How To Remove Split Screen On The IPad
Split View is an iPad feature that allows you to split your screen and use two apps at the same time. Even though it’s convenient for multitasking, having two windows share one screen can be confusing and distracting. Therefore, you have two options – you can remove Split View in a couple of motions or permanently deactivate this feature.
In this article, we will show you how to deactivate or remove the split-screen feature on an iPad, how to set it up, and use it efficiently. We’ll also address some common questions regarding this iPad screen-viewing tool.
How to Remove Split Screen on an iPad?
Having two apps open one beside the other can be extremely useful. It’s especially handy when you’re doing research, working on a presentation, or writing a project, since it minimizes the time-consuming process of going back and forth all the time.
Once you have finished and you don’t need the additional view, you can easily turn off the split screen on your iPad. You can return to the single screen mode by following these steps:
- Decide which app you want to close and tap on the divider (the black line between the two apps).
- Slide it to the left or the right edge of the screen, depending on which app you want to close. If you want to remove the tab on the left, slide the bar to the left side of the screen and vice versa.
- Take your finger off the divider when the app disappears.
Once you swipe to the edge of the screen and get rid of the unwanted tab, the other app will expand to full-screen mode.
Make sure that you don’t swipe to either side of the screen too fast and that you swipe to the edge. Otherwise, the tab you wanted to close will float above the other window – this type of view is called Slide Over. We’ll show you how to remove it in the following section.
How to Get Rid of a Small Floating Window on iPad (Slide Over)?
If you want to view multiple apps at the same time, Slide Over is a great way to do it. Slide Over refers to small window panes that hover over other apps, which are in full-screen mode. They can either be positioned on the left or right side of your iPad screen, depending on which direction you move them from the Dock bar. You can create as many Slide Over panes as you like.
If you want to get rid of the small windows, or if you were planning to remove split-screen apps and they were, instead, converted to a Slide Over window, this is how to get rid of them:
- Long-press the control bar of the Slide Over tab.
- Slowly drag it to the edge of the screen (not all the way through).
- Stop dragging when the tab expands. That means that you are using Split View again.
- Hold the divider and swipe to the edge of the screen.
What you’ve done is returned the tab into Split View and then removed it just like you would with any other split-screen tab.
- If you just want to hide Slide Over tabs temporarily, place your finger on the top of the tab and slide it to the side.
- The direction of your gesture should depend on the tab’s placement – if it’s on the right side of the screen, swipe to the right.
- On the other hand, if it’s on the left side of the screen, long-press the tab and gently move it to the left.
- When you want to take another look, touch the edge of the screen (where it disappeared) and swipe your finger in the opposite direction. The Slide Over tab will immediately appear on the side of the screen, and you will be able to view it once again.
How to Use Split Screen on iPad?
Before we go into the details about the split-screen feature and how to activate it, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, split-screen doesn’t work with all apps on your iPad. For example, apps such as Instagram, Facebook, and Google Assistant tend to crash once you open them in Split View.
Secondly, split-screen may not be available on all iPads. These are the iPads that have the split-screen feature:
- iPad Pro
- iPad 5th generation (or newer)
- iPad Air 2 (or newer)
- iPad mini 4 (or newer)
To view a particular app in Split View, it must be in the Dock bar. This means that it has to be one of your recently used apps or one of your favorites. Once you make sure it’s on the Dock bar, follow these steps:
- Open the first app, it will automatically open in full-screen mode, and drag your finger from the bottom of your screen for the Dock bar to appear.Note: If you swipe too fast or too hard, you will be taken back to your home screen. You should drag the Dock bar gently until it hovers over the bottom of your app.
- Long-press the second app icon and drag it to the left or right edge of your screen.
- The two apps will be placed one beside the other.
If you don’t drag the app icon all the way to the edge, it will turn into a small window, and it will float over the first app (Slide Over).
When you first place both apps in split-screen, the screen won’t be divided equally. The second app will take up much less space than the first one. To adjust the dimensions and make the two tabs equal, drag the divider to either side of the screen.
Additional FAQs
How Do You Fix a Split Screen on an iPad?
We’ve already shown you how to remove split-screen from your iPad. However, if you don’t intend to use this iPad tool at all, you can disable it permanently. This is how it’s done:
1. Unlock your iPad.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Navigate to General.
4. Tap Home Screen & Dock.
5. Go to Multitasking.
6. Toggle the Allow Multiple Apps switch off.
This not only disables Split View from your iPad but Slide Over, too. Once you have disabled this feature, you can only open your apps in single-app view in full screen.
How Do I Get My iPad Back to Full Screen?
Once you turn off the split-screen feature, your screen will go back to normal. Make sure to tap and hold the window that you no longer need and swipe it to the edge of the screen. The app that you wish to remain will be transferred to full-screen mode.
How Do I Get Rid of Split Screen in Safari on iPad?
Split View isn’t only possible for apps on your iPad, you can also use it to view two web pages simultaneously, although it’s only available in landscape mode. First, we’ll show you how to activate this feature and then how to turn it off.
To use split-screen on Safari, follow these steps:
1. Position your iPad in landscape mode.
2. Open Safari on your iPad.
3. Open the first website.
4. In a separate tab, open the second website and go to the link.
5. Long-press the link until a menu opens and select Open in New Window.
6. Drag the new window to the left or right side of the screen.
Another way you can use split-screen with Safari is with a blank page. This is how it’s done:
1. Launch Safari.
2. Long-press Tab in the top right corner of your screen.
3. Tap Open New Window.
The two tabs will be displayed in Split View. If you want to turn off split-screen on Safari, here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the web page that you want to remove from split mode and long-press the Tab icon in the top right corner.
2. Tap Merge All Windows.
You can also select the Close This Tab option. That’s all there is to it. You’ve successfully returned your web page to full-screen mode.
How Do I Unsplit My iPad Screen?
If you are wondering how to turn off the split-screen mode and go back to full screen, go back to the beginning of the article and follow our instructions.
Manage All Your Windows on Your iPad Effectively
Now you have learned how to remove Split View, turn off Slide Over and activate the split-screen feature on your iPad. Screen-viewing tools help you multitask, stay organized, and do your work more efficiently. Once you figure out which gestures to use, you’ll be able to take advantage of all iPad screen-viewing tools.
Have you ever removed split-screen on your iPad? Did you use any of the methods outlined in this article? Let us know in the comments section below.
You must be logged in to post a comment.