How to use Split View on an iPad with two apps
Split View lets you display two compatible iPad apps side by side, so you can work between them without repeatedly returning to the Home Screen. You might keep Safari open beside Notes, read a recipe while using a shopping list, or compare a PDF with an email draft. The two windows share the screen, and each can usually be given more or less space.
The feature is useful for everyday tasks in Australia. You could check a train timetable while messaging someone in Sydney, follow a university reading while writing notes in Melbourne, or compare an electricity plan with figures in Numbers. It is especially practical on an iPad with a larger display, although smaller models can still handle two apps when the windows are not too cramped.
The exact controls depend on your iPad model, iPadOS version and the apps you are using. Recent versions generally provide a multitasking menu at the top of an open app. Older software may rely more heavily on the Dock and drag-and-drop gestures. If you cannot see the expected option, updating iPadOS is a sensible first check.
Split View is also separate from Stage Manager and Slide Over. These features all support multitasking, but they arrange windows differently. Choosing the right mode makes a noticeable difference when you are studying, planning a trip, handling work documents or simply trying to avoid app switching.
| iPad multitasking mode | How apps appear | Best use | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split View | Two apps share the screen side by side | Reading, writing, comparing and copying information | Each app has less room than in full screen |
| Slide Over | One narrow app floats over another | Quick messages, notes or calculator access | The floating app can cover content |
| Stage Manager | Resizable windows with recent apps available | Several workspaces and larger displays | It is unavailable on some iPad models |
| Full screen | One app fills the display | Detailed editing, video and games | Switching apps takes an extra gesture |
What Split View does on an iPad
In Split View, the iPad divides its display between two apps. A vertical divider sits between them, allowing you to adjust the balance. One side might contain Safari while the other shows Notes, Mail, Files, Calendar or another app that supports the feature.
The arrangement is different from opening two browser tabs. Both apps remain visible and active in the same workspace, which makes copying information easier. For example, you can read an address in an email, copy it, and paste it into Maps without losing sight of the original message.
Some apps are designed for full-screen use and do not support a side-by-side layout. Games, older apps and certain video or business tools may refuse to enter Split View. If the option is missing for only one app, the app itself may be the reason rather than a problem with your iPad.
The display orientation matters as well. Landscape mode usually gives both apps more usable width, making it preferable for spreadsheets, documents and web research. Portrait mode can work well for Mail beside Notes, but narrow columns may make typing and scrolling less comfortable.
Check your iPad and software first
Open Settings, tap General, and select Software Update to see whether a newer version of iPadOS is available. Keep the iPad connected to power if a large update is required, and make sure important files are synchronised or backed up before installing it. Apple’s menu names can change slightly between releases, so the instructions may look different on an older system.
Most modern iPad models support some form of split-screen multitasking, but support varies by software and hardware. An older iPad may have a simpler Split View experience, while Stage Manager is limited to particular newer models. If you bought a used iPad through the Australian market, check its model and maximum supported iPadOS version before assuming a feature is broken.
You can find the model information by opening Settings, choosing General, and tapping About. The model name and model number help identify the device. This is useful when comparing a second-hand iPad advertised in Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide, where a low price may reflect an older generation rather than a current model.
App updates matter too. Open the App Store, tap your account picture, and review available updates. A productivity app that has not been updated for several years may not behave properly beside another app. Restarting the iPad after updating can also clear a temporary multitasking glitch.
For broader context about practical device testing and everyday technology advice, you can read my technology story, which explains the approach behind straightforward troubleshooting guides.
Activate Split View with the multitasking menu
The most direct method uses the multitasking button at the top of the screen. The button normally appears as three dots near the top centre of the active app, although its position can vary slightly depending on iPadOS and window layout.
Follow these steps:
- Open the first app you want to use.
- Tap the three-dot multitasking button at the top of the screen.
- Choose the Split View option, shown as two panels side by side.
- When the Home Screen appears, tap the second app.
- Wait for both apps to load into the shared workspace.
For example, open Safari first if you want to research a product, then select Notes as the second app to record prices and specifications. You can use the same method with Files and Mail, Calendar and Reminders, or a document editor and a reference website.
If the Home Screen appears but the second app is not immediately visible, swipe left or right to reach another Home Screen page or use the App Library. You can also tap the relevant folder. The first app should remain in place while you select the second one.
A different route uses the Dock. Open the first app, swipe up gently from the bottom edge to reveal the Dock, then touch and hold the second app icon. Drag it towards the left or right edge of the screen until a dark or outlined panel appears. Release the icon when the side-by-side layout is displayed.
This drag method is handy when the second app is already in the Dock. It can be less predictable if you swipe too far and return to the Home Screen, or if the icon is released in the centre instead of near an edge. Move slowly and wait for the layout preview before letting go.
Adjust, replace and close the two apps
The divider between the apps controls how much space each one receives. Touch and hold the divider, then drag it left or right. A roughly even split is useful for comparing information, while a wider section helps when typing into a document or reading a detailed web page.
The amount of adjustment depends on the apps and the iPad’s display. Some apps can use a broader layout and others need a minimum width. If the divider stops moving, that may be the smallest or largest size the current app combination allows.
To replace one app, swipe down from the top of that app or use its multitasking menu, depending on your iPadOS version. The selected window may close or return to the Home Screen, allowing you to choose a replacement. You can also reopen the multitasking menu and select another window arrangement.
To leave Split View, drag the divider completely to one side of the display. The app covered by the divider will close from the current workspace, while the other app expands to full screen. You can also tap the multitasking menu and choose the full-screen option if it is shown.
If you often use the same pair, iPadOS may remember the app combination in the recent-apps area. Tapping one of the apps later can restore the pair, although this behaviour can change after an update or when an app is force-closed. It is worth checking the Dock or app switcher before rebuilding a familiar workspace.
A hardware keyboard can make the setup faster. With a keyboard connected, app switching and text entry are easier, while a trackpad gives you more precise control over the divider. This is useful for a home office in Canberra or a study desk where the iPad is being used as a lightweight laptop replacement.
Fix common Split View problems
If the multitasking button does not appear, first check that the app is open in the normal full-screen view. Some windows launched from a special interface, video player or external display may show different controls. Rotate the iPad to landscape mode, close the app, and reopen it before trying again.
When the Split View option is greyed out or missing, test another app such as Safari, Notes or Mail. If the second app works, the original app probably does not support side-by-side multitasking. Updating that app may help, but there is no iPad setting that can force every app to support the feature.
If the Dock does not appear, swipe from the very bottom edge rather than the middle of the screen. A swipe from the middle may open the app switcher or another gesture. Keep your finger on the app icon while dragging, and move it close to the display edge before releasing it.
Performance can also affect the experience. Close demanding apps you are not using, remove unnecessary browser tabs and restart the iPad if windows become unresponsive. An older device may take longer to redraw two complex apps, particularly when one is displaying high-resolution video or a large spreadsheet.
For documents and personal information, remember that Split View does not create a separate privacy boundary. Both apps remain open in the same iPad session, and someone looking at the screen may see messages, account details or files. This matters when using an iPad in a busy café, on a Sydney train or in a shared workplace.
When buying or troubleshooting an iPad in Australia, keep your proof of purchase and check the seller’s support terms. Australian Consumer Law can provide consumer guarantees for eligible purchases, including goods that are not of acceptable quality or do not match their description. Those rights are separate from Apple’s optional warranty, so a retailer’s claim that an older device is “as new” should be considered carefully if its software cannot support advertised multitasking features.
Split View becomes most useful when it is matched to a clear task. Use it for reference and writing, comparison shopping, planning, communication and file management. Switch back to full screen when an app needs concentration, precision or a larger canvas.
Try the multitasking menu with Safari and Notes, then adjust the divider until both windows feel comfortable. Once the gesture becomes familiar, save the app pair in your regular workflow and use the same approach for emails, calendars, documents and research. This simple setup can make an iPad a more capable everyday computer without adding extra equipment.