Ever felt like your iPad's beautiful, expansive screen is just begging to do more? Imagine watching a cooking tutorial while following the recipe in another app, or taking notes in a meeting while referencing a document. The days of constantly switching between apps on your iPad are over! Apple's iPadOS offers incredibly powerful multitasking features, allowing you to use two (or even three!) apps side-by-side, dramatically boosting your productivity and making your iPad even more versatile.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using two apps side-by-side on your iPad, primarily focusing on Split View and Slide Over.
Let's dive in and unlock your iPad's true multitasking potential!
Understanding Multitasking on iPad: Split View vs. Slide Over
Before we get into the "how-to," it's essential to understand the two main ways you can have apps open simultaneously on your iPad:
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Split View: This is what most people imagine when they think of "two apps side-by-side." In Split View, two apps share the screen equally or with adjustable proportions. Both apps are fully interactive and can be resized by dragging a divider in the middle. This is ideal for tasks that require constant interaction with both apps, like drafting an email while checking your calendar, or comparing two documents.
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Slide Over: This mode allows one app to float as a smaller, movable window on top of another full-screen app or a Split View setup. The Slide Over app is perfect for quick reference tasks – imagine having your calculator pop up briefly while working on a spreadsheet, or a messaging app for quick replies without leaving your main task. You can easily hide and recall the Slide Over window.
Now that you know the difference, let's get to the good stuff!
Step 1: Are you ready to multitask like a pro?
Let's make sure your iPad is ready! Most modern iPads running iPadOS 11 or later support these multitasking features. If your iPad is older, you might want to check for software updates in Settings > General > Software Update.
Also, ensure that multitasking features are enabled. While usually on by default, it's a good idea to confirm:
- Go to the Settings app on your iPad.
- Tap on Home Screen & Multitasking (or just Multitasking & Gestures on some older iPadOS versions).
- Under the "Multitasking" section, make sure Allow Multiple Apps (or similar wording like "Split View & Slide Over") is toggled ON.
Great! Now that your iPad is configured, let's open some apps!
Step 2: Opening Two Apps in Split View (Side-by-Side)
There are a few convenient ways to initiate Split View, depending on your preferred workflow.
Method 1: Using the Multitasking Menu (The Easiest Way)
This method is perhaps the most intuitive, especially if you're already in an app.
Sub-heading: 2a. Starting with your first app
- Open the first app you want to use. For example, let's open Safari.
- Look for the three dots (...) at the very top center of the screen. This is the Multitasking button.
- Tap on the three dots (...). A small menu will appear with three options:
- Full Screen (a solid square icon)
- Split View (a half-shaded square icon)
- Slide Over (a smaller shaded rectangle icon)
Sub-heading: 2b. Choosing Split View
- From the menu, tap the Split View icon (the one with the half-shaded square).
- The current app (Safari, in our example) will shrink and move to one side of the screen, revealing your Home Screen and the Dock on the other side.
Sub-heading: 2c. Selecting your second app
- Now, browse your Home Screen or Dock to find the second app you want to open in Split View. Let's say you want to open Notes.
- Tap on the Notes app icon.
- Voilà! Safari and Notes will now appear side-by-side in Split View.
Method 2: Using the Dock (Quick and Efficient)
If both apps you want to use are already in your Dock, this method is incredibly fast.
Sub-heading: 2a. Opening your first app
- Open the first app you want to use (e.g., Photos).
- Gently swipe up from the very bottom edge of the screen until the Dock appears, then release your finger. Don't swipe too far, or you'll go to the Home Screen!
Sub-heading: 2b. Dragging your second app
- Locate the second app in your Dock (e.g., Mail).
- Touch and hold the Mail app icon.
- Immediately drag the Mail app icon out of the Dock. As you drag, you'll see a preview of the app window.
- Drag the Mail app icon to either the left or right edge of the screen. When you see a vertical bar appear indicating the split, release your finger.
- Success! Photos and Mail are now in Split View.
Method 3: Using Spotlight Search (For Apps Not in Your Dock)
If the app you want to open isn't readily available in your Dock, Spotlight Search is your friend.
Sub-heading: 2a. Starting an app and activating Spotlight
- Open your first app (e.g., Pages).
- Press Command (⌘) – Space bar on an attached keyboard, or swipe down from the middle of the Home Screen to open Spotlight Search.
- Begin typing the name of the second app you want to open (e.g., "Files").
Sub-heading: 2b. Dragging from Spotlight
- When the second app's icon appears in the Spotlight results, touch and hold it.
- Immediately drag the app icon out of Spotlight to either the left or right edge of the screen.
- Release your finger when you see the split view indicator.
- Presto! You've got Pages and Files open in Split View.
Step 3: Adjusting and Managing Split View
Once you have two apps open in Split View, you're not stuck with the initial sizing.
Sub-heading: 3a. Resizing the app windows
- Between the two apps, you'll see a thin, black vertical divider.
- Touch and drag this divider to the left or right to adjust the amount of screen space each app occupies. You can make one app larger and the other smaller, or give them equal space.
Sub-heading: 3b. Swapping app positions
- If you want to switch which app is on the left or right, touch and hold the Multitasking button (the three dots) at the top of either app.
- A small pop-up will appear. You can then drag the app to the opposite side of the screen until it snaps into place.
Sub-heading: 3c. Replacing an app in Split View
- With two apps in Split View, swipe down from the Multitasking button (three dots) at the top of the app you want to replace.
- The app will drop down and move aside, revealing your Home Screen and Dock.
- Select a new app from your Home Screen or Dock to replace the one you just moved.
Step 4: Using Slide Over (A Floating App)
Slide Over is fantastic for quick interactions without fully committing screen space.
Method 1: From a Full-Screen App
- Open the main app you want to focus on (e.g., Books).
- Gently swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen until the Dock appears, then release.
- Touch and hold the app icon you want in Slide Over (e.g., Messages) from the Dock.
- Immediately drag the Messages app icon out of the Dock and release it in the middle of the screen. You'll see it appear as a smaller, floating window.
- Messages is now in Slide Over!
Method 2: From the Multitasking Menu (Similar to Split View)
- Open the app you want to use as your main full-screen app.
- Tap the Multitasking button (three dots) at the top of the screen.
- Tap the Slide Over icon (the one with the smaller shaded rectangle).
- The current app will move aside, and your Home Screen will appear.
- Select the app you want to use in Slide Over from your Home Screen or Dock. It will appear as a floating window.
Sub-heading: 4a. Moving and Hiding Slide Over
- Move the Slide Over window: Touch and hold the Multitasking button (three dots) at the top of the Slide Over window, then drag it to the left or right side of the screen.
- Hide the Slide Over window: Touch and hold the Multitasking button (three dots) at the top of the Slide Over window, and then swipe it quickly off the screen to the left or right edge. It will hide off-screen, leaving a small tab visible.
- Recall a hidden Slide Over window: Swipe inward from the edge of the screen where you hid the app.
Sub-heading: 4b. Switching between Slide Over apps
If you have multiple apps in Slide Over (yes, you can!), you can switch between them by:
- Swiping left or right along the bottom edge of the Slide Over window.
Sub-heading: 4c. Turning Slide Over into Split View
- With an app in Slide Over, tap the Multitasking button (three dots) at the top of the Slide Over window.
- Tap the Split View icon. The Slide Over app will then snap into Split View with the underlying app.
Step 5: Master Multitasking with Three Apps (Split View + Slide Over)
For the ultimate multitasking experience, you can combine Split View and Slide Over to have three apps open at once!
- First, set up two apps in Split View using one of the methods described in Step 2.
- Once you have your two Split View apps open, gently swipe up from the bottom of the screen until the Dock appears.
- Touch and hold the icon of your third app (e.g., Reminders) from the Dock.
- Drag this third app icon over the center divider between your two Split View apps, or anywhere else on the screen, and release it.
- Boom! You now have two apps in Split View and a third floating over them in Slide Over. This is perfect for intense research or cross-referencing.
Step 6: Exiting Multitasking Modes
When you're done with multitasking, it's easy to return to a full-screen app.
Sub-heading: 6a. Exiting Split View
- Drag the black vertical divider between the two apps all the way to the left or right edge of the screen. The app on the side you drag it towards will close, and the other app will expand to full screen.
- Alternatively, tap the Multitasking button (three dots) at the top of the app you want to keep in full screen, and then tap the Full Screen icon (the solid square).
Sub-heading: 6b. Exiting Slide Over
- Touch and hold the Multitasking button (three dots) at the top of the Slide Over window, and then swipe it all the way off the screen. This will close the Slide Over app.
- You can also tap the X icon that appears when you tap the Slide Over window itself.
Tips for Enhanced Multitasking
- Drag and Drop: One of the most powerful features of iPad multitasking is the ability to drag and drop content (text, images, links, files) between open apps in Split View or Slide Over. Simply touch and hold the item you want to move, drag it to the other app, and release.
- App Library: If you don't see the app you need in your Dock, remember you can always access the App Library by swiping all the way to the right on your Home Screen. You can drag apps from the App Library into Split View or Slide Over.
- Keyboard Shortcuts: If you use an external keyboard with your iPad, many multitasking actions have convenient keyboard shortcuts (e.g., Command-Space for Spotlight, or Command-Option-D for the Dock).
- Display Zoom: On some iPad models, you can go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Display Zoom and select "More Space" to get more content on your screen, which can be beneficial for multitasking.
- Not all apps support multitasking: Keep in mind that some older apps or very specific apps may not support Split View or Slide Over. If you don't see the three dots (...) at the top of an app, it likely doesn't support these features.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to turn on Split View and Slide Over on iPad?
Go to Settings > Home Screen & Multitasking (or Multitasking & Gestures) and ensure Allow Multiple Apps is toggled ON.
How to switch between two apps in Split View on iPad?
You don't "switch" between them in the traditional sense; both are active. You simply tap on the app you want to interact with. To change their positions, drag the three dots at the top of one app to the opposite side.
How to adjust the size of apps in Split View on iPad?
Drag the black vertical divider that appears between the two apps to the left or right to resize them.
How to close one app in Split View on iPad?
Drag the black vertical divider all the way to the left or right edge of the screen to make one app disappear and the other go full screen.
How to open a third app on iPad while in Split View?
While in Split View, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal the Dock, then drag a third app from the Dock into the middle of the screen to open it in Slide Over.
How to hide a Slide Over app on iPad?
Touch and hold the three dots at the top of the Slide Over window, then swipe it quickly off the screen to either the left or right edge.
How to bring back a hidden Slide Over app on iPad?
Swipe inward from the edge of the screen where you hid the Slide Over app.
How to turn a Slide Over app into a Split View app?
Tap the three dots at the top of the Slide Over window, then tap the Split View icon (the half-shaded square).
How to use Picture in Picture (PiP) on iPad?
While watching a video in a supported app (like YouTube or FaceTime), tap the Picture in Picture icon (often a small rectangle with an arrow pointing out) or press the Home button/swipe up to go to the Home Screen. The video will shrink to a floating window.
How to disable multitasking features on iPad?
Go to Settings > Home Screen & Multitasking (or Multitasking & Gestures) and toggle OFF Allow Multiple Apps.
