Hello there! Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your iPad's screen is split, and you're not quite sure how to get back to a single, full-screen app? It can be a little disorienting, especially when you're trying to focus on one task. Don't worry, you're not alone! Many iPad users encounter this, and the good news is, it's incredibly easy to fix. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through every possible method to quit split view on your iPad, ensuring you can regain full control of your screen with confidence.
Let's dive in and master this iPad multitasking trick together!
Step 1: Identify Your Split View Scenario
Before we dive into the solutions, let's quickly understand what kind of split screen you're dealing with. There are a few ways your iPad can enter a split-screen mode:
- Split View: This is the most common form, where two apps are displayed side-by-side, sharing the screen. You can often resize them.
- Slide Over: This is a smaller, floating window of an app that appears on top of another full-screen app. It's more of a temporary overlay.
- Picture in Picture (PiP): While not strictly "split screen" in the same way, a video can play in a small, resizable window while you use another app. We'll briefly touch on this too, as it can sometimes be mistaken for a stuck split view.
Understanding which scenario you're in will help you choose the most efficient quitting method.
Step 2: The Most Common and Easiest Ways to Quit Split View
Let's start with the go-to methods that work for most Split View situations.
2.1: Dragging the Divider Bar
This is often the quickest and most intuitive way to exit Split View.
-
Locate the Divider: In Split View, you'll see a thick black (or sometimes gray) vertical bar separating the two apps. This is your key.
-
Tap and Drag:
- To close the app on the left: Tap and hold the divider bar, then drag it all the way to the right edge of your screen. The left app will disappear, and the right app will expand to full screen.
- To close the app on the right: Tap and hold the divider bar, then drag it all the way to the left edge of your screen. The right app will disappear, and the left app will expand to full screen.
Pro-Tip: Make sure you drag it all the way to the edge until the app you want to close completely disappears. Sometimes, just dragging it slightly might only resize the windows.
2.2: Using the App Shelf / Dock
This method is particularly useful if you want to replace one of the apps in Split View or move an app out of Split View entirely.
- Access the Dock: While in Split View, gently swipe up from the bottom edge of your screen to reveal the Dock. Be careful not to swipe too far up, or you might go to the Home screen.
- Replace an App:
- If you want to replace one of the apps currently in Split View with another app from your Dock, tap and hold the app icon in the Dock.
- Drag it over the app you wish to replace. As you drag, you'll see the existing app shift slightly, indicating it's ready to be replaced.
- Release your finger, and the new app will take its place. This doesn't directly quit Split View, but it allows you to change the active apps.
- Drag an App Out (to full screen):
- Sometimes, you can tap and hold an app from the Split View, drag it towards the top of the screen, and then release it to make it go full screen. This works best when one of the apps is trying to become a Slide Over or you're trying to force it into a full-screen view.
Step 3: Quitting Slide Over Windows
Slide Over is a bit different from Split View, and thus, has its own set of dismissal methods.
3.1: Swiping Off-Screen
This is the most common way to get rid of a Slide Over window.
- Locate the Handle: At the top of the Slide Over window, you'll see a small gray bar (or "handle").
- Swipe it Away: Tap and hold this handle, and then drag the Slide Over window all the way to the right edge of your screen. It will slide off and disappear, leaving your main app in full screen.
3.2: Converting to Split View (and then dismissing)
Sometimes, if you're having trouble swiping it away, you can temporarily turn a Slide Over into a Split View.
- Drag Down: Tap and hold the gray handle at the top of the Slide Over window, and then drag it downwards towards the center of the screen.
- Release: As you drag down, you'll see the main app resize, and the Slide Over app will try to settle into a Split View. Release your finger when it looks like a Split View.
- Dismiss as Split View: Now that it's in Split View, use the methods from Step 2.1 (Dragging the Divider Bar) to dismiss one of the apps and get back to full screen.
3.3: Using the Multitasking Bar (for Slide Over)
This method is less common for Slide Over but can be useful if the other methods aren't working.
- Access the Multitasking Bar: Swipe up from the very bottom of the screen and pause in the middle. This will bring up the App Switcher (the multitasking bar showing all your open apps).
- Close the App: Locate the app that was in Slide Over. Swipe its preview card upwards to close it. This will remove it from Slide Over and allow your main app to be full screen.
Step 4: Dealing with Picture in Picture (PiP)
While not a true split screen, a stubborn PiP window can sometimes feel similar.
4.1: Tapping the 'X' Button
The simplest way to dismiss a PiP window.
- Locate the 'X': In the corner of the Picture in Picture window, you'll see a small 'X' button.
- Tap to Close: Simply tap this 'X', and the video will close, returning your main app to full screen.
4.2: Dragging Off-Screen
Similar to Slide Over, you can drag a PiP window away.
- Tap and Drag: Tap and hold the PiP window, and then drag it to any of the four corners of your screen. It will often "snap" and disappear, although sometimes it will minimize to a small icon in the corner. If it minimizes, just tap it again to bring it back and then use the 'X' button.
Step 5: Force Quitting Apps (When All Else Fails)
Sometimes, an app might become unresponsive or glitch, preventing you from quitting Split View normally. In such cases, force quitting the problematic app can resolve the issue.
- Access the App Switcher: Swipe up from the very bottom of your screen and pause in the middle of the screen. This will bring up the App Switcher, showing all your recently used apps.
- Locate the Problematic App: Find the app that's stuck in Split View or causing issues.
- Swipe Up to Close: Swipe the app's preview card upwards off the top of the screen. This force closes the app.
- Repeat if Necessary: If both apps are stuck, repeat for the other app. Once both are closed, you can reopen the app you want in full screen.
Step 6: Restarting Your iPad (The Ultimate Fix)
This is the "nuclear option" but is almost guaranteed to resolve any persistent split-screen issues, especially if the software is acting up.
- Power Off:
- For iPads with a Home button: Press and hold the Top button (or Side button) until the "slide to power off" slider appears. Drag the slider to the right.
- For iPads without a Home button (Face ID iPads): Press and hold either the Top button and one of the Volume buttons simultaneously until the "slide to power off" slider appears. Drag the slider to the right.
- Wait: Give your iPad a full minute or two to completely shut down.
- Power On: Press and hold the Top button (or Side button) again until the Apple logo appears.
Once your iPad restarts, it should be back to a single, full-screen view.
Step 7: Checking Your Multitasking Settings (Preventative Measures)
While this won't directly quit a currently active split screen, it's good to be aware of your iPad's multitasking settings in case you want to adjust how these features behave in the future.
-
Open Settings: Tap the Settings app icon (looks like gears).
-
Navigate to Multitasking & Gestures: In the left sidebar, scroll down and tap on "Home Screen & Multitasking".
-
Explore Options: Here, you'll find various settings related to:
- Allow Multiple Apps: Toggling this off will prevent Split View and Slide Over, though it's generally recommended to keep it on for full iPad functionality.
- Gestures: Reviewing these can help you understand how to initiate and control multitasking.
Remember: Changing these settings won't close an active split screen, but it can help you understand how to control these features in the future.
You've now mastered the art of quitting split screen on your iPad! With these methods at your fingertips, you can confidently navigate your iPad's multitasking features and always get back to that preferred full-screen experience.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to prevent my iPad from going into split screen accidentally?
To prevent accidental split screen, be mindful of gestures. Avoid dragging app icons from the Dock to the side of the screen, and practice precise swiping from the bottom for the Dock or App Switcher.
How to use the Home button to quit split screen?
For iPads with a Home button, pressing the Home button once will typically exit the current app to the Home screen, effectively closing any active Split View. If it doesn't, try pressing it twice quickly to access the App Switcher and swipe away the apps.
How to know if my iPad is in Split View or Slide Over?
In Split View, two apps are side-by-side with a clear divider bar in the middle. In Slide Over, one app is a smaller, floating window on top of another full-screen app, often with a small gray handle at its top.
How to resize the apps in Split View?
Simply tap and drag the black (or gray) divider bar in the middle of the Split View to resize the two app windows. You can make one larger than the other.
How to close only one app in Split View?
Drag the divider bar all the way to the edge of the screen, either left or right, depending on which app you want to keep. The app you drag over will close, and the remaining app will go full screen.
How to get an app from Slide Over into Split View?
Tap and hold the gray handle at the top of the Slide Over window, and then drag it downwards towards the center of the screen until it snaps into a Split View alongside your main app.
How to quit Picture in Picture (PiP) video?
Tap the PiP video window to reveal controls, then tap the 'X' button in the corner to close it. Alternatively, tap and drag the PiP window to any of the screen corners to dismiss it.
How to turn off multitasking gestures on iPad?
Go to Settings > Home Screen & Multitasking, then disable the "Allow Multiple Apps" toggle. Be aware this will prevent all Split View and Slide Over functionality.
How to check which apps are open in the background?
Swipe up from the very bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to open the App Switcher, which displays all currently open apps as preview cards.
How to force close a frozen app that's stuck in split screen?
Access the App Switcher by swiping up from the bottom and pausing. Find the frozen app's preview card and swipe it upwards off the screen to force close it. Do this for both apps if necessary.
