How to Use Split Screen (2023): Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Android, iPad

Life is busy. Multitasking is essential for anyone struggling to balance work, play, and the demands of daily life. Whether you’re on a laptop, phone, desktop, or tablet, splitting your screen enables you to get more done while keeping an eye on the big picture. It’s as close as we get to being in several places at once. Here’s how to use split-screen features on all the top platforms.

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How to Use Split Screen on a Windows Computer

Microsoft calls the split-screen feature Snap. You will find it in Windows 10, but it has a few extra features in Windows 11. Here’s how to use it:

1. Click on the title bar of any open app or window and drag it to the edge of your screen. 
2. When your cursor hits the edge, it will show you the space the window will fill, and you can let go to activate it.
3. You will see Snap Assist suggestions on the opposite side of the screen. Click on any other open app or window to fill that side. 
4. If you want to resize the windows, simply hover over the line in the middle until the cursor changes to two arrows, and then click and drag.

You can also use keyboard shortcuts, which can be easier. Here’s how:

1. Select any open app or window.
2. Press and hold the Windows key, then press the Right or Left Arrow key. 
3. Your chosen window will snap into place, and you’ll see Snap Assist suggestions on the opposite side of the screen. Click on any other open app or window to fill that side.
4. If you want to resize the windows, hover over the line in the middle until the cursor changes to two arrows, then click and drag.
5. You can also divide your screen into quarters by choosing your open app or window and holding down the Windows key. Then press the Right or Left Arrow key, followed by the Up or Down Arrow key, before releasing the Windows key.
6. You can also press the Windows key and Up Arrow key to maximize a selected window or app.

If you have Windows 11, you can use Snap Layouts to select different grid patterns for your screen. Here’s how:

1. Click the Windows key and Z key.  
2. Select one of the layouts in the box that appeared top right. You can hover over them for a preview.
3. Once you choose, you will see open windows and apps in Snap Assist, and you can pick the ones you want for each space.

How to Use Split Screen on a Mac 

Apple offers Split View. Here’s how to use it:

1. Select any open window or app and hover over the green icon with two arrows inside it at the top left. Folks who have yet to update to macOS Catalina should click and hold on the icon.
2. If you have Catalina or later, you will see a drop-down, and you can select Tile Window to Left of Screen or Tile Window to Right of Screen. If you’re using an earlier version of macOS, the window will shrink as you hold on the icon, and you can drag it to the left or right.
3. Click a window on the other side of the screen—and you are good to go. 
4. You can drag the vertical line in the middle to change width or drag a window to the other side to switch positions.

How to Use Split Screen on a Chromebook 

Google’s ChromeOS also supports split screen, and there are a few ways to use it. You can do it much like Windows:

1. Click on the title bar of any open app or window and drag it to the edge of your screen. (This also works with touchscreens if you tap and drag.)
2. When your cursor hits the edge, it will show you the space the window will fill, and you can let go to activate it.
3. Click on any other open app or window and do the same thing on the other side. 
4. If you want to resize the windows, drag the line in the middle.

You can also do it like this:

1. Select a window and click and hold on the square maximize icon at the top right.
2. Drag to the Left or Right Arrow to fill that side of the screen.
3. Repeat the same thing for another window on the opposite side.

If you prefer keyboard shortcuts, you can use the Alt and square bracket keys like this:

1. Choose your window and press Alt and [ to fill the left side or Alt and ] to fill the right.

How to Use Split Screen on an Android Device 

Android phones and tablets support split screen, but some manufacturers use slightly different methods. Here’s how to use the feature on some of the most popular devices:

1. Open the two apps that you want to use split screen on.
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold, then release, or tap the Recent Apps button.
3. If you have a Pixel or Samsung phone, tap and hold on the app icon at the top and select Split top or Open in split screen view. If you have a OnePlus or Xiaomi phone, long-press on the app and choose Split screen or tap the split-screen icon (two rectangles).
4. Choose the second app to fill the bottom of the screen.
5. You can drag the divider up or down to resize the windows. 
6. If you swipe up from the bottom to return to your home screen, the two apps will stay together as a split-screen option in your recent apps menu.

How to Use Split Screen on an iPad

Apple offers Split View on the iPad, but it works a little differently than on a Mac. You can also use Slide Over to get a smaller floating window for a second app. Here’s how:

1. Open an app and tap the multitasking button (three dots) at the top.
2. Select the Split View button or the Slide Over button.
3. Choose a second app from your Home Screen (you can swipe left or right or select from the Dock).
4. Drag the divider to adjust app sizes in Split View or use the multitasking button to drag left or right in Slide Over.
5. You can tap the multitasking button (three dots) at the top to switch between Split View and Slide Over or select Full Screen to quit.

How to Use Picture in Picture on an iPhone

Unfortunately, there is no split screen for iPhones, but you can use Picture in Picture for a few Apple apps and third-party video apps. Here’s how:

1. It should be enabled by default, but you can look in Settings > General > Picture in Picture to ensure Start PiP Automatically is toggled on.
2. If you open a supported app like FaceTime, Safari, or Netflix, you can tap the PiP icon (two rectangles with an arrow) to activate it.
3. The video window will scale to a corner of your screen. You can drag it around, pinch open to make it bigger, or pinch closed to make it smaller.