[2026 Full Guide] How to Get Rid of Split Screen on iPad

Split Screen on iPad makes multitasking easier by allowing users to work with two apps simultaneously. It's a useful feature for studying, browsing, note-taking, and improving productivity. However, many users accidentally activate Split View or find their iPad stuck in split screen mode without knowing how to exit it.

In this guide, you'll learn how to get rid of split screen on iPad step by step, including how to close Split View, disable multitasking features, and fix an iPad that is stuck in split screen mode.

How to Use Split Screen on iPad

According to Apple, you can get started with multitasking by opening split screen. There are three ways for you to use iPad split screen. You can take the detailed steps in the following to finish it and try multitasking.

Method 1. Use the Multitasking Menu

• Step 1. Open an app, then tap the Multitasking button (three dots ...) at the top of the screen.
• Step 2. Tap the Split View button (the half-filled icon). The current app will slide over to reveal your Home Screen.
• Step 3. Tap a second app on your Home Screen or Dock, and it will open side-by-side with the current app.
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Method 2. Use the Dock

• Step 1. Open an app, then slowly swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen until the Dock appears, then release.
• Step 2. Touch and hold a second app in the Dock, then drag it up out of the Dock.
• Step 3. Drag the app to the far left or right edge of the screen until the main app adjusts, then lift your finger to drop it into Split View.
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Method 3. Use Stage Manager (For Mac-like Overlapping Windows)

If you have a compatible iPad (such as iPad Air or iPad Pro with M-series chips), Stage Manager changes the layout entirely, letting you resize, overlap, and group up to four apps on your screen at once.

• Step 1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open the Control Center. Tap the Stage Manager icon (a rectangle with three small dots next to it) to turn it on.
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• Step 2. Open any app. Look for the curved handle at the bottom-left or bottom-right corner of the window. Drag that corner to freely shrink or grow the app window to your liking.
• Step 3. With your main window open, you will see thumbnails of recent apps on the left side of the screen. Drag an app icon from the left thumbnail column or the bottom Dock into the center of your workspace. You can now stack and arrange them together.
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How to Get Rid of Split Screen on iPad Temporarily

If you open split screen on your iPad accidentally, it can lead to some awkward problems. In this case, it's better for you to turn it off. You can follow the step-by-step guidance on how to get rid of split screen on iPad temporarily below.

Method 1: Use the App Divider (The Quick Slide)

• Step 1. Locate the app divider (the thin grey or black vertical bar) in the middle of the screen between the two apps.
• Step 2. Touch and hold the divider, then drag it all the way to the left or right edge of the screen, depending on which app you want to close.
• Step 3. Release your finger once the divider reaches the edge, and the remaining app will automatically expand into full-screen view.
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Method 2: Use the Multitasking Menu (The Simplest Way)

• Step 1. Tap the Multitasking button (three dots ...) at the top of the app window you want to keep.
• Step 2. From the pop-up menu, tap the Full Screen button (the fully filled rectangle icon). The other app will close.
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How to Disable Split Screen on iPad Permanently

If you prefer a simpler layout without accidental multitasking or side-by-side windows, you can permanently disable Split View and Slide Over through your iPad's Settings. This ensures that every app you open will default to full-screen mode.

• Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
• Step 2. Scroll down on the left sidebar and tap Multitasking & Gestures.
• Step 3. In the Multitasking section, you will see three layout options. Select Full Screen Apps (the first option on the left).
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Once selected, all multitasking features like Split View and Slide Over are turned off completely. Any active split screens will instantly separate into their own individual full-screen app windows. If you ever want to use multitasking again, simply return to this menu and switch back to Windowed Apps or Stage Manager.

How to Get Rid of Split Screen on iPad Safari

If you accidentally opened two Safari windows side-by-side and want to return to a single, clean browsing view, you can quickly disable the split screen using any of the three methods below.

Method 1: Use the Multitasking Menu (The Simplest Way)

• Step 1. Tap the Multitasking button (three dots ...) at the top of the Safari window you want to keep.
• Step 2. Tap the Full Screen button (the fully filled rectangle icon). The second Safari window will immediately close.
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Method 2: Close Split Screen by Merging Windows

This method is perfect if you want to close the split screen without losing your open tabs—it brings all open web pages together into one single screen.

• Step 1. In either Safari window, look at the top-right corner and locate the Tabs icon (the icon with two overlapping squares).
• Step 2. Touch and hold (long-press) the Tabs icon until a pop-up menu appears.
• Step 3. Tap Merge All Windows from the menu. This will instantly close the split screen and combine all your open tabs into one window.
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Method 3: Use the App Divider (The Drag Method)

This method is perfect if you want to close the split screen without losing your open tabs—it brings all open web pages together into one single screen.

• Step 1. Locate the app divider (the thin vertical bar) right in the middle of the two Safari windows.
• Step 2. Touch and hold the divider, then drag it all the way to the left or right edge of the screen.
• Step 3. Release your finger once the divider hits the edge to close that side's window and return Safari to full screen.
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The Best Way to Fix iPad Stuck in Split Screen

However, in some cases, you may meet the issue that iPad stuck in split screen that disallows you to get rid of it. This issue is often caused by some system issues on your iPad, and you need a professional iOS repair tool to fix it. Our most recommended one is TunesKit iOS System Recovery. This program is known as one of the best iOS & iPadOS fix tools for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch users.

With this tool, you are able to fix such system issues as iPad stuck in split screen, iPad split screen not working, iPad black screen, and more. Thanks to its easy operations and clear guidance, you don't need to worry about being unable to fix your iOS devices with this tool.

Step 1 Connect iPad to PC

First of all, make your iPad connected to the PC using a USB cable after you download and install TunesKit iOS System Recovery on it. Then, hit on the iOS System Repair, and click the Start button to go to the next step.

Step 2Choose Standard Repair

Now, there are two repair modes you can select from to fix your iPad, including Standard Repair and Deep Repair. It's advised that you use Standard Repair first, because this mode will not affect the data on your device. If Standard Repair does not work, you can resort to Deep Repair.

Step 3Download Firmware Package

In this section, you need to make sure that the information related to your iPad that is displayed on the screen is right. Then, tap on the Download button to download the matched firmware package.

Step 4 Fix iPad Stuck in Split Screen

When you finish downloading the right firmware package, you can tap on the Start Standard Repair button to fix your iPad now. After the fixing, you don't need to worry about how to get rid of split screen on iPad.

The Bottom Line

Here is the end for the full guide of how to get rid of a split screen on iPad. If you want to fix your iPad stuck in split screen, you are suggested to use TunesKit iOS System Recovery. This tool is really a conducive solution for you to fix iOS system errors. If you have other questions related to iOS repair, you can leave a comment in the section below.