Mastering Multitasking: Using Split View on Your Mac
Juggling multiple apps on your Mac can get overwhelming. Thankfully, macOS offers a brilliant feature called Split View that lets you view and work with two apps side-by-side, maximizing your screen real estate and boosting your productivity. Here’s a comprehensive guide to using Split View on your Mac:
Activating Split View: Three Simple Methods
There are three ways to activate Split View on your Mac:
- The Green Button Magic:
- Open the app you want to use in Split View.
- Click and hold the green button (maximize button) in the top-left corner of the window.
- A menu will appear. Choose either “Tile Window to Left of Screen” or “Tile Window to Right of Screen” depending on your preference.
- Drag and Drop Dance:
- Click on the window title bar of the app you want to use in Split View.
- Drag the window to the left or right edge of your screen until a translucent black overlay appears on half the screen.
- Release the window, and it will snap into place, filling half your screen.
- Click on the other half of the screen to select the second app you want to use in Split View.
- Mission Control Mastery (OS X Mavericks and later):
- Open Mission Control (swipe three fingers up on your trackpad or use the F3 key).
- Click and hold on the thumbnail of the window you want to use in Split View.
- While holding, drag the window thumbnail to the left or right edge of the screen until a space appears.
- Release the window thumbnail, and it will snap into place.
- Click on the thumbnail of the second app you want to use in Split View to fill the remaining space.
Navigating Split View: Finding Your Groove
Once you’re in Split View, here’s how to manage your workspace:
- Adjusting the Split: Click and drag the black dividing bar in the center to resize each window pane.
- Switching Apps: Click on any other open application to bring it to the foreground in Split View.
- Exiting Split View: Click on the green button (now showing a full screen icon) in either window to return it to full screen. Alternatively, drag the black dividing bar all the way to one side of the screen until the other window fills the entire space.
Bonus Tip: Create Workspaces with Split View
Want to create a dedicated workspace with specific apps always in Split View? Here’s how:
- Arrange your desired apps in Split View using any of the methods mentioned above.
- Go to the Apple menu and select “New Spaces.”
- Now, whenever you switch to this new space, your pre-selected apps will be automatically displayed in Split View, saving you time and effort.
By mastering Split View, you can transform your Mac into a multitasking powerhouse. So, put those windows side-by-side, conquer your workload, and enjoy the efficiency boost!