How to Split Screen on a Mac: A Comprehensive Guide for macOS

How to Split Screen on a Mac: A Comprehensive Guide for macOS

Introduction

Hey there, readers! Are you tired of having multiple windows cluttering up your workspace? With macOS’s built-in split-screen feature, you can easily organize and compare your apps side by side. Follow along with this in-depth guide to become a master of split-screen multitasking on your Mac.

Method 1: Drag and Drop

Step 1: Choose Your Apps

Begin by opening the apps you want to split. You can have up to two apps in split-screen mode.

Step 2: Position the Window

Grab the window of one app and drag it towards the edge of your screen, either to the left or right. When you see a black bar appear, pause and release the mouse.

Step 3: Choose the Second App

With the first app docked in place, click on the menu bar of the second app and select "Tile Window to the Right of [First App Name]" or "Tile Window to the Left of [First App Name]."

Method 2: Mission Control

Step 1: Enter Mission Control

Click the Mission Control button in the top right corner of your menu bar, or use the keyboard shortcut "Control + Up Arrow."

Step 2: Open the Windows

In Mission Control, select the windows of the two apps you want to split. Hold down the "Command" key and click on them.

Step 3: Click on the "Join Windows" Button

Once both windows are selected, hover your cursor over one of them and click on the "Join Windows" button that appears in the top left corner.

Method 3: Keyboard Shortcuts

Step 1: Activate the First Window

Bring the first app window into focus by clicking on it or using the keyboard shortcut "Command + Tab."

Step 2: Use the Keyboard Shortcut

Press the "Control + Command + F" keyboard shortcut to split the screen and create two equal-sized halves.

Step 3: Adjust the Sizes (Optional)

If you want to adjust the size of the split-screen windows, grab the vertical divider between them and drag it to your desired proportions.

Troubleshooting

If Split-Screen Isn’t Working:

  • Ensure that your Mac is running macOS Catalina (10.15) or later.
  • Check that both apps are compatible with split-screen mode.
  • Try restarting both apps and your Mac.

Table Breakdown:

Method Steps Keyboard Shortcut
Drag and Drop 3 None
Mission Control 3 None
Keyboard Shortcuts 3 Control + Command + F

Conclusion

Congratulations, readers! You’ve now mastered the art of split-screen multitasking on your Mac. Whether you’re working on multiple projects, researching different topics, or just trying to stay organized, split-screen mode is a convenient and efficient way to maximize your workspace.

Don’t forget to check out our other articles for more tips and tricks on how to make the most of your Mac.

FAQ about Split Screen on Mac

1. How to split screen on Mac?

  • Move your cursor to the green button on the top-left corner of a window.
  • Select "Tile Window to Left Half of Screen" or "Tile Window to Right Half of Screen."

2. How to adjust the size of split screen windows?

  • Hover your cursor over the black divider line between the two windows.
  • Drag the line to the left or right to resize the windows.

3. How to close split screen?

  • Click the green button in the top-left corner of a window.
  • Select "Exit Full Screen."

4. How to split screen multiple windows?

  • Follow step 1 to split the first two windows.
  • Click the green button in the top-left corner of another window.
  • Select "Tile Window to [Left/Right] of Current App."

5. How to move a window out of split screen?

  • Hover your cursor over the green button in the top-left corner of the window.
  • Hold down the Option key and select "Move Window to Desktop."

6. How to use keyboard shortcuts for split screen?

  • Control + Command + Left Arrow: Tile window to left half of screen
  • Control + Command + Right Arrow: Tile window to right half of screen
  • Control + Command + Up Arrow: Maximize window

7. How to split screen on a Mac without a trackpad?

  • Click the Apple menu and select "System Preferences."
  • Go to "Mission Control" and uncheck "Displays have separate Spaces."
  • Now you can use the arrow keys to move windows around the screen and split them.

8. How to split screen in macOS Ventura?

  • macOS Ventura requires the new Stage Manager feature to use split screen.
  • Click the Control Center in the menu bar and choose "Stage Manager."
  • Drag windows onto the left or right edge of the screen to split them.

9. Can I split screen in Safari?

  • Yes, you can. Click the Full Screen button in the top-right corner of the Safari window.
  • Then, click the green button in the top-left corner and select "Tile Window to [Left/Right] of Current App."

10. What are the benefits of using split screen?

  • Increased productivity by multitasking
  • Easily compare and reference documents
  • Better organization and efficiency