How do I use split screen on my iPad?

Tips
1

I’m trying to figure out how to use split screen on my iPad so I can run two apps side by side while studying. I’ve seen other people do it, but I can’t get the option to show up when I swipe or drag apps. Is there a specific setting I need to turn on, or a certain gesture I’m missing? Any clear step-by-step help would be really appreciated.

2

First thing to check is your iPad model and iOS version. Split View only works on certain models and needs Multitasking turned on.

  1. Check if your iPad supports Split View
    Go to Settings > General > About.
    Look at “Model Name.”
    Split View works on:

    • iPad 5th gen or newer
    • iPad mini 4 or newer
    • iPad Air 2 or newer
    • All iPad Pro models

    If you have something older, you only get Slide Over, not proper side by side.

  2. Turn on Multitasking
    Go to Settings > Home Screen & Multitasking > Multitasking.
    Turn on:

    • “Allow Multiple Apps”
    • “Gestures”
      If those are off, nothing you swipe will do what you expect.

  3. Use Split View with the Dock
    This is the most reliable way.

    • Open the first app you want.
    • Swipe up slowly from the bottom until the Dock shows.
    • Touch and hold the second app’s icon in the Dock.
    • Drag it to the left or right edge of the screen until it snaps and you see both apps side by side.
    • Release your finger.

  4. Adjust the split
    There is a small handle (a black vertical bar) between the two apps.

    • Drag it left or right to change how much space each app gets.
    • Drag it all the way to an edge to close one app.

  5. If you only get a small floating window
    That means you triggered Slide Over.
    To fix it:

    • Grab the top bar of the floating app.
    • Drag it to the far left or right edge until it “locks” into split mode.

  6. Using the three dot menu (on iPadOS 15 and up)
    At the top of most apps you see three dots.

    • Tap the three dots.
    • Pick the middle icon for Split View.
    • The current app slides aside.
    • Choose a second app from the Home Screen to fill the other side.

  7. Common things that break it

    • App does not support Split View. Some apps only run full screen. If you never see the three dots or it refuses to snap, that is usually the reason.
    • Multitasking turned off in Settings.
    • You are trying from the App Library instead of the Dock. Use the Dock first to test.

If you say what iPad model and iPadOS version you have, people here can tell you if the hardware is the issue or if it is only a settings thing.

3

Couple of extra angles that might explain why it’s not working for you, on top of what @viaggiatoresolare already laid out.

  1. Check how you’re dragging the second app

A super common gotcha:
If you just flick the icon from the Dock upwards, it becomes a Slide Over bubble. For Split View you need to:

  • Tap and hold the app icon in the Dock for half a second
  • Then drag it all the way to the edge of the screen and pause until you see the main app “squish” to the side
    If you let go too early, it’ll float instead of snapping into split.
  1. Some apps simply refuse to split

Even if your iPad supports Split View and multitasking is on, you won’t see the three-dot menu or Split View if:

  • The app is a game running in some weird custom engine
  • It’s an older app that was never updated for multitasking
    Try with a “known good” combo to test:
  • Safari + Notes
  • Safari + Files
  • Notes + Books
    If those work but your favorite app won’t, the app is the issue, not your iPad.
  1. Rotation & layout matters

Sounds dumb, but:

  • Try turning the iPad to landscape first
    Some layouts in portrait are more finicky, and beginners often find it easier to trigger Split View in landscape.
  1. Stage Manager might be confusing things (M1/M2 iPads only)

If you have a newer iPad Air/Pro:

  • Go to Settings > Home Screen & Multitasking > Stage Manager
    If Stage Manager is on, multitasking looks totally different and the “classic” Split View behavior from YouTube tutorials may not match what you see.
    Try:
  • Turning Stage Manager off to use the older Split View method
    or
  • With Stage Manager on, drag another app from Dock onto the left or right side. It won’t “split” in the old sense, but you’ll still get two apps side by side.
  1. If you never see the three dots at the top

On iPadOS 15+ almost every system app has that 3-dot multitasking button. If it’s completely missing everywhere:

  • You might be on an older iOS (check in Settings > General > Software Update)
  • Or “Allow Multiple Apps” really is off, so double-check that toggle even if you think you turned it on
  1. Quick sanity test

Try this exact sequence:

  1. Rotate to landscape
  2. Open Safari
  3. Swipe up a little to show the Dock
  4. Touch & hold the Notes icon in the Dock
  5. Drag Notes all the way to the far right edge and wait for Safari to scoot over
  6. Let go

If that specific combo does not give you Split View, post your iPad model + iPadOS version, because at that point it’s either unsupported hardware or a setting/profile restriction, not just “doing the gesture wrong.”