The iPad is a powerful productivity device, but switching back and forth between two applications using the app switcher is inefficient when you are trying to write an email while referencing a document, or watching a tutorial while taking notes.
Apple includes a robust multitasking system in iPadOS that allows you to view and interact with two applications simultaneously. This feature, known as “Split View,” divides your screen exactly in half (or in a 70/30 split) so you can work seamlessly across both apps.
How to Enter Split Screen Mode
With the introduction of iPadOS 15, Apple added a dedicated multitasking menu to the top of the screen, making the feature much easier to discover and use.
- Open the first application you want to use (for example, Safari).
- Look at the very top-center of the screen. You will see a small grey icon with three horizontal dots (the Multitasking button).
- Tap the three dots. A small menu will appear with three layout options.
- Tap the middle icon (a rectangle split exactly in half).
The current application (Safari) will slide off to the side, revealing your Home Screen.
- Navigate through your Home Screen or App Library and tap on the second application you want to open (for example, Notes).
Both applications will now appear side-by-side in Split View. You can interact with both apps independently, and you can even drag and drop text or images from one side of the screen to the other.
How to Adjust the Split Size
By default, Split View divides the screen perfectly in half (50/50). However, you might want a video to take up more space while keeping a narrow column for notes.
- Look for the small grey grabber handle (a vertical line) located exactly in the centre of the black dividing line between the two apps.
- Press and hold the grabber handle.
- Drag it to the left or right to adjust the proportion of the screen each app consumes. The apps will resize automatically to fit the new dimensions (typically a 70/30 or 30/70 split).
How to Exit Split Screen
When you are finished multitasking and want to return to a single, full-screen application, you do not need to force close anything.
- Tap the three horizontal dots at the top of the application you want to keep in full screen.
- From the drop-down menu, select the first icon (a single, solid rectangle).
Alternatively, you can simply grab the central divider handle and drag it all the way to the extreme left or right edge of the screen, effectively pushing the unwanted application off the display.
Troubleshooting: Apps Not Supporting Split View
If you tap the three dots and the middle Split View icon is greyed out and unclickable, it means the developer of that specific application has not enabled multitasking support. While almost all Apple native apps (Mail, Safari, Notes) support this feature, some third-party games or highly specialized professional tools demand the entire screen and cannot be forced into a split layout.