What split screen is and how to close it
Split screen divides your monitor or device display into two or more sections, each showing a different window or app. When you want to go back to using one full window, you close split screen by dragging the divider between the sections or using your device's built-in commands to exit the mode.
The steps differ depending on whether you're using Windows, macOS, or iPad. Each system has its own way of entering split screen, so each has its own way of leaving it. The good news is that none of these methods are complicated — most take just one or two clicks.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows 10 and 11, drag the divider between windows to the edge of the screen, or press the Windows key plus an arrow key to exit split screen.
- On Mac, move your cursor to the top of the screen where the green full-screen button sits, then click and hold it to see split screen options and choose to exit.
- On iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, then swipe up on the split screen app to close it.
- If you accidentally entered split screen and want to undo it quickly, maximizing one window usually closes the split view automatically.
Closing split screen on Windows 10 and 11
The fastest way to exit split screen on Windows is to drag the divider between the two windows all the way to the edge of the screen. Move your cursor to the vertical line in the middle of your screen until it changes to a resize cursor (it will look like a line with arrows pointing left and right). Then drag it to either the left or right edge. The window on that side will close, and the other window will expand to fill the full screen.
If dragging feels awkward, use your keyboard instead. Press the Windows key (the key with the Windows logo) plus the Right Arrow key to maximize the window on the right side of the screen. Press Windows key plus Left Arrow key to maximize the window on the left. Either command will close split screen and give one window your full display.
You can also click the X button in the top right corner of whichever window you want to close. This removes that window from split screen and leaves the other one taking up the full screen.
Closing split screen on Mac
On Mac, split screen is called Split View. To exit it, move your cursor to the very top of your screen where you'll see the green full-screen button in the top left corner of one of your windows. Click and hold that green button for a moment. A menu will appear showing your split screen options, including an option to exit Split View. Click "Exit Full Screen" or straightforward release the button and click elsewhere.
Another way is to press the Escape key on your keyboard. This will when ready exit Split View and return to normal window mode. You can also click the green button once (instead of holding it) to toggle full screen off, which will also close Split View.
If you want to keep one window full-screen but close the other, you can click the X button on the window you want to remove. The remaining window will stay in full-screen mode.
Closing split screen on iPad
iPad split screen (called Split View on iPad as well) closes by using the app switcher. Swipe up from the very bottom of your screen with one finger and hold for a moment. The app switcher will appear, showing all your open apps. Find the split screen view — it will show two app icons side by side or stacked. Swipe up on that split view card to close it.
Alternatively, you can swipe from the left edge of the screen toward the center. This will close the app on the left side of the split view. If you want to close the app on the right, swipe from the right edge toward the center instead.
If you want to keep one app but remove the other from split view, swipe up on just the app you want to close within the split view. The remaining app will expand to fill the full screen.
What to do if you can't find the divider
On Windows, if you can't see the divider between your two windows clearly, it might be very thin or hard to spot. Move your cursor slowly across the middle of the screen from left to right until it changes shape. Once it does, you've found the divider and can drag it to close split screen.
If dragging doesn't work, try the keyboard shortcut instead: Windows key plus Right Arrow or Windows key plus Left Arrow. These commands work even if you can't see or grab the divider. You can also try clicking the X button on one of the windows to close it directly.
Accidentally entering split screen and how to undo it
Split screen sometimes activates by accident — usually when you drag a window to the edge of your screen or use a keyboard shortcut without meaning to. The quickest fix is to maximize one of the windows by double-clicking its title bar (on Windows) or clicking the green button (on Mac). This will expand that window to full screen and automatically close split view.
On iPad, if you accidentally opened split screen, just swipe up from the bottom to open the app switcher and swipe up on the split view card to close it. You can also press the Home button or swipe to the home screen, which will close split view when ready.
Why split screen stops working or won't close
If split screen won't close using the normal methods, try restarting your device. This clears any temporary glitches that might be preventing the split view from closing properly. On Windows, restart your computer. On Mac, restart your Mac. On iPad, hold the power button and slide to power off, then turn it back on.
If the problem continues after a restart, check that your operating system is up to date. Outdated software sometimes has bugs that affect split screen. On Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update. On iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update. Install any available updates and try closing split screen again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close split screen without using the divider?
Yes. On Windows, use Windows key plus Right Arrow or Left Arrow to maximize one window. On Mac, press Escape or click the green full-screen button. On iPad, swipe up from the bottom and swipe up on the split view card. All of these methods close split screen without touching the divider.
Does closing split screen delete my files or lose my work?
No. Closing split screen only changes how your windows are displayed. Your files, documents, and open apps remain exactly as they were. You can reopen split screen at any time and your apps will still be there.
What if one window is frozen and I can't close it?
On Windows, press Ctrl plus Alt plus Delete, then click Task Manager. Find the frozen app and click it, then click "End Task." On Mac, press Command plus Option plus Escape, select the frozen app, and click "Force Quit." On iPad, swipe up from the bottom, find the frozen app, and swipe up on it to force close it.
Can I have more than two windows in split screen?
Windows and Mac support two windows in split screen. iPad supports two apps side by side, or one app in split view with another app in a smaller floating window (called Slide Over). To close any of these arrangements, use the same methods described above for your device.
Why does my screen go back to split screen after I close it?
This usually happens if an app is set to open in split screen by default, or if you're accidentally triggering the split screen shortcut. Check your app settings to see if split screen is enabled by default. On Windows, also check that you're not dragging windows to the screen edge unintentionally.