If you are trying to answer email while reading a document, compare two apps side by side, or keep a video open while taking notes, split screen on iPad can save you a lot of time. Apple calls this feature Split View, and once you know where to tap, it is quick to set up.
The only catch is that not every iPad model or app supports it the same way. That can make the feature feel hidden if you are new to iPad multitasking. This guide walks you through the exact steps to do split screen on iPad, explains what you should see on the screen, and covers a few common edge cases if things do not work the first time. By the end, you will know how to open two apps side by side, adjust the divider, and exit split screen when you are done.
Summary
- Open one app, then use the Multitasking button at the top.
- Choose Split View and pick a second app.
- Drag the divider in the middle to resize each app.
- If Split View is not available, your iPad model or app may not support it.
Tutorial – How to Use Split Screen on iPad
The main method below works for most modern iPads running recent versions of iPadOS. Follow these steps to open two apps side by side and control how much space each one gets.
Step 1: Open the first app you want to use
Start by launching the app you want on one side of the screen, such as Safari, Mail, Notes, or Files.
Once the app opens, you should see it fill the full iPad screen. This is the app you will keep active while you add the second one.
Step 2: Tap the Multitasking button at the top of the screen
Look near the top center of the app window for the three-dot multitasking icon, then tap it.
After you tap it, a small menu should appear with window options like Full Screen, Split View, and Slide Over. If you do not see the three dots, the app may not support multitasking in the current view.
Step 3: Select Split View
From the multitasking menu, tap Split View.
The app should move to one side of the screen, leaving a blank space or your Home Screen on the other side. This tells you the iPad is now ready for a second app.
Step 4: Choose the second app you want to open
Pick the second app from your Home Screen, Dock, or the app switcher, and tap it.
You should now see both apps open side by side. On most iPads, the screen will split into two active windows with a vertical divider between them.
Step 5: Adjust the divider to resize each app
Drag the divider in the middle left or right to give one app more space than the other.
This is useful if one app needs more space, such as a spreadsheet or a web page. You should see both apps resize smoothly as you move the divider.
Step 6: Use both apps normally
Type, scroll, copy, paste, or drag content between apps if supported.
Some apps work especially well in Split View, such as Safari, Notes, Mail, Messages, Files, and many productivity apps. If an app does not respond well, it may not fully support split screen behavior.
Step 7: Exit Split View when you are finished
To close split screen, drag the divider all the way to the left or right until one app takes over the full screen.
You can also tap the Multitasking button again and choose Full Screen. After that, your iPad should return to a single-app view.
Alternative Methods and Edge Cases
Not every iPad setup behaves the same way. Here are a few useful variations to know.
Use the Dock instead of the multitasking menu:
Open one app, then slowly swipe up from the bottom to reveal the Dock. Drag a second app from the Dock to the left or right edge of the screen. This often creates Split View directly.If you only see Slide Over, not Split View:
Some apps or iPadOS layouts may default to Slide Over, which places a smaller floating window on top of your main app. Try tapping the Multitasking button and selecting Split View again, or drag the app harder to the side from the Dock.If the app does not support split screen:
A few apps are built to run only in full screen. If you do not see the multitasking controls or the app closes instead of splitting, that app probably does not support Split View.If your iPad model is older:
Split View works only on supported iPad models and iPadOS versions. If the option is missing entirely, check Settings > General > Software Update to make sure iPadOS is up to date.Use Stage Manager on supported iPads:
On newer iPads, Apple also offers Stage Manager, which is different from Split View but lets you manage multiple windows more freely. If you want more flexible multitasking, this may be a better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I not see the split screen option on my iPad?
The most common reasons are that your iPad model does not support it, the app does not allow it, or multitasking is turned off in settings. Make sure your iPad is updated, and try a different app known to support Split View.
Can I use split screen with any app?
No. Many popular apps support it, but not all do. Apps like Safari, Mail, Notes, Messages, and Files usually work well, while some games and older apps may not.
How do I change the size of each split screen app?
Drag the vertical divider between the two apps left or right. This changes how much space each app gets, so you can make one larger if you need more room.
How do I get out of split screen on iPad?
Drag the divider all the way to one side, or tap the Multitasking button and select Full Screen. Either method closes Split View and returns you to a single app.
Can I open more than two apps at once?
Yes, on some iPads you can use Slide Over or Stage Manager to work with additional apps. But classic Split View itself is designed for two apps side by side.
Does split screen drain battery faster?
Usually, yes, a little. Running two active apps can use more memory and processing power, especially if one app is refreshing content in real time.
Tips
- Use the Dock for faster access. If you keep your most-used apps in the Dock, opening split screen becomes much quicker.
- Choose apps that work well together. Good pairings include Safari and Notes, Mail and Calendar, or Files and Pages.
- Check app support first. If an app will not split, it is often an app limitation, not an iPad problem.
- Keep your iPad updated. iPadOS updates often improve multitasking stability and app compatibility.
- Use drag and drop when available. You can move text, images, and files between split screen apps in many cases, which makes multitasking much more powerful.
- Try Landscape mode. Split View is usually easier to use when the iPad is turned sideways because each app gets more horizontal space.
Troubleshooting
Split View does not appear at all:
Go to Settings > Home Screen & Multitasking and make sure multitasking gestures or app window features are enabled, depending on your iPadOS version.The app opens in Slide Over instead of split screen:
Remove the floating window by swiping it off the side, then try opening the app from the Dock again and dragging it to the edge more deliberately.One app keeps closing when you try to split it:
That app may not support Split View. Try a different app to confirm whether the issue is app-specific.The divider will not move:
Some app combinations have fixed sizing limits. Close Split View and reopen it with a different app pair, or restart the iPad if the interface seems frozen.The screen layout looks weird after switching apps:
Tap the Multitasking button and choose Full Screen, then start over. This often resets the view cleanly.Your iPad feels slow in split screen:
Close background apps, free up storage, and update iPadOS. Older iPads can feel sluggish if two heavy apps are running at once.
Conclusion
Split screen on iPad is one of those features that feels small until you start using it every day. Once you know how to open Split View, select a second app, and resize the windows, multitasking gets a lot easier.
If the option is not showing up, do not assume something is broken right away. In most cases, the cause is simple, such as an unsupported app, an older iPad model, or a setting that needs adjustment.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.