Working with two windows side by side, such as a browser next to a document or two Finder windows for dragging files, is one of the easiest ways to be more productive on a Mac. macOS gives you two main ways to do it: window tiling, which arranges windows on your regular desktop, and Split View, which puts two apps side by side in full screen. This guide covers both, plus keyboard shortcuts and fixes when the options don’t appear.
Method 1: Tile Windows on Your Desktop (macOS Sequoia and Later)
Recent versions of macOS include built-in window tiling, similar to Windows’ Snap feature.
Drag to the edge
- Drag a window by its title bar to the left or right edge of the screen.
- When an outline appears showing the window filling half the screen, release it.
- Drag a second window to the opposite edge.
If dragging to the edge doesn’t tile windows, hold the Option key while dragging, or check the tiling settings described below.
Use the green button
- Hold the pointer over the green button in the top-left corner of a window.
- Choose a tiling option, such as left half or right half, from the menu that appears.
- Repeat for the second window on the other side.
Use the Window menu
Choose Window > Move & Resize in the menu bar and pick Left or Right. Under the Arrange options, you can also place your two most recent windows Left & Right at once.
Keyboard shortcuts
According to Apple’s list of window tiling shortcuts:
- Fn + Control + Left Arrow: Move the active window to the left half.
- Fn + Control + Right Arrow: Move the active window to the right half.
- Fn + Control + F: Fill the screen.
- Fn + Control + C: Center the window.
Method 2: Use Split View (Full Screen)
Split View puts two apps side by side in their own full-screen space, hiding the Dock and menu bar for fewer distractions.
- Hold the pointer over the green button in the top-left corner of the first window.
- Choose Full Screen > Left of Screen or Right of Screen.
- On the other side of the screen, click the second window you want to use.
Apple notes that the Split View is created in a new desktop space. To resize the two sides, drag the divider bar in the middle. To swap sides, drag a window to the other side. To exit, move the pointer to the top of the screen and click the green button on either window.
Adjust Tiling Settings
Go to System Settings > Desktop & Dock and scroll to the Windows section. Here you can turn dragging windows to screen edges for tiling on or off, and choose whether tiled windows have margins between them. If tiling isn’t working, make sure these options are turned on.
Older Versions of macOS
Before macOS Sequoia, there was no built-in desktop tiling. You can still use Split View (introduced years earlier) with the green button, or resize windows manually by dragging their edges. On some older versions, you click and hold the green button to start Split View instead of choosing it from a menu.
Troubleshooting
- An app won’t go into Split View: Not every app supports it. Apps with fixed window sizes may not appear as an option.
- The green button just makes the window full screen: Hover instead of clicking to see the menu.
- Edge tiling isn’t working: Check the Desktop & Dock settings, and make sure macOS is up to date.
- Using two displays? Each display can have its own tiled windows or Split View.
Tips
- Use Split View when you want to focus on two apps; use tiling when you also need the Dock and other windows.
- Mission Control (swipe up with three fingers, or press F3) helps you find and arrange windows quickly.
- Third-party window managers are available if you want custom layouts, but macOS’s built-in tools cover most needs.
Related: See all open windows on a Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put more than two windows side by side?
Yes, with tiling. The green button menu and Window > Move & Resize include quarter and three-way arrangements in recent macOS versions. Split View is limited to two apps.
How do I get a window back to its original size?
Choose Window > Move & Resize > Return to Previous Size, or drag the window away from the edge.
Summary
To put two windows side by side on a Mac, drag a window to the edge of the screen or use Fn + Control + Left or Right Arrow to tile it, then place the second window on the other side. For a distraction-free view, hover over the green button and choose Full Screen > Left of Screen to start Split View.
On Windows instead? See how to do a split screen on Windows.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.