The modern rhythm of life requires maximum multitasking from smartphone users. Often there is a need to continue watching a video, follow navigation, or respond in a messenger without minimizing the main application in which you are working. The feature of opening windows on top of other interfaces, known as Picture-in-Picture (PiP) or “floating windows,” solves this problem, turning your Androidsmartphone into a powerful tool for parallel tasks. However, the availability and method of activating this function may vary significantly depending on the version of the operating system and the manufacturer's shell.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the existing ways to organize the workspace on the screen. You'll learn how to activate standard system features, which hidden settings may require intervention through the developer menu, and how to use third-party utilities to create a truly flexible interface. Understanding these mechanisms will allow you to significantly increase the productivity of using your mobile device.
Built-in Picture in Picture (PiP) function
Starting with version Android 8.0 Oreo, native support for the mode was integrated into the system Picture-in-Picture. This is the most stable and power efficient way to display content on top of other applications. Most often, this function is used for video players, such YouTube (with a Premium subscription), VLC or browsers when watching videos via HTML5. Activation occurs automatically when you minimize the playing media file, but this requires the correct permission settings.
To make sure that the function works correctly, you need to check the system permissions for a particular application. Go to Settings → Applications → Accessibility → Picture in Picture. Here you will see a list of apps that support this mode. If the switch next to the desired application is turned off, the system will forcefully minimize it when you go to another menu, ignoring the request to display on top of windows.
⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers, such as Xiaomi or Huawei, can block PiP for certain applications in order to save battery power. If the video is minimized instead of becoming a floating window, check the power saving settings for your specific application and add it to the exceptions.
It is important to understand that not all video players support this technology out of the box. The application developer must explicitly implement support for the Picture-in-Picture API in the app code. If you are using an older player from several years ago, it may not have this feature, even if your version Android is completely up to date. In this case, it is worth considering alternative applications from the store Google Play.
To quickly activate PiP mode in supported applications, simply press the Home button or swipe up to return to the main screen while playing a video.
Split screen mode and free windows
In addition to the small floating window, the system Android offers more advanced multitasking modes, allowing you to divide the screen into two or more active zones. Split screen mode (Split-screen) is available on most devices running Android 7.0 Nougat and above. It allows you to pin two applications next to each other, which is ideal for copying text, comparing data, or chatting while browsing content.
Activation of this mode is usually done through the recent applications menu. Press the square bracket button or make the appropriate swipe with navigation gestures to open the list of running apps. Above the application thumbnail, find an icon with the name of the app or three dots, click on them and select Split screen. After this, the system will prompt you to select a second application for the bottom or side of the display.
- 📱 On devices Samsung with the One UI shell, the “Pop-up view” function is available, which allows you to open applications in small floating windows, the size of which can be changed.
- 🖱️ On tablets and folding smartphones, the multi-window mode works most fully, supporting the simultaneous launch of up to four applications.
- ⚙️ In pure Android (Pixel, Motorola), windows are managed by dragging the dividing bar between applications.
There is also free window mode (Freeform), which is hidden from regular users by default. It allows you to create windows of any size and move them around the screen just like on a desktop computer. Activating this feature requires enabling Accessibility in the Developer Menu, which we'll discuss in the next section. This mode is especially useful when working with a stylus or when connecting your smartphone to an external monitor.
Activation of free windows through the developer menu
If the standard capabilities of the system are not enough for you, you can unlock the mode Freeform windows. This function turns the smartphone interface into something like a desktop operating system, where each application opens in its own resizable window. However, it is worth remembering that this is an experimental feature, and some applications may not display correctly or crash when you try to resize the window.
First, you need to activate the developer menu. Go to Settings → About phone and find the item Build number. Click on it quickly 7 times in a row until a notification appears indicating that you have become a developer. After this, a new section will appear in the main settings For developers, where the switches we need are located.
Settings → For developers → Force resizable activitiesInside the menu, find the item Force to allow resizing of actions (Force resizable activities) and activate it. You may also need to enable the Remember actionsoption so that the system saves the state of windows after closing. After enabling these settings, reboot your device. Now, when you go to the recent applications menu, you can select free window mode for most installed apps.
⚠️ Attention: Enabling free window mode may lead to unstable system operation and increased battery consumption. Use this function only when really necessary and disable it after completing tasks.
Some shells, for example MIUI or ColorOS, have their own implementations of this functionality, which may conflict with standard settings Android. If, after enabling the option, windows do not appear, try using special launchers or utilities, which will be discussed below. Also keep in mind that banking applications and games with anti-cheat protection often block work in free windows mode for security reasons.
What to do if the developer menu disappears?
Sometimes after a reboot or system update, the developer menu may disappear. Just repeat the procedure of clicking on “Build number” 7 times, and the section will appear in the settings again.
Third-party applications for creating floating windows
When the built-in system tools are not enough or they do not work correctly on your smartphone model, third-party solutions come to the rescue. In the store Google Play there are many utilities that emulate the operation of floating windows by launching applications in a special container. One of the most popular solutions is an application Floating Apps or its analogues, such as XMultiWindow.
The principle of operation of such apps is based on creating a special layer on top of the main interface. You select the application you want inside the utility, and it opens in a floating window that you can move, resize, and minimize. This allows you to run even those apps that do not officially support multitasking, for example, some games or specialized software.
| Application name | Type of work | Requires Root | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floating Apps | Emulation windows | No | Support for multiple copies of one application |
| XMultiWindow | Free mode | Yes (partially) | Deep integration with the system |
| Taskbar | Taskbar | No | Imitation of a PC interface with windows |
| Assistive Touch | Quick access | No | Simplified launch of floating widgets |
When using third-party apps, it is important to be careful about the requested permissions. To create windows on top of other applications, the utility will need permission Display on top of other applications. Without granting this right, the app will not be able to function. In addition, some functions may not be available without root access, the receipt of which will void the device's warranty and may disrupt banking services.
☑️ Check before installing third-party ones utilities
Setting permissions and resolving conflicts
A frequent problem when trying to open an application on top of other windows is a silent system crash. You press the button, but nothing happens. In 90% of cases, the reason lies in the absence of a special security permission. Android strictly controls the ability to overlay interfaces to prevent fraud (for example, substitution of buttons in banking applications).
To grant permission manually, go to Settings → Applications → Special access. Find the item Display on top of other applications (or “Overlay on top of other applications”). In the list that opens, find the desired app and make sure that the switch is activated. Without this step, neither built-in functions nor third-party utilities will work.
It is also worth paying attention to the “Protection against accidental clicks” function or game modes that can block Pop-up windows while playing a game or watching a video in full screen. If you notice that the floating window disappears when you launch a certain game, go to the game mode settings (Game Turbo, Game Launcher) and add the desired application to exceptions or disable blocking notifications and overlays.
⚠️ Attention: Permission to display on top of other applications gives the app a high level of access to the interface. Provide it only to trusted applications from official sources to avoid the risk of input data interception.
Features of working on different versions of Android
The implementation of multitasking has evolved with each version of the operating system. On older devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow and below, native support for floating windows is practically absent, and third-party launchers remain the only option. Starting from Android 10, the system has become more strict in controlling background activity, which sometimes leads to the closing of a floating window if it is not used for a long time.
In Android 12 i Android 13 Google has improved the visual design of PiP mode by adding controls directly to the small window (buttons pauses, rewinds). It is also possible to resize the PiP window using gestures, which was previously impossible. On the latest versions Android 14 the system automatically suggests minimizing the video into a floating window when exiting the application, making the process as intuitive as possible.
Owners of smartphones with custom skins should take into account that manufacturers often modify the standard behavior of the system. For example, on devices Samsung with One UI 5.0 and higher, excellent work with pop-up windows is implemented, while on some budget models Xiaomi this function may be cut down to save RAM. Always check the capabilities of your specific model with the official specifications of the manufacturer.
Successful operation of floating windows depends on three factors: the version of Android, permission settings and optimization of the manufacturer's shell.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why the "Picture in Picture" button is inactive in YouTube?
The free version of the application YouTube on smartphones does not support native PiP mode for regular video viewing. This feature is available only to subscribers YouTube Premium. However, some browsers, for example Firefox or Brave, allow you to bypass this limitation when viewing through the web version of the site.
Is it possible to open two identical applications in floating windows?
This cannot be done using standard system tools, since Android does not allow you to launch several instances of the same application at the same time. To implement this function, you will need to use the “Dual Apps” mode, built into many shells, or install third-party utilities like Parallel Space.
Does the floating window mode affect battery consumption?
Yes, running applications in the background with the interface actively displayed consumes additional processor and screen resources. If a floating window is using a video stream or an active Internet connection, the battery will drain faster than when using a single full-screen application.
How to close a floating window if it is frozen?
Usually, you just need to drag the window to the bottom of the screen, where a trash can or cross icon will appear. If the interface does not respond, open the recent applications menu and force close the task. As a last resort, restarting the device will help.
Does this function work better on tablets than on phones?
Of course. Tablets have a larger screen area and often more powerful hardware, which allows the system to more comfortably manage multiple active windows. Many Android tablets have a special “Desktop Mode” that by default uses free window logic for all applications.