How to Use Split Screen on Different Operating Systems with Keyboard Shortcuts

Split screen is a feature that allows you to view two or more windows side by side on your computer screen. It can help you multitask, compare documents, or watch videos while working on something else. In this article, we will show you how to use split screen on different operating systems with keyboard shortcuts.

What is Split Screen?

Split screen is a way of dividing your computer screen into two or more sections, each displaying a different window or application. You can use split screen to work on multiple tasks at the same time, such as browsing the web, writing an email, or editing a document. Split screen can also help you compare or copy information from one window to another, or watch a video while doing something else.

Why Use Split Screen?

Split screen has many benefits, such as:

• Improving your productivity and efficiency by allowing you to switch between tasks without minimizing or closing windows.
• Enhancing your creativity and learning by exposing you to different sources of information or inspiration.
• Saving your screen space and reducing clutter by eliminating the need for multiple monitors or tabs.
• Increasing your comfort and convenience by letting you customize your screen layout and size according to your preference and needs.

How to Use Split Screen on Different Operating Systems with Keyboard Shortcuts

Different operating systems have different ways of enabling and using split screen. Here are some of the most common ones and how to use them with keyboard shortcuts:

Split Screen on macOS with Keyboard Shortcuts

macOS has a built-in feature called Split View that lets you use split screen with two windows. To use Split View, follow these steps:

1. Click and hold the green full-screen button on the top-left corner of a window that you want to use in split screen.
2. Drag the window to the left or right side of the screen and release it when you see a blue outline of the window.
3. Select another window from the thumbnails that appear on the opposite side of the screen. The two windows will now fill the screen in split view.
4. To adjust the size of the windows, drag the vertical divider between them.
5. To exit split view, move the cursor to the top of the screen and click the green full-screen button on either window.

Alternatively, you can use keyboard shortcuts to enter and exit split view. To do so, follow these steps:

• Press and hold the Control key and press the Up Arrow key to activate Mission Control, which shows all the windows and spaces on your screen.
• Drag a window to the top of the screen and drop it on a space on the menu bar. The window will enter full-screen mode in that space.
• Repeat the same process with another window and drop it on the same space as the first window. The two windows will now enter split view in that space.
• To adjust the size of the windows, press and hold the Option key and press the Left Arrow or Right Arrow key to make the left or right window larger or smaller.
• To exit split view, press and hold the Control key and press the Up Arrow key to activate Mission Control again. Drag either window from the menu bar to the desktop. The other window will exit split view and return to full-screen mode.

Split Screen on iPadOS with Keyboard Shortcuts

iPadOS has a feature called Split View that lets you use split screen with two apps. To use Split View, follow these steps:

1. Open an app that you want to use in split screen.
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal the Dock, which shows the apps that you have recently used or pinned.
3. Drag an app from the Dock to the left or right edge of the screen and release it when you see a blue outline of the app.
4. The two apps will now fill the screen in split view.
5. To adjust the size of the apps, drag the vertical divider between them.
6. To exit split view, drag the divider to the edge of the screen. The app on that side will close and the other app will fill the screen.

Alternatively, you can use keyboard shortcuts to enter and exit split view. To do so, follow these steps:

• Open an app that you want to use in split screen.
• Press and hold the Command key and press the Space key to activate Spotlight, which lets you search for anything on your iPad.
• Type the name of another app that you want to use in split screen and select it from the results. The two apps will now enter split view.
• To adjust the size of the apps, press and hold the Command key and press the Left Arrow or Right Arrow key to make the left or right app larger or smaller.
• To exit split view, press and hold the Command key and press the H key to go to the Home screen. The apps will close and you can open another app.

Split Screen on Windows with Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows has a feature called Snap that lets you use split screen with up to four windows. To use Snap, follow these steps:

1. Drag a window to the left or right edge of the screen and release it when you see a transparent outline of the window.
2. The window will snap to fill half of the screen. You will see thumbnails of other open windows on the opposite side of the screen.
3. Select another window from the thumbnails to fill the other half of the screen. You will now have two windows in split screen.
4. To add more windows to the split screen, drag another window to the top-left, top-right, bottom-left, or bottom-right corner of the screen and release it when you see a transparent outline of the window.
5. The window will snap to fill a quarter of the screen. You can repeat this process with another window to fill the remaining quarter of the screen. You will now have four windows in split screen.
6. To adjust the size of the windows, drag the borders between them.
7. To exit split screen, drag a window away from the edge or corner of the screen. The window will return to its original size and position.

Alternatively, you can use keyboard shortcuts to enter and exit split screen. To do so, follow these steps:

• Press and hold the Windows key and press the Left Arrow or Right Arrow key to snap a window to the left or right half of the screen.
• Press and hold the Windows key and press the Up Arrow or Down Arrow key to snap a window to the top-left, top-right, bottom-left, or bottom-right quarter of the screen.
• Press and hold the Windows key and press the Tab key to activate Task View, which shows all the windows and desktops on your screen.
• Select another window from the thumbnails to fill the remaining space on the screen. You can repeat this process to add more windows to the split screen.
• To adjust the size of the windows, press and hold the Windows key and press the Left Arrow, Right Arrow, Up Arrow, or Down Arrow key to move the active window to a different position or size.
• To exit split screen, press and hold the Windows key and press the Esc key to exit Task View. The windows will return to their original size and position.

Split Screen on Chrome OS with Keyboard Shortcuts

Chrome OS has a feature called Split Screen that lets you use split screen with two windows. To use Split Screen, follow these steps:

1. Click and hold the maximize button on the top-right corner of a window that you want to use in split screen.
2. Drag the window to the left or right side of the screen and release it when you see a blue outline of the window.
3. The window will snap to fill half of the screen. You will see thumbnails of other open windows on the opposite side of the screen.
4. Select another window from the thumbnails to fill the other half of the screen. You will now have two windows in split screen.
5. To adjust the size of the windows, drag the vertical divider between them.
6. To exit split screen, click the maximize button on either window.

Alternatively, you can use keyboard shortcuts to enter and exit split screen. To do so, follow these steps:

• Press and hold the Alt key and press the [ or ] key to snap a window to the left or right half of the screen.
• Press and hold the Alt key and press the Tab key to switch between open windows.
• Select another window to fill the other half of the screen. You will now have two windows in split screen.
• To adjust the size of the windows, press and hold the Alt key and press the [ or ] key to make the left or right window larger or smaller.
• To exit split screen, press and hold the Alt key and press the = key to maximize the active window.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about split screen and their answers:

Question: Can I use split screen with more than two windows on macOS or iPadOS?

Answer: No, split screen on macOS and iPadOS only supports two windows at a time. However, you can use other features such as Slide Over or Picture in Picture to view more windows on your screen.

Question: Can I use split screen with any app on Windows or Chrome OS?

Answer: Yes, split screen on Windows and Chrome OS works with any app that can be resized or maximized. However, some apps may not display well or function properly in split screen mode.

Question: How can I switch between windows in split screen mode?

Answer: You can use the mouse, touchpad, or touchscreen to click or tap on the window that you want to switch to. You can also use keyboard shortcuts such as Command + Tab on macOS, Control + Tab on iPadOS, Alt + Tab