The fastest way to close split screen

To close split screen on an iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the screen with one finger until you see the app switcher, then swipe up on the app you want to close. If you are using iPadOS 15 or later, you can also drag the divider between the two apps all the way to the edge of the screen — whichever app you drag it toward will close, and the other will expand to fill the full screen.

The method that works depends on which split-screen mode you are in. iPad has three ways to run apps side by side: Split View (two apps taking up roughly equal space), Slide Over (a smaller app floating on top of a full-screen app), and Picture in Picture (a small video window). Each one closes differently, and knowing which mode you are in takes the guesswork out of getting back to one app.

Key Takeaways

  • Dragging the divider to the edge of the screen is the simplest way to close split screen in iPadOS 15 and later.
  • Swiping up from the bottom and closing the app from the app switcher works on any iPad running any recent version of iPadOS.
  • Slide Over apps (the smaller floating window) close by swiping down from the top of that window or tapping the X button if one appears.
  • Picture in Picture windows close by tapping the X button in the corner of the video window.

Closing Split View by dragging the divider

In iPadOS 15 and later, the easiest method is to find the thin vertical line dividing the two apps on your screen. This is the divider. Press and hold on that line, then drag it toward the left edge of the screen if you want to close the left app, or toward the right edge if you want to close the right app. The app you drag toward will shrink and disappear, and the remaining app will expand to fill the whole screen.

This method works because the divider is always there when you are in Split View — you do not have to open any menus or swipe from the edges. It is the fastest way if you can see the divider clearly. On some apps with dark backgrounds or narrow layouts, the divider can be hard to spot, but it is always there in the middle of the screen.

Closing split screen using the app switcher

If dragging the divider does not work or you prefer a different method, use the app switcher. Swipe up from the very bottom of the screen with one finger and hold until the app switcher appears — you will see a row of app cards showing all your open apps. Find the app you want to close, then swipe up on its card. The app will close, and the other app will stay open.

This method works on any iPad running iPadOS 12 or later, so it is reliable even on older devices. The app switcher also shows you exactly which apps are running, which can be useful if you have forgotten which app is which. After you close an app this way, you can tap on another app card to switch to it, or swipe down to return to your current screen.

Closing a Slide Over app

Slide Over is different from Split View. In Slide Over, one app takes up the full screen and another smaller app floats on top of it as a narrow panel, usually on the right side. To close the floating app, swipe down from the very top of that smaller window. You should see the app collapse and disappear, leaving only the full-screen app behind.

Some Slide Over apps also show an X button in the top corner of the floating window. If you see one, you can tap it to close the app when ready. If neither the swipe nor the X button works, you can also use the app switcher method described above — swipe up from the bottom and close the Slide Over app from there.

Closing Picture in Picture video windows

Picture in Picture is a small video window that floats on top of whatever else you are doing. You might see it when you are watching a video in Safari, FaceTime, or another app and you swipe to a different app. To close the Picture in Picture window, tap the X button in the top left or top right corner of the video window — the exact location depends on which app created it.

If you do not see an X button, try tapping the video window itself. Some apps show the X button only when you tap the window. If the window is very small or in a corner, you may need to tap near the edges to find the close button. Once the Picture in Picture window closes, the video stops playing and you can use the rest of your screen without the window in the way.

What to do if split screen will not close

If none of these methods work, the app may be frozen or stuck. Try force-closing the app by swiping up on it in the app switcher and holding for a moment longer than usual — some apps need extra time to respond. If that does not work, restart your iPad by holding the top button and one volume button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait a few seconds, then press the top button again to turn it back on.

After your iPad restarts, open the app again and try to close split screen using one of the methods above. If the problem happens repeatedly with the same app, that app may have a bug. Check the App Store to see if an update is available — developers often release updates to fix split-screen problems. If an update exists, install it and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPad keep opening split screen by accident?

This usually happens when you swipe from the left edge of the screen, which opens Slide Over. To avoid it, swipe from the very bottom instead of the side. You can also turn off Slide Over in Settings by going to Home Screen and Dock, then toggling off "Allow Multiple Apps".

Can I disable split screen entirely?

Yes. Go to Settings, tap Home Screen and Dock, and turn off "Allow Multiple Apps". This prevents both Split View and Slide Over from working. You can turn it back on anytime by returning to the same setting.

What is the difference between Split View and Slide Over?

Split View shows two apps side by side taking up roughly equal space. Slide Over shows one full-screen app with a smaller app floating on top. Split View lets you interact with both apps at once, while Slide Over keeps one app in the background.

Does closing split screen delete my work?

No. Closing split screen just hides one app — it does not delete anything. When you open that app again, it will be in the same state you left it. If you have unsaved work, the app will usually ask you to save before closing.