Maximize Your Mac's Screen Real Estate: Mastering Split Screen Techniques
By default, Mac applications occupy only a portion of your screen. This limits productivity and makes arranging multiple apps side-by-side cumbersome. While full-screen mode offers a solution, constantly switching in and out disrupts workflow. The ideal solution? Split screen viewing. Let's explore the best methods.
Why Choose Split Screen?
Need | Solution |
---|---|
Simultaneous viewing of two apps | Use the green button's "Tile Window" options. |
Quick window navigation | Employ Swish's gesture controls. |
Multiple workspaces on one screen | Utilize Workspaces. |
Always-visible notes | Leverage SideNotes. |
Boost Productivity with the Right Apps
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The Best App for Mac Screen Splitting: Swish
macOS's built-in split view has limitations. Swish offers a superior solution. This gesture-based window manager enhances your trackpad (or Magic Mouse) capabilities. Utilize 28 presets or create custom gestures for precise control across multiple monitors. Swish automatically snaps windows to a grid for seamless screen coverage.
Arrange windows vertically or horizontally, displaying two, three, four, six, or even nine apps simultaneously. Customize settings on-the-fly. Configure shortcuts in Swish's Settings (Command ,) for each desired arrangement.
Mastering macOS Split View
macOS Sierra introduced Split View, a popular feature for side-by-side app arrangement. A slider adjusts the relative size of each app.
To activate Split View:
- Hover over the green button in the app window's toolbar.
- Select "Tile Window to Left of Screen" or "Tile Window to Right of Screen".
- Click an app window on the opposite side of the screen.
Split Screen on Older macOS Versions (Mojave and Earlier)
Older macOS versions use a slightly different method:
- Click and hold the green button.
- Drag the app window to the left or right screen edge.
- Click another app window to fill the remaining space.
Adjusting and Exiting Split View
Resize app windows within Split View by dragging the central divider. Switch app positions by dragging one window to the other side. Exit Split View by pressing Esc or clicking the green button again.
Split Screen Without Full Screen
To maximize app window size without full-screen mode, manually resize windows using your cursor. Alternatively, press Option before clicking the green button to select "Zoom," expanding the app's height while maintaining width.
Split Screen Shortcuts
While no dedicated Split View shortcut exists, you can create a custom one:
- Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts… > App Shortcuts.
- Click the " " icon.
- Enter the menu command ("Tile Window to Left of Screen").
- Assign your desired shortcut.
- Click "Done".
Mission Control for Multi-App Management
Mission Control provides an overview of all open apps and desktops, facilitating easy switching. Activate it using F3, a four-finger swipe up, or Spotlight search.
Additional Window Management Tools
Setapp offers Workspaces for project-based app and file organization and SideNotes for creating and managing notes within a sidebar.
Conclusion
Mastering split-screen techniques significantly enhances Mac productivity. Explore Swish, Split View, Workspaces, and SideNotes to optimize your workflow. Setapp offers a free trial to experience these powerful tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How to split more than two screens? Use third-party apps like Swish.
- Split screen shortcut? Use F3 (Mission Control), Swish shortcuts, or create a custom one.
- Switching between split screens? Use Command Tab or Shift Tab.
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