how to use the iPad's split screen mode, called Split View

Introduction:

The iPad was designed with multitasking in mind. With iOS 11, Apple introduced a new split screen mode called Split View. This feature allows you to run two apps side by side, each taking up half the screen. This can be really useful if you need to reference information from two different apps at the same time. In this article, we'll show you how to use Split View on your iPad.

Make Sure

If you're anything like us, you probably keep all of your favorite apps within easy reach on your iPad's dock. Well, good news: split-screen mode relies on having your favorites nearby. Just hold down on an app on the home screen, and tap Edit Home Screen, to get those app icons jiggling so you can drag them to the dock. That way, they'll be one tap away when you enter split-screen mode. If you don't have your favorite apps handy in the dock, don't worry – there's a secondary way to split your screen, but it relies upon using an external keyboard. We'll explain that trick below, in step 5.

Step 1

When you're using an app, you can swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal the dock. This is where you'll find all of your favorite apps that you can quickly launch into. The dock is also where you'll find the multitasking bar.

Step 2

You can also use Split View on an iPad by dragging an app out of the dock and over to the left or right side of the screen. The apps you have open will move to show you've reached the far side of the screen. You can then grab the handle at the top of the app and drag it down to resize it.

Step 3

Once you have your apps open in Split View, it's time to start playing around with the balance. Drag the dividing bar left or right to change how much of each app you want to see. You can also resize the windows by dragging the bottom bar up or down. If you want to completely close one app, just drag it all the way off the screen.

Step 4

If you want to close the app you're moving past, just drag the dividing bar all the way to that side of the screen. Doing this will automatically close the app you're moving away from. It's a great way to quickly clear up some extra space on your screen without having to manually close each app one by one.

Step 5

So you're in Split View mode and you want to use an app that's not in your dock. No problem! Just hit Command + Space to bring up the Spotlight search bar. Type in the name of the app you want to use and then hit Return. Now, all you have to do is drag the app from the search results bar into your Split View window. Viola! You're now using two apps at the same time.

Conclusion:

The iPad's split screen mode lets you use two apps at the same time, side by side. This comes in handy for a lot of things, like comparing two documents or keeping an eye on your email while you work. It's really easy to use, and this guide will show you how.