How to Split Screen on Mac Using Magnet App

Edited 2 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Magnet AppmacOSScreen SplittingWindow ManagementDesktop CustomizationMac EfficiencyMulti-tasking ToolsWorkflow ManagementmacOS UtilitiesUser Productivity

Splitting your screen on Mac can greatly increase your productivity by allowing you to work on multiple applications simultaneously. If you often need to multitask, having multiple apps open is a lot of work. MacOS has a basic split-screen functionality built in naturally through the operating system, but the Magnet app is another great option that extends this capability and makes it possible to arrange windows in a more flexible way. Here, we'll explain the Magnet app in detail and how you can use it to split your screen and optimize your workflow.

Magnet is a user-friendly app specifically designed to organize and manage window sizes on your Mac. It allows easy window snapping and arrangement, which can be a game-changer for anyone who manages multiple apps or windows at once. This app effectively turns your Mac into a more organized workspace. Developed to function similar to the window snapping feature in some versions of Windows, Magnet lets you drag a window to the edge or corners of your screen to resize it to a predefined, configurable scale.

Installation
The first step to using Magnet is to install it on your Mac. You can find Magnet on the Mac App Store. Once you download and install the application, it resides in your menu bar, ready to use. The application is optimized to work seamlessly with MacOS, giving you a robust experience.

Basic configuration
After installing Magnet, you'll want to configure the app to suit your needs. This includes setting up keyboard shortcuts that will help you quickly snap windows to certain positions on the screen. When you first open Magnet from the menu bar, you'll notice that there are a variety of predefined window positions available, such as left half, right half, top half, bottom half, and even quarters and thirds, which correspond to areas of your screen.

To assign shortcuts, go to Magnet's settings and select the "Shortcuts" tab to display a list of different window positions. Here, you can click on any action to set a shortcut specifically for it. For example, if you often like to split the screen into two vertical halves, you can assign shortcuts for "left half" and "right half" respectively.

Using magnets to split the screen
Once your shortcuts are set up, you can easily start splitting your screen. Let's explore some common functionalities in Magnet to help you get used to it:

• Split to left or right: You can split a window into half of the screen by clicking its title bar and dragging it to the left or right edge of the screen. This is especially useful when you are writing, reading or referencing multiple texts and want to keep them side by side. This can also be achieved quickly by using your designated shortcut for "left half" or "right half".
• Split into quarters: For more granular control, Magnet allows the screen to be split into quarters. This is useful when you need to have four windows open simultaneously for tasks like streaming, chatting, coding, and browsing. The corners are snapped by dragging them to any of the four corners of your screen.
• One-third and two-thirds layouts: Unlike MacOS's default split which is limited to half, Magnet allows the window to occupy either one-third or two-thirds of your screen's width. You can accomplish this by strategically moving the window towards the edges until it fits in these parts or use the specified shortcuts. This feature is important for designers or video editors who often need more screen space for particular applications.

Benefits of using magnets
Magnet extends your screen multitasking capabilities beyond the native capabilities of MacOS. One of the primary benefits is its simplicity and speed. With preset shortcuts, you can manipulate your screen layout without using your mouse, saving time. Plus, the app supports up to 6 external displays, providing seamless window management across all screens.

Practical examples of Magnet app use
To understand how magnets can efficiently organize your workplace, let's look at a few scenarios:

• Scenario 1: Coding and testing
  Let's say you're a developer working on a web application. You might want to have your code editor on one third of the screen, a web browser on another third so you can see the results of your code in real time, and perhaps another window dedicated to a terminal or debugging tools. With Magnet, you can quickly set up a workflow that lets you handle your tasks without having to constantly open and resize windows manually.
• Scenario 2: Project research
  If you're doing research and need a reference sheet on one side of your screen and a document or note-taking app on the other, you can arrange these in half-screen segments, or even quarters if more references are needed. This setup allows for easy comparison, note-taking, and cross-referencing, which boosts productivity.

Conclusion
Mac users who need or prefer multitasking efficiently know that effective window management is essential. With Magnet, you can easily split your screen into multiple configurations, making it possible to customize your screen layout exactly the way you need it for your work or personal project. This helps keep your workspace neat and structured, ultimately aiding in better focus and efficiency.

Through simple configuration of shortcuts and intuitively designed window snapping, Magnet will feel like a natural extension of the MacOS experience. Whether you plan to use it for complex project management or just want an organization tool that is fluid and effective, Magnet brings the power of efficient window management to your fingertips.

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