How to Use Split View Multitasking on Mac to Work with Two Apps Side by Side

Comparing research articles while drafting an essay, transcribing meeting notes during a video call, or referencing financial spreadsheets while writing an email often requires referencing two documents simultaneously. While manually dragging window corners to resize them works, overlapping windows frequently cause clutter. Built into macOS, Split View snaps two applications into a clean, distraction-free full-screen workspace with an interactive divider separating them perfectly down the middle.

Entering Split View on macOS

Snapping two applications side by side takes seconds using the green full-screen button:

1. Open the first application window you wish to work in (such as Safari).
2. Move your mouse cursor over the green circular button in the top-left corner of the window (do not click it immediately, simply hover over it).
3. A small context popup will appear offering three options:
   • Enter Full Screen
   • Tile Window to Left of Screen
   • Tile Window to Right of Screen
4. Click Tile Window to Left of Screen.
5. Your active application window will smoothly expand to fill the entire left half of your screen.
6. On the right side of the screen, macOS displays thumbnail previews of all other currently open windows. Click the second application you wish to pair with it (such as Pages or Notes).
7. Both applications now lock into a unified, full-screen Split View space.

Adjusting Screen Width and Swapping App Positions

Customise your paired workspace to fit your workflow:

• Adjust Partition Width: Hover your mouse cursor over the black vertical dividing line between the two apps. When the cursor transforms into a double-ended arrow, click and drag left or right to allocate 70% of the screen to your primary document and 30% to reference notes.
• Swap Left and Right Windows: Click and hold the top title bar of either application and drag it across the divider to the opposite side of the screen to swap positions instantly.

Navigating Between Split View and Other Desktops

Split View spaces act as dedicated Mission Control virtual desktops:

• Swipe left or right with three or four fingers across your Mac trackpad to glide seamlessly between your Split View workspace and your standard desktop wallpaper or other full-screen apps.
• Press the Mission Control key (F3) to view your top Spaces bar and manage open desktops.

How to Exit Split View

When you finish your collaborative multitasking session:

1. Move your cursor to the very top edge of the screen to reveal the hidden macOS menu bar.
2. Hover over the green circular button of either app.
3. Click the green button, or choose Exit Full Screen.
4. The active window returns to standard desktop mode, while the partner application remains full screen until exited.