How to snap windows into a custom layout on Mac

Recent versions of macOS can tile windows to the left or right half of the screen and to quarters. For anything else, such as three windows across the top and two along the bottom, you need a window manager. Here is how both work.

1. The built-in options

Drag a window to the left or right edge of the screen, or use the Window menu, then Move & Resize, to tile it. This covers simple side-by-side work and needs nothing extra.

2. A custom layout with Zonewell

1. Download Zonewell and open it. Switch it on under System Settings, Privacy & Security, Accessibility.
2. Open Settings from the menu bar icon and pick a preset, or draw your own zones on the live preview.
3. Hold the drag key while moving a window. Your zones appear.
4. Release over a zone and the window snaps into it.
5. Give a zone its own shortcut if you prefer the keyboard.

3. Tips

• Add a small gap so window borders are easy to see.
• Add video calls and games to the ignore list so they stay where you put them.
• If windows snap twice, turn off edge tiling in System Settings, Desktop & Dock.
• With two monitors, zones follow the screen the window is on.