While the iPad is an incredible device for focused, full-screen consumption (like watching a movie or reading a book), modern workflows often require multitasking. If you need to read an article in Safari while simultaneously taking notes in Microsoft Word, constantly swiping back and forth between the two applications is incredibly tedious. Apple solved this by introducing “Split View” into iPadOS, allowing you to run two different applications side-by-side on the screen at the exact same time.
How to Activate Split View
Activating Split View requires learning a simple, specific gesture involving the multitasking menu.
- Open the first app you want to use (for example, Safari) so it is occupying the full screen.
- Look at the absolute top-center edge of your iPad screen. You will see a small, subtle icon consisting of three horizontal dots. This is the multitasking button. Tap it once.
- A small menu will drop down presenting three layout options: Full Screen (left), Split View (middle), and Slide Over (right).
- Tap the Split View button (the icon depicting a screen split perfectly down the middle).
- The current app (Safari) will immediately shrink and slide off to the left edge of the screen, revealing your iPad Home Screen and dock.
- Now, simply tap the icon of the second app you want to open (for example, Notes or Microsoft Word).
The two applications will now snap together, sitting side-by-side, sharing exactly 50% of your screen real estate each.
Adjusting the Screen Split Ratio
You do not have to leave the apps split 50/50. If you are mostly reading a webpage but only occasionally typing a short note, you can give the web browser more room.
Look at the thick black dividing line separating the two apps down the middle of the screen. In the exact center of that line is a small, grey drag handle. Press your finger on that handle and drag it to the left or the right. You can adjust the split to be roughly 70/30 or 30/70.
Closing Split View (Returning to Full Screen)
When you are finished multitasking and want to return to a single, full-screen app, the process is incredibly simple.
- Grab the grey drag handle on the black dividing line between the two apps.
- Swipe it aggressively all the way to the edge of the screen, completely pushing the app you no longer want off the edge of the iPad.
The remaining application will instantly expand to fill the entire screen, returning you to standard, single-app operation.