If you’re looking to open multiple tabs at once on a Mac, this article is for you. In this guide, we’ll explain a few ways you can open two, three, or even four tabs on your Mac.
Working with two tabs open on your laptop at once can skyrocket your productivity. Fortunately, there are a few ways to put two tabs side by side, both on Mac and Windows.
Let’s go through them one by one.
Opening Two Tabs Side by Side on Mac
If you’re using Safari on your Mac, you might’ve noticed there isn’t a straightforward way to arrange two tabs side by side within the same browser window. Unlike some other browsers, Safari doesn’t yet support split-screen tabs natively, and currently, no Safari extension can add this feature either.
But don’t worry; there’s still a way to work with two Safari windows next to each other. Here’s how.
Step 1: Open Two Safari Windows
First, launch Safari as usual. Then, you’ll need to open a second Safari window so that each can occupy one side of the screen. Here’s how to get that second window:
- Use the keyboard shortcut Cmd ⌘ + Option ⌥ + N to open a new window.
- Alternatively, go to File → New Window from the top menu.
Step 2: Arrange Safari Windows Side by Side
With both Safari windows open, it’s time to arrange them on your screen. Here’s how to do it:
- Hover over the green maximize button at the top left of one of your Safari windows. A small menu should appear.
- From the menu, select Tile Window to Left of Screen (or choose Tile Window to Right of Screen if you prefer).
After selecting this, macOS will prompt you to choose an app or window to display on the other half of the screen. Simply select your other Safari window, and both windows should now appear side by side.
This setup allows you to view two separate Safari tabs at once by placing each in its own window.
Limitations of using Safari
While this solution works, it does come with a couple of limitations. Since these two windows are independent, they don’t stay connected.
For example, if you’re researching and want search results to open automatically in the window on the right while keeping Google on the left, this approach won’t provide that seamless experience. Plus, if you’re using a vertically-oriented monitor or simply prefer stacking windows one above the other, macOS doesn’t make it easy to tile Safari windows in that way.
Also read: How to Switch between Tabs in Recently Used Order in Any Browser
Alternative: Using Microsoft Edge for Split-Tab Browsing on Mac
If these limitations feel restrictive, consider trying Microsoft Edge, a free browser that’s available on macOS. Unlike Safari, Edge has built-in support for managing multiple tabs in split-screen mode and can even handle up to three tabs side by side with some tweaks.
This makes Edge an excellent choice if you often need a more flexible tab arrangement. Also, this works on both Mac and Windows since the Edge browser is available for both platforms.
Let’s now learn how you to open two tabs on the Edge browser on Mac.
Opening Two Tabs on Microsoft Edge on Mac
Since Microsoft Edge isn’t bundled with macOS, you’ll need to download and install it first. Follow these steps to get started with Edge’s built-in split-screen feature.
Step 1: Download and Install Microsoft Edge
To download Microsoft Edge, visit the official Edge download page and follow the instructions to get it set up on your Mac. Once the download is complete, open the file and drag it into the applications folder.
Step 2: Enable the Split-Screen Button
Once Edge is up and running, check the toolbar to see if there’s a split-screen icon. Here’s what it looks like:
If you don’t see this icon in the toolbar, you’ll need to enable it in the settings. Here’s how:
- In Edge, type
edge://settings/?search=split%20screeninto the address bar and press Enter. (You can also copy and paste this text into the address bar if it’s easier.) - This will open the settings page where the Split screen button option is located.
- Scroll down and look for Split screen button.
If it’s turned off, switch it on to make the icon appear in your toolbar.
Step 3: Use the Split-Screen Feature in Edge
Now you’re ready to use Edge’s split-screen feature! When you click the split-screen icon in the toolbar, Edge will automatically split the current window within the browser itself, allowing you to open any other tab side by side.
Also read: How to Disable YouTube Shorts on PC Permanently in 2024
Linking the split screen tabs
Microsoft Edge doesn’t just stop at a basic split-screen setup. It also offers several useful options to customize how your tabs behave when in split-screen mode.
When you have two tabs open side by side, you can adjust their arrangement and even link them together for seamless browsing. Here’s a closer look at what you can do.
Accessing Split-Screen Settings for Individual Tabs
To explore these options, hover over the top-right corner of either tab in your split-screen view. You should see a three-dot icon alongside a close (✖️) icon. Click the three dots (…) to open a menu with several customization options, including:
- Swap Tabs: Quickly switch the position of the left and right tabs.
- Split Horizontally: If you prefer a top-and-bottom layout (especially useful on taller screens), choose this option to arrange the tabs vertically.
But perhaps the most helpful feature of all is the Link Tabs option.
Linking Tabs for a Connected Browsing Experience
The Link Tabs option lets you connect two tabs so that links clicked in one tab automatically open in the other. This feature is a game-changer when you’re in research mode.
For example, you can keep a search engine or reference page open in the left tab and have each link you click open in the right tab. This setup keeps everything visible at a glance without needing to switch between tabs.
Opening a third tab in Mac
If two tabs aren’t quite enough, Microsoft Edge has a clever trick that lets you add a third tab to your setup. This involves using the browser’s Sidebar feature, which opens a narrow panel on the right side of your screen.
Here’s how to make the most of it.
Step 1: Enabling the Sidebar
To open the Sidebar in Edge, click on the Copilot icon in the top-right corner:
Once the Sidebar is open, click on the ➕ (plus) icon to add a website of your choice to the panel. You’ll see a list of sites you already have open in Edge, so it’s easy to bring up any of your current tabs. If you don’t see the website you want to add, first open it in the main browser window, then revisit the Sidebar and click the plus icon again to see the updated list.
Step 2: Adjusting the Sidebar Display
By default, Sidebar websites are shown in a compact, mobile-friendly layout. If you need a larger view, click on the three vertical dots next to the Sidebar tab and select Show Desktop View.
Here’s how it looks:
Step 3: Pinning the Sidebar
To keep the Sidebar visible even while you’re working on other parts of the screen, click the pin icon next to the vertical dots menu. This will prevent the Sidebar from sliding out of view whenever you click elsewhere.
After these adjustments, your screen should display three tabs simultaneously: two in the main split-screen and one in the Sidebar. Here’s a sample setup:
Why the Sidebar is Handy for Multitasking
The Sidebar is a huge help for me, especially for keeping frequently-used websites close at hand. I like to keep my go-to AI tools in the Sidebar for quick access. They stay neatly to the side, never interfering with my main tasks but always ready with just a click.
Taking it Up a Notch: Using the Arc Browser for a Four-Way Split
Now that you’ve got a handle on Edge’s three-tab setup, let’s level up. Arc, a browser developed by The Browser Company of New York, offers a solution for users who need a four-way split screen. Arc comes packed with unique features—some even powered by AI—that make it a standout in the browser world.
Setting Up a Four-Tab Split in Arc
While Arc doesn’t include a “link tabs” feature like Edge, it does let you arrange four tabs side by side. This is perfect for situations where you’re comparing multiple websites or if you have a wide-screen monitor that can comfortably fit four tabs at once.
I’ve written a detailed guide on using Arc for four-way split screens, so feel free to check it out if you’re ready to explore even more multi-tab browsing options!
Also read: Awesome Arc Browser Tips and Tricks
Wrapping Up:
Making the Most of Split-Screen Browsing on Mac
Whether you’re working with two tabs in Safari, linking tabs in Microsoft Edge, or adding a third tab using Edge’s Sidebar, there are plenty of ways to multitask effectively on a Mac.
And if you need even more screen space, Arc offers a unique four-way split for broader comparisons. Each option adds a different level of flexibility, so you can pick the setup that best suits your workflow.
Hope you found this article useful. Thanks for reading.