Constantly clicking between overlapping browser windows, spreadsheets, and word processors on a Mac clutters your desktop and breaks your train of thought. While manually dragging window corners to line them up is tedious, macOS includes a built-in multitasking feature called Split View. Split View allows you to fill your Mac’s screen with two applications side-by-side in an isolated full-screen space, removing dock distractions and menu bars so you can focus entirely on research and writing.
Why Use macOS Split View?
Split View creates an organized, distraction-free digital workstation:
- Zero Desktop Distractions: Hides the Dock and top menu bar, dedicating 100% of your display space to your two active tasks.
- Independent Full-Screen Space: Split View pairs become their own dedicated space in Mission Control, allowing you to swipe between multiple project pairs with a three-finger trackpad swipe.
- Adjustable Window Ratio: Lets you adjust the split from 50/50 to 70/30 or 60/40, providing more room for wide spreadsheets or PDF documents.
How to Enter Split View on macOS
Activating Split View takes just two clicks using the window management buttons:
- Open the two applications you wish to pair together.
- Move your cursor over the green full-screen button in the top-left corner of the first window (do not click it immediately—just hover your cursor).
- A flyout menu will appear after a second displaying three options:
- Enter Full Screen
- Tile Window to Left of Screen
- Tile Window to Right of Screen
- Click Tile Window to Left of Screen. The window will snap to occupy the left half of your display.
- On the right side of the screen, macOS will show previews of all your other currently open windows. Click the second app you want to use.
- Both windows now occupy the full display seamlessly in Split View.
How to Resize Windows in Split View
To give one application more screen real estate than the other:
- Place your mouse cursor over the black vertical divider bar running between the two windows.
- Click and drag the divider left or right to set your preferred proportions.
- Release the mouse button. Both apps will adjust their responsive layouts to match.
How to Swap Window Sides or Exit Split View
Managing your active Split View session is straightforward:
- To swap sides: Click and drag the top title bar of either window across to the opposite side.
- To exit Split View: Move your cursor to the top edge of the screen to reveal the window controls, then click the green button on either window. That window will return to standard desktop mode, while the other remains full-screen.