Turning off split screen on WhatsApp for iPad is easy once you know how. The split screen feature allows you to run WhatsApp side-by-side with another app, but you may want to disable it at times for a full-screen WhatsApp experience. Here’s a quick guide on how to turn off split screen on WhatsApp for iPadOS.
Viewing WhatsApp in Split Screen
The first step is understanding how to open WhatsApp in split screen view. There are a couple of ways to do this:
- Open WhatsApp first, then swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the dock. Tap and hold an app icon like Safari and drag it to the side to open in split screen.
- Or open another app like Safari first, then swipe left from the right side of the screen to open the dock. Tap and hold the WhatsApp icon and drag it to the open side to view both apps at once.
Once you have WhatsApp open side-by-side with another app, here are some tips for using split screen:
- Drag the divider line in the middle to adjust sizing of the two apps.
- Tap on the WhatsApp app portion to select and interact with it. The other app will become inactive but still visible.
- Swipe the WhatsApp app upwards from the bottom bar to make it full screen temporarily.
Closing WhatsApp Split Screen
If you want to close WhatsApp split screen view, there are a couple easy ways to do so:
- Drag the divider line all the way to the left or right edge to close one of the two apps.
- Swipe up from the bottom bar to bring up the dock again. Then tap and hold the app icon you want to close and drag it back down to the dock to close that app’s split screen view.
Once one app is closed, WhatsApp will automatically become full screen again. You can also tap on the other open app and then on the X icon in the top left corner to close both apps from split screen mode.
Disabling WhatsApp Split Screen Entirely
If you want to disable WhatsApp from being opened in split screen view entirely, there are a couple of options:
- Turn Off Split Screen for WhatsApp Only: Go to Settings > WhatsApp > Multitasking and turn off ‘Allow Multiple Apps’. This will stop only WhatsApp from being opened in split screen while keeping the feature on for other apps.
- Disable Split Screen for All Apps: Go to Settings > General > Multitasking & Dock and turn off ‘Allow Multiple Apps’. This will disable split screen entirely and stop it from being used with any apps.
Once you have split screen turned off using one of the above methods, WhatsApp will open in full screen only by default. You can toggle these settings on and off at anytime.
Why Turn Off WhatsApp Split Screen?
There are a few reasons you may want to disable WhatsApp split screen view on your iPad:
- See full conversations – With split screen, you can only see part of your WhatsApp chats at once. Disabling it lets you view entire conversations.
- Avoid distractions – Having another app open alongside WhatsApp can be distracting. Focus better with just one app open.
- Save battery life – Running two apps simultaneously uses more battery power. Close split screen to conserve battery.
- Prevent message peeking – With two apps open, others could potentially sneak a peek at your WhatsApp messages.
Pros and Cons of WhatsApp Split Screen
Here is a quick comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of using WhatsApp split screen on iPad:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Multitask with two apps open | Can only see part of conversations |
| Drag and drop content between apps | Causes distractions |
| Handy for quick reference | Drains battery life faster |
| Makes use of large iPad screen | Uses more processing power |
As you can see, there are good reasons for both using and disabling split screen mode. It comes down to your personal preference and how you specifically need to use WhatsApp.
Other WhatsApp iPad Multitasking Tips
In addition to split screen, there are a few other tips for multitasking with WhatsApp on an iPad:
- Slide Over: Open another app in a floating window overlaying WhatsApp. Swipe from right to open.
- Picture in Picture: Tap the PiP icon while in a WhatsApp video call to shrink the video but continue browsing WhatsApp.
- App Expose: Swipe up with four fingers to open a bird’s eye view of open apps to quickly switch between them.
- Drag & Drop: Drag photos, links, and more from another app and drop into WhatsApp to share content.
Master these iPadOS 15 multitasking skills for effortless WhatsApp usage. Use the right features at the right times to boost your productivity.
Conclusion
The split screen tool can be handy for WhatsApp on iPad, allowing you to conveniently multitask between apps. However, if you find it cluttering up your WhatsApp interface, you can easily disable split screen in a few quick steps. Limit distractions, save battery, and maintain your privacy by turning off the split view and using WhatsApp in full screen as needed. With the customizable iPadOS experience, toggle between split screen and regular views to suit your changing needs.