A Betti splitting $I=J+K$ of a monomial ideal $I$ ensures the recovery of the graded Betti numbers of $I$ starting from those of $J,K$ and $J \cap K$. In this paper, we introduce this condition for simplicial complexes, and, by using Alexander duality, we prove that it is equivalent to a recursive splitting conditions on links of some vertices. The adopted point of view enables for relating the existence of a Betti splitting for a simplicial complex $Δ$ to the topological properties of $Δ$. Among other results, we prove that orientability for a manifold without boundary is equivalent to admit a Betti splitting induced by the removal of a single facet. Taking advantage of this topological approach, we provide the first example in literature admitting Betti splitting but with characteristic-dependent resolution. Moreover, we introduce the notion of splitting probability, useful to deal with results concerning existence of Betti splitting.