How To Get Rid Of Split Screen On IPad: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Edgar Nicov

How-To

6 min. read

Published on November 7, 2025

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Split Screen on iPad is a fantastic feature for multitasking, allowing you to work with two apps simultaneously. However, there are times when you might want to disable it or simply exit split screen mode to return to a single, full-screen app. Understanding how to manage split screen is essential for getting the most out of your iPad.

Whether you accidentally activated split screen or you’re finished using two apps side-by-side, this guide will walk you through the simple steps to get rid of split screen on your iPad and restore it to its normal, single-app view. We’ll cover all the methods, ensuring you can easily switch back to your preferred display.

How Do I Turn Off Split Screen on My iPad?

Using the Top Menu Bar

This is the most common and straightforward method for exiting split screen.

Locate the Top Menu Bar: At the top of each app in split screen, you’ll see a small gray bar. This is the app’s menu bar.
Tap the Three Dots: Tap the three dots located at the very top-center of the app you want to close from the split view. A menu will appear.
Select the Full Screen Icon: In the menu that appears, tap the first icon on the left. This icon resembles a single window or app. Tapping this icon will expand the selected app to full screen, dismissing the other app.

Dragging the Divider

Another way to exit split screen is by dragging the divider between the two apps.

Identify the Divider: Find the black vertical line that separates the two apps in split screen.
Drag the Divider: Touch and hold the divider line. Then, drag it either to the far left or far right edge of your screen.

Dragging it to the left will close the app on the left.
Dragging it to the right will close the app on the right.

Release: Once the divider reaches the edge, release it. The remaining app will expand to full screen.

Using the App Switcher

The App Switcher allows you to manage all open apps, including those in split screen.

Open the App Switcher: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle, or double-click the Home button (if your iPad has one).
Locate the Split Screen App Pair: Find the pair of apps that are currently in split screen. They will appear as two apps grouped together.
Swipe Up on the App to Close: Swipe up on the app you want to close from the split screen. This will remove it from the App Switcher and exit split screen mode, leaving the other app in full screen.

Disabling Multitasking Gestures (If Applicable)

If you’re having trouble with split screen activating unintentionally, you might want to disable multitasking gestures.

Open Settings: Go to the Settings app on your iPad.
Navigate to Home Screen & Multitasking: Scroll down and tap on “Home Screen & Multitasking”.
Disable Multitasking Gestures: Toggle off the “Gestures” option. This will prevent split screen from being activated by swiping in from the edge of the screen.

Using Slide Over

Slide Over is another multitasking feature on iPad that can sometimes be confused with split screen. If you have an app in Slide Over mode:

Identify the Slide Over App: The Slide Over app appears as a floating window on top of your main app.
Dismiss the Slide Over App: Swipe the Slide Over app to the right edge of the screen to hide it. If you want to close it completely, you can open the App Switcher (as described above) and swipe up on the Slide Over app to close it.

Comparison of Methods

Method	Description	Ease of Use	Best For
Top Menu Bar	Uses the three dots at the top of the app to exit.	Very Easy	Quickly exiting split screen when you know which app to keep.
Dragging the Divider	Drags the divider to the edge of the screen.	Easy	Exiting split screen by visually adjusting the app sizes.
App Switcher	Uses the App Switcher to close one of the apps.	Medium	Managing multiple open apps and split screen pairs simultaneously.
Disable Multitasking	Prevents accidental activation of split screen.	N/A	Users who frequently trigger split screen unintentionally.
Using Slide Over	Hides the app that is in slide over mode.	N/A	Users who frequently trigger slide over unintentionally.

Tips For Managing Split Screen

Familiarize Yourself with Gestures: Practice the gestures for activating and deactivating split screen to avoid accidental activation.
Customize Multitasking Settings: Explore the multitasking settings in the Settings app to tailor the feature to your preferences.
Update Your iPad: Ensure your iPad is running the latest version of iPadOS, as updates often include improvements and bug fixes for multitasking features.

Regaining Full Screen Focus

By mastering these methods, you can easily manage split screen on your iPad, ensuring you can switch between multitasking and full-screen modes with ease. Experiment with these techniques to find the ones that work best for your workflow and preferences.

FAQ

How do I get out of split screen on my iPad? You can exit split screen by dragging the divider to the edge of the screen, using the three-dot menu at the top of the app, or through the App Switcher.

Why is my iPad stuck in split screen? Ensure your multitasking gestures are enabled in Settings. If the issue persists, try restarting your iPad.

How do I disable split screen on my iPad permanently? You can’t disable split screen entirely, but you can disable multitasking gestures to prevent accidental activation in Settings under “Home Screen & Multitasking.”

What is the difference between split view and slide over on iPad? Split View allows two apps to share the screen side-by-side, while Slide Over displays one app in a floating window on top of another.