Multitasking on modern smartphones has ceased to be just a marketing ploy and has become a real necessity for productive work. Device owners are often faced with a situation where they need to respond to a message in the messenger without closing a video or work document. Fortunately, the operating system Android provides built-in tools for solving this task without installing third-party software.
The main way to implement this function is called split screen (Split Screen). This mode allows you to literally divide the display of your gadget into two independent areas, each of which runs its own application. The top part can display a browser, and the bottom a calculator or notes, and both processes will be active at the same time.
However, the implementation of this feature may vary significantly depending on your device manufacturer and firmware version. While on a “pure” basis control is carried out through the recent applications menu, companies like Android management is carried out through the recent applications menu, companies like Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei often add their own gestures and buttons to the navigation bar. Understanding these differences is critical to quickly setting up your workspace.
Standard method through the recent applications menu
The most universal way to activate multitasking mode is available on most devices running Android 7.0 and above. To begin, you need to open the first application that you plan to use and minimize it by pressing the Home button or swiping up from the bottom, depending on the type of navigation.
Next, open the menu of recently launched apps. This is usually done by long pressing the navigation button or swiping from below and holding your finger. In the list that opens, find the card of the desired application and click on its icon at the top of the card. In the drop-down menu, select Split screen or Split screen.
After this, the selected application will occupy the upper half of the display, and in the lower part the system will offer to select a second app from the list of recently used ones or from the full list of installed utilities. Click on the second application icon to complete the setup. You can now interact with both apps by dragging the dividing line to change the aspect ratio of the windows.
⚠️ Warning: Some applications, especially DRM-protected games or video players, may not support split-screen mode. In this case, the system will issue a notification that the application is not compatible with this function.
It is worth noting that not all functions may work correctly in a reduced window. For example, some interfaces may become vertical, making navigation difficult. In such cases, it is better to use the application in full screen mode or look for an alternative way to display content.
If the dividing line disappears or applications minimize themselves, try closing unnecessary background processes, as the system may not have enough RAM to hold two active windows.
Interface features on Samsung smartphones
Devices of the South Korean giant Samsung with shell One UI offer more advanced and flexible tools for multitasking compared to stock Android. Here, users have access not only to the classic split screen, but also to the pop-up window function, which allows you to launch more than two applications simultaneously in the form of floating widgets.
To activate the standard mode on Samsung you can use the navigation bar. Open the recent applications menu, click on the icon of the desired app at the top and select Open in split screen mode. The screen will then split and you can select the second app. A unique feature is the ability to save a couple of applications as a shortcut on the home screen for quick launch in the future.
An alternative method involves using the Edge Panel, if it is enabled in Settings. By sliding out the panel from the side, you can drag a second application icon directly onto the screen on top of the first. The system will automatically offer placement options: top, bottom or as a pop-up window. This significantly speeds up work for those who constantly switch between the same utilities.
Owners of flagship models with large screens or foldable series devices Galaxy Fold and Flip receive additional benefits. On such gadgets, you can run up to three applications simultaneously in split-screen mode, distributing them across the entire display area. This turns the smartphone into a full-fledged working tool, replacing a small tablet or laptop.
Specifics of work on Xiaomi and Huawei devices
Chinese manufacturers have also implemented their own solutions to improve multitasking, although they are sometimes hidden in the depths of the settings. On smartphones Xiaomi with shell MIUI or HyperOS the split screen function is often activated through the recent applications menu, similar to the stock one Android, but may require prior activation in additional settings.
To make sure that the function is available, go to Settings → Additional settings → Multi-window mode. Here you can enable the display of a special icon in the recent tasks menu. After activation, when you open the menu of running apps, an icon will appear next to the application name, clicking on which will expand it to full screen or in split mode.
Devices Huawei with shell EMUI or HarmonyOS offer an intuitive gesture method. Once you open the recent applications menu, simply drag the card of the desired app up or down (depending on the firmware version) to pin it at the top of the screen. The remaining space will be filled with a list for selecting a second application.
⚠️ Attention: Shell interfaces MIUI, ColorOS and HarmonyOS are regularly updated. The location of the switches and the names of menu items may change in new versions of the software, so it is recommended to check the official reference materials of the manufacturer.
The “Floating Window” feature on these devices is of particular interest. It lets you shrink an app into a small, movable rectangle that you can move around the screen on top of other apps. This is ideal for watching a video or using a calculator while working on other tasks.
Secret code for developers
On some older versions of MIUI, you can activate forced multitasking mode through the developer menu by turning on the “Force activity in multiple windows” item, but this may lead to unstable operation of the system.
Using pop-up windows for maximum flexibility
If the classic split screen divides the display strictly in half or in a given proportion, then the Pop-up view mode gives complete freedom of action. This feature is especially useful when you need to quickly glance at information in another application without interrupting the main process.
Activation of the pop-up window usually occurs through the recent applications menu. Instead of selecting split mode, look for the Open in a pop-up windowoption. The application will open in a small window that you can move around the screen, change its size, minimize to the edge of the screen or expand to the entire display with a double tap.
On some devices, for example OnePlus or Oppo, you can launch a pop-up window straight from the notification. If you receive a message, long pressing it may prompt you to open the chat in a small window on top of the current game or video. This eliminates the need to minimize the main application and lose progress.
The advantage of this approach is the ability to launch more than two applications. You can have one app in full screen, a second in split screen, and a third, fourth, and even a fifth in pop-up windows. The only limitation here is the screen size and processor performance.
| Mode type | Number of applications | Size control | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split screen | 2 (on some 3) | Fixed division | Data copying, comparison |
| Pop-up window | Unlimited | Free movement | Quick answers, calculator |
| Full screen mode | 1 | No | Games, watching videos |
Pop-up windows consume more CPU resources than normal mode, since the system has to render several active layers of the interface at the same time.
Solving application compatibility problems
Despite the development of the platform Android, not all developers optimize their products to work in multi-window mode. You can often encounter a situation where an application simply refuses to launch in the second window or works incorrectly, displaying a black screen.
The main reason for such failures lies in the rigidly specified screen orientation. Many games and video players require only landscape mode, while split-screen mode often forces them to run in portrait orientation or in a non-standard resolution. The system blocks startup to prevent visual artifacts.
For advanced users, it is possible to bypass these restrictions through the developer settings. In the menu Settings → For Developers you can find the item Force activity in multiple windows (Force activities to be resizable). Enabling this setting causes the system to ignore application requests for full-screen mode.
Settings -> System -> Developer Options -> Force activities to be resizableHowever, using this feature carries risks. The application may be unstable, crash, or display interface elements incorrectly. Buttons may become inaccessible, and text may overlap each other. Use this method only if absolutely necessary and for those apps where multitasking is critical.
⚠️ Attention: Enabling forced multitasking mode may lead to increased battery consumption and heating of the device, since the GPU will work with an increased load on redrawing unoptimized interfaces.
Optimizing performance when multitasking
Running two or more applications at the same time creates a significant load on the RAM (RAM) and the central processor. If your smartphone has less than 4 GB of RAM, you may notice that the system begins to automatically close background applications when you switch between them.
To minimize this effect, it is recommended to close all unnecessary apps before activating split-screen mode. Free up memory from heavy games or applications that consume a lot of resources in the background. This will give the system the necessary headroom to hold two active windows without forced unloading.
- 🚀 Regularly clear the cache of applications that you plan to use in multitasking mode to speed up their launch.
- 🔋 Disable data synchronization in unnecessary accounts while working to reduce the load on the network and processor.
- 📉 Reduce the screen refresh rate to 60 Hz in the display settings if you feel that the interface is running late.
It is also worth considering that some functions may not be available in split-screen mode for security reasons. For example, banking applications often block data entry or background work if they are not running in full screen mode. This is protection against keyloggers and data interception by other applications.
☑️ Checking readiness for multitasking
Why is there no Split Screen button on my phone?
The absence of a button can be due to several reasons. Firstly, your operating system version may be lower Android 7.0where this feature has not yet been implemented. Secondly, the device manufacturer could programmatically disable this feature on budget models with low memory. Thirdly, the feature may be hidden in the settings and requires manual activation in the accessibility or multitasking menu.
Is it possible to play a game and watch a video at the same time?
Technically it is possible, but it is highly not recommended. Games require maximum concentration of GPU and CPU resources. Launching the video player in a second window will cause a significant drop in frame rate (FPS) in the game, heating the device and quickly draining the battery. In addition, many games automatically minimize when you lose focus or enter multi-window mode.
How to exit split-screen mode?
To exit the mode, simply drag the dividing line (the gray bar in the middle of the screen) all the way up or down to the very edge of the display. An alternative way is to press the Home button, which will minimize both applications, or press the Back button if it is configured to close the current window in this context.
Does dual-window mode affect battery consumption?
Yes, it does significantly. Running two active applications at the same time forces the processor and screen to work intensively. The screen often remains on at maximum brightness for both windows, and background processes are not put to sleep. Expect a 30-50% increase in energy consumption compared to using one application.