Here's how to split-screen on your Mac

If you're a new Mac® user, you might face a bit of a learning curve as you get used to its features. One tremendously helpful tool is split-screen. It lets you display multiple apps or browser windows side by side on a single screen. Most Mac apps support split-screen view. However, developers retain control over their app's source code, so occasionally you may come across one that doesn't.

Asurion Experts answer your everyday tech questions. Whether we're explaining how to set up a Mac mini® or use two monitors with a Mac, you can count on us for reliable answers. Here's how to split-screen on Mac in just a few simple steps. 

Step-by-step guide to accessing split screen

You'll find the controls to do split screen on Mac in the menu bar. 

1. Activate split screen mode

Click the green circle on the top left-hand corner of a window you want to display in split screen view. Click Full Screen > Left of Screen or Right of Screen. 

2. Select windows for split view 

Click inside the window of the second app you want to display to activate it.

3. Adjust window sizes

Mac displays the windows side by side in equal proportions. However, if you want to make one window larger than the other, drag the separator bar between the two windows to the left or right. Double-clicking the separator bar returns the windows to their default layout. 

Managing split-screen views

After activating split screen, you can customize it to suit your needs.

Change sides

Drag a window's title or toolbar to display it on the left or right. You can choose the screen allocation of each app and find a layout that makes it easy to multitask.

Replace an app

If you no longer need to view a window or app, you can replace it with a different one. Hover the mouse pointer over the green button in the top-left corner of the window. Click Replace Tiled Window, then click inside the window you'd like to open in a split screen instead.

Move an app to the desktop

Hover the mouse pointer over the green button in the toolbar of the app's window. Click Move Window to Desktop to display the app in full-screen mode. The second app disappears into its own space, which you can think of as an additional desktop. You can retrieve it by pressing the Control + Up Arrow keys to enter Mission Control. Click the app in the Spaces bar. 

Use an app in full screen

Hover the mouse pointer over the green circle in the top-left corner of the app you want to view. Click Make Window Full Screen. 

The second app disappears into its own space. To reopen it, press the Control + Up Arrow keys to enter the Mission Control screen. Click the app from the available options in the Spaces bar.

Display apps horizontally

With this option, you can place one app above the other in your display.

1. Hover the mouse pointer over the green circle in the top-left corner of an active window.
2. Press the Option key.
3. Click your preferred horizontal layout listed under the Move & Resize subheader.

Tile multiple windows

You may need to view more than two windows simultaneously. Mac supports tile views of up to four windows at once. To access the feature, take these steps.

1. Hover the mouse pointer over the green circle in the top-left corner of the app's window.
2. Press the Option key.
3. Click on your optimal layout from the options listed under the Fill & Arrange subheader.

Exiting split screen mode

When you're done using split screen, move the mouse pointer over the green button of one app. Click Full Screen > Entire Screen to turn it off. 

Troubleshooting split screen issues

Split screen comes in handy when you're working with multiple apps. However, it's not unusual to experience problems with it. Use these tips to resolve issues, or get tech support help from our  tech experts. 

Split screen won't work

Some apps don't support Mac's split-screen functionality. You'll know that's the issue if you receive an error message stating "Not Available in This Split View." As a workaround, you can create separate spaces for both apps. Doing so creates an extra desktop you can switch between to use both apps. 

1. Press the Control + Up Arrow keys to access Mission Control. 
2. Click the + icon in the Spaces bar.
3. Click the Space thumbnail to open it.
4. Alternate between spaces by pressing the Control + Right Arrow or Left Arrow keys. 

Close unresponsive apps

If an app stops working in split screen, press the Option + Command + Esc keys. Click the app's name > Force Quit to close the window.