Modern smartphones, especially flagship models from Samsung, have such powerful screens and performance that limiting their use to one application at a time seems wasteful. The split-screen function, or Split Screen, allows users to turn their gadget into a mini-tablet, where the messenger runs on one half of the display, and the browser or video player on the other. This solution radically changes the approach to multitasking, saving time on switching between tabs.
Activating this mode on devices with a shell One UI is intuitive, but has its own nuances depending on the version of the operating system Android and the specific model of the device. Owners of a line Galaxy S, Note or folding Z Fold can get the maximum benefit from this feature thanks to the large display diagonals. Below we will analyze in detail all the ways to launch two applications at the same time, possible limitations and subtleties of interface customization.
Basic method through the recent applications menu
The most universal and common way to activate split screen on smartphones Samsung is carried out through the running task manager. This method works on the vast majority of devices with shell One UI starting with version 2.0 and higher. To begin, you need to open the first app you plan to use on the top or left side of the screen. This can be any compatible service, for example YouTube or Google Maps.
After starting the app, do not close it, but go to the recent applications menu. Depending on the navigation settings, this is done either by pressing the physical or touch “Menu” button (three bars), or by swiping from the bottom up while holding your finger in the center of the screen if gestures are used. You will see a list of cards of all recently opened apps. Find the icon of the application that is currently active or which you want to pin first.
Click on the icon of this application located directly above the preview window (card). In the context menu that opens, select Open in split screen mode. The screen will instantly split into two parts: the selected application will occupy the upper half, and a list of other recent apps will be displayed at the bottom for selecting a second software. If the app you need is not in the list, use the search bar or the all applications menu.
It is important to note that not all apps support working in this mode. Developers of some utilities block the ability to split screens for security reasons or interface features. In such cases, you will see a message stating that the application does not support split screen. However, for most social networks, instant messengers and media players, this function is available by default and works reliably.
☑️ Check before launch
Using gestures and the Edge panel
For users who value speed and convenience, the company Samsung has provided alternative methods for activating multi-window mode without resorting to the standard task menu. One of these tools is Edge Panel (Edge Panel). This is a side curtain that contains shortcuts to frequently used apps and app pairs. If you do not already have this feature enabled, you can activate it in the display settings.
To use this method, swipe from the edge of the screen in the place where the Edge panel strip is located. Select the desired application from the list and drag it to a free area of the screen. The system will automatically suggest placing it in split screen mode. This is especially convenient on large smartphones of the Galaxy Note or Ultraseries, where one-handed operation can be difficult.
Another advanced method is available on devices with pen support S Pen. You can use the function Smart Select or simply drag the application icon from the home screen or from the all applications menu to the top or bottom of the display. When the translucent highlight area appears, release your finger or stylus and the app will snap to that part of the screen. This method requires some skill, but significantly speeds up the process of organizing the workspace.
It is worth considering that the behavior of gestures may differ slightly on different firmware versions. In the new updates One UI drag logic has been optimized to prevent accidental triggers. If you can't drag and drop to activate the mode, check your touchscreen sensitivity settings or make sure multitasking isn't disabled in system restrictions.
For quick access to frequently used app pairs, add them to the Edge panel as App Pairs - this will let you launch two windows with one tap.
Set window sizes and switch apps
Once you have successfully launched two applications, you have full control over the distribution of space on the display. Between the two windows is a thin dividing bar that can be moved up or down (in portrait) or left and right (in landscape). This allows you to allocate more space for content that requires detailed study, such as reading documents or watching videos.
To change the aspect ratio, simply touch the dividing bar and drag it in the desired direction. The system will remember the last position for a specific pair of applications, so the next time you launch the same apps, the windows will open in the same proportions. This is especially useful for scenarios where one application serves as a reference material, and the second is the main work tool.
If you want to swap applications without leaving the split screen mode, click on the switch applications button located right on the dividing strip (usually two arrows pointing in different directions). The top application will become the bottom one, and vice versa. This control panel also has a button for minimizing one of the windows into floating mode or completely closing one of the applications.
In some scenarios, you may need to run the same application in two different windows, for example, two different chats in Telegram or two pages in the browser. To do this, you need to use the application cloning function or launch a second window through the “Security Folder” profile (Secure Folder), since the standard split-screen mode usually does not allow duplicating the same instance of the app without additional tricks.
| Control element | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Divider bar | Drag | Resizing windows |
| Button on the bar (arrows) | Single click | Swap applications |
| Button on the strip (minus) | Single press | Close the application in the pressed area |
| Button on the strip (window) | Single tap | Minimize to floating window |
Working with floating windows and Pop-up view
In addition to the classic split screen in half, the shell One UI offers a more flexible mode - floating windows (Pop-up view). This format allows you to run an application in a small window that can be freely moved around the screen on top of other apps. This is ideal for quick answers in instant messengers, a calculator or a player that does not require constant focus.
To switch the application from split screen mode to floating, click on the middle button on the dividing bar (the icon in the form of a small window). The application will collapse into a mobile widget that you can drag around the entire display, resize by pulling the corners, or collapse into a small icon at the edge of the screen. When minimized, the application continues to work and play sound if it is a media player.
You can combine modes: one application can occupy the entire screen, the second can be in a floating window, and the third can work in the background. On folding smartphones Galaxy Z Fold possibilities expand to three active windows simultaneously thanks to the increased area of the internal display. The system itself suggests where it is better to place a new window, suggesting highlight zones when dragging.
Floating windows are controlled through a special menu that appears when you click on the top bar of the window. From here you can pin the window on top of all others, expand it to full screen, or close it. This feature is a powerful tool for those who use their smartphone as a laptop replacement for travel or business trips.
⚠️ Attention: Floating windows can obscure important controls in main applications, such as navigation buttons in games or payment forms in the browser. Temporarily move them aside when performing critical actions.
App Pair function for quickly launching pairs
For users who use the same combinations of applications every day (for example, Instagram and YouTube, or Mail and Calendar), there is a function App Pair (Application Pairs). It allows you to save the configuration of two apps running in a split screen as one shortcut. In the future, launching this shortcut will instantly open both applications in the desired mode and with the saved window proportions.
To create such a pair, first open two applications in split-screen mode and adjust their size as you see fit. Then click on the “Menu” button (three dots) on the dividing bar or in the multitasking control panel and select Save a pair of applications. You will be asked to give a name to this pair and select an icon for it.
The created shortcut will appear on the main screen or in the all applications menu. Additionally, app pairs are automatically added to the Edge panel when it is active. This allows you to launch complex operating scenarios with literally one touch on the side of the screen, which is especially important when operating the device with one hand while walking or in transport.
The App Pair function is a unique feature of the ecosystem Samsung and significantly improves the ergonomics of using large smartphones. You can create several such pairs for different scenarios: “Work”, “Entertainment”, “Study” and switch between them in seconds, without wasting time on manually launching and arranging windows each time again.
Limit of application pairs
The system allows you to create an unlimited number of application pairs, but a limited number of shortcuts can be placed on the Edge panel. The rest will be available only on the main screen.
Possible problems and compatibility limitations
Despite the convenience of the function, users may encounter a number of limitations. Firstly, some applications categorically refuse to work in split mode. Most often this applies to banking applications for security reasons, as well as some games with non-standard screen resolutions. When you try to run them, you will receive a notification that it is impossible to separate.
Secondly, multitasking consumes more RAM (RAM). On devices with 4 GB of RAM or less, the system may force one of the applications to unload from memory when switching to another, which will cause it to restart when returning. For comfortable work, it is recommended to have at least 6-8 GB of free RAM.
Thirdly, the screen orientation can behave unpredictably. If one app only supports portrait mode and the other only supports landscape mode, the system will block screen rotation or force both windows to have the same orientation. This can create discomfort when watching a video in horizontal mode while reading text.
It is also worth remembering that on some models in the budget segment, the split-screen function may be software limited by the manufacturer to save processor resources. In such cases, activation is possible only through special engineering menus or third-party utilities, which does not guarantee stable operation of the system.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and available functions may vary depending on the version of One UI and the model of your smartphone. If you do not find the described items, check for system updates in the settings menu.
The stability of the two windows directly depends on the amount of RAM: on devices with 4 GB of RAM, frequent restarts of applications in the background are the norm.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why don't I see a split screen button in the recent applications menu?
Make sure that the Split Screen feature is enabled in your display settings. Also check if the control panel is hidden in the task menu. On some older versions of Android, you need to hold down the application icon rather than just tap on it.
Is it possible to resize windows if they are locked in a 50/50 ratio?
Yes, the dividing bar can be moved manually. If it does not move, perhaps one of the applications requires a fixed size or has restrictions on the minimum window width set by the developer.
How to close both applications at once in split screen mode?
Simply drag the dividing bar to the very top or to the very bottom of the screen. This will close one of the applications and expand the second to full screen. Then close it in the standard way through the recent tasks menu.
Does split screen work in games?
Most modern games do not support this mode, as they require complete immersion and maximum system resources. Trying to launch the game in the second window often leads to its automatic closing or incorrect display of graphics.
Is it possible to use different accounts in one application in two windows?
The standard split-screen mode launches one instance of the application. To use two different accounts (for example, two WhatsApp), you need to use the “App Clone” function (Dual Messenger) or launch a second window from the “Secure Folder” folder.