How to work in two screens on Android: a complete guide to multitasking

Multitasking on Android has long ceased to be exclusive to flagships. Today, even budget smartphones support the split screenmode, allowing you to work with two applications simultaneously. But how to enable this feature on your device? And why is it not available in standard settings on some models?

In this article we will look at all possible activation methods multi-windows —from built-in tools to third-party applications. You'll learn which brands (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel) support the feature out of the box, and where a workaround is required. We will also analyze the limitations of the mode and give tips on optimizing performance when working with several windows simultaneously.

Important: multitasking capabilities depend not only on the version Android, but also on the manufacturer's shell. For example, One UI from Samsung offers advanced settings, while MIUI on Xiaomi can limit functionality on budget models. Check the specifications of your device before starting setup.

1. Standard split-screen mode in Android

Starting from Android 7.0 NougatGoogle has added basic multi-window support to the system. This feature is available on most devices without installing additional software. Here's how to activate it:

1. Open the first application you want to work with.
2. Click on the button "Recent applications" (usually a square or three horizontal lines at the bottom of the screen).
3. In the list of open apps, find the icon applications and hold it (on some devices you need to tap on the icon in the window header).
4. In the menu that appears, select Open in split screen or Multiwindow.
5. Select a second application from the list or from the main screen.

After this, the screen will be divided into two parts. The size of the windows can be adjusted by pulling the dividing line up or down. On devices with Android 12+ there is now the possibility of floating windows small windows that are not tied to the screen split.

Standard mode limitations:

• 🔄 Not all applications support multi-window (for example, some games or banking apps).
• 📱 On devices with a small screen (less than 5.5 inches), the function may be disabled.
• 🔋 Simultaneous operation of two applications increases the load on the processor and battery.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the path to the multi-window settings may differ. If the standard method does not work, check the section Accessibility → Multitasking.

2. Multi-window on Samsung smartphones (One UI)

Samsung offers one of the most advanced tools for working with multiple windows. In the shell One UI (versions 4.0 and higher) the following are available:

• 🪟 Split screen (classic division 50/50 or arbitrary).
• 🖼️ Pop-up windows (small floating panels for instant messengers or a player).
• 🔄 Quick switching between pairs of applications.

To enable multi-window on Samsung Galaxy:

1. Open Settings → Additional features → Multiwindow.
2. Activate the switch Multiwindow.
3. For quick access, add the multiwindow panel to Toolbar (swipe diagonally from the corner of the screen).

Feature One UI: you can save application pairs for quick launch. For example, YouTube + Notes or Chrome + Telegram. To do this:

1. Open two applications in a multi-window.
2. Tap on the dividing line → Save pair.
3. Give a name (for example, “Work”) and save.

Samsung model	Multi-window support	Additional functions
Galaxy S22/S23	Full (including pop-up windows)	Gestures for multi-window, saving pairs
Galaxy A54/A73	Full (without pop-up on some regional firmware)	Quick switching between pairs
Galaxy M33/M53	Limited (split screen only)	No saving steam
Galaxy Z Fold/Flip	Extended (3 windows on Fold)	Adaptive layouts for a flexible screen

⚠️ Attention: On devices Samsung with One UI 5.1+ in a multi-window there may be problems artifacts when scrolling in some applications (for example Instagram or TikTok). This is due to performance optimization. Solution: Restart the application or reduce the number of background processes.

3. Multitasking on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (MIUI)

The shell MIUI offers its own approach to multi-window, but with some limitations. On devices Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO the function is called Split screen and is enabled like this:

Enable the function in Settings → Accessibility → Split screen

Open the first application and swipe up to bring up the recent menu

Tap the application icon → Split screen

Select the second application from list-->

Features MIUI:

• 🔄 On budget models (for example, Redmi 9A or POCO M3) the multi-window can be disabled at the firmware level.
• 🎯 The dividing line is fixed (you cannot change the proportions of windows).
• 🔋 Only one application can run in the background in a multi-window (the second closes when minimized).

For owners Xiaomi s MIUI 13/14 hidden mode is available floating windows. To activate it:

1. Enable Developer mode (7 taps on build number in Settings → About phone).
2. Go to Settings → Advanced → For developers.
3. Find the option Enable free-form windows and activate it.
4. Now hold the application icon in the recent menu and select Free window.

On Xiaomi devices with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note 11), the multi-window may be unstable due to driver limitations. In this case, only root or alternative firmware will help.

4. Alternative methods: third-party applications

If your device does not support multi-window at the system level, you can use third-party solutions for this task:

Application	Functions	Cons	Link (Play Market)
Split Screen Launcher	Split screen emulation, gesture support	Advertising, requires access rights	com.split.screen.launcher
Floating Apps	Floating windows for any applications	Paid version for full functionality	com.lwi.android.apps.floating
Multi Window	Support for 3+ windows, size customization	Complex interface, lags on weak devices	com.multiwindow.app

Setup example Split Screen Launcher:

1. Install the application from Play Market.
2. Run it and grant rights to Overlay on top of other windows.
3. In the settings, select applications for multi-window.
4. Activate the mode through the notification panel or a gesture (for example, swiping from the edge of the screen).

⚠️ Attention: Multi-window applications may conflict with system gestures (for example, swipe to return to Android 10+If standard gestures stop working after installation, disable overlay in the accessibility settings.

5. Multi-window on Android tablets

On tablets running Android (for example, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Lenovo Tab, Xiaomi Pad) multitasking is implemented differently than on smartphones. The following are available here:

• 🪟 Split screen (horizontal or vertical division).
• 🖥️ Desktop mode (a la DeX on Samsung).
• 🔄 Quick dragging applications between windows.

On Samsung Galaxy Tab s One UI to activate multi-window:

1. Open the first application.
2. Swipe from the right edge of the screen to the center to open the panel Multi-window.
3. Drag the second application to the left or right side of the screen.

On Xiaomi Pad 5/6:

1. Hold the application icon in dock panel.
2. Drag it to the left or right side of the screen.
3. Select the second application from the menu that appears.

Tablet feature: here the multi-window works more stable than on smartphones, thanks to:

• 🔋 More amount of RAM.
• 📺 Optimizing the interface for a large screen.
• 🎯 Mouse and keyboard support (on Samsung DeX or MIUI for tablets).

How to enable Samsung DeX for full multitasking?

1. Connect the tablet to the monitor via HDMI (adapter required USB-C → HDMI).
2. In the notification panel, tap on the notification DeX is connected.
3. Now you can open windows in in a free form, like on a PC.
4. To control, connect a mouse and keyboard via Bluetooth.

In the mode DeX the following are supported:

• Drag and drop files between windows.
• Hot keys (for example, Alt+Tab to switch).
• Multitasking with 5+ windows (depending on the model).

6. Problems and solutions when working in two screens

Even on supported devices, multi-window may not work correctly. Considered problems and solutions. their elimination:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
Multi-window does not turn on	The function is disabled in the settings or is not supported firmware	Check Settings → Multitasking or update the software
Applications crash when splitting	Insufficient RAM	Close background processes or restart the device
Cannot resize windows	Shell limitation (for example, MIUI)	Use third-party launchers or root access
Black screen in one of windows	Conflict with the graphics driver	Update the drivers or roll back the application version
Gestures do not work in a multi-window	Conflict with the overlay of third-party software	Disable overlay rights for other applications

If multi-window turns on, but slows downtry:

• 🔄 Close all background applications via Settings → Applications → Running.
• 📉 Reduce interface animation in Settings → For developers.
• 🔋 Enable performance mode (on Samsung: Settings → Device maintenance → Performance).

On devices with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and newer, the multi-window works more stable thanks to technology Dynamic RAM Expansion, which temporarily increases the amount of RAM using internal memory.

7. work in two windows

To ensure maximum benefit from multitasking, follow these tips:

Turn off auto-updating of applications in the background

Use a dark theme to save battery

Set up gestures to quickly switch between windows

Save frequently used app pairs (on Samsung)-->

Productivity tips:

• 🔋 On devices with a battery < 4000 mAh, avoid using heavy apps at the same time (for example, Photoshop + Chrome).
• 📶 Disable 5G or Wi-Fi 6if you are not using the Internet - this will reduce the load on the processor.
• 🎯 For tablets: connect a keyboard - this will speed up switching between windows.

Examples of effective combinations:

• 📝 Google Docs + Chrome (for writing articles with information search).
• 🎵 Spotify + Telegram (music and correspondence at the same time).
• 📊 Excel + Calendar (working with tables and planning).
• 🎮 Twitch + Discord (stream and chat with viewers).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 13+ some applications (for example, Netflix or Disney+) block video playback in a multi-window due to DRM protection Solution: use Picture-in-Picture (PiP) instead of split screen.

8. The future of multitasking: what to expect in new versions of Android

Google is actively developing multitasking tools. In Android 14 and newer ones appeared:

• 🪟 Adaptive layouts: the system automatically selects the size. windows under (for example, video in YouTube will occupy 2/3 of the screen, and chat - 1/3).
• 🔄 Grouping applications: saving pairs and triplets of applications for quick launch.
• 🖥️ Support for external displays: multi-window on the connected monitor (as in Samsung DeX, but without reference to the brand).

B Android 15 (expected in 2026–2026) they promise:

• 🎯 Dynamic resource allocation: the system itself will limit background processes for stable multi-window operation.
• 🔋 Energy-saving mode for multitasking: optimization of battery consumption when working with multiple windows.
• 📱 Support for folding smartphones: automatic switching between single-window and multi-window modes when unfolding the device.

Manufacturers are also not standing still. For example, Samsung is testing a function App Pairthat will allow you to launch pairs of applications. with one tap on the icon on the main screen. A Xiaomi promises to add support three windows to the flagship models of 2026.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about multi-window on Android

🔍 Why is there no split-screen function on my smartphone?

Reasons several:

• Outdated version Android (below 7.0).
• The manufacturer disabled the function in custom firmware (often found on budget Xiaomi or Realme).
• Small screen (less 5.5 inches).
• Corporate policy restrictions (on some work phones).

Solution: check the settings or use third-party applications from section 4.

📱 Is it possible to run the game and messenger in a multi-window?

Technically yes, but:

• Most games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact) block split screen due to cheating protection.
• Even if the game starts, there will be a strong drop in FPS.
• The best alternative: mode Picture-in-Picture (PiP) for messenger over the game.

🔋 How does multi-window affect battery life?

Depends on the device:

• On flagships (for example, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra) the drop in autonomy will be ~15–20%.
• On budget smartphones (for example, Redmi 10A) - up to 30–40%.
• On tablets with a large battery (for example, Xiaomi Pad 6) the impact is minimal.

Tip: turn on power saving mode and disable background synchronization for unnecessary applications.

🪟 Is it possible to change the proportions of windows in a multi-window?

Yes, but with reservations:

• On Samsung s One UI: pull the dividing line in any direction.
• On Xiaomi s MIUI: the proportions are fixed (50/50 or 60/40 depending on the model).
• On a clean Android (for example, Google Pixel): smooth adjustment is supported.
• In third-party launchers (for example, Split Screen Launcher): you can adjust any aspect ratio.

🔄 How to quickly switch between pairs of applications?

Methods:

• On Samsung: swipe up/down on the dividing line to select a saved pair.
• On Android 12+: hold the dividing line → select another pair from menu.
• Manually: close one of the windows and select a new application.
• Using gestures: set up swipe from the edge of the screen in the multi-window settings.