Get Rid of Split Screen on iPad Instantly - 2026

If Split View keeps opening when you only want one app on screen, you can close it quickly and return your iPad to a single full-screen window.

This guide covers the current ways to exit Split View, merge Safari windows, manage Slide Over, and adjust multitasking settings on newer iPad models.

Use Controller On The iPad Screen

When using a split screen on your iPad, you can multitask using two apps simultaneously. This saves you the time of going back and forth all the time.

If it's annoying when it turns on accidentally, you can easily turn off the split screen whenever you want.

Once you're done, drag the divider all the way over the app you want to close and the remaining app returns to full screen.

Steps

1. Know the app that you want to close first.
2. Click on the divider, the black line separating the two apps.


The black line that separats the two apps is the controller

3. If the app you want to close is on the left, slide the divider to the left. The same goes for if it is on the right.


Slide the divider to the left

4. Remove your finger from the divider once the app disappears.


The app disappears

5. The app will expand to full-screen mode.

For iPad Safari

Safari can also open two webpages side by side in horizontal orientation, so closing split screen there usually means merging the windows or closing one side.

To turn off the split screen on Safari

1. Open the web page that you want to remove from split mode.
2. Click on Tab for a long time.
3. Select Merge All Windows or Close This Tab.

Merge All Windows

How to Use Split Screen on iPad?

It is easy to use split screen on your iPad, but it only works with apps that support iPad multitasking. Some apps still open only in full screen, so you may need to try a different app pair.

Current Apple guidance for Windowed Apps covers iPad (8^th generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad mini (5th generation and later), and recent iPad Pro models. Any app that supports Split View should also be available from the Dock.

Here's how to keep an app on the Dock bar:

1. Open the app in full-screen mode.
2. Drag your finger from the bottom, and the Dock bar will appear.
3. Press the second app's icon for a long time, and drag it to the right or left side.
4. The two apps will be placed in Split View.

For Safari

1. Place your iPad in horizontal orientation.


iPad Landscape Mode

2. Open a website on Safari.


Open Safari

3. Open another website in a separate tab, and go to the link.
4. Press your finger on the link until you see Open in New Window.
5. Put the new window on the left or right side of the screen.

If you have a blank page on Safari, you can open the split screen by following the steps below:

1. Open Safari and long-press the Tab icon, which is in the top-right corner of the screen.


Tab icon on Safari

2. Click on Open New Window, and the tabs will be displayed in Split View.

Open New Window on Safari

How to Remove a Floating App With Slide Over

Slide Over is the smaller floating multitasking window that sits on top of a full-screen app. If you want to get rid of it, expand it first, then close Split View or swipe the floating app off the side.

1. Press the control bar of the Slide Over tab.


Drag the tab to expand

2. Drag it toward the end of the screen until the tab expands.
3. You will be in the split view again.
4. Follow the earlier steps to exit the split screen view.

It is also possible to hide the Slide Over tabs temporarily.

Here's how:

1. Place your finger on top of the tab and move it to the side.


Move it to the side

2. Where you swipe will determine its placement.
3. To make it appear again, touch the edge of the screen where you sent it.
4. Slide your finger in the opposite direction, and it will appear again.

How to Use Multitasking Mode to Open Multiple Apps

You can start multitasking on iPad from the Multitasking menu, the Dock, or Spotlight, depending on how you normally launch apps.

Types of Multitasking

• Split View: Here, two apps will appear side by side on the screen. There is a slider in between the screen that you can use to resize the apps.
• Slide Over: In this mode, the app will be a small floating window, and you can drag it anywhere.
• Center Window: Sometimes, you can open a center window to see an email or note.

Multitask on iPad

Use the Multitasking

1. Open an app and click the Multitasking button, three dots on top of the screen.
2. Click on Split View or Slide Over so the app will move aside to show the home screen.
3. Select the other app that you want to view and start multitasking.

Use the Dock

1. Open an app and slide your finger from the bottom edge until the Dock appears.
2. Drag the second app that you want to view out of the Dock.

Use the App Library

1. Click on App Library, which is located on the Dock.
2. Hold one of the larger app icons and drag it into Slide Over or Split View.

Apple Library on iPad

Use Spotlight

1. Open an app.
2. Open Spotlight with the Command-Space bar on a connected keyboard.
3. Search for the second app you want to view and drag it out.

Open a Center Window

1. Open an app that supports the center window, like Notes or Mail.
2. Click on an email, note, or any other item.


Open Mail in New Window

3. Select Open in New Window and view it in the center window.

Make Adjustments to Multitasking Windows

It is possible to customize the multitasking modes when you have different apps open.

How to Adjust Split View

1. Drag the divider to the left or right to adjust their sizes.
2. Turn a Split View app into a Slide Over app by clicking on the Multitasking button.
3. Close Split View by clicking the Multitasking button > Full-Screen button.
4. Replace an app by swiping down from the top of the app and choosing another app from the Dock or Home Screen.

How to Adjust Slide Over

1. Use the Multitasking button to drag a Slide Over app left or right.
2. Turn a Slide Over app into a Split View app by clicking on the Multitasking button.
3. Hide a Slide Over app by clicking on the Multitasking button and swiping the app to any side.
4. View other apps in Split View by dragging the bottom edge of the app.

Use Gestures on Your iPad

Another way to move around and multitask on your iPad is with gestures. You can use gestures with the app switcher, switch apps, or go back to the Home Screen.

• App Switcher: You can open the app switcher by swiping up from the bottom edge of the screen and holding it in the middle of the screen. Then, swipe right or left to find another app you've used in Split View.
• Switch Apps: You can switch to another app using four or five fingers to swipe left or right on the screen.
• Return to Home Screen: You can return to the home screen by swiping up from the button of the screen or pinching the screen with your five fingers.

Use Apps While You Watch a Video With Picture in Picture

The Picture in Picture feature allows you to watch a TV show, movie, or any other video while responding to an email, using FaceTime, and more.

Picture in Picture on iPhone

1. Click on the Picture in Picture button, and the video will scale down to a corner on the page.
2. Then, you can open a second app while watching the video.
3. You can exit the Picture in Picture mode by clicking the full-screen button.