You’ve got a report on one side, research on the other, and your focus is split in a dozen different directions. The secret to reclaiming your concentration and truly being able to multitask isn’t another app or a bigger monitor—it’s a powerful feature already built into your MacBook called Split View.
Mastering how to use split screen will fundamentally change how you work, turning your single screen on a MacBook into a powerhouse of productivity.
This guide will show you exactly how to use Split View, the native split screen feature in macOS, to place two windows side by side, making your workflow seamless and efficient. Get ready to stop switching and start working, because the split screen feature is the productivity hack you’ve been searching for.
01
of 07What is Split View and Why Should You Use It on Your MacBook?
So, what exactly is this split screen mode everyone talks about?
At its core, Split View is a native feature in macOS that allows you to fill your entire screen with two apps, perfectly placed side by side. You can forget about manually resizing windows to get them just right.
The operating system handles it for you, creating a clean, distraction-free environment. This isn’t just about making your desktop look tidy; it’s a fundamental shift in how you can multitask.
The primary benefit is, without a doubt, a massive boost to your productivity.
Imagine writing an email while referencing a document without ever having to minimize a window. Or, picture yourself comparing product specs in two different browser tabs simultaneously before a big purchase.
That’s the power of the split-screen view. By having your essential information visible at all times, you reduce the mental friction of context switching, allowing you to stay in a state of flow for longer. This feature is designed to make you faster and more focused when using your MacBook.
02
of 07The Easiest Way to Enter Split View on Your MacBook
Let’s get right to it.
Activating the split screen on a MacBook is incredibly simple once you know the secret handshake. There are no complicated commands to memorize for this primary method.
All you need is your mouse or trackpad and two open app windows that support split view. Most native Mac apps and many third-party ones do, so you’ll find this works almost everywhere.
Here’s the step-by-step process to enter Split View and get two windows tiled perfectly:
Start with the two apps you want to use open in separate windows on your desktop. For this to work, neither window can be in full-screen mode yet.
Move your cursor to the top of the screen on one of the windows and hover over the green button in the top-left corner. This is the button you normally use to enter full-screen. Don’t click it just yet!
After a moment, a small menu will appear. You’ll see two options: “Tile Window to Left of Screen” and “Tile Window to Right of Screen.” Click the one you prefer. That window will instantly snap to fill that half of the screen.
On the other side of the screen, all of your other open windows will be displayed as thumbnails. Simply click on the second window you want to use, and it will automatically fill the remaining space.
That’s it! You are now officially using the split screen on mac and have two apps running perfectly side by side.
03
of 07Using Keyboard Shortcuts for a Faster Split Screen Experience
While using the green button is easy, true power users know that the fastest way to do anything on a MacBook is with keyboard shortcuts.
While macOS doesn’t have a direct, single default shortcut to initiate Split View from scratch, you can use a combination of keys to get there quickly. It involves using Mission Control, your command center for all open windows and spaces.
Here’s the typical workflow using your keyboard:
Press the Mission Control key on your keyboard (it’s usually F3 and has an icon of three rectangles) or use the shortcut
Control + Up Arrow.From the Mission Control overview, you can drag one window onto another in the Spaces bar at the top to create a split-screen view. A more common method is to first put one app in full-screen mode by pressing
Control + Command + F.Then, invoke Mission Control again, and drag a second app window from your desktop onto the thumbnail of the full-screen app in the Spaces bar. This will combine them into a Split View pair.
When I’m deep in my workflow, reaching for the mouse feels like a speed bump.
That’s why I rely heavily on keyboard shortcuts. While macOS’s built-in options are a good start, for my work, I installed a third-party window manager to test its capabilities against the native split screen feature.
The first thing I noticed was the ability to create custom shortcuts for snapping windows not just left and right, but to corners and thirds of the screen. In my field test, I was editing code and viewing the live preview simultaneously.
Using a single keystroke to arrange my two windows instead of the multi-step Mission Control process easily saved me several seconds per adjustment. For anyone who needs to multitask constantly, this level of control is a significant upgrade over the standard split screen mode.
04
of 07Mastering Split View: How to Adjust and Manage Your Windows
Once you’re in Split View, you aren’t stuck with a rigid 50/50 layout.
macOS gives you the flexibility to adjust the workspace to fit your needs. This is crucial when one of your apps needs more screen real estate than the other.
For example, you might be watching a video tutorial on one side while taking notes on the other, and you’ll want the video to be larger.
The key to managing your split the screen setup is the black vertical divider that runs down the middle.
Resizing Windows: To change the proportions, simply click and hold the divider bar and drag it to the left or right. The two windows in split view will resize dynamically, allowing you to create a 70/30, 60/40, or any other ratio you need.
Swapping Window Positions: What if you want to switch the app on the left to the right side? It’s just as easy. Click and hold the menu bar at the top of the window you want to move, and simply drag it to the other side of the screen. The other window will automatically swap places with it.
Accessing the Dock and Menu Bar: To access the Dock while in Split View, move your cursor to the bottom of the screen where your Dock is normally located. To see an app’s menu bar, just move your cursor to the top of the screen over that app’s side.
The controls appear when you need them and hide when you don’t, creating an immersive experience.
05
of 07How to Exit Split Screen Mode on a Mac
Getting into Split View is one thing, but knowing how to exit split view gracefully is just as important.
The process is designed to be intuitive and non-destructive, meaning you won’t lose your work when you decide to go back to a standard windowed view. You have a couple of options to exit split screen depending on what you want to do next.
The most common way is to simply reverse the process you used to get in.
Move your cursor to the top of the screen over either window to make the window control buttons (red, yellow, and green) reappear.
Click the green button on one of the windows. This will exit the split, and that specific app will return to its standard window view on your desktop.
The other app that was part of the split screen view will automatically enter full-screen mode by itself. To exit full-screen, simply move your cursor to the top of the screen again and click the green button on that window.
Now both apps are back to normal windows. Alternatively, you can press Control + Command + F to exit full-screen mode for the remaining app.
06
of 07Troubleshooting Common Split Screen Problems
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned.
You might try to use split screen and find that the option to tile the window doesn’t appear. Don’t worry, this is usually due to one of two common issues.
The most frequent reason is that the app itself simply doesn’t support split view. While most modern apps do, some older applications or those with fixed window sizes are not compatible with the split screen feature.
There is, unfortunately, no way to force an app to work in this mode if its developer hasn’t enabled the capability.
Another common culprit is a system setting related to how macOS handles multiple displays.
For Split View to function correctly, you need to ensure a specific setting is enabled in your System Settings.
- Navigate to
System Settings > Desktop & Dock. - Scroll down until you find the Mission Control section.
- Make sure the option “Displays have separate Spaces” is turned on.
If this is off, the “Tile Window” options will not appear when you hover over the green button. This setting is on by default on any modern version of macOS, but it could have been turned off at some point.
Turning it back on should immediately fix the issue for all supported apps. This feature has been a staple since OS X El Capitan (version 10.11), so it has been refined over many years.
07
of 07Beyond the Basics: Using Mission Control to Supercharge Your Workflow
To truly master window management on your MacBook, you need to understand how Split View interacts with its bigger, more powerful sibling: Mission Control.
Think of Mission Control as the bird’s-eye view of everything running on your Mac. When you use Mission Control, you see all your open windows, full-screen apps, and your Split View pairs organized neatly.
You can access Mission Control by pressing the F3 key, swiping up with three or four fingers on your trackpad, or using the Control + Up Arrow shortcut.
At the top of the Mission Control interface is the Spaces bar, which shows each desktop and full-screen app you have open. Your Split View pair appears here as a single, combined thumbnail.
This integration is what makes it so powerful. You can have your main desktop for random tasks, a full-screen app for deep focus, and a Split View space for comparison work, and you can switch between them with a simple swipe.
This is where you can get really creative with your workflow.
For example, you can drag a window from your main desktop directly onto the Split View thumbnail in the Spaces bar to replace one of the apps currently in the split. This allows you to quickly swap out one part of your workspace without having to exit split screen and start over.
Learning to use the Mission Control features in tandem with the split screen on macbook is the key to unlocking a level of multitask efficiency you never thought possible on one screen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to Enable Split View on MacBook?
To enable Split View on your MacBook, first, open the two apps you want to use. Then, hover over the green traffic light button in the top left corner of the window. Click and hold the button until you see the option to tile the window to the left or right side of the screen. Release the button, and select the other app to fill the remaining space. This allows you to multitask effectively on your Mac.
How to Split the Screen on a Mac?
To split the screen on a Mac, you can use the Split View feature. Open the desired applications, click and hold the green button in the top left corner of one window, and select your preferred side of the screen. After that, choose another app to occupy the other half of the screen, allowing you to view both windows simultaneously.
How to Use Split View on MacBook?
Using Split View on your MacBook is simple. Open two applications, click and hold the green button on one window, and drag it to either the left or right of your screen. Release it, and then select the second app to occupy the other half of your screen. This feature boosts your productivity by allowing you to view multiple apps at once.
What to Do When Split View Doesn’t Work on Mac?
If Split View doesn’t work on your Mac, ensure you are using macOS version that supports this feature. Also, check if your applications are compatible with Split View. If issues persist, try restarting your Mac or updating your system to the latest version to resolve any bugs.
How Can I Exit Split View on My MacBook?
To exit Split View on your MacBook, simply move your cursor to the top of the screen until the menu bar appears. Click the green button again on one of the windows, and it will return to full-screen mode while the other app will remain open in the background.
Can I Use Multiple Split Screen Apps on Mac?
Yes, you can use multiple split screen apps on your Mac, but they need to be arranged manually. While Split View allows only two apps side by side, you can use Mission Control to manage and switch between various full screen and split-screen mode applications effectively.
How to Manage Windows in Split View on Mac?
To manage windows in Split View on your Mac, use the Mission Control button to see all open applications. You can drag and drop windows to rearrange them or exit the split screen view as needed. This helps in navigating through your apps smoothly while multitasking.
What Are the Benefits of Using Split Screen on a Mac?
Using split screen on a Mac allows you to boost your productivity by viewing multiple applications simultaneously. This feature is particularly useful for comparing documents, taking notes while watching videos, or working on a project that requires multiple tools open at once.
How to Arrange Screen on My MacBook for Split View?
To arrange your screen on a MacBook for Split View, open the apps you wish to use. Click and hold the green button on one of the windows and drag it to either side of the screen. Once the first app is placed, select the second app from the available options to fill the remaining space, thereby creating an efficient working environment.
