Split screen is easiest to close from the keyboard or by dragging the window back to full size
The fastest way out of split screen depends on what device you are using and which operating system it runs. On Windows, press the Windows key and the left or right arrow key together — this cycles through window arrangements and eventually returns to full screen. On Mac, hold down the green full-screen button in the top left corner of any window and select "Exit Full Screen" or drag the window away from the edge. On iPad and Android tablets, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see all open apps, then drag one app off the edge of the screen to close the split view.
If keyboard shortcuts do not work or feel unfamiliar, you can always drag the dividing line between the two windows to one edge of the screen until one app closes, or straightforward click the X button on whichever window you want to close. The method that works fastest for you depends on which device you own and how you set up the split screen in the first place.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, press Windows key + left arrow or Windows key + right arrow to cycle through split-screen layouts and return to full screen.
- On Mac, hold the green full-screen button in the window's top left corner and select "Exit Full Screen" from the menu.
- On iPad, swipe up from the bottom to open the app switcher, then drag an app off the edge to close the split view.
- Dragging the dividing line between windows to the screen edge will close one app and return the other to full screen on any device.
Windows split screen: keyboard and mouse methods
Windows 10 and Windows 11 both use the same keyboard shortcut to exit split screen. Press the Windows key (the key with the Windows logo) and the right arrow key at the same time. This moves the active window to full screen. If that does not work, try Windows key + left arrow, which does the same thing from the opposite direction.
If you prefer not to use the keyboard, you can drag the dividing line between the two windows all the way to the left or right edge of your screen. When you release the mouse, one window will close and the other will expand to fill the entire screen. You can also click the X button in the top right corner of whichever window you want to close, which leaves the other window in full screen.
Another option is to click and hold the title bar of the window you want to keep, then drag it away from the edge of the screen toward the center. This breaks the split-screen arrangement and lets you resize the window however you want.
Mac split screen: using the green button and trackpad
On Mac, the green button in the top left corner of any window controls full-screen and split-screen modes. Click and hold that button (do not just click it once) and a menu appears with options including "Exit Full Screen." Select that option and the split view closes, returning both windows to their normal floating state.
If you are already in split-screen mode and want to exit, you can also swipe left or right with three fingers on your trackpad to move between full-screen apps, or press Control + Up Arrow to open Mission Control and click on a single window to return to normal view. Another straightforward method is to drag the dividing line between the two windows all the way to one edge, just as you would on Windows.
iPad split screen: swiping and dragging apps
To close split screen on an iPad, swipe up from the very bottom of the screen with one finger. This opens the app switcher, which shows all your open apps. Find the app you want to remove from split view, then drag it off the left or right edge of the screen. When you release it, that app closes and the remaining app expands to full screen.
You can also drag the dividing line between the two apps all the way to the edge. On newer iPad models with gesture controls, you can swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the X next to the app name in the window controls. This method works fastest if you remember it, but dragging the divider is more intuitive for most people.
Android tablet split screen: using the back button and app switcher
On Android tablets, the method for closing split screen varies slightly depending on which version of Android you have. The most common way is to swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the recent apps view, then tap and hold one of the apps shown in split screen. A menu appears — select "Remove from split screen" or straightforward drag that app off the edge of the screen.
If that does not work, try pressing the back button (usually at the bottom left of the screen) or swiping from the left edge toward the center. You can also tap the three-line menu button (called the app switcher or recent apps button) and look for an option to close or remove an app from the split view. If none of these work, restart the app or restart your tablet.
What to do if split screen is stuck or will not close
If split screen is stuck and the normal methods do not work, try closing one of the apps entirely. On Windows, right-click the app in the taskbar and select "Close window." On Mac, click the app in the dock and press Command + Q to quit it. On iPad or Android, swipe up to the app switcher, find the stuck app, and swipe it up and off the screen to force-close it.
If the entire screen is frozen or split screen will not respond to any input, restart your device. On Windows, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select "Sign out," and then sign back in. On Mac, press Command + Control + Power Button to force restart. On iPad or Android, hold the power button until the power-off menu appears, then slide to power off and turn the device back on.
If split screen keeps turning back on after you close it, check your system settings. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Multitasking and turn off "Snap windows." On Mac, go to System Preferences > Mission Control and uncheck "Displays have separate Spaces." On iPad, go to Settings > Multitasking and turn off "Allow Multiple Apps."
Why split screen turns on by accident
Split screen usually activates by accident when you drag a window to the edge of the screen, press a keyboard shortcut without meaning to, or swipe with multiple fingers on a trackpad. On Windows, dragging a window to the left or right edge automatically snaps it into split-screen mode — this is called Snap information. On Mac, dragging a window to the top edge enters full-screen mode, and then you can swipe to add a second app. On iPad and Android, swiping with multiple fingers or using the app switcher can trigger split view unintentionally.
To prevent accidental split screen, be careful when dragging windows near the edges of your screen, and avoid multi-finger gestures if you do not mean to use them. You can also disable Snap information on Windows or the split-screen feature on iPad and Android through the settings described in the section above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close split screen without using the keyboard?
Yes. Drag the dividing line between the two windows all the way to the left or right edge of your screen until one window closes. You can also click the X button on the window you want to close, or use your mouse to drag a window away from the edge of the screen back toward the center.
What if I close the wrong window by accident?
Press Ctrl + Z on Windows or Command + Z on Mac to undo the action and reopen the window. On iPad and Android, swipe up to the app switcher and tap the app you just closed to open it again. Your work in that app is usually still there unless you had not saved it.
Does closing split screen delete my files or unsaved work?
No. Closing split screen only changes how your windows are arranged on the screen. Your files and any work you have done remain exactly as they were. If you had unsaved work in a document, that document stays open in memory — you just see it in full screen instead of split view.
Why does my screen go back to split screen after I close it?
Your device may have split-screen mode set to turn on automatically, or you may be accidentally triggering it again through keyboard shortcuts or gestures. Check your system settings and disable automatic split screen, or be more careful about which keys you press and how you move your mouse or trackpad.
Is there a way to disable split screen entirely so it never turns on?
Yes. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Multitasking and turn off "Snap windows." On Mac, go to System Preferences > Mission Control and uncheck "Displays have separate Spaces." On iPad, go to Settings > Multitasking and turn off "Allow Multiple Apps." On Android, the option location varies by device, but look in Settings > Display or Settings > Advanced features.