Do you ever find yourself wishing your iPad could do more? Juggling between apps, constantly switching back and forth, it can feel like you're wasting precious time. But what if I told you there's a magical feature that lets your iPad become a true multitasking powerhouse? That's right, we're talking about Split Screen, also known as Split View, and it's about to revolutionize the way you use your tablet!
Imagine taking notes during a video lecture, comparing prices on two different shopping sites, or even chatting with friends while watching a movie – all at the same time, on the same screen! If you're ready to unlock this incredible capability and transform your iPad into a productivity beast, then you're in the right place. Let's dive in!
Master Multitasking: A Step-by-Step Guide to Split Screen on iPad
The iPad's multitasking features are incredibly intuitive once you know how to use them. We'll primarily focus on Split View, which allows two apps to run side-by-side, and touch upon Slide Over, a floating third app, for even greater flexibility.
Step 1: Ensure Multitasking is Enabled (and Your iPad is Ready!)
Before we jump into the fun stuff, let's make sure your iPad is set up for multitasking. Most modern iPads running iPadOS 13 or later support these features.
- Check Your iPad Model and iOS Version:
- Go to Settings > General > About.
- Look for your Model Name and iOS Version.
- Generally, iPad mini 4 and newer, iPad Air 2 and newer, and all iPad Pro models support Split View. Ensure you're on at least iPadOS 13 for the best experience.
- Verify Multitasking & Gestures Settings:
- Open Settings.
- Tap on Home Screen & Multitasking (or sometimes just Multitasking & Gestures).
- Under the "Multitasking" section, make sure Allow Multiple Apps (or Split View & Slide Over) is toggled on. If it's off, simply tap the switch to enable it.
- Also, ensure your iPad's screen auto-rotate is enabled. This is crucial for Split View to work correctly in landscape orientation. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center and check the Portrait Orientation Lock button (it should not be red with a lock).
Step 2: Initiating Split View – The "Multitasking Menu" Method
This is the most straightforward and recommended way to start Split View.
- Open Your First App: Launch the app you want to use as your primary application. For example, open Safari if you're planning to browse the web.
- Access the Multitasking Menu: Look for the three small dots (•••) at the very top center of the current app's screen. Tap on them.
- Select Split View: A small menu will pop up. You'll see three icons:
- The first (a single large rectangle) is for full screen.
- The second icon (two rectangles side-by-side) is for Split View. Tap this.
- Choose Your Split Orientation: The current app will slide to one side of the screen, revealing your Home Screen and Dock. Now, you'll see two options:
- Tap the left icon to place your current app on the left side of the split.
- Tap the right icon to place your current app on the right side of the split.
- Select Your Second App: Your Home Screen is now visible. Find the second app you want to open in Split View (it can be on your Home Screen, in a folder, or in the Dock) and tap its icon.
- Voila! Both apps will now appear side-by-side in Split View.
Step 3: Initiating Split View – The "Dock" Method (Quick & Intuitive!)
This method is fantastic for quickly pulling an app from your Dock into Split View.
- Open Your First App: Start with one app open on your iPad. Let's say you're writing an email in Mail.
- Reveal the Dock: Gently swipe up from the very bottom edge of the screen just enough to make the Dock appear. Do not swipe all the way up to open the App Switcher.
- Drag the Second App: Touch and hold the icon of the second app you want to open (e.g., Notes) from the Dock.
- Position for Split View: As you drag the app icon, you'll see a floating window.
- Drag it to the left edge of the screen: The screen will highlight, indicating it's ready to snap into Split View on the left. Release your finger.
- Drag it to the right edge of the screen: Similarly, the screen will highlight, indicating it's ready to snap into Split View on the right. Release your finger.
- And there you have it! Your two chosen apps are now in Split View.
Step 4: Adjusting and Managing Your Split View
Once you're in Split View, you have a lot of control over how the apps are displayed.
- Resizing App Windows:
- In the middle of the screen, between the two apps, you'll see a black vertical divider line with a small gray handle.
- Touch and drag this divider to the left or right to change the size of each app's window.
- You can often achieve a 50/50 split, or a 70/30 (or 30/70) split, depending on the orientation of your iPad (portrait or landscape).
- Swapping App Positions:
- Tap the three dots (•••) at the top of either app's window.
- From the menu, choose the Split View icon (two rectangles).
- Then, select the left or right option to switch the position of that specific app.
- Replacing an App in Split View:
- Tap the three dots (•••) at the top of the app you want to replace.
- Swipe down from the top of that app's window. The app will drop down, and the other app will move aside to reveal your Home Screen and Dock.
- Now, simply tap the new app you want to open in its place.
- Exiting Split View:
- Method 1 (Drag Divider): Touch and drag the black divider line all the way to the left or right edge of the screen. The app you drag the divider over will close, and the remaining app will expand to full screen.
- Method 2 (Multitasking Menu): Tap the three dots (•••) at the top of the app you want to keep. Tap the first icon (a single large rectangle), which represents full screen. The other app will close.
Step 5: Introducing Slide Over (The Third App! 勞)
Slide Over is a fantastic feature that allows you to have a third app floating on top of your Split View or even a single full-screen app. It's like a quick-access panel for frequently used tools.
- Open an app (or be in Split View): Start with one app open, or have two apps already in Split View.
- Reveal the Dock: Gently swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen to make the Dock appear.
- Drag the Third App for Slide Over: Touch and hold the icon of the app you want to use for Slide Over (e.g., Messages).
- Position for Slide Over: Drag the app icon to the center of the screen. Instead of snapping to the side, it will appear as a smaller, floating window. Release your finger.
- Managing Slide Over:
- Move the Slide Over Window: Touch and hold the three dots (•••) at the top of the Slide Over window and drag it to the left or right side of your screen.
- Hide the Slide Over Window: Swipe the Slide Over window off the screen to the left or right edge. It will temporarily disappear but remain active.
- Bring Back Hidden Slide Over: Swipe in from the right edge of the screen (if you hid it on the right) to reveal it again.
- Switch Between Slide Over Apps: If you have multiple apps in Slide Over (they stack on top of each other), swipe up from the bottom edge of the Slide Over window to see a stack of recently used Slide Over apps. Tap to switch between them.
- Turn Slide Over into Split View: While using Slide Over, tap the three dots (•••) at the top of the Slide Over window. Tap the Split View icon (two rectangles). The Slide Over app will attempt to join your main app(s) in Split View.
- Close Slide Over: Swipe up from the bottom edge of the Slide Over window and swipe it off the screen completely. Or, tap the three dots (•••) and choose the Full Screen icon.
Step 6: Power User Tips for Maximizing Multitasking
Now that you've got the basics down, let's explore some pro tips to truly elevate your iPad multitasking game:
- Drag and Drop: This is a game-changer! While in Split View or using Slide Over, you can drag text, images, files, and more directly between apps. For example, drag a photo from the Photos app into an email, or text from Safari into Notes. Just touch and hold the item, then drag it to the other app.
- App Library for Quick Access: If an app isn't in your Dock, you can still access it quickly for Split View or Slide Over. When your Home Screen appears after selecting Split View, you can access the App Library (swipe left on your last Home Screen page) to find and select your second app.
- Keyboard Shortcuts (External Keyboard Users): If you use an external keyboard with your iPad, you can use shortcuts to manage multitasking. For example,
Command + Spaceopens Spotlight Search, from which you can drag an app into Split View or Slide Over. - Picture in Picture (PiP): While watching a video (in a supported app like YouTube or FaceTime), you can tap the PiP icon (a rectangle with an arrow pointing into another rectangle) or simply swipe up to go to the Home Screen. The video will shrink into a floating window that you can move around, resize, and continue watching while you use other apps.
- Organize Your Dock: Place your most frequently used apps in the Dock for easy access when initiating Split View or Slide Over. This saves you from hunting through your Home Screen.
- Create App Pairs in App Switcher: When you have a perfect Split View pair, you'll notice it appears as a single combined card in the App Switcher (swipe up from the bottom and hold). This means you can quickly switch back to that specific app pair later!
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to: Enable Multitasking on iPad?
Go to Settings > Home Screen & Multitasking (or Multitasking & Gestures) and ensure Allow Multiple Apps (or Split View & Slide Over) is toggled on.
How to: Exit Split View on iPad?
Drag the black vertical divider bar all the way to either the left or right edge of the screen. The app you drag over will close, and the other will go full screen. Alternatively, tap the three dots (•••) at the top of the app you want to keep, and then tap the full-screen icon.
How to: Use Slide Over on iPad?
While an app is open, swipe up from the bottom to reveal the Dock. Touch and hold the desired app from the Dock and drag it to the center of the screen. It will appear as a floating window.
How to: Close a Slide Over App?
Swipe up from the bottom of the Slide Over window and swipe it off the screen completely. You can also tap the three dots (•••) at the top of the Slide Over window and select the Full Screen icon.
How to: Switch Apps in Split View?
To replace one of the apps, tap the three dots (•••) at the top of the app you want to replace, then swipe down. This will reveal your Home Screen, allowing you to select a new app to open in that split.
How to: Resize Split View Apps on iPad?
Touch and drag the black vertical divider line located between the two apps in Split View. Move it left or right to adjust the space each app takes up.
How to: Use Drag and Drop between Split View Apps?
Simply touch and hold an item (text, image, file) in one app until it "lifts," then drag it over to the other app and release your finger where you want to drop it.
How to: Get a Third App on Screen (beyond Split View)?
Use the Slide Over feature! Once you have two apps in Split View, swipe up from the bottom to bring up the Dock, then drag a third app from the Dock to the center of the screen to make it a floating Slide Over window.
How to: Troubleshoot Split Screen Not Working?
First, check if your iPad model and iPadOS version support multitasking. Then, ensure "Allow Multiple Apps" is enabled in Settings > Home Screen & Multitasking. Also, confirm that the apps you're trying to use support Split View. Sometimes, simply restarting your iPad can resolve minor glitches.
How to: Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Multitasking?
With an external keyboard connected, you can use Command + Space to open Spotlight Search, then drag an app icon from the search results to initiate Split View or Slide Over. Many apps also have their own specific keyboard shortcuts for internal navigation, which can be seen by holding down the Command key within the app.
