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How to Use Split Screen on iPad

Excel at multitasking with this nifty feature

By Scott Orgera Scott Orgera Writer Scott Orgera is a former Lifewire writer covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years' experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications including MCSE, MCP+I, and MOUS. He is also A+ certified. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 14, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section How to Use Split View on iPad in iOS 15 Using Split Screen on iPad in iOS 11 -14 Frequently Asked Questions

What to Know

iOS 15: Open an app > tap three dots > select Split View icon (middle icon). Select second app.iOS 11-14: Go to Settings > General > Multitasking & Dock > turn on Allow Multiple Apps.Next, open the first app > swipe up slowly to show the Dock > drag first app off the Dock. This article explains how to use the iPad Split View feature on iPads running iOS 11 or later.

How to Use Split View on iPad in iOS 15

With iOS 15, Apple simplified the multitasking interface introduced in iOS 11 to make using split screen more intuitive. You no longer have to activate a multiple apps setting, and one of the apps you choose doesn't have to be located on the Dock, two of the components of the original process that earned Apple some criticism. Split view in iOS 15 is activated through the three-dot multitasking icon that appears at the top of many iPad screens. Here's how it works.
Open an app on the iPad. Tap the three dots at the center of the screen near the top to open the multitasking menu. The three dots don't appear at the top of apps that don't support split view. The icon on the right side of the multitasking menu is for the Slide Over feature. The icon in the middle is for Split View. Tap the middle icon for Split View. The app on the screen moves to the far left side of the iPad and a message appears in the multitasking area to choose another app. Scroll through the screens and tap an app.
The two apps appear side by side on the screen. They are spaced so that each app takes up half the screen. You can change how much space each app takes up by dragging the bar between them to the left or right. Now you can work back and forth in the two apps. To exit split view, tap the three dots at the top of the screen and tap the left icon. Slide Over is also available in the multitasking mode. It is similar to Split View, but Slide Over displays one app in full screen and the second one as a small floating window at the side of the screen.

Using Split Screen on iPad in iOS 11 -14

Split View was a little more complicated when it was initially introduced in iOS 11, but it works just as well when you are used to it.

Enable the Allow Multiple Apps Setting

To use Split View or Slide Over functionality, the Allow Multiple Apps setting must be enabled. Active by default, this setting may have been disabled at some point either manually or by an app. Take the following steps to ensure that multiple apps are allowed to be viewed simultaneously on your iPad. Tap Settings located on your iPad Home Screen. Select General in the left panel. Tap Multitasking & Dock (or Homescreen & Dock depending on the iOS version). Locate the Allow Multiple Apps setting, found at the top of the screen. If the toggle accompanying it is green, then the setting is active. If it’s white, it's currently disabled, and you’ll need to tap the toggle once to enable the ability to use Split View or Slide Over features.

Activating Split Screen in iOS 11-14

Once the Multiple Apps function is enabled, using the Split Screen view on the iPad is a matter of a few gestures. At least one of the two apps needs to reside in your iPad Dock for Split View to work in iOS 11-14. If a shortcut to one of these apps is not currently in your Dock, you’ll want to add it there before continuing. From your iPad Home screen, open the first app you wish to use in split-screen mode. A shortcut to this particular app does not have to be in your Dock. Slowly swipe up from the bottom of your screen so that the Dock is displayed. Tap and hold the icon for the second app in the Dock. Next, drag the app icon and release it anywhere outside of the Dock. The second app will be displayed in Slide Over mode, overlaying part of the first app. You’ll notice a dark grey horizontal line at the top of the second app’s window. Tap and drag this line down, letting go when the app window transforms. Both apps should be visible side-by-side in Split View mode. If you’d like to make both apps the same size on your iPad screen, tap and drag the vertical gray divider found between the two windows, letting go when they have equal screen space. Not all iPad apps support this split-screen functionality, so your experience may vary if one or both of the apps you are using do not offer Split View mode. FAQ How do I exit Split Screen on iPad? Position the cursor on the gray vertical line dividing the two screens. Drag the line all the way to the left or right edge of the iPad screen to leave only one image open and exit Split Screen. In iOS 15, you can also exit Split Screen by tapping the three dots at the top of the window you want to leave open and then choosing the left icon. How can I use Split Screen on a Mac? Open a window and hover the cursor above the green circle in the upper left corner. Select either Tile Window to Left of Screen or Tile Window to Right of Screen. On the other half of the screen, select a window to view in split screen. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use Apple Stage Manager iPadOS 15: Release Date, Features, and Supported Devices The iPadOS Versions Guide How to Use Skype's Split View Mode in Windows 10 How to Attach a Photo to an Email on iPhone and iPad How to Create Folders on an iPhone to Organize All Your Apps How to Use Split Screen on a Mac How to Drag and Drop on the iPad How to Fix a Floating Keyboard on an iPad How to Splice and Edit Video on the iPad How to Enter Low Power Mode on the iPad How to Use the iPad Dock In iOS 12 and Up How to Use Multitasking Gestures on Your iPad Splitting the Screen in Excel How to Split Your Screen in Windows How to Use the iPad Calendar Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies