HT204948: Use two Mac apps side by side in Split View

Learn about Use two Mac apps side by side in Split View
absonant
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Is there a keyboard shortcut to switch focus between the two side-by-side apps in split fullscreen mode?

I would like to use a keyboard shortcut to switch focus between two side-by-side windows in split fullscreen mode.  Does this exist?  I know I can use command+tab for different apps, but it's a little clumsy.  Additionally, if they are two windows of the same app, the command+tab option no longer works.

Posted on Nov 6, 2015 10:04 AM

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absonant

Q: Is there a keyboard shortcut to switch focus between the two side-by-side apps in split fullscreen mode?

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  • by leroydouglas,

    leroydouglas leroydouglas Nov 6, 2015 10:29 AM in response to absonant
    Level 7 (22,920 points)
    Notebooks
    Nov 6, 2015 10:29 AM in response to absonant

    Why a short cut? If you are in split screen mode click with your mouse. That is as short as it comes.

     

    Work in Split View

    In Split View, you can use both apps side by side, without the distraction of other apps.

    • Choose a window to work in by clicking anywhere in that window.
    • Show the menu bar by moving the pointer to the top of the screen.
    • Swap window positions by dragging a window to the other side.
    • Adjust window width by dragging the vertical line between the windows.
    • Switch to other apps or your desktop with Mission Control, or use a Multi-Touch gesture such as swiping left or right with four fingers on your trackpad.

  • by absonant,

    absonant absonant Nov 6, 2015 10:32 AM in response to leroydouglas
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 6, 2015 10:32 AM in response to leroydouglas

    Because if I'm typing in both apps, it's bothersome to go from typing to clicking to typing again--its the same reason short cuts are nice in other situations. 

  • by leroydouglas,

    leroydouglas leroydouglas Nov 6, 2015 10:55 AM in response to absonant
    Level 7 (22,920 points)
    Notebooks
    Nov 6, 2015 10:55 AM in response to absonant

    absonant wrote:

     

    Because if I'm typing in both apps, it's bothersome to go from typing to clicking to typing again--its the same reason short cuts are nice in other situations. 

     

    Apple Feedback http://www.apple.com/feedback/

  • by actionmarker,

    actionmarker actionmarker Nov 8, 2015 3:24 AM in response to absonant
    Level 4 (1,883 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 8, 2015 3:24 AM in response to absonant

    Use the 'Move focus to active or next window' shortcut.

    Depending on your keyboard, you may also need to hold the 'fn' key.

    Of course, you can change the keys to another setting too.Screen Shot 2015-11-08 at 10.18.44 pm.png

  • by brianrenner,

    brianrenner brianrenner Mar 17, 2016 7:58 AM in response to actionmarker
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 17, 2016 7:58 AM in response to actionmarker

    Just to anyone coming here from search engine results, this also works with iOS in split-screen mode when using a keyboard. I tested this on an iPad Air 2 running iOS 9.2.1 with Bluetooth keyboard, and the Fn+F4 button did indeed switch keyboard focus between apps.

     

    Thanks to the poster above!