Many people ask if it is possible to split screen on mac. The answer is YES! Learn how to do it in this in-depth article.
Did you recently invest in a Mac Pro desktop computer?
It’s an expensive piece of hardware so you’ll want to get the most out of it. One good way is to learn how to split screen, enabling you to multitask with ease.
If you want to multitask using your Mac, you can open two windows side-by-side. Apple calls this split screen mode the Split View. It’s convenient, but if you don’t have a lot of experience with the machine, you might not know how to do it.
Don’t give up yet.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to split screen on Mac and other options and features associated with it. After all, this is one of the best ways to work on two different applications simultaneously. Read on and find out the steps below:
1. Open Two or More Windows
These are the windows you’ll pair with using the split-screen layout. It doesn’t matter what type of window, whether it’s browser windows, apps, or documents. Look at the first window’s upper left corner to find the red, yellow, and green colored dots controlling the window.
2. Hover Over the Green Dot
Once you do, it will present two arrows facing away from each other. Hold your cursor on this green dot until a list appears.
Pick either the second or third option, depending on your preferred side. This will enable you to fill the portion of your display with the current window. You can also look at this guide on how to split screen on Mac for more information.
3. Do the Same for the Second Window
At this point, you already finished half of your split-screen. The first app will appear on half of your screen. The thumbnails of other open windows will appear on the opposite side.
Pick the other window you want to split with. Once picked, it expands and fills the void, completing the experience. To switch your primary focus, tap on either window.
How to Adjust the Split Screen on Mac?
Now you know how to splitscreen on Mac, you’ll learn how to adjust it to your preferences. The screen divide need not be equal since you might need to focus on one half more than the other. To accomplish this, hold on the black divider.
Slide the divider to the left or right since it will adjust the size of the partition. It’s a useful feature if you’re trying to view a weirdly-designed web page. It’s also a great choice when you’re trying to look at all the fields of a big spreadsheet.
Take note, some apps can’t go past a certain minimum width. For example, Apple’s Photos app can forbid you to adjust the bar if it exceeds this threshold. Experiment with your commonly-used windows and see which ones you can adjust.
Switching Screens
If you prefer the windows on opposite sides, click and hold the title bar of the app. Drag it to the opposite side the two windows will switch their positions. It’s useful if you want to shift your focus to the other window.
Viewing the Menu Bar and Leaving the Split View Mode
Right now, you might wonder where your menus went. Don’t panic since Split View hides the Dock and the menu bar. If you want to see these, move your pointer to the top of the screen.
This makes the Dock and the menu bar reappear. They’ll persist as long as your pointer hovers there. It allows you to reach both apps’ menus while in this mode.
If you want to stop using the split screen mode, click the green dot on one of the windows. An easier option is to press the Esc button. This returns the windows to their original form, enabling you to go back to your tasks before entering this mode.
Split View Options
When holding the Option button while clicking the green button, you’ll get three new options. These are Zoom, Move Window to Left Side of Screen, and Move Window to Right Side of Screen. Zoom differs from the Enter Full Screen option since it doesn’t hide the menu bar and the Dock.
Tiling a window instead of moving it means hiding the Dock and the menu bar. Also, moving the window doesn’t activate the Split View. You won’t see a moveable black bar when moving windows to a side of the screen.
Window Snapping
The newest version of the MacOS now has the native window snapping, similar to the Windows 10 feature. To do this, click and drag a window to any of the four corners of your display. This will make a translucent box appear at its foremost.
This serves as an indicator of the shape of the window. Once you’re satisfied, you can release the mouse button. This will make the window automatically snap to this spot.
The MacOS Catalina offers various options for this feature. An example is dragging the window to the top of the screen, making it occupy the entire space. Take note, dragging it up further allows you to enter Mission Control.
With these options, you need some practice to find the sweet spots. This functionality gives the MacOS a much-needed boost for its users. Regardless, window snapping isn’t the same as using the Split View.
The main difference is that apps won’t go into the full screen when dragged into place. The black bar to adjust also doesn’t exist. That means you’ll have no option to adjust the size of the windows.
Try the Split Screen on Mac Today!
These are the steps if you want to achieve a split screen on Mac. Follow these instructions and practice with it. You can also use the other features in this guide if you want your experience to be more productive and efficient.
Did you find this guide informative? If so, take the time and browse our other posts and learn more. We have a wealthy trove of information about Mac-related topics and other tips and tricks that can make your experience more convenient.