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How to Rid of Split Screen on iPad: A Comprehensive Guide
The iPad's Split View feature is incredibly powerful for multitasking, allowing you to view and interact with two apps simultaneously. However, there are times when you just want one app to take up the entire screen. Whether it's to focus on a single task, enjoy a video without distraction, or simply because Split View was activated accidentally, knowing how to close it is a key iPad skill. This lengthy guide will walk you through various methods to regain your full screen, step by step, with detailed explanations and helpful tips.
Let's dive in!
Step 1: Identify Your Split Screen Scenario - Are You Ready to Reclaim Your Full Screen?
Before we jump into the solutions, let's quickly understand what kind of "split screen" you're experiencing. Sometimes it's a true Split View, other times it might be Slide Over (a smaller, floating app), or perhaps even a video playing Picture-in-Picture. The good news is, regardless of the exact scenario, the methods we'll discuss will likely solve your issue.
Are you ready to make your iPad screen feel spacious again? Let's begin!
Step 2: The Easiest Way - Dragging the Divider Away
This is often the quickest and most intuitive way to close a Split View.
Sub-heading: The Central Divider
When you're in Split View, you'll notice a thick, gray divider in the middle of your screen, separating the two apps. This is your key to unlocking the full screen.
- Locate the Divider: Look for the vertical gray bar that runs down the middle of your iPad screen, acting as the boundary between your two open applications.
- Tap and Hold: Gently tap and hold your finger on this gray divider. You'll feel a slight haptic feedback, indicating you've successfully grabbed it.
- Drag to the Edge: While still holding, drag the divider all the way to the left or right edge of the screen.
- If you drag it to the left, the app on the right side will expand to fill the entire screen, and the app on the left will close.
- If you drag it to the right, the app on the left side will expand to fill the entire screen, and the app on the right will close.
- Release: Once the divider reaches the edge and the desired app takes over the full screen, release your finger.
Voilà! Your iPad is back to a single app display.
Step 3: Using the App Switcher to Close Split View
If dragging the divider doesn't feel natural or you're having trouble with it, the App Switcher is a reliable alternative.
Sub-heading: Accessing the App Switcher
The App Switcher allows you to see all your recently used applications and close them as needed.
- Swipe Up (and Hold): From the very bottom of your iPad screen, swipe your finger upwards and hold it in the middle of the screen for a moment. This will reveal the App Switcher, displaying all your open apps as "cards."
- Tip: Don't swipe too quickly, or you might just go to the Home screen. A deliberate, slow swipe and hold is key.
- Identify the Split View Card: In the App Switcher, apps that were in Split View will appear as a single combined card, showing both apps side-by-side on that one card.
- Swipe Up to Close: Find the combined Split View card. Swipe this entire card upwards off the top of the screen. This action effectively closes both apps that were in the Split View.
- Return to Home: Once the Split View card is gone, tap on any other app's card to open it, or simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen to return to your Home screen.
Important Note: This method closes both apps that were in Split View. If you wanted to keep one of them open, you might prefer the dragging method in Step 2.
Step 4: Converting Split View to Slide Over (and Then Closing)
Sometimes, rather than closing an app entirely, you might prefer to temporarily "park" it in Slide Over, and then close it from there. This is especially useful if you anticipate needing that secondary app again soon.
Sub-heading: The Three Dots Indicator
- Locate the Three Dots: When in Split View, you'll see a small, horizontal set of three dots () at the very top of the divider between the two apps. This is your gateway to managing Split View.
- Tap the Three Dots: Tap on these three dots. A small menu will appear with a few options.
- Select the Full Screen Icon: In the pop-up menu, you'll see a few icons. Tap the left-pointing arrow icon (often representing the full-screen view for the app on the left) or the right-pointing arrow icon (for the app on the right). Tapping one of these will expand that app to full screen, and the other app will either close or convert to Slide Over.
- Alternatively, you might see an icon that looks like a square with a small square overlapping it (often the Slide Over icon). Tapping this will convert the active app into a Slide Over window.
- If it becomes Slide Over: If one of your apps converts to Slide Over (it will appear as a narrower, floating window on top of your main app), you can then close it:
- Drag the Slide Over App Off-Screen: Tap and hold the three dots at the top of the Slide Over window, and then drag the entire Slide Over window off to the left or right edge of the screen until it disappears.
- Alternatively, you can access the App Switcher (Step 3), find the Slide Over app's card, and swipe it up to close it.
This method gives you a bit more control over how your secondary app is handled.
Step 5: Understanding and Closing Slide Over (If That's Your Issue)
Sometimes what you perceive as "split screen" is actually the Slide Over feature, where a smaller app floats on top of your main app. This is easy to distinguish from Split View because the apps don't share the screen side-by-side.
Sub-heading: Distinguishing Slide Over from Split View
- Split View: Two apps sharing the screen, with a vertical divider. Both are active.
- Slide Over: One main app, with a smaller, floating app on top of it. The main app is still visible behind the floating app.
- Identify the Slide Over Window: Look for a narrow, rectangular app window that's hovering over another full-screen app. It will typically have the three dots () at its very top.
- Drag Off-Screen: Tap and hold the three dots () at the very top of the Slide Over window.
- Drag to the Edge: Drag the entire Slide Over window off to the left or right edge of your screen until it completely disappears.
- Release: Release your finger, and your main app will now be full screen.
Step 6: Restarting Your iPad (The "IT Crowd" Solution)
If all else fails, or if your iPad is behaving erratically, a simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches, including persistent Split View issues.
Sub-heading: The Universal Fix
- Press and Hold (for newer iPads without Home button): Press and hold either the Volume Up or Volume Down button and the Top (or Power) button simultaneously.
- Press and Hold (for older iPads with Home button): Press and hold the Top (or Power) button until the "Slide to Power Off" slider appears.
- Slide to Power Off: Drag the slider to the right to turn off your iPad.
- Wait: Give your iPad about 30 seconds to fully shut down.
- Power On: Press and hold the Top (or Power) button again until you see the Apple logo.
Once your iPad restarts, the Split View should be gone, and you'll be back to your familiar full-screen experience.
Step 7: Checking for Software Updates
While less likely to be the direct cause of persistent Split View, ensuring your iPadOS is up to date can prevent and resolve various bugs.
Sub-heading: Keeping Your iPad Fresh
- Open Settings: Tap the Settings app icon (it looks like a gear).
- Go to General: In the left-hand menu, tap on General.
- Tap Software Update: On the right side, tap on Software Update.
- Check for Updates: Your iPad will check for available updates. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.
Make sure your iPad is connected to Wi-Fi and has sufficient battery charge or is plugged in.
Keeping your iPad updated ensures you have the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes, which can indirectly resolve unexpected behavior like stubborn Split View.
Conclusion: Mastering Your iPad's Multitasking
By understanding these different methods, you now have the power to control your iPad's screen real estate effectively. Whether you prefer the intuitive drag of the divider, the decisive swipe in the App Switcher, or the precise conversion to Slide Over, you're now equipped to rid yourself of split screens and enjoy your iPad exactly how you want it.
Happy iPad-ing!
Frequently Asked Questions about Split Screen on iPad
How to disable split screen on iPad completely?
There isn't a direct "off switch" to disable Split View entirely. Instead, you manage it on a per-instance basis by closing the split screen using the methods described above (dragging the divider, using the App Switcher, or converting to Slide Over).
How to get out of split screen on iPad if the divider is stuck?
If the divider is stuck, first try restarting your iPad (Step 6). If that doesn't work, ensure your screen is clean and free of debris. You can also try using the App Switcher (Step 3) to close the combined Split View card, which bypasses the divider entirely.
How to close split screen on iPad when only one app is showing?
This usually indicates you're in Slide Over mode, not Split View. Look for the three dots () at the top of the floating app, tap and hold them, and drag the app off the screen.
How to prevent split screen on iPad from happening accidentally?
Split View is usually initiated by dragging an app from the Dock to the edge of the screen, or by using the multitasking menu () at the top of an app. To prevent accidental activation, be mindful when dragging apps from the Dock and familiarize yourself with the multitasking menu options.
How to make an app full screen after being in split view?
To make one of the apps full screen, drag the divider (the gray bar between the apps) all the way to the edge of the screen where the app you want to keep is located.
How to close a split screen app without closing the other one?
To close one app while keeping the other, drag the divider (the gray bar between the apps) all the way to the side of the app you want to keep. The app on the other side will close.
How to find the three dots to close split screen on iPad?
The three dots () appear at the very top of the divider when you are in Split View. If you are in Slide Over, they will be at the very top of the floating Slide Over window.
How to bring back an app that disappeared from split screen?
If an app disappeared from split screen, it was likely closed. You'll need to open it again from your Home screen or App Library. If it converted to Slide Over, swipe in from the right edge of the screen to reveal the Slide Over stack, or use the App Switcher.
How to manage multiple split screens on iPad?
While you can't have multiple true Split View arrangements simultaneously, you can have a Split View combined with a Slide Over app. Use the App Switcher (Step 3) to manage and close any active Split View or Slide Over combinations.
How to customize split screen on iPad for specific apps?
Split View behavior is generally system-wide and not customized for individual apps. However, you can choose which apps to use in Split View, and some apps may have internal settings that affect how they display content in a split screen environment.