How To Stop Split Screen on Your iPad: A Comprehensive Guide

Struggling with Split View on your iPad and just want a single, glorious app filling the screen? You’re not alone. While Split View and Slide Over are productivity powerhouses, sometimes you just need the full-screen experience. Here’s the definitive guide to reclaiming your screen real estate.

To stop Split Screen on your iPad, simply drag the divider between the two apps all the way to the left or right edge of the screen. This will close the app on the side you drag towards, leaving the remaining app in full-screen mode. Alternatively, if you’re using Slide Over, swipe the grey bar at the top of the Slide Over window to the right edge of your screen to dismiss it.

Understanding Split View and Slide Over

Before diving into the FAQs, let’s quickly recap the two multitasking features we’re dealing with:

• Split View: Divides your iPad screen into two independently usable sections, allowing you to work with two apps simultaneously.
• Slide Over: Presents a smaller, floating window on top of your main app, ideal for quick glances or tasks without fully switching apps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to help you master iPad multitasking and regain control of your screen:

1. How do I identify whether I’m in Split View or Slide Over?

Distinguishing between Split View and Slide Over is crucial for effectively managing your iPad screen. Split View shows two apps side-by-side, sharing the screen equally (or nearly so, depending on your adjustment). You’ll see a prominent divider line between them. Slide Over, on the other hand, presents one app in a smaller, floating window that overlays your main app. This Slide Over window has a grey bar at the top, which serves as a handle for moving and dismissing it. If you see two apps directly adjacent to each other, you’re in Split View. If you see a smaller window floating on top of a larger one, you’re in Slide Over. Recognizing the difference is the first step to controlling your multitasking experience.

2. What if dragging the divider doesn’t work?

Sometimes, the simple drag-and-drop method fails. If you’re having trouble dismissing Split View by dragging the divider, make sure your finger is directly on the divider bar and that you’re dragging it consistently to the very edge of the screen. If that still doesn’t work, try restarting your iPad. A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches that might be interfering with the multitasking feature. Also, ensure you’re not accidentally triggering the App Switcher (by swiping up from the bottom of the screen) while trying to drag the divider.

3. Can I disable Split View and Slide Over completely?

Unfortunately, you cannot completely disable Split View and Slide Over at the system level. These multitasking features are integral to the iPad’s operating system. However, you can adjust settings to prevent accidental activation. Navigate to Settings > Home Screen & Multitasking and toggle off “Allow Multiple Apps”. This prevents new Split View and Slide Over sessions from being initiated, but it won’t close any existing ones. It will also prevent you from using certain drag-and-drop functionalities between apps. Think of it as a “multitasking lock” rather than a complete shutdown.

4. How do I switch apps that are in Split View?

Switching apps within Split View is seamless. At the top of each app in Split View, you’ll see a small grey bar. Tapping this bar reveals three dots. Tapping the three dots gives you options. The first option is to turn the application into a Slide Over window. The second option is to replace the app with another app. This reveals the Home Screen, from which you can select another app to occupy that side of the Split View. The third option is to close the application.

5. How do I move an app from Slide Over to Split View?

Transforming a Slide Over app into a Split View app is intuitive. As mentioned in FAQ 4, tapping the three dots at the top of the Slide Over window, will give you the option to turn the application into a Split View window.

6. How do I close Slide Over without switching apps?

To dismiss Slide Over without opening another application, swipe the grey bar at the top of the Slide Over window to the right edge of the screen. This will “park” the Slide Over app on the right edge of your screen. To bring it back, simply swipe in from the right edge. This is a convenient way to temporarily hide the Slide Over app without completely closing it.

7. Why does Split View keep activating accidentally?

Accidental activation of Split View is a common frustration. This usually happens because of unintended drag-and-drop actions. You might be inadvertently dragging an item (like a link or image) from one app towards the edge of the screen, which triggers Split View. To avoid this, be mindful of your dragging motions, especially when near the screen edges. Also, consider adjusting the “Allow Multiple Apps” setting (as mentioned in FAQ 3) to prevent new sessions from starting accidentally.

8. Does Split View work with all apps?

Not all apps support Split View. While most modern iPad apps are designed to work with multitasking features, some older or more specialized apps may not be compatible. If an app doesn’t support Split View, it simply won’t appear as an option when you try to initiate a Split View session. You’ll typically see a message indicating that the app doesn’t support multitasking, or it won’t be selectable from the App Switcher when you’re in Split View.

9. How do I adjust the size of the Split View windows?

You can adjust the size of the Split View windows by dragging the divider bar between the two apps. Dragging the divider to the left will make the left app larger, while dragging it to the right will make the right app larger. Most apps allow for a 50/50 split, a 75/25 split, or a 25/75 split. Some apps might have additional limitations or specific aspect ratio requirements that affect the available size options.

10. What if I want to use three apps at once?

While the iPad doesn’t natively support three apps in Split View simultaneously, you can effectively achieve this by using Slide Over in conjunction with Split View. Set up two apps in Split View, and then bring in a third app as a Slide Over window. This allows you to have two apps side-by-side, with a third floating on top for quick access or information.

11. How do I initiate Split View?

There are a few ways to initiate Split View:

• From the Dock: Open an app, then swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal the Dock. Drag an app icon from the Dock to the left or right edge of the screen.
• From the App Switcher: Open an app, then swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold to reveal the App Switcher. Tap and hold an app icon, then drag it to the left or right edge of the screen.
• Using Drag and Drop: In some apps, you can drag a link or item to the edge of the screen to open it in Split View.

12. Does Split View drain my iPad battery faster?

Yes, using Split View and Slide Over can potentially drain your iPad battery faster than running a single app in full screen. This is because your iPad is actively processing and displaying two or more apps simultaneously, which requires more processing power and energy. To mitigate battery drain, consider closing apps you’re not actively using, reducing screen brightness, and enabling Low Power Mode. While multitasking enhances productivity, it’s important to be mindful of its impact on battery life.