How to Use Split-Screen on a Chromebook

June 19, 2020 / By

Split-Screen on a Chromebook (also called side-by-side or multi-tasking mode) is super easy to use and it’s built right in!

Having two Apps run side-by-side on your screen can help boost productivity and save time. It’s even more helpful since Chrome OS doesn’t support virtual desktops (yet) yes it does! To use split-screen on a Chromebook, just follow these simple steps –

  1. Select the first App you want to have on your screen, click its Maximize/Restore button (see screenshot below) and hold down the mouse button (or trackpad, touchscreen etc). An ‘arrow’ will appear on each side of the Maximize/Restore button. Select the arrow on the left.

    2. window actions on a Chrome OS app with the left arrow highlighted

  2. The App will be sent to the left side of your screen and resized to fit perfectly.

    3. Chrome OS desktop with an app taking up exactly half the screen
    click to enlarge

  3. Now locate the other App you want to have on your screen, click and hold down its Maximize/Restore button and this time select the arrow on the right.

    4. window actions on a Chrome OS app with the right arrow highlighted

  4. The two Apps will now share the screen equally.

    5. Split-Screen on a Chromebook
    click to enlarge

  5. You can repeat the above steps with other Apps and assign them one side of the screen or the other.
  6. If you’re a keyboard-shortcut person you’re in luck – you can use them for split-screen on a Chromebook too! When you want to have an app take up the left side of your screen, use the keyboard combination Alt + [ When you want an app to take up the right side of your screen, use the keyboard combination Alt + ]
  7. Another way to use your screen space more efficiently is to use Picture-in-Picture if you’re watching videos – a feature that was introduced in Chrome OS 81.

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10 thoughts on “How to Use Split-Screen on a Chromebook”

  3. Carla

    I am able to do split screen however when I start typing on the left screen the right split screen is still there however what was on the screen goes blank. Do you know how to fix this? Almost like I can only view one doc/website at a time.

  6. Teri

    What if there are only the two options on the top right of the app. For example, Netflix only has the _ and X. No option to make the window smaller, only to open and close

  7. Kayla

    This worked perfectly! Thank you so much for this, I really thought I would’ve been screwed and not have this option. Life saver!

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