View Multiple Apps in a Split Screen: Computer & Mobile

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Increase productivity by multitasking with a split-screen
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Utilizing a split screen on your device allows you to view multiple applications or files on the same screen in different windows. This is a great way to increase productivity by allowing you to use multiple applications at the same time and or view documents side-by-side. This wikiHow article teaches you how to do a split screen on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Android and iPad.

How to Do a Split-Screen Quick Read

  • Computer: Hover over (or click and hold on Chromebook) the Maximize icon in an app window on PC or Mac. Click a split-screen layout. Click an app in the second window.
  • Android: Open the app switcher or recent apps screen. Tap and hold an app icon. Drag it to the top or bottom (Samsung Galaxy) to tap Split screen. Open another app.
  • iPad: Tap the icon with three dots at the top. Then tap the split-screen icon and select a side (not available on iPhone). Open an app for the other side.
Method 1
Method 1 of 7:

Using Windows

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  1. Windows 10 and 11 have an easy way to arrange apps in split-screen mode as well as multiple tiles. In order to do so, you must have Snap Windows enabled, which they are by default. If not, you can use the following steps to enable or disable Snap Windows: [1]
    • Click the Windows Start button.
    • Click the Settings/Gear icon.
    • Click System.
    • Click Multitasking .
    • Ensure the toggle switch next to Snap Windows is turned on.
  2. 2
    Open the apps you want to run in a split screen. Most applications support Snap Windows. You can open the apps or files you want to view in split-screen mode.
    • Not all apps support split-screen mode.
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  3. 3
    Hover over the Maximize icon. It’s the icon that resembles multiple squares stacked on top of one another. It’s in the upper-right corner of the app window. It’s in the middle of the “X” icon you click to close an app, and the line icon (-) you click to minimize an app. This displays various tile mode layouts.
    • Alternatively, you can also click and drag your current app to either side of the screen to open the app in a side-by-side split screen, or drag it to the top of the screen to display tile options for tile mode.
  4. 4
    Select a split-screen layout. You can select the side-by-side tile for a standard split screen or one of the other options to open multiple windows at the same time. Click the tile layout options with your current app icon, or click the tile you want to place your current app in one of the other tile options.
  5. 5
    Select which apps you want to have open in other tiles. Each tile you have open in the split screen or tile layout will display all the apps you currently have open. Click the app you want to have open in each tile. This will allow you to view your apps in split-screen or tile mode.
    • You can make one side bigger by clicking and dragging the separator bar in the middle.
    • To exit split-screen, click the Maximize icon in the upper-right corner of the app window to display it in full-screen mode.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 7:

Using a Mac

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  1. 1
    Open the apps you want to view in split-screen mode. Most Mac apps support split-screen mode. You can open any of the apps or files you want to view in split-screen mode in the Applications folder. [2]
    • Not all apps support split-screen mode.
  2. 2
    Hover over the green icon in the app window. It’s in the upper-left corner of the app window next to the yellow, and red buttons, which are used to close and minimize apps. This displays a variety of split-screen layouts.
  3. 3
    Select a split-screen or tile layout. You can select a standard side-by-side layout or another tile layout for multiple apps. The tile that is shaded dark is the tile your current app will open in.
    • Alternatively, you can hover over Full Screen in the tile menu and select Left of Screen or Right of Screen .
    • You can also enter split-screen mode in the Mission Control. Open Mission Control in the Dock or by swiping up on the magic mouse or trackpad with three fingers. Then click and drag an open app into one of the tiles in the tile layouts displayed at the top of the screen. [3]
  4. 4
    Click the apps you want open in the other tiles. The other tiles you have open will display all apps you have open. Click the app you want to be displayed in each tile you have open.
    • You can make one tile bigger than the others, click and drag the separator bar in between the tiles.
    • To exit full screen mode, click the green button in the upper-left corner to display the app in full-screen mode.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 7:

Using Chromebook

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  1. Chromebook only allows you to view two apps in split-screen mode. Start by opening the first app you want to view in split-screen mode.
    • Not all apps support split-screen mode.
  2. 2
    Click and drag the app to the right or left side of the screen. Click and drag the bar at the top of the app window. When your mouse cursor reaches the edge of the screen, half of the screen will be highlighted. Release the mouse button to view the app in split-screen mode.
    • Alternatively, you can use keyboard shortcuts to open the app in split-screen mode. Press Alt + [ to snap the app to the left side of the screen, or press Alt + ] to snap to the right side of the screen. [4]
    • Another way to enter split-screen mode is to click and hold the Restore button in the upper-right corner. It has an icon that resembles a square or two squares layered on top of each other. Click one of the split screen mode layout options. You can split-screen down the middle, three-quarters split-screen, or floating windows with one app in full-screen mode and the other app floating on top.
  3. 3
    Open the second app you wish to view in split-screen mode. You can click an app on the desktop on the open side of the screen, or you can click an app in the taskbar or launcher.
  4. 4
    Click and drag the app to the other side of the screen. Click and drag the bar at the top of the app window and drag it to the opposite side of the screen where the other app is open. This will snap the app to the other side of the screen and allow you to view apps in split-screen mode.
    • To adjust the size of the split-screen, hover your mouse cursor over the separator bar and then click and drag the rectangle with the two arrows left or right. [5]
    • To exit split-screen mode, click the Restore on either of the two app windows to restore the app to full-screen mode. It’s the icon that resembles a square in the upper-right corner.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 7:

Using Samsung Galaxy

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  1. 1
    Open the apps you want to view in split-screen mode. You can open apps by tapping them on your Home screen or in the Apps menu. Open both apps you want to view in split-screen mode. [6]
    • Not all apps support split-screen mode.
  2. 2
    Open the app switcher. To do so, tap the icon with three lines at the bottom of your screen.
  3. 3
    Tap and hold the app you want to open in split-screen mode. You can switch between open apps by swiping left and right. Tap and hold an app you want to view in split-screen mode.
  4. 4
    Drag the app to the top or bottom of the screen. Depending on where you want to view the app, drag it to the top or bottom of the screen. This will open the app in a split-screen mode on top or bottom.
  5. 5
    Select the second app you want to view in split-screen mode. You will view a list of recent apps in the other split-screen window. Tap the other app you want to view in split-screen mode. This will open the app in the second window.
    • To adjust the size of the split screens, tap and drag the separator bar in between the two apps.
    • To exit split-screen mode, tap and drag the separator bar and drag it all the way to the top or bottom of the screen.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 7:

Using Stock Android

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  1. You can open apps by tapping them on your Home screen or in the Apps menu. Open both apps you want to view in split-screen mode.
    • Not all apps support split-screen mode.
  2. 2
    Open the Recent Apps menu. To do so, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. You can switch between apps by swiping left and right.
  3. 3
    Tap and hold the icon for the first app you want to view in split-screen. This will be the app that displays on top. The app icon is at the top of the screen above the app preview window. This displays a menu.
  4. 4
    Tap Split screen . This moves the app icon to the top of the screen and allows you to pick a second app in the Recent Apps menu.
  5. 5
    Tap the second app you want to view. Swipe left or right in the Recent Apps menu to switch between apps. Tap the other app you want to view in split-screen mode. This will display both apps in split-screen mode with the first app on top and the second app on the bottom.
    • To adjust the size of the split screens, tap and drag the separator bar in between the two apps.
    • To exit split-screen mode, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to return to your home screen.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 7:

Using iPad

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  1. 1
    Ensure Split View is turned on in the Settings. In order to view apps in split-screen mode on iPad, you have to have Split View enabled in the Settings menu. Use the following steps to ensure Split View is turned on: [7]
    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap Multitasking & Gestures .
    • Ensure the toggle switch next to Split View and Slide Over is turned on.
  2. 2
    Open the first app you want to view in split-screen mode. Tap an app you want to view in split-screen mode on your Home screen to open the app.
    • Not all apps support split-screen mode.
  3. 3
    Tap the icon with three dots at the top of the screen. This displays a drop-down menu with viewing options.
  4. 4
    Tap the split screen icon. It’s the icon that resembles a screen with a line down the middle.
  5. 5
    Select which side you want your current app to appear on. Tap the icon that resembles a screen with the left side shaded to open your current app on the left side. Tap the icon that resembles a screen with the right side shaded to have your current app appear on the right side.
  6. 6
    Select a second app to open. Tap another app on your home screen to open it on the other side of your split-screen. You can now view your apps in split-screen mode.
    • To adjust the size of the split-screen, tap and drag the separator bar between the two apps.
    • To exit split-screen mode, tap and drag the separator bar and drag it to the left or right side of the screen.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 7:

Using Picture-in-Picture on iPhone

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  1. iPhone does not have a native split-screen mode. The closest thing it has is Picture-in-Picture mode, which allows you to watch a video in a small picture mode while you browse other apps. To use this feature, you’ll need to make sure Picture-in-Picture mode is enabled in the Settings. Use the following steps to do so: [8]
    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap General .
    • Tap Picture in Picture .
    • Ensure Start PiP Automatically is turned on.
  2. 2
    Open an app that supports Picture-in-Picture. Most video apps allow you to view a video in picture mode. This includes YouTube, FaceTime, Apple TV, and more.
    • On YouTube, you also need to enable Picture-in-Picture in the YouTube app settings. To do so, tap your Profile icon and then tap the Settings/Gear icon. Tap General and then ensure Picture-in-Picture is toggled on.
  3. 3
    Start watching a video. Start playing a video in the app you are using.
  4. It’s the icon that resembles a shaded square on top of a larger unshaded square. This displays the video in a tiny window. You can tap and drag the window to change its location. You can browse your phone while the video plays in a tiny window.
    • Alternatively, you can swipe up from the bottom of your screen while a video plays to open your home screen and play the video in Picture-in-Picture mode.
    • To exit Picture-in-Picture mode, tap the Picture-in-Picture icon again in the video window to return to full-screen mode.
    • Tap the “X” icon in the video window to close the Picture-in-Picture window.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/snap-your-windows-885a9b1e-a983-a3b1-16cd-c531795e6241
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-apps-in-split-view-mchl4fbe2921/mac
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBHDlzj2ViE
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/177891
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Eu6BebLb94
      6. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/what-are-multi-windows-and-how-do-i-use-them/
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/open-two-apps-in-split-view-ipad08c9970c/ipados
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-my/guide/iphone/iphcc3587b5d/ios

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