How Do You Do Split Screen On IPad Pro? A Detailed Guide

Hey there! Ever wished you could work on two things at once on your iPad Pro, like comparing notes while watching a video, or drafting an email while researching? Well, you’re in luck! The iPad Pro, with its powerful capabilities, makes multitasking a breeze. This article will walk you through, step-by-step, exactly how do you do split screen on iPad Pro, as well as covering all the nuances, tips, and tricks to make the most of this awesome feature.

We’ll cover everything from the basic gestures to some more advanced techniques. You’ll soon be navigating between apps with ease, boosting your productivity and making your iPad Pro even more indispensable. Get ready to transform the way you use your iPad Pro – let’s get started!

Understanding Split View and Slide Over

Before we jump into the ‘how-to’, it’s important to understand the two primary multitasking modes on your iPad Pro: Split View and Slide Over. These are the foundations of effective multitasking on your device.

Split View: The Ultimate Side-by-Side Experience

Split View allows you to work with two apps simultaneously, side-by-side. Each app gets its own portion of the screen, which can be adjusted to give one app more space than the other. This is perfect for comparing documents, taking notes while watching a video, or any task where you need to see and interact with two apps at the same time. The beauty of Split View is its immersive nature; both apps are active and responsive.

Slide Over: A Floating Window for Quick Access

Slide Over, on the other hand, lets you have one app floating on top of another. Think of it like a quick access panel. You can swipe it in and out from the side of the screen. This is ideal for quickly checking messages, taking notes while working in another app, or having a reference app available without cluttering your main screen. Slide Over is a great way to keep frequently used apps readily accessible.

The key difference: Split View provides equal screen real estate (adjustable) for both apps, while Slide Over keeps one app on top as a floating panel.

How to Use Split View on iPad Pro: Step-by-Step Guide

Now, let’s get into the step-by-step instructions on how to use Split View on your iPad Pro. It’s really straightforward once you know the gestures.

Method 1: Using the Dock

This is arguably the quickest and easiest way to enter Split View. Here’s how:

Open Your First App: Start by opening the first app you want to use. This will be the app that initially takes up the full screen.
Access the Dock: If the Dock isn’t visible, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. This will bring up the Dock, which contains your frequently used apps and recent apps.
Drag and Drop the Second App: Find the second app you want to use in Split View on the Dock. Tap and hold the app icon, then drag it to either the left or right side of the screen.
Adjust the Split: Once you release the app icon, the two apps will be side-by-side. You can adjust the size of each app by dragging the black divider line (the vertical line between the apps) left or right. To give one app more screen space, drag the divider accordingly.
To Close Split View: To exit Split View, you can either drag the divider all the way to the left or right to close one app, or swipe up from the bottom to go back to the home screen.

Method 2: Using the App Switcher

The App Switcher is another useful tool for multitasking.

Open Your First App: As before, start by opening the first app you want to use.
Open the App Switcher: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to bring up the App Switcher (or double-tap the Home button if your iPad has one). This displays all your open apps as cards.
Drag an App to the Side: Find the second app you want to use in Split View in the App Switcher. Tap and hold the app card, then drag it to either the left or right side of the screen.
Adjust the Split: Similar to the Dock method, adjust the size of each app by dragging the black divider line.
To Close Split View: Drag the divider all the way to the left or right, or swipe up on either app to close it.

Method 3: Using the Multitasking Menu

This is a slightly more advanced method, but it offers a bit more control. (See Also: How Do I Get My iPad Out of Headphone Mode? A Quick Guide)

Open Your First App: Start with your first app open.
Access the Multitasking Menu: Tap the three dots at the top of the screen of the app you have open. This reveals the multitasking menu.
Choose Split View: Tap the Split View icon (two squares, one on top of the other). The current app will then either slide to the left or right, leaving space for you to select another app.
Select the Second App: Choose a second app from your Home Screen or your Dock to appear alongside the first.
Adjust the Split: Drag the divider to adjust the size of each app.
To Close Split View: Drag the divider to the edge of the screen or swipe up on an app to close it.

How to Use Slide Over on iPad Pro

Slide Over is a fantastic way to keep an app handy without cluttering your screen. Here’s how to use it:

Open Your First App: Open the app you want to work in primarily.
Drag an App from the Dock: Find the app you want to use in Slide Over in the Dock. Tap and hold the app icon, and instead of dragging it to the side of the screen, drag it slightly towards the center of the screen.
Release the App: Release the app icon, and it will appear as a floating window.
Move the Slide Over App: You can move the Slide Over app to either side of the screen by dragging the bar at the top of the app.
Hide/Show the Slide Over App: Swipe from the edge of the screen to slide the app in or out.
Switch Between Slide Over Apps: Swipe left or right on the bottom bar of the Slide Over app to switch between other apps you’ve used in Slide Over.
To Close Slide Over: Swipe up from the bottom of the Slide Over app.

Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Split View and Slide Over

Now that you know how to use Split View and Slide Over, let’s explore some tips and tricks to make the most of these features.

Use Drag and Drop

One of the most powerful features of iPadOS is drag and drop. You can drag and drop text, images, files, and more between apps in Split View or Slide Over. This is a huge time saver.

Drag Text: Select text in one app, tap and hold it, then drag it to another app.
Drag Images: Similarly, you can drag images from one app (like Photos or Safari) to another (like Pages or Mail).
Drag Files: Drag files from the Files app to other apps that support them.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts

If you have a keyboard connected to your iPad Pro, you can use keyboard shortcuts to quickly switch between apps and manage Split View. Here are a few useful ones:

Command + Tab: Switch between open apps.
Command + Shift + Tab: Switch between open apps in reverse order.
Command + H: Hide the current app.
Command + Space: Open Spotlight Search.
Command + Option + D: Show or hide the Dock.

Customize the Dock

The Dock is your gateway to quick app access. Customize it to include the apps you use most frequently. This will make it easier and faster to enter Split View and Slide Over.

Add Apps to the Dock: Tap and hold an app icon, then drag it to the Dock.
Remove Apps from the Dock: Tap and hold an app icon in the Dock, then drag it off the Dock.
Consider the Recent Apps Section: The Dock also shows recent apps. You can’t control which apps appear there directly, but using apps frequently will cause them to show up.

Use App Groups

If you frequently use certain apps together in Split View, you can create app groups. This isn’t a built-in feature, but it’s a smart habit. Open the apps you want to use together in Split View, then leave them open. The next time you want to use them, simply go to the App Switcher, and they’ll be ready to go.

Take Advantage of Contextual Menus

Long-press (or right-click if you have a mouse or trackpad) on items in apps to access contextual menus. These menus often have options to open links in a new window or add items to lists, streamlining your workflow.

Optimize for Different Screen Sizes

The larger screen of the iPad Pro provides more space for multitasking. However, the screen size can also influence how you arrange your apps in Split View. Consider adjusting the size of the apps based on your current task.

12.9-inch iPad Pro: Offers the most screen real estate, making it easier to use two apps side-by-side without feeling cramped.
11-inch iPad Pro: Still provides a good multitasking experience, but you might need to adjust the app sizes more frequently.

Consider Using External Displays

You can connect your iPad Pro to an external display. This allows you to extend your screen real estate even further. You can then have one app on your iPad Pro screen and another on the external display. Note that not all apps support full external display functionality; this is up to the developers. (See Also: When Will Gacha Club Come Out on Apple iPad? Release Date & Info)

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Here’s how to address common issues:

Apps Not Supporting Split View: Not all apps support Split View. If you can’t drag an app to the side, it may not be compatible. Check the app’s settings or the App Store description.
Apps Not Responding: If an app in Split View isn’t responding, try closing and reopening it. You can do this by swiping up on the app card in the App Switcher.
Performance Issues: If your iPad Pro is running slowly while using Split View, try closing some background apps or restarting your device.

Comparing Split View and Slide Over: Which to Choose?

Choosing between Split View and Slide Over depends on your needs:

Feature	Split View	Slide Over
Number of Apps Visible	Two apps side-by-side	One app on top of another
Screen Space	Equal (adjustable)	Floating window
Use Case	Comparing documents, taking notes while watching videos, working on two tasks simultaneously	Quick access to apps like Messages, Notes, or Music
Interaction	Both apps are fully interactive	Only the top app is fully interactive
Ease of Access	Requires opening apps and dragging	Swipe in/out from the edge

In short: Use Split View when you need to actively work with two apps simultaneously. Use Slide Over for quick access to a secondary app.

Advanced Tips for Power Users

Once you’ve mastered the basics, here are some advanced tips to enhance your multitasking skills:

Use Stage Manager (ipados 16 and Later)

Stage Manager is a new feature introduced in iPadOS 16 (and later). It provides a more advanced multitasking experience with overlapping windows and the ability to resize them. It’s a significant upgrade from the basic Split View and Slide Over, offering a more desktop-like experience. Stage Manager allows you to create groups of apps, resize windows, and easily switch between different app setups. To use Stage Manager, enable it in Control Center.

Integrate with External Accessories

Pairing your iPad Pro with a keyboard and mouse or trackpad can dramatically improve your multitasking efficiency. Keyboard shortcuts and precise cursor control make it easier to navigate between apps, select text, and manage windows.

Use Automations

The Shortcuts app allows you to create automations that can streamline your multitasking workflow. For example, you can create a shortcut that automatically opens a specific set of apps in Split View when you launch a particular app.

Master the Contextual Menus

Take advantage of the right-click (with a mouse or trackpad) or long-press options within apps. These menus offer quick access to context-specific actions, saving you time and effort.

Experiment with Different App Combinations

Try different combinations of apps in Split View and Slide Over to find the setup that best suits your needs. Experiment with productivity apps, communication apps, and creative apps to see how they work together. (See Also: Can You Type Word Documents on an iPad? Here’s the Truth.)

Stay Updated with Ipados

Apple regularly updates iPadOS with new features and improvements. Keep your iPad Pro updated to the latest version to take advantage of the newest multitasking enhancements.

Consider Third-Party Apps

Some third-party apps are designed to enhance multitasking on the iPad Pro. Explore the App Store for apps that offer features like advanced window management, or improved drag-and-drop capabilities.

The Benefits of Multitasking on iPad Pro

Why bother with all this? Because multitasking on your iPad Pro offers significant benefits:

Increased Productivity: Working on multiple tasks simultaneously can speed up your workflow.
Enhanced Efficiency: Quickly switch between apps without losing your train of thought.
Improved Collaboration: Easily share information between apps.
Better Organization: Keep everything at your fingertips, reducing the need to switch between apps constantly.
Versatility: Adapt to different tasks and workflows.

Which iPad Pro Models Support Split View and Slide Over?

All iPad Pro models support Split View and Slide Over. This includes:

All iPad Pro 12.9-inch models
All iPad Pro 11-inch models
Previous generations of iPad Pro

The features have been available since iPadOS 9, so even older iPad Pro models can benefit from these multitasking capabilities.

Split View and Slide Over: Limitations to Be Aware Of

While Split View and Slide Over are great, there are some limitations to be aware of.

App Compatibility: Not all apps support Split View.
Screen Size: Working with two apps at once can feel cramped on smaller iPad Pro models.
Performance: Running multiple apps simultaneously can consume more resources, potentially impacting performance.
Learning Curve: It takes some practice to become proficient with multitasking gestures and shortcuts.

Troubleshooting Tips for Split View and Slide Over

If you encounter problems with Split View or Slide Over, here are some troubleshooting tips:

Restart Your iPad Pro: This can resolve many minor software glitches.
Update iPadOS: Make sure you have the latest version of iPadOS installed.
Check App Compatibility: Ensure that the apps you are trying to use support Split View.
Close Unnecessary Apps: If your iPad Pro is running slowly, close background apps.
Reset All Settings: As a last resort, you can reset all settings to their defaults. This will not delete your data, but it will reset your preferences.

Verdict

So, there you have it! You now have a comprehensive understanding of how to use Split View and Slide Over on your iPad Pro. From the basic gestures to advanced tips and tricks, you’re equipped to maximize your productivity. Remember to practice these techniques and experiment with different app combinations to find what works best for you. Happy multitasking!

🔥 Read More:

By mastering these features, you can transform your iPad Pro into a powerful multitasking machine. Don’t be afraid to experiment, explore, and customize your workflow to fit your needs. Enjoy the enhanced efficiency and versatility that Split View and Slide Over bring to your iPad Pro experience. Now go forth and conquer your to-do list!

Recommended Products

[amazon bestseller=”iPad Pro Split Screen” items=”3″ grid=”3″]

How Do You Do Split Screen on iPad Pro? A Detailed Guide