How to close split screen on your device
Split screen lets you run two programs side by side, but closing it depends on what device you're using. On Windows, you drag a window away from the edge or use keyboard shortcuts. On Mac, you press the green fullscreen button or swipe with four fingers. On iPad, you swipe up from the bottom or drag the divider to one side. The method takes seconds once you know where to look.
In all cases, closing split screen does not close your windows or apps — it simply returns them to normal view. One window expands to fill the screen, and the other moves to the background where you can bring it back whenever you need it.
Key Takeaways
- Windows split screen closes when you drag a window away from the screen edge or press Windows key + left/right arrow to toggle it off.
- Mac split screen closes by pressing the green fullscreen button in the top-left corner or swiping left with four fingers.
- iPad split screen closes by dragging the divider all the way to the left or right edge, or by swiping up from the bottom and closing one app.
- If you accidentally enter split screen, you can exit immediately without saving anything — the apps stay open in the background.
Closing split screen on Windows 10 and 11
The fastest way to exit split screen on Windows is to drag the window away from the edge. Click and hold the title bar of one window, then drag it toward the center of your screen. When you release it, that window returns to normal size and the other window fills the screen.
You can also use the keyboard shortcut. Press the Windows key and the left or right arrow key at the same time. This toggles split screen off and returns both windows to their normal state. If you have more than two windows open, pressing the shortcut again will cycle through different split arrangements before turning it off entirely.
Another option is to click the X button to close one of the two windows. This removes that window from split screen, and the remaining window expands to fill the full screen. The closed window is not deleted — it simply closes, and you can reopen it from your taskbar or Start menu later.
Closing split screen on Mac
On Mac, split screen is part of a feature called Mission Control. To exit, move your cursor to the top-left corner of your screen and click the green fullscreen button. This button looks like a plus sign inside a circle. Clicking it returns the window to normal size and exits split screen mode.
You can also use a trackpad gesture. Place four fingers on your trackpad and swipe left. This exits split screen and returns to your normal desktop view. If you have a Magic Mouse, you can swipe with two fingers instead. Both methods work instantly and do not close either of your open windows.
If you want to close one window while keeping the other in split screen, click the red close button (the X) on that window's title bar. The remaining window will expand to fill the full screen automatically.
Closing split screen on iPad
On iPad, the easiest way to exit split screen is to drag the divider all the way to one edge. Look for the thin vertical line in the middle of your screen that separates the two apps. Touch and hold that divider, then drag it to the left edge or right edge of the screen. Whichever app you drag toward will close, and the other app will expand to fill the full screen.
You can also swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, then tap the X on one of the two apps shown in split view. This closes that app and leaves the other one fullscreen. Neither method deletes the app — it simply closes it, and you can reopen it from your home screen or app library later.
If you have three apps open (one fullscreen and two in split screen on the side), you can close just the side panel by dragging its divider to the right edge. This leaves your main app fullscreen and closes the split view without affecting the third app.
What happens when you exit split screen
When you close split screen, both of your open windows or apps remain open — they simply return to their normal state. If you were in split screen on Windows or Mac, one window will expand to fill the full screen and the other will move to the background. You can click on the background window's taskbar icon or use Alt+Tab to bring it back to the front.
On iPad, the app you dragged away closes completely, but you can reopen it by tapping its icon on your home screen or in the app switcher. The other app stays open and fullscreen. No data is lost when you exit split screen — your documents, web pages, and unsaved work remain exactly as they were.
Preventing accidental split screen
If you keep entering split screen by accident, the cause is usually a trackpad gesture or keyboard shortcut you are triggering without meaning to. On Mac, four-finger swiping activates Mission Control. If this happens often, you can turn it off in System Preferences under Trackpad > More Gestures, then uncheck "Swipe between full-screen apps."
On Windows, dragging a window to the edge of the screen triggers snap assist, which is the split screen feature. If you do not want this, go to Settings > System > Multitasking and turn off "Snap windows." This prevents split screen from activating when you drag a window to the edge, though you can still use the keyboard shortcut if you want split screen later.
On iPad, split screen usually activates when you drag an app from the dock or app switcher onto the screen while another app is already open. If you want to prevent this, simply avoid dragging apps onto the screen — use the app switcher or home screen to switch between fullscreen apps instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I exit split screen without closing one of the windows?
Yes. On Windows, drag a window away from the edge or press Windows key + arrow. On Mac, click the green fullscreen button. On iPad, drag the divider to one edge. Both windows or apps stay open — one just moves to the background or expands fullscreen.
What if I accidentally closed a window while exiting split screen?
The window is not deleted, only closed. On Windows and Mac, click its icon in the taskbar or dock to reopen it. On iPad, tap its icon on your home screen or in the app switcher. Your work inside that window is still there unless you had unsaved changes.
Does exiting split screen delete my files or unsaved work?
No. Exiting split screen only changes how your windows are arranged on screen. Any documents, web pages, or other work you had open remains exactly as it was. If you had unsaved changes, they are still there waiting for you to save them.
Why does my screen keep going into split screen?
On Windows, you may be dragging windows to the screen edge. On Mac, a four-finger swipe activates it. On iPad, dragging apps from the dock triggers it. Check your trackpad settings or be more careful when moving windows and apps around your screen.
Can I use split screen with more than two windows at once?
On Windows and Mac, split screen shows two windows side by side. On iPad, you can have one fullscreen app plus two apps in a split panel on the side, for three total. To exit this arrangement, close the split panel by dragging its divider to the edge.