Multi-window mode on iPad, called Split View, was first implemented with the release of iOS 9. Since then, Apple developers have changed the way it works several times. However, you can still easily enable it on your iPad.

What do you need to turn on a split screen feature on your iPad

Ever since Apple announced iOS 9, they have introduced new multitasking features for the iPad. It may not have attracted much attention at the time, but with the release of the iPad Pro, which looks like Apple’s way of replacing laptops, multitasking has become much more useful and important.

One of the multitasking features introduced in iOS is the split screen in which apps can work side by side, but there are actually two types of split screen.

All modern iPad models have the ability to use split-screen mode, which allows you to open two apps side by side at the same time. Using split screen mode on the iPad is fairly easy if you learn how it works, but it’s also not necessarily detectable or intuitive.

So if you haven’t yet learned how to use the multitasking feature on your iPad to split the screen into two apps, here’s how you can do it.

What is a Split View on iPad

Split View is essentially two apps open at the same time, each taking up half of the screen by default. You can resize apps by dragging the slider between them. Split View on iPad allows you to fully work (view content, copy links, text, and images between windows) on your Apple tablet with two apps at the same time.

There’s also a mode called Slide Over. In this mode, one app is displayed in a small floating window that can be dragged to the left or right edge of the screen.

How to enable a Split View feature on an iPad using multitasking

If you want to enable a Split View feature on your iPad using multitasking, you have to follow these steps:

• First of all, open an app on your iPad.
• Then, tap on the “Multitasking” button at top of the screen.
• After that, select the “Split View” option.
• The current app will be pushed to the side and the Home screen will appear.
• Finally, open the second app from your Home screen.

Once you have completed these steps, you will be able to enable a Split View feature on your iPad.

How to enable a Split View feature on an iPad using the Dock

If you want to enable a Split View feature on your iPad using the Dock, you have to follow these steps:

• Open the app on your iPad.
• Drag one finger up from the bottom edge of the screen until the Dock appears, then release it.
• Tap on the second app’s icon in the Dock and hold, then immediately drag it up from the Dock.

Once you drag an app to the left or right edge of the screen, it will appear in Split View along with the current app.

What proportions does Split View work in and how to change them?

If you have entered Split View mode by following the tips above, you may notice that there’s a small dashed line between the two apps in the middle.

If you want to resize split-screen apps to display one program on a larger portion of the screen and another at the size of your mobile device screen, simply tap and hold this shortcut and move it a few centimeters to the left or right, then simply release it at the desired moment. Split View mode allows you to split the screen into 50/50 or 70/30 screen proportions.

There you have it, you’ve resized your app windows with Split View. Unfortunately, you can’t resize them more subtly even in iPadOS 15.

How to swap windows in Split View mode

When you’re in split view and you want the app on the right to move to the left and vice versa, there’s an intuitive way to do it.

Press and hold your finger on the multitasking menu (three dots) and then move it to the other half of the screen. Release it and the apps will switch places.

Alternatively, you can tap and hold the multitasking menu, but move your finger just a couple of centimeters down and release it so that the app turns into a slider popup instead.

How to exit Split View mode on the iPad

To exit split-screen mode, simply tap and hold that split line again, but now drag it all the way to the left or right edge of the screen. Only one of the apps will remain in full-screen mode.

However, in iPadOS 15 there’s a new alternative way to exit Split View mode. You need to press the multitasking menu again (three dots at the top in the center of each open app). Now just press the first button (Full Screen). This will force the corresponding app to go into full-screen mode. The other app will be closed.

More about how to disable a split screen feature on an iPad you can find out here.