Notability + Safari Split View on iPad: The Full Guide

To use Notability and Safari in Split View on iPad, drag one app to the edge of the screen while the other is open, or use the multitasking menu at the top of either app to place them side by side.

That gets you there — but if you open this combination regularly, there's a much faster way. First, let's look at why this particular pair is worth the effort.

Why Notability and Safari Work So Well Together

Notability is a handwriting and annotation app. Safari is how you reach nearly everything on the web. Put them side by side and you have a research-and-capture loop that's hard to beat on any device.

Here's where the combination earns its place:

• Reading and note-taking: You're working through a long article, a research paper, or a recipe. Safari stays on one side while you write summaries, sketch diagrams, or highlight key ideas in Notability — without ever switching apps or losing your place.
• Lecture or meeting prep: Pull up a course syllabus, a meeting agenda, or a reference document in Safari. Write directly in Notability as you go, with the source material visible at all times. No tab-switching, no context loss.
• Annotating web content: Copy a URL or paste a screenshot from Safari into Notability and mark it up with Apple Pencil. Having both apps open means less friction between finding something and capturing it.

The limitation is getting into this setup quickly. Every time you want it, you're dragging apps around or hunting through the multitasking menu. That's two or three steps every single time.

How to Set It Up with Splicon

If you haven't downloaded Splicon yet, start there: Download Splicon free from the App Store

Splicon lets you create a custom Home Screen icon that launches any two apps directly into Split View with one tap. Here's how to set it up for Notability and Safari:

1. Open Splicon and search for Notability and Safari. Select them as your app pair. Splicon shows you a preview of how they'll appear side by side.
2. Choose a split style and generate the icon. You can adjust which app sits on which side. Once you're happy with it, save the generated icon to your Photos library.
3. Open the Shortcuts app and create a new shortcut. Add an "Open App" action, configure it to open both apps in Split View, then tap the shortcut's icon placeholder and choose "Select Photo" to assign the Splicon icon you just saved.
4. Add the shortcut to your Home Screen. Tap the shortcut name at the top, select "Add to Home Screen," and place it wherever makes sense — next to your other study or work tools.

From that point forward, one tap puts you straight into Notability and Safari, side by side, at whatever split ratio you set.

A Few Tips Once You're Set Up

Notability defaults to your last open note when launched, so it helps to keep a dedicated research or class note open before you tap the shortcut. That way you land exactly where you need to be.

On an iPad Pro or iPad Air with a larger screen, the 50/50 split gives both apps plenty of room. On a standard iPad, you might prefer giving Safari slightly more space so articles are comfortable to read — Notability works fine in a narrower column when you're primarily writing.

If you use this combination for different contexts — one note for work, one for a class — consider making two separate Splicon shortcuts with different icons or labels. The Shortcuts app lets you name each one, so your Home Screen stays organized rather than cluttered.