How to Use Split-Screen on a Chromebook

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


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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. The two Apps will now share the screen equally.


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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.