How to open two windows at the same time on Android

Modern smartphones have such powerful screens and performance that using them for only one task seems ineffective. The split-screen feature, which allows you to run two applications at the same time, has become standard for most versions of the operating system. This is incredibly convenient for watching videos on YouTube while chatting in messenger or comparing prices in different online stores.

Unfortunately, smartphone manufacturers often hide this feature in the jungle of settings or implement it through gestures that are not obvious to a beginner. In this article, we will look in detail at how to activate multitasking on your device, no matter what shell you have - pure Android, One UI from Samsung or MIUI from Xiaomi.

Not all applications support working in windowed mode. Some developers block this feature to avoid problems with the interface display. We'll look at ways to work around the limitations and explain which apps are best suited for split-screen.

Built-in split-screen functionality

Starting with the seventh version of the operating system, Google has introduced native support for multitasking. However, the control interface for this mode varies greatly depending on the manufacturer of your gadget. On most devices, control is carried out through the recent applications menu.

To activate the mode, you need to open the list of running apps. This is usually done by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (when navigating with gestures) or by pressing a special button in the form of a square. Find the icon of the desired application and hold your finger on it, or click on the application icon at the top of the window.

In the context menu that opens, select "Split screen" or "Run in split screen mode". After this, the upper part of the display will be occupied by the selected application, and in the lower part the system will prompt you to select a second app from the list of recently used ones.

⚠️ Attention: If you do not see a split screen icon in the recent applications menu, this function may be disabled in the developer settings or your device has a screen that is too small (less than 6 inches), which limits multitasking mode. by default.

After launching two apps, you can adjust the size of each window by dragging the split bar. This allows you to allocate more space for the video player or, conversely, for the keyboard when typing.

Interface features on Samsung and Xiaomi

Large manufacturers often modify the standard Android functionality, adding their own unique features. Flagship owners Samsung Galaxy have access to an advanced Edge panel, which greatly simplifies the launch of paired applications. Xiaomi and Redmi users may find it necessary to first activate the feature in hidden menus.

On Samsung devices, especially those with curved screens, you can customize the Edge panel. It adds pairs of applications that are launched with one touch. This saves time and eliminates the need to manually configure windows each time through the recent tasks menu.

In the MIUI and HyperOS shell the situation is a little more complicated. Sometimes the Floating Windows or Split Screen feature is disabled by default to save resources. To enable it, you need to go to the advanced settings and activate the corresponding switches in the multitasking section.

Manufacturer	Activation method	Additional features
Samsung	Holding icons in the task menu	Pairs of applications, Pop-up view
Xiaomi / Redmi	Swipe up in the task menu	Floating windows, sidebar
Google Pixel	Split menu button	Clean interface, Drag & Drop
Huawei / Honor	Three-finger gesture	Smart division, fast switching

Using side panels on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to quickly minimize applications into small floating windows. This is an alternative to the classic 50/50 split screen, which is often more convenient when viewing content.

Activation through developer settings

If standard methods do not work or your phone does not offer a split-screen option for certain applications, you can use the developer menu. This is a hidden section of the system that gives access to deep Android settings.

To enter this section you need to go to Settings → About phone and click on the item "Build number"7-10 times in a row. After a notification appears that you have become a developer, a new section will appear in the main settings menu.

Inside the developers menu, find the item "Forced resizing" or "Force resize activities". Activating this switch will force the system to try to run in split screen even those applications that do not officially support this mode.

⚠️ Attention: Forced resizing can lead to incorrect display of the application interface, crashes or freezes. Use this option only if you understand the risks and are ready to reboot the device in case of failure.

Also in this section you should pay attention to setting the minimum screen width (Smallest Width). Increasing this value can programmatically trick applications into thinking the screen is a tablet, which will automatically enable multi-window support.

How to reset developer settings?

If you are confused about the settings or the phone starts to become unstable, simply turn off the "For Developers" switch at the very top of this menu. All changes will be canceled instantly.

Use of third-party launchers and utilities

When the built-in capabilities of the system are exhausted, third-party applications from the Google Play Market come to the rescue. There are special launchers and utilities that emulate the operation of a split screen on devices where this function is missing in hardware or software.

One ​​of the popular solutions is the application Split Screen Shortcut. It creates a widget on your desktop that lets you select two apps and launch them side by side with one tap. This is especially true for older versions of Android, where native support is weak.

Another option is to use launchers like Taskbar. They add a computer-like taskbar to the screen, with support for free window placement. This turns the smartphone into a mini-laptop, allowing you to freely zoom and move active apps.

• 🚀 Split Screen Shortcut — creates shortcuts for quickly launching pairs of applications.
• 💻 Taskbar — adds a taskbar and support for free window positioning.
• 📱 Floating Apps — creates floating mini-windows for the calculator, browser and notes.

It is worth considering that third-party utilities consume more RAM and can drain the battery faster. Their use is justified only if the standard functionality of the phone does not suit you.

Compatibility issues and horizontal mode

Not all applications behave correctly when trying to split the screen. Social networks, instant messengers and video players usually work fine, but games and banking applications often block multitasking for security reasons or due to graphics.

Particular difficulties arise when using a horizontal screen orientation. In this mode, the division occurs vertically (left and right), which requires a very wide display. On standard smartphones, the interface may become too compressed and unreadable.

If the application minimizes or closes when trying to activate a second window, most likely the developer has disabled this feature in the app manifest file. This can only be circumvented through the developer settings mentioned above, but there are no guarantees of stable operation.

Banking applications may be forced to close when switching between windows. This is a measure of protection against screenshotting and data interception by other apps running in the background in split mode.

Common errors and ways to solve them

Users often encounter a situation where the split screen button is inactive (gray) or disappears after selecting an application. This may be due to the fact that the first selected application does not support the mode, or the system automatically blocks it due to lack of RAM.

Another common problem is a “dead zone” between windows that does not respond to clicks, or the inability to resize windows. In such cases, clearing the system cache or rebooting the device in safe mode to check for third-party conflicts helps.

If the interface freezes when dragging the separator, try disabling animations in the developer settings. Reducing the animation scale to 0.5x or turning it off completely often makes the split-screen experience smoother and more responsive.

⚠️ Attention: Android shell interfaces are constantly updated. If the described menu paths do not match yours, check the manufacturer's official information, as the location of the items may change with a new firmware update.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Can I open three windows at the same time on Android?

The standard Android feature only supports two active windows in split screen mode. However, some manufacturers, such as Samsung and Xiaomi, add a “Floating windows” feature (Pop-up view), which allows you to open a third application on top of the two main ones in the form of a small, movable window.

Why does split screen not work in YouTube?

The official YouTube application often blocks work in the background or in split screen for users without a Premium subscription. This limitation is intentional. You can bypass it by using the browser version of the site or third-party clients, but this may violate the terms of use of the service.

Does the dual-window mode affect the speed of the phone?

Yes, the simultaneous operation of two active applications increases the load on the processor and RAM. On older or low-end devices, this can lead to noticeable stuttering, body heat, and faster battery drain.

How to exit split-screen mode?

To close the mode, drag the split bar all the way up or down to the edge of the screen. Either press the Home button or swipe up (depending on the navigation type) to minimize both applications at once.

Does this feature work on Android Go?

On the light version of Android Go (Edition), the split-screen feature is often disabled by manufacturers of budget devices due to RAM limitations (usually 1-2 GB). In such cases, using third-party launchers is the only option.