Split View lets users run two apps simultaneously without constant interruptions from switching windows.
A simple green button action instantly activates a clean, distraction-free dual workspace on macOS.
Mission Control helps manage multiple desktops and exit split-screen smoothly at any time.
Apple’s Split View feature is often in plain sight yet remains underused by many MacBook users. At a time when hybrid work, digital classrooms, and content-heavy workflows demand constant window switching, the ability to run two apps side by side can significantly streamline daily tasks.
From journalists tracking multiple sources to students taking notes during lectures, Split View converts a single screen into a focused dual workspace.
Modern workflows rarely happen in a single window. A typical task involves reading and writing simultaneously, comparing data, referencing research while drafting a document, or attending a video call while preparing notes.
The Split View function lets users avoid constant app minimization and maximization. The feature allows desktop organization and reduces distractions through its dual-screen mode, which displays two windows in full-screen. The result creates a cleaner interface and an organized workspace.
Entering Split View on Apple’s MacBook requires no additional software and only a single action.
Users need to open one app and move the cursor to the green full-screen button in the top-left corner. The tiling options become visible when you hover your mouse over the button. The application moves to one side when users choose either ‘Tile Window to Left of Screen’ or ‘Tile Window to Right of Screen’.
Mac OS then displays all other open windows on the opposite side. Clicking the second app completes the split-screen setup.
The entire process takes less than five seconds.
Not all tasks demand equal visual space. A user may need a larger writing window and a smaller reference pane, or vice versa.
The divider between the two apps can be dragged to resize each window. Users can swap app positions by dragging an app from the top bar to its opposite location.
The Split View feature lets users choose their preferred workflow across multiple layout options, creating different work environments.
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Both apps run simultaneously in full-screen mode. The menu bar and window controls remain hidden until the cursor moves to the top, keeping the workspace uncluttered.
Within Split View, users can:
Copy and paste content between apps
Scroll independently in both windows
Continue using trackpad gestures to switch desktops
This makes real-time tasks, such as writing during a live briefing or analysing data while preparing a report, more efficient.
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The process of exiting an application is as simple as entering it. The window controls become visible when the cursor is moved to the top of the screen. Both applications return to their normal display mode when users click the green button, but one application remains in full-screen mode. The user can return the second application to the desktop by clicking the green button again.
Mission Control provides users who need to manage multiple desktops with an additional way to access them. The system displays all currently active spaces, along with the Split View screen, when users press Control and the Up Arrow key.
The tiling option becomes unavailable when an application does not support Split View or its window remains in non-resizable mode. The problem gets fixed when users change the application window to standard window mode.
As screen time increases and workflows become more layered, Split View is moving from being a convenience to a necessity. The method establishes a frictionless operation that enables time savings while creating an environment that keeps users focused without using additional devices.
The ability to use split screen has become an essential productivity skill for MacBook users who want to work effectively in fast-paced digital environments.
How do I start split screen on a MacBook?
Hover over the green button, choose Tile Left or Tile Right, then select the second app to enter Split View mode automatically.
Can I resize apps in split screen?
Yes, drag the center divider to adjust spacing based on your task and viewing preferences without exiting Split View on macOS.
How do I exit split screen quickly?
Move the cursor to the top, click the green button on a window, and it returns to the desktop while the other stays fullscreen.
Why is split screen not working on my Mac?
The app may not support Split View, or the window may not be resizable. Switch to standard window mode and try again properly.
Can I use more than two apps in split view?
Split View supports only two apps, but Mission Control lets you create multiple desktops and switch between additional full-screen apps easily.