How to close split screen on iPad safari?

Date 25/11/2023
Category
Apple Blog, Apple How to?, Apple iPad Blog
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How to close split screen on iPad safari?

 

Managing split-screen mode on Safari offers users a flexible browsing experience, but closing this feature can sometimes be puzzling. Here’s a quick guide on how to easily exit split-screen mode in Safari on your iPad.

Discover the magic trick to close split screen on iPad Safari!

Closing split-screen mode in Safari on your iPad involves a couple of different methods depending on the version of iPadOS you’re using. Here’s a detailed guide covering the steps for different scenarios:

Closing Split-Screen on iPadOS 15 and Later:

  1. Gesture-Based Method:
    • Swipe Gesture: If you’re in split-screen mode, place your finger on the black bar between the two open apps, then swipe it towards the edge of the screen. This action should collapse the split-screen view, returning Safari to full-screen mode.
  2. App Switcher Method:
    • Access App Switcher: Alternatively, you can access the app switcher by swiping up from the bottom of the screen or using a quick swipe-up-and-pause motion. Locate the Safari app card in the app switcher.
    • Close Split-Screen: Touch and hold the Safari app card until you see options appear. Look for a “Merge All Windows” or a similarly labeled option and tap it. This action will close the split-screen view, returning Safari to a single full-screen mode.

Closing Split-Screen on iPadOS 14 and Earlier:

  1. Dragging Method:
    • Drag Tab to Full Screen: In Safari, if you’re using split-screen with two tabs open, press and hold on one of the tabs and drag it to the top or bottom of the screen until it snaps back to full-screen mode.
  2. Using the Tabs Button:
    • Tabs Button: Tap the square icon in the top-right or bottom-right corner of Safari (depending on the version) to reveal all open tabs.
    • Close Split-Screen: Look for an icon (usually located near the top-left or top-right of the tab overview) that resembles two overlapping squares or a similarly labeled option. Tap on it to exit split-screen mode, returning Safari to full-screen.

These methods should help you close split-screen mode in Safari on your iPad, allowing you to return to a single full-screen browsing experience. The exact steps might vary slightly based on the iPad model and the version of iPadOS you’re using. If you encounter any challenges, referring to the iPad’s user manual or checking for specific instructions based on your iPad’s software version can provide further assistance.

What’s the procedure for dragging a tab to exit split-screen mode in earlier iPadOS versions?

In earlier iPadOS versions, such as those predating iPadOS 15, the procedure for dragging a tab to exit split-screen mode involves adjusting the tab’s position to collapse the split-screen view back into a single screen within Safari. When using Safari’s split-screen feature on models like the 5th generation iPad, particularly in landscape mode, there’s a divider bar that separates the two app windows, allowing users to modify the window size for multitasking. To exit split-screen mode by dragging a tab, locate the divider bar between the two open app windows in Safari.

While in split mode, adjust the window size by tapping and holding the bar between the two app windows. Drag the bar all the way to the side of the screen, either upwards or downwards, to expand the app window to fill the entire screen space. This action effectively collapses the split-screen view back into a single window, returning Safari to its normal, larger screen mode. As the divider bar moves, the app windows adjust accordingly, allowing one app window to occupy the entire screen space, eliminating the split mode and reverting to a single, full-screen view within Safari. Once completed, the app icon or tab will occupy the entirety of the screen, eliminating the split-screen division and restoring Safari to a single window view for a more comprehensive browsing experience.

What changes or visual cues indicate that Safari has returned to full-screen mode?

When Safari returns to full-screen mode after exiting the split-screen feature on models like the 5th generation iPad in landscape mode, several visual cues and changes signify this transition. In split-screen mode, there’s typically a visible divider bar that separates the two app windows, allowing users to adjust the window size for multitasking purposes. When the split-screen view collapses and Safari returns to a single, full-screen mode, this divider bar disappears from the interface, indicating that the app is no longer in split mode. The absence of this divider bar visually signifies that the window no longer shares the screen space with another app, and now Safari occupies the entire screen area.

Moreover, in full-screen mode, the app window or tab within Safari expands to occupy the entirety of the screen space. When Safari reverts to a single window view, the app icon or tab fills the screen, signifying the absence of split mode and the restoration of a more comprehensive browsing experience. The lack of division or a visible barrier between app windows denotes that the screen is no longer partitioned, and Safari operates as a single window, providing a larger screen for browsing and navigation, distinct from the split mode used for multitasking purposes.