How to use Split View on a Mac | Computing

Split screen modes divide your computer screen into two different halves so you can view two different windows at the same time. This is immensely useful for research projects and more complex work assignments (especially on laptops), which is why so many students and professionals hunt down ways to split their screen whenever they get a new Mac computer.

Now for the good news: In newer versions of MacOS, there’s a very easy split screen mode called Split View that anyone with an updated Mac can use. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to use Split View on a Mac to make the most of your system.

Split View requirements

The split screen capability was introduced in MacOS El Capitan and it continues today on both the mainstream High Sierra release and the beta Mojave releases. If for some reason you have a Mac that hasn’t been updated to at least El Capitan, you won’t be able to use the split screen option (although frankly, that’s probably the least of your worries).

Even if you have the feature though, not all apps work with Split View. You’ll know if it doesn’t work, because the window will just go to full screen and refuse to split no matter how you try. It’s hard to tell if an app works in Split View until you try it. However, most of the best Mac apps tend to come with Split View capabilities. Third-party apps are less likely to have the option.

Get started with Split View

Step 1: Begin by opening the Mac windows that you want to divide into a split screen. Browser windows, apps, documents — whatever you want. Pick one window to start with, and look in the upper left corner. You should see three colored dots: red, yellow and green. They can be used to control the window.

Step 2: If you hover over the right-side green dot, you’ll see it has two small expand arrows. This is the button you want. Hold down on the green dot, and the window will expand/contract as needed, then slide into one half of your screen. Do not tap the green button, because this puts the window into fullscreen mode instead.

Step 3: One half of your Split View is done. Now select the other window that you want to Split View. This window should automatically shift to cover the other side of your screen, completing the Split View experience. You can tap either window to switch focus back and forth as needed.

Adjusting Split View

Your split view doesn’t have to be a half-and-half deal. Instead, you can choose which window gets more screen time. Look for the black bar in the middle of the screen — it is quite thin in High Sierra and other versions of MacOS, but Apple has made it far thicker in its Mojave release. Click and hold that bar, and you can move it right or left to give either window more real estate. This is particularly useful if you’re trying to view a large web page with odd design or need extra space for a big spreadsheet.

If you realize you prefer the windows on different sides, then click and hold one window, and drag it over to the opposite side. The windows will automatically switch places.

Also, keep in mind that shuffling between screens can get a little confusing when you’re first learning how to use it. You may find a couple of windows vanished to your dock or to a side menu by the time you’re done. Don’t worry, you probably didn’t lose anything permanently, just keep looking for where Apple put it. Making sure you’re well versed in Mac keyboard shortcuts may help here.

Finally, if the windows are too small for you, you can adjust your resolution to help improve matters. When you’re ready to leave Split View mode, just click on the green dot on either window. This will return both windows to their original state and allow you to resume what you were doing before you started using Split View.

A quick word about Mission Control

Do you have a lot of windows open at once and want something more comprehensive than Split View to look at them all? Mission Control can help. This mode shows you all the windows you have open in a top bar while also giving you an at-a-distance look at all the windows currently on your screen.

You can access Mission Control in many ways, but one of the easiest is to simply drag a window up to the very top of your screen, which should automatically enter Mission Control mode. Alternatively, Apple keyboards typically come with an F3 Mission Control button. You can enter Mission Control while in Split View if you want, which is an easy way of switching windows as necessary.

Cinch — Third-party alternative

Maybe you really don’t like this new split-screen method. That’s okay! There are alternatives for creating a split screen: One of our favorites is the Mac app Cinch. It creates hot zones on the four corners of your Mac screen and two hot zones on the right and left sides. You simply drag a window into one of these zones, and it snaps into place. If you drag it into a corner, it will automatically snap to one-quarter size of your screen. If you drag the window to the side of your Mac, it will snap to half the screen.

Some users may find this easier and more intuitive or more useful for viewing multiple windows at once. If you are interested, Cinch does a pretty good job of staying current with the latest MacOS, and there’s a free trial version you can use to experiment with the app — the full version is only $7 if you decide you want it. Download it from the official site, or straight from the App Store.