How to Use Split View in macOS for Side-by-Side Multitasking

Working on a MacBook with a 13-inch or 15-inch screen often requires constant switching between overlapping windows. If you are writing a research paper in Pages while referencing a website in Safari, repeatedly pressing Command+Tab to swap between the two applications disrupts your workflow. To solve this, Apple includes a built-in window management feature called Split View. Split View allows you to seamlessly snap two applications side-by-side, perfectly dividing the screen in half and hiding the menu bar and dock for a completely distraction-free multitasking environment.

Entering Split View Mode

Unlike simply dragging windows to the edges of the screen, Split View operates in macOS’s dedicated fullscreen space.

1. Open the two applications you want to use (for example, Safari and Apple Notes). They do not need to be fullscreen yet.
2. Hover your mouse pointer over the green full-screen button in the top-left corner of the Safari window. Do not click it; just hold your mouse over it.
3. A small dropdown menu will appear after a second. Choose Tile Window to Left of Screen or Tile Window to Right of Screen.
4. The Safari window will instantly snap to fill exactly half of the screen.
5. The other half of the screen will now display thumbnails of all your other open applications. Click on the Apple Notes thumbnail.
6. Apple Notes will expand to fill the remaining half of the screen. Both applications are now locked side-by-side in fullscreen mode.

Adjusting Window Proportions

By default, Split View divides the screen exactly 50/50. However, depending on the apps you are using, you might want your web browser to take up more space than your notes app.

1. Look for the thick, black vertical dividing line running down the exact center of your screen between the two applications.
2. Click and hold the small vertical handle in the middle of this dividing line.
3. Drag the divider to the left or right to resize both windows simultaneously.

Note: Some applications (like the macOS Calculator or certain third-party apps) have a minimum required width and cannot be crushed beyond a certain point.

Swapping Applications

If you have Safari on the left and Notes on the right, but you want to reverse their positions, you do not need to exit Split View.

1. Click and hold the grey title bar at the very top of the Safari window (you may need to move your mouse to the top edge of the screen to reveal the title bar).
2. Drag the Safari window completely over to the right side of the screen.
3. The two applications will instantly swap places.

Exiting Split View

Because Split View operates in a dedicated fullscreen “Space,” exiting it will return the windows to your standard desktop.

1. Move your mouse pointer to the very top edge of the screen until the macOS menu bar and the window title bars drop down.
2. Click the green full-screen button on either of the two applications.
3. That specific application will shrink back down to a normal, floating window on your main desktop.
4. The other application will remain in fullscreen mode by itself. You can swipe left or right with three fingers on your trackpad to navigate between your main desktop and the remaining fullscreen app.