Mac Tutorials
How to Split the View on Your Mac into Two Windows: A Step-by-Step Guide
Have you ever wanted to split your Mac’s screen into two windows? This guide will show you step by step on how to achieve this easily. Follow along and get your screen working more efficiently for you! 👍
Select the Window for Splitting
Firstly, identify the window you want to split. For instance, let’s use the Calendar app for example. Select it as the first window you want to split. 🖱️
Hover Over the Green Dot
Move your mouse cursor and hover over the green dot located at the top left corner of the Calendar app. Hovering on it will give you several options. 🟢 You can go full screen or you can tile the window on either the left or the right side of your screen. Let’s select the left side for now.
Choose the Second Window
With your first window selected and taking up the left side of the screen, it’s time to select the second window. Let’s select the Safari app. Selecting it will automatically arrange it on the right side of your screen. 📂
Adjust the Divider
An important point to note is that there’s a divider in the middle of your screen. If you need more space for one of your windows, simply grab and drag the divider to either side. This feature is handy when you want to resize your windows. ➡️⬅️
Exiting the Split Screen Mode
To exit the split-screen view, you can either use your Escape button or move your mouse towards the top of your screen until you see the dots again. Clicking on the green dot will easily get you out of split-screen mode. 🔄 ⬆️
Conclusion: 🏁
So there you have it, a simple guide on how to split your Mac’s screen into two windows. It’s easy to follow, and you’ll be multitasking with split screens in no time. Give it a try and make the best use of your Mac’s display! ⭐
FAQ
What is the purpose of splitting view on my Mac?
Splitting your view allows you to work on two applications side-by-side without the distraction of other open applications. It’s useful for multi-tasking and improving productivity.
How to start splitting the view on my Mac?
To start Split View, you should first click and hold the full-screen button in the upper-left corner of a window. As you hold the button, the window shrinks and you can drag it to the left or right side of the screen.
What happens after I have chosen a side for the first window in Split View?
Once you choose a side for the first window, you can choose another window to fill the other half of your screen.
Can I adjust the size of the windows in Split View on my Mac?
Yes, you can adjust the size of the windows in Split View. Simply click and hold the divider in the middle, then drag it left or right to adjust the size.
Is it possible to switch places of the windows in Split View?
While there isn’t a function to quickly switch the sides of the windows, you can resize and manually move them to the sides you prefer.
Can I use Split View with any app on my Mac?
Not all apps support Split View. You’ll need to try with individual apps to see if they support it.
How can I exit Split View?
To exit Split View, move your cursor to the top of your screen to reveal the menu bar. Then, click the full-screen button of the window you want to exit from.
Can I use Split View with multiple monitors?
Yes, you can use Split View on each monitor if you use more than one with your Mac.
Can I split my screen into more than two windows?
No, the Split View feature only allows for two windows at a time. However, you can have multiple windows open and switch between them using the Mission Control feature.
Does using Split View affect the performance of my Mac?
No, using Split View should not affect the performance of your Mac. It simply rearranges open windows on your screen.
What versions of macOS support Split View?
Split View is available on OS X El Capitan (version 10.11) and later versions.
Can I use the keyboard to activate Split View?
There isn’t a specific keyboard shortcut to activate Split View, but once activated, you can use the Command + Tab shortcut to switch between applications.
Can I use Split View in Portrait mode?
Yes, if your monitor is switched to Portrait mode, Split View will arrange windows one on top of the other, instead of side by side.
Do I need any specific hardware to use Split View?
No, Split View does not require any particular hardware. It’s a feature of the macOS.
Does Split View work the same way in all versions of macOS?
The general principles remain the same, but there may be slight variations in how to use Split View depending on the version of macOS.
Can I use Split View with Windows applications on my Mac?
Yes, if you are using an emulator like Parallels Desktop to run Windows applications on your Mac, you can use Split View just like you would with Mac applications.
Can I use Split View if I use accessibility features on my Mac?
Yes, Split View does work with accessibility features like VoiceOver.
I can’t activate Split View. What am I doing wrong?
Ensure that you’re clicking and holding the full-screen button of a window to activate Split View. Also, check if the app you’re trying to split supports Split View.
What is Mission Control on Mac?
Mission Control is a feature of macOS that provides a bird’s eye view of everything running on your Mac. It allows you to see all open windows, full-screen apps, and Spaces in one place.
How can I use Mission Control in conjunction with Split View?
You can activate Mission Control while in Split View by swiping up with three or four fingers on your trackpad, or pressing the Mission Control key on your keyboard. This gives you a quick way to switch between different windows or Spaces.
What should I do if one of my windows in Split View freezes?
You can try exiting Split View and then re-entering it. If that doesn’t work, you may need to force quit the application by pressing Command + Option + Escape and selecting the unresponsive app.
Can I use Split view in Full Screen mode?
Yes, Split View actually uses Full Screen mode to display two applications side by side without distractions.
How can I switch between apps in Split View?
You can click on the app you want to switch to, or use the Command + Tab keyboard shortcut.
Can I use Split View on my Mac in tablet mode with an iPad display?
Yes, if you are using your iPad as a secondary display for your Mac (also known as Sidecar), you can use Split View on the iPad display.
Why can’t I resize my windows in Split View?
Make sure you are grabbing the divider in the center of the window. Additionally, some apps may not support resizing in Split View.
What are some practical uses for Split View?
You can use Split View for tasks such as comparing documents, writing with reference materials open, managing files, coding with documentation open, and more.
Can I interact with both windows in Split View at the same time?
No, in Split View you can only interact with one window at a time. However, you can quickly switch between the two.
Is there a limit to how much I can resize the windows in Split View?
In Split View, you can resize the windows to take up to approximately one-third or two-thirds of the screen. You cannot make one window take up the entire screen or just a small fraction of the screen.
How does Split View behave when I switch to a different virtual desktop (Space)?
If you switch to a different Space, the Split View will not be visible until you switch back to the Space where it is activated.
Can I use other features, like Hot Corners or the Dock, in Split View mode?
Yes, most features of macOS, including Hot Corners and the Dock, are accessible while in Split View mode.