Ever tried juggling two apps at once on your iPad? Maybe watching a recipe video while taking notes, or comparing documents side-by-side? I remember struggling with this during online classes last year – constantly switching apps drove me nuts. That’s when I dug deep into how do you split the screen on iPad properly. Turns out, Apple’s multitasking tools are powerful but not exactly intuitive. After testing every method across three iPad models, here’s what actually works.
Which iPads Actually Support Split Screen?
Not all iPads handle split screen equally. My ancient iPad Mini 2? Can’t do it. Here’s the real-world breakdown:
iPad Model | Minimum iOS Version | Split View Support | Special Notes |
---|---|---|---|
iPad Pro (all) | iOS 11 | ✓ Full support | Best experience on 12.9" models |
iPad Air (3rd gen+) | iOS 11 | ✓ Full support | Limited to two apps simultaneously |
iPad (5th gen+) | iOS 11 | ✓ Full support | Performance lags on older devices |
iPad Mini (5th gen+) | iOS 12 | ✓ Partial support | Small screen makes resizing tricky |
Older Models | - | ✗ No support | Includes iPad 4, Mini 2/3, etc. |
Honestly, Apple could do better communicating these limitations. Nothing more frustrating than trying to split the screen on your iPad for 20 minutes before realizing your device can’t handle it!
Step-by-Step: Splitting Your Screen Like a Pro
Method 1: The Drag-and-Drop Technique
This is the fastest way once you get the hang of it. Took me three tries to nail it though:
Step 1:
Open your first app (say, Safari). Swipe up from the bottom about 1 inch to reveal the Dock. Don’t force it – a gentle flick works best.
Step 2:
Press and hold your second app icon from the Dock. Drag it slowly to either the left or right edge of the screen until a gray shadow appears. Release.
⚠️ Gotcha: If the app snaps back, you’re dragging too fast. Annoying, I know.
Step 3:
Adjust the divider bar. Grab the black line between apps and slide it left/right. At 50/50 split, both apps work fully. At 70/30, the smaller app might hide some features.
Method 2: The App Switcher Shortcut
Better for when apps aren’t in your Dock:
1. Open App A
2. Swipe up from the bottom and pause to enter App Switcher
3. Tap and hold App B’s preview window
4. Drag it onto App A’s preview
5. Choose "Split View" position
Personally, I use this less often – it feels clunkier than the Dock method.
Essential Settings Most Guides Miss
These buried options make or break your experience:
Setting Location | Settings > Home Screen & Dock > Multitasking |
Allow Multiple Apps | Toggle ON (surprisingly off by default for some) |
Gestures | Disable if accidental swipes ruin your workflow |
Slide Over Default Side | Choose left/right based on dominant hand |
⚠️ Real talk: Even with these set properly, iOS 16 occasionally glitches on my iPad Pro. Sometimes an app just refuses to split until I restart the device. Apple’s polish isn’t perfect here.
App Compatibility: What Works (and What Doesn’t)
Not all apps play nice with split screen. Through trial and error:
Reliable Splitters ✅
- Safari, Chrome, Firefox
- Mail, Messages, Calendar
- Apple Notes, Microsoft Word, Google Docs
- Netflix, YouTube (but only in Slide Over – more on that later)
Problematic Apps ⚠️
- Instagram: Only works vertically
- Games like Genshin Impact: Often force full-screen
- Banking apps: Some block screenshots/recording in split view
When an app refuses to cooperate, force it: Open it in Slide Over first, then drag it to the side edge until it locks into Split View.
Slide Over vs. Split View: What’s the Difference?
Most people confuse these. Here’s the breakdown based on real usage:
Feature | Split View | Slide Over |
---|---|---|
Screen Space | Permanent division (50/50, 70/30, etc.) | Floating window (covers ~25% of screen) |
Best For | Extended multitasking (research, writing) | Quick references (messages, calculators) |
How to Activate | Drag app from Dock to edge | Drag app from Dock to center |
Hidden Trick | Pinch divider to swap app positions | Swipe left/right on bottom bar to cycle apps |
Fun fact: You can stack multiple Slide Over windows! Swipe up on the bottom bar to see all open Slide Over apps. Game-changer for monitoring Slack while working.
Picture-in-Picture: The Unsung Hero
Need YouTube tutorials visible while using other apps? PiP is simpler than splitting your iPad screen:
1. Start playing video
2. Pinch out with two fingers OR tap the PiP icon
3. Drag the mini-player anywhere
4. Resize with pinch gestures
Works with FaceTime, Apple TV+, and most video sites. Netflix requires desktop-mode Safari trickery though – still baffling in 2023.
Top 5 Use Cases That Actually Save Time
Beyond theory, here’s where split screen shines in daily life:
✏️ Students: Textbook (Left) + Notes App (Right)
Pro tip: Use Apple Pencil to drag text/images between apps
💼 Remote Work: Slack/Zoom (Slide Over) + Spreadsheet (Main)
Keep comms visible without sacrificing workspace
🛒 Shopping: Amazon (Left) + Price Comparison Site (Right)
Bonus: Screenshot both pages for later review
✈️ Travel Planning: Google Maps (Left) + Research Doc (Right)
Drop pins directly into notes
🎨 Creators: Reference Image (Left) + Procreate (Right)
Color picker works across split screens!
Fixing Annoying Split Screen Problems
After helping 50+ Reddit users troubleshoot, here are common fixes:
Apps Won’t Stay Split
→ Force restart: Press Vol Up, Vol Down, then hold Power button
→ Check Restrictions: Settings > Screen Time > Content Restrictions
Divider Bar Disappeared
→ Swipe down from top-right to access Control Center
→ Disable/reenable Stage Manager (even if not using it)
→ Temporary fix: Rotate to portrait mode and back
Keyboard Only Works in One App
→ Tap the app you want to type in first
→ Disconnect/reconnect Bluetooth keyboards
→ Known bug in iOS 16.5 – update to 16.6+
FAQs: Answering Your Real Questions
Can I split screen with three apps?
Only on M1/M2 iPads with Stage Manager enabled. Otherwise, max is two apps plus one Slide Over window. Honestly, three apps on most screens feels cramped anyway.
Why can’t I split the screen on my iPad for Netflix?
DRM restrictions. Use Slide Over or Picture-in-Picture instead. Browser workaround: Request desktop site in Safari → start video → enable PiP.
Do split apps run slower?
On base model iPads (<8GB RAM), yes – especially with graphics-heavy apps. Close background apps for better performance. Pro models handle it seamlessly.
Can I adjust split screen ratios beyond 50/50?
Absolutely. Grab the divider bar and slide it to create 25/75, 70/30, or anywhere in between. Some apps (like Excel) need minimum 40% width to function properly.
Beyond Basics: Advanced Power User Tips
After two years daily-driving split screen:
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Cmd + Space opens Spotlight → type app name → hold Cmd while pressing Enter to open directly in Split View
- App Pairs: Create pseudo-favorites by splitting two apps → enter App Switcher → long-press the combo → choose "Keep in App Switcher"
- Drag & Drop Mastery: Select text/images → long-press → drag to other app. Works between Safari, Notes, Mail, etc. Saves countless steps.
Final verdict? Learning how do you split screen on iPad properly transforms it from a consumption device to a productivity beast. The initial learning curve stinks – Apple’s gestures aren’t obvious – but muscle memory kicks in after a week. Just avoid forcing older iPads to multitask; it’s like making a bicycle pull a trailer. Still, for M-series Pro users? It’s magic when everything clicks.
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