The modern iPad is a powerful computing device, but constantly switching back and forth between full-screen applications to copy text or reference notes is incredibly inefficient. To bridge the gap between a tablet and a traditional laptop, Apple engineered a robust multitasking system called Split View. This feature allows you to snap two completely different applications side-by-side, sharing the screen perfectly, so you can drag and drop photos from your gallery directly into a live email draft, or watch a YouTube tutorial while typing notes in a separate window.
How to Activate Split View (iOS 15 and Later)
Apple completely overhauled iPad multitasking in iOS 15, adding a dedicated visual button to make launching Split View much easier.
- Open the first application you want to use (for example, the Safari web browser). It will open in standard full-screen mode.
- Look at the very top, absolute center of your iPad screen. You will see a tiny, grey icon with three dots (this is the Multitasking button).
- Tap the Multitasking button.
- A small pop-up menu will appear with three icons. Tap the middle icon, which represents a screen divided perfectly in half (Split View).
- Your first application (Safari) will immediately slide off to the left side of the screen, revealing your Home Screen.
- Navigate your Home Screen or App Library and tap on the second application you want to open (for example, the Notes app).
- The second application will instantly open on the right side of the screen, sharing the display perfectly 50/50 with your first app.
How to Resize Your Split View Windows
You do not have to split the screen evenly. If you are watching a video on the left and typing an essay on the right, you might want the text editor to take up 70% of the display.
- Look at the thick black border perfectly separating your two applications in the middle of the screen.
- You will see a small, grey, pill-shaped handle in the direct center of that border.
- Press and hold your finger on that handle, and drag it to the left or the right.
- The two applications will dynamically resize as you drag the divider.
How to Exit Split View
When you are finished multitasking and want to return to a single, full-screen application, exiting the view is instantaneous.
- Grab the grey handle on the center dividing line.
- Drag it aggressively all the way to the absolute edge of the screen, completely crushing the application you no longer want to see.
- Release your finger. The remaining application will instantly expand to fill the entire iPad display.