By default, Apple’s Vision Pro acts as a 4K Mac virtual display, extending a Mac desktop to the device’s spatial computing environment. Splitscreen lets you add a second macOS display to your Vision Pro, even if it uses a separate Apple ID.
This tool might let multitaskers utilize their Mac Virtual Display in the Vision Pro with several Mac computers, such as one for business and one for personal usage. Splitscreen lets you simulate a multi-monitor configuration in VR or AR.
The challenge proved difficult to address, says developer Jordi Bruin. The app’s methodology will enable Splitscreen’s developers to add extra screens, settings, and features immediately after launch. Bruin on X says more granular controls and a more reliable connection are coming.
Independent developers Mathijs Kadijk and Tom Lokhorst, who created the iPhone-to-Mac mirroring app Bezel as Nonstrict, and Bruin, who creates iOS utilities like allergy scanner Soosee and health app PosturePal under the developer account Good Snooze, created the app.
Kadijk and Bruin used Bezel’s lessons to construct Splitscreen.
Since each team member had two MacBook Pro monitors, Bruin says they came up with the app concept.
“We liked the Mac Virtual Display on our Vision Pro for portability, but we missed our two other displays. We wanted to satisfy our own itch as many of our daily Mac programs are not accessible on VisionOS, he continues. “And since we—Good Snooze and Nonstrict—both had experience building apps in this niche, it sounded like a fun challenge,” Bruin says.
Splitscreen will try to connect to VisionPro over the best network upon startup. Because many variables affect speed, the creators provide a 15-minute free session to test Splitscreen on your network. After each usage, users may reset the session or buy the app for $20 (at least until March) to eliminate the time restriction.
For now, the software doesn’t operate on Intel Macs since it uses HEVC to deliver video data. Eventually, an upgrade will enable Intel Macs. Although only 1920×1080 resolution is currently enabled, we are working on providing additional settings and support for multiple monitors.
The creators expect professional processes to employ splitscreen for app multitasking. For example, Bruin codes with it.
“With Splitscreen, you can put your code editor on one window along with Stack Overflow,” he says. “While working on my main display, I can store ‘temporary’ macOS windows on the second display. Many combination operations function better with multiple Mac monitors and space. Especially in the early days of this new platform, when several popular Mac programs have not been moved over, argues Bruin.
The software has over 1,500 TestFlight testers, which is impressive given the Vision Pro’s limited user base. The tests assist the team in enhancing performance, analyzing use cases, and determining effective premium version pricing. Splitscreen is free on the App Store with a $20 in-app purchase.
