Split screen on an iPad lets you run two apps side by side, so you can take notes while reading or compare two documents at once. iPadOS handles this through its multitasking controls, and depending on your iPad and iPadOS version you can also float an app in a smaller window or arrange several resizable windows at once.
What you'll need
- A compatible iPad
- Two apps that support multitasking
Step by step
- Open the first appLaunch the app you want on one side of the screen and let it fill the display normally.
- Open the multitasking menuTap the three dots or the multitasking button near the top center of the app window to reveal the layout options. The exact icon has changed across iPadOS versions, so look for a small control at the top of the app.
- Choose Split ViewSelect the Split View option, usually shown as two rectangles side by side. The current app slides to one side to make room for a second.
- Pick the second appThe Home Screen or Dock appears on the other half. Tap a second app to open it beside the first.
- Adjust the dividerDrag the divider in the middle left or right to change how much space each app gets. Many apps support a roughly even split or a narrower and wider arrangement.
How to use Split View to put two apps side by side
Split View is the layout most people mean by split screen: two apps share the display, each in its own resizable pane. Open the first app, tap the multitasking control near the top center of the window, and choose the Split View option. The first app moves aside and you pick a second app from the Home Screen or Dock to fill the other half.
A faster alternative is to open one app, then touch and hold an app icon in the Dock and drag it to the left or right edge of the screen. When you release it, the two apps settle into a side-by-side layout. This works well when the app you want is already sitting in your Dock.
Once both apps are open, you can drag the center divider to give one app more room. Some apps adapt their layout when they get a narrower pane, so the same app may look a little different in Split View than it does full screen.
How to use Slide Over for a floating app window
Slide Over places a second app in a narrow floating window that hovers over whatever is behind it, rather than splitting the screen into fixed panes. It is handy for quick tasks such as glancing at Messages or checking a note without leaving the app you are working in.
To start it, open the multitasking control at the top of an app and choose the Slide Over option, or drag an app from the Dock toward the center of the screen instead of to the edge. You can slide the floating window to the left or right side, and on many iPadOS versions you can push it off the right edge to hide it and swipe back from the edge to bring it back.
You can keep more than one app in the Slide Over stack and swipe along the bottom of the floating window to switch between them, though the exact gestures depend on your iPadOS version.
How to use Stage Manager on supported iPads
Stage Manager is a separate multitasking mode available on certain newer iPad models running recent versions of iPadOS. Instead of fixed panes, it shows several overlapping, resizable app windows along with a strip of recent apps, which is closer to how windows work on a computer.
You can usually turn it on from Control Center by tapping the Stage Manager control, or from Settings under the multitasking options. When it is on, you can drag window corners to resize apps and group several windows together into one workspace.
Stage Manager is not offered on every iPad, and the exact list of supported models depends on the iPadOS version, so it may not appear on older or entry-level devices even after a software update.
Which iPads support split screen ("dual screen on iPad")
This feature is often searched for as "dual screen on iPad," but on a single iPad it means running two apps at once rather than adding a second physical display. The Split View and Slide Over multitasking features are supported on a wide range of iPad, iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad mini models, while some very old or basic models have more limited multitasking.
Stage Manager has a narrower list of supported iPads, generally more recent iPad Air and iPad Pro models, and its availability can change with iPadOS updates. If you are not sure, checking your model and iPadOS version against Apple's current support information is the most reliable way to confirm what your iPad offers.
Keeping iPadOS up to date helps, because Apple has changed how these multitasking controls look and behave over time, and newer versions sometimes add options that were not available before.
How to exit or turn off split screen
To leave Split View and return to a single full-screen app, drag the center divider all the way toward the app you want to close. The remaining app expands to fill the screen. You can also open the multitasking control at the top of a pane and choose the full-screen option.
To dismiss a Slide Over window, push it off the right edge of the screen; it stays available and you can swipe back from the edge to return to it later. Closing the underlying app or switching apps also moves it out of the way.
If you prefer to reduce multitasking overall, you can review the multitasking settings in the Settings app, where options for these features and for Stage Manager are grouped together. The wording of these settings has shifted across iPadOS versions, so look for the multitasking or gestures section.
Handy tips
- Drag the divider fully to one edge to close one app and return to a single full-screen app.
- Not every app supports Split View, so the option only appears for apps that allow it.
- You can also drag an app from the Dock onto the screen to start a split layout.
- If you use an external keyboard, some iPadOS versions offer multitasking shortcuts, though the available combinations vary by version.
Heads up
- Menu names and icons for multitasking have changed several times across iPadOS updates, so the labels you see may differ from older guides.
FAQ
Why is there no split screen option on my iPad?
Some older or entry-level iPads have limited multitasking, and certain apps do not support it. Check that your iPad and both apps allow Split View, and that iPadOS is up to date, since the controls have changed over time.
How do I close split screen?
Drag the center divider all the way to the edge of the screen over the app you want to close, leaving the other app full screen. You can also use the multitasking control at the top of a pane and choose the full-screen option.
What is the difference between Split View and Slide Over?
Split View shows two apps side by side sharing the screen in fixed panes, while Slide Over floats a second app in a small window over the first so you can peek at it without changing the main layout.
How do I move the divider between the two apps?
Touch and hold the divider in the middle of the screen and drag it left or right. Many apps support at least a roughly even split, and some also allow a narrower and wider arrangement, though the exact positions depend on the apps.
Is split screen the same as dual screen on iPad?
People often search for "dual screen on iPad," but on one device it usually means running two apps at once through Split View or Slide Over rather than attaching a second physical monitor. Some iPads can also mirror or extend to an external display separately from these features.
Does the iPad Air support split screen?
Many iPad Air models support Split View and Slide Over, and more recent iPad Air models can also support Stage Manager. Availability depends on the specific model and iPadOS version, so checking your model against Apple's current support details is the safest way to confirm.
What is Stage Manager and do I need it for split screen?
Stage Manager is a separate multitasking mode on certain newer iPads that shows several resizable, overlapping windows at once. You do not need it for basic split screen, since Split View and Slide Over work independently of it on supported devices.
Why does an app look different in Split View?
When an app runs in a narrower pane, it often adjusts its layout to fit the smaller space, so menus or columns may rearrange. Widening the pane with the divider usually restores a more familiar layout.