The Ultimate Guide to Window Snapping on Any Device

What is Window Snapping?

Window snapping is a feature that allows you to quickly resize and organize open windows on your screen by dragging them to certain areas, like the edges or corners. The window will “snap” into place, taking up a specific portion of the screen. It’s a lifesaver when you’re multitasking—whether you’re comparing documents, keeping an eye on your email while working on a project, or following a tutorial while doing the steps yourself.

It keeps your workspace tidy and makes it much easier to see everything you’re working on without constantly minimizing and maximizing different windows.

Why It’s Useful:

• Boosts productivity: Easily view two or more apps at the same time, without the hassle of switching back and forth between them.
• Great for comparisons: Compare two documents or web pages side by side, like when editing or fact-checking.
• Efficient use of screen space: On larger screens, snapping windows helps you make the most of all that space.
• Reduces distraction: Focus on two tasks at once, without getting lost in a sea of open tabs or apps.

Now, let’s break down how to snap windows on different devices.

Windows

Windows users have it easy with a built-in feature called Snap Assist. This lets you organize multiple windows in just a few clicks or drags.

How to Snap Windows on Windows:

• Drag and Snap:
  • Click and hold the title bar (the top part of the window) of an open app and drag it to the left or right edge of your screen. The window will “snap” into place and fill half the screen.
  • Once you snap the first window, Windows will automatically show thumbnails of all your other open apps on the remaining side of the screen. Just click on one of them to snap it into the other half.

• Keyboard Shortcut:
  • Press Windows Key + Left Arrow or Right Arrow to snap the active window to that side of the screen.
  • After that, use Windows Key + Up Arrow or Down Arrow to snap the window into a corner, if you want a quarter of the screen.

• Snap Multiple Windows:
  • You can even snap windows into quarters by dragging them to any corner of the screen or using the arrow keys to adjust their position.

Why Use It?

• Perfect for side-by-side comparisons or working with multiple apps without resizing everything manually.

Mac

Mac’s version of window snapping is called Split View, which allows you to work with two apps in full-screen mode, side by side.

How to Use Split View on Mac:

• Using the Full-Screen Button:
  • Look for the three buttons (red, yellow, and green) in the top-left corner of any window. The green one is for full screen.
  • Click and hold the green button, and you’ll see the window shrink a bit. Drag the window to either the left or right side of your screen.
  • Release the mouse, and your window will snap to that side.
  • The other half of your screen will show all your open windows. Just click one to snap it into place on the other side.
• Resizing the Split:
  • You’ll notice a divider in the middle of the two windows. You can click and drag this line to adjust how much space each window takes up.

Why Use It?

• Ideal for focusing on two apps or tasks at once, whether you’re referencing something while typing or watching a video while taking notes.

Chromebook

Chromebooks make window snapping quick and easy, whether you’re using the touchpad or a mouse.

How to Snap Windows on a Chromebook:

• Using the Maximize Button:
  • Open an app, then click and hold the maximize button (the square icon at the top-right corner of the window).
  • Drag the window to either the left or right side of the screen, and it will snap into place.
  • You can then choose another open window to fill the other half of your screen.

• Keyboard Shortcut:
  • Press Alt + [ to snap the window to the left, and Alt + ] to snap it to the right.
• Snap Multiple Windows:
  • Like on Windows, you can also snap multiple windows and use them in a split-screen or quartered layout to make the most of your Chromebook’s screen space.

Why Use It?

• Great for students, workers, or anyone who needs to handle multiple tabs or apps at once.

Android

Android devices don’t have traditional window snapping, but they do offer Split Screen, which lets you view two apps side by side.

How to Use Split Screen on Android:

• Using Recent Apps:
  • Open the first app you want to use.
  • Tap the Recent Apps button (usually a square or three lines, depending on your device).
  • In the app switcher, find the app you want, tap and hold the app’s icon, and then select “Split screen” from the dropdown menu.
  • Now, select the second app from your recent apps list or the home screen to fill the other half of your screen.
• Resizing the Split:
  • You’ll see a dividing line between the two apps, which you can drag to give one app more or less space on the screen.

Why Use It?

• Perfect for watching a YouTube video while texting or following along with instructions in one app while using another.

iPhone (and iPad)

On an iPhone, there’s no direct “snapping” feature, but you can use Picture-in-Picture (PiP) for videos or multitask with Split View on an iPad.

How to Use Split View on iPad:

• Using the Dock:
  • Open an app on your iPad, then swipe up from the bottom to reveal the dock.
  • Tap and hold the second app you want to use from the dock, then drag it to the left or right side of the screen.
  • The app will snap into place, and you’ll now have both apps side by side.
• Resizing Split View:
  • Just like on other devices, there’s a divider between the two apps. You can drag this to adjust the size of each app.

Why Use It?

• Split View on iPads is great for note-taking, referencing documents, or multitasking without losing focus.

Bonus for iPhone: Use Picture-in-Picture mode for apps like FaceTime or YouTube, where the video can float in a small window while you continue using other apps.

With these tips, you’ll be snapping windows like a pro, keeping your workspace organized, and making multitasking a breeze across all your devices!