressing the F3 key, swiping up with three or four fingers, or clicking its icon in the Dock).
You’ll see your open windows. Just click and hold on one of the windows and drag it up to the desktop/spaces bar at the top of the screen.
Drop it directly on top of the thumbnail of the app that’s already in full screen, and they will merge into a perfect split view.
05
of 09A More Hands-On Approach with Mission Control
You can also create a new split view from scratch within Mission Control.
Just drag any window to an empty area in the spaces bar at the top to make it a full-screen app first.
Then, drag a second window and drop it onto that newly created full-screen space.
It’s a two-step process, but it feels incredibly intuitive once you get the hang of it, giving you precise control over which apps in split view you want to pair up.
This method is especially useful when you have many windows open and want to organize them without guesswork.
06
of 09Is There a Keyboard Shortcut for Split Screen on Mac?
This is the million-dollar question for every productivity enthusiast.
Unfortunately, there is no default keyboard shortcut for split screen built into macOS.
It’s one of the few areas where the system could be a bit more streamlined for power users who live by their mac keyboard.
However, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
While you can’t create a mac split screen with a single native keystroke, you can get close.
You can create custom shortcuts or turn to third-party window management apps like Magnet or Rectangle.
These apps allow you to assign your own shortcuts to snap windows in split view to the left or right and give you even more tiling options, like a horizontal split or quarter-screen tiles.
07
of 09How to Master Your Workspace: Adjusting Windows in Split View
Once you successfully enter split view, you aren’t stuck with a rigid 50/50 layout.
You have control over your screen space. A black divider runs down the middle of the screen, separating your two windows.
You can click and drag this divider to the left or right to resize the windows, giving more real estate to one app and less to the other.
As a long-time mac user, this is where the split view experience truly shines for me.
When I first tested this on my split screen on macbook pro, I put my code editor on one side and the app preview on the other.
Being able to shrink the preview window to just a sliver while focusing on the editor, or expand it to check details, was seamless.
It turns your single display into a dynamic, extended screen.
You can also swap the positions of the apps by clicking and holding the menu bar of one window and dragging it to the opposite side of the screen.
08
of 09What to Do When Apps Don’t Support Split Screen
You might encounter a situation where you try to use split view, but it just won’t work for a particular app.
When you hover over the green button, the tiling options won’t appear.
This happens because some app developers haven’t enabled this functionality, meaning the app simply doesn’t support split screen.
This is common with older apps or applications that require a fixed window size.
Unfortunately, there’s no magic button to force an app into a mode it wasn’t designed for.
The split view doesn’t work universally.
Your best bet in this scenario is to manually resize the two windows and place them side by side on your desktop.
It won’t be as clean as the official split screen mode—you’ll still see your Dock and menu bar—but it’s a functional workaround when dealing with an app that doesn’t support split view.
09
of 09How to Exit Split Screen and Get Back to Full Screen
When you’re finished with your focused work session, you’ll want to know how to exit split screen.
Getting out is just as easy as getting in.
Move your cursor to the top of the screen to reveal the window controls for both apps. From there, you have a couple of choices.
To exit the split but keep both windows open, simply click the green button on either window.
The window you clicked will return to its standard size on your desktop, and the other app will automatically enter full-screen mode.
If you want to close one of the windows entirely, just click the red close button instead.
This flexibility ensures you can get back to your normal workflow without any hassle.
FAQ
How to split the screen on a Mac using the split view feature?
To split the screen on a Mac using the split view feature, first, open two applications that support split screen mode. Hover over the green full-screen button at the top left of the window of one application. Once the options appear, select “Tile Window to Left of Screen” or “Tile Window to Right of Screen.” This will allow you to divide your screen between the two apps.
What is the split screen option on a MacBook?
The split screen option on a MacBook allows you to use split view, which lets you run two applications side-by-side on your screen. This feature is particularly useful for multitasking, as you can easily switch between apps without minimizing or closing any windows.
How do I exit split view on my Mac?
To exit split view on your Mac, move your cursor to the top of the screen until the menu bar appears. Click the green full-screen button at the top left of either window, and the app will return to normal mode. This will allow you to use your Mac without the split screen feature.
Can I initiate split screen mode on my Mac with any apps?
Not all apps support the split screen mode on your Mac. However, most native macOS applications, such as Safari, Mail, and Pages, do support the split view feature. Ensure that the apps you want to use in split view are compatible before trying to initiate the split screen.
How to use split screen on a MacBook with multiple displays?
If you have multiple displays connected to your MacBook, you can still use split screen features. Open the applications on your primary display, and use the split screen option as usual. You can then drag the other app to the second display if needed, allowing you to manage your workspace effectively.
What happens if I want to split the screen without a compatible app?
If you want to split your Mac screen but are using an app that does not support split view, you can manually resize the windows. Click and drag the edges of the windows to position them on either side of the screen. While this isn’t true split screen mode, it can still help you divide your screen for multitasking.
How do I adjust the size of each app in split view on a Mac?
To adjust the size of each app in split view, hover your cursor over the divider line between the two applications. When the cursor changes to a resize icon, click and drag the line left or right to increase or decrease the size of one half of the screen relative to the other.
Can I use split view on a MacBook with macOS updates?
Yes, you can use split view on a MacBook with macOS updates. The split screen feature is a built-in capability of the macOS, and updates generally enhance this feature, improving functionality and compatibility with more applications. Always ensure your macOS is updated to access the latest features.
