We use computers to be productive, and when multitasking, a single window may not cut it. Most computers have keyboard shortcuts or touchpad gestures to switch between windows. Chromebooks include a split screen mode in the ChromeOS operating system, which makes two windows or apps visible so that you can use them simultaneously. These work well on all Chromebooks but look best on the best Chromebooks with large screens. This tutorial shows how to use the split screen feature on your Chromebook.
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What is the split screen feature on a Chromebook?
The split screen feature on a Chromebook allows you to have two apps or windows visible on your screen simultaneously. They are positioned next to each other so that you can use them at the same time. This feature works with browser windows, progressive web apps, and Android apps.
These split screen layouts are available:
- Split puts two windows next to each other and makes the windows the same size.
- Partial puts the windows side by side but with different window sizes.
- Float puts one app in a small window in front of all the other windows.
As of June 2024, there isn’t a function to stack windows on top of each other, only side to side or floating on top.
How to activate a split screen with the Maximize button on your Chromebook
The Restore/Maximize button in the Chromebook window’s upper-right corner has a little-known trick to activate split screen mode. This is the easiest method for productivity beginners.
- Open a Chrome browser window or an app on your Chromebook.
- Hover over the Maximize/Restore button in the window’s upper-right corner. This button looks like two squares overlayed and slightly offset.
- An animation shows a wheel filling in. When the animation finishes, you’ll see the layouts you can use.
- Hover the mouse over the layout you want to use.
- Left-click the side of the desired layout you want the window to be.
Repeat this process for your other window or app for the other side of the desired layout, and you’re ready to multitask.
How to set up a split screen by dragging and dropping
Sometimes, the easiest way to use a split screen is by dragging and dropping your window where you want it.
- Select a new Chrome tab or app window.
- Move your cursor to the menu bar (the top of the window where a tab sits).
- Use your trackpad to drag the window to the side of the screen you want it to be. A preview highlight shows where the window will snap to when you’re in the right place.
- Let go of the mouse when you’re on the side of the screen where you want the window to snap.
Dragging and dropping is an easy way to make sure windows are where you need them with a flick of the wrist.
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How to use keyboard shortcuts to activate a split screen
There’s a keyboard shortcut if you don’t want to use your mouse to activate a split screen.
- Launch a Chrome window or an app.
- Press Alt + [ to snap the window to the left side of the screen or Alt + ] to snap the window to the right. You can snap a second window on the other side and view two apps or tabs at the same time.
Snapping windows using the keyboard means you don’t have to lift your fingers from the keyboard to multitask.
Similar to Windows 10, Windows 11, and Mac, ChromeOS has a dedicated overview menu to glance over opened apps and tabs. You can use it to resize an app window to half of the screen. Let’s see it in action.
- Press the show window button on your Chromebook keyboard. It looks like a rectangle with two vertical lines to the right. Or, swipe up on the touchpad using the three-finger gesture to activate the overview mode.
- Drag the window you want to snap to the right or left side of the screen to activate the split view.
The overview menu can help you sort through open windows and find items.
How to use a split screen on a Chromebook in tablet mode
Some Chromebook manufacturers offer 2-in-1 devices with a touchscreen. You can still use the split screen mode if you have one and use it in tablet mode.
- Swipe up and hold from the bottom to launch the overview menu.
- Tap and hold a window and drag it to the left or right side of the screen.
- When it’s on the desired side of the screen, let go, and it will snap.
- To resize the split windows, touch and hold the divider bar between two apps and drag it left or right.
Bonus: How to maximize a window on your Chromebook
When you finish multitasking, you may want to switch back to a single full screen window. There are a couple of ways to do this on a Chromebook. Let’s take a look at each of them.
How to maximize a ChromeOS window using the Maximize/Restore button
- Select the window you want to maximize.
- Click the Maximize/Restore button in the upper-right corner of the title bar.
- Tap to maximize the window.
How to maximize a window via drag and drop
- Make the screen you want to maximize the active window.
- Drag the window to the upper-middle side of the screen. You’ll see an outline showing that the window will be maximized.
- Release the mouse to maximize the window.
How to maximize a ChromeOS window with a keyboard shortcut
- Make sure the window you want to resize is selected.
- Press the = and Alt keys at the same time to maximize the window.
- With the stroke of a key, you’ve maximized your desired window.
Multitask to your heart’s content
Juggling multiple windows on a single screen can be tedious, but ChromeOS’s multitasking features make it easier. Like split screen mode, making your most used apps and websites easily accessible is a great way to make multitasking easier. That’s where the Chromebook’s shelf comes in, where it’s easy to pin your favorite apps and websites.
