How to divide the screen into two parts in Android: a complete guide with pictures and videos

Multitasking on smartphones has long ceased to be a luxury - today it is a necessity. Split screen two work zones allows you to simultaneously watch videos and chat in instant messengers, compare prices in different stores, or copy text from one document to another. But how to activate this mode on your Androiddevice? The methods differ depending on the version of the operating system and the phone manufacturer.

In this article we will analyze all the current methods of inclusion split screen —from standard functions Android 10-14 to proprietary solutions Samsung One UI, MIUI and other shells. You'll learn how to run two applications in parallel, resize windows, and what to do if a feature doesn't work. We will pay special attention to hidden developer settings that allow you to split the screen even on devices without official multi-window support.

1. The standard method for pure Android (10–14)

Devices with stock Android (for example, Google Pixel, Motorola, Nokia) use a universal screen splitting mechanism, which has hardly changed since version Android 7.0 Nougat. Here's how to use it:

1. Open the first application you want to pin to the top of the screen.

2. Click on square button (review) in the bottom navigation bar.

3. In the list of recent applications, find the card of the desired application and press it with your finger for 1-2 seconds.

4. When the menu appears, select Split screen (or Open in split screen on English firmware).

5. The bottom of the screen will show a list of other open applications - select the second one.

Is the first application running?|Is there a "Recents" button in the navigation bar?|Is gesture mode enabled (if so, use swipe up and hold)|Does the second application support multi-window mode?-->

If the button Split screen does not appear, check:

• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version (in Settings → System → System update).
• 📱 Make sure you are using classic navigation with three buttons (and not gestures). For gestures, the path is different - see the next section. Android 10+ for gestures the path is different - see the next section.
• 🔧 Some applications (for example, games or banking apps) are blocked. multi-window mode for security reasons.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 13 and later, Google has limited screen splitting for applications that use WebView (for example, some browsers) If the second application does not open, try an alternative like Chrome or Firefox.

2. Split screen with gestures (Android 10–14)

With the transition to navigation with gestures (without virtual buttons), the process of activating the split screen has changed. Now the algorithm is as follows:

1. application.

2. Touch swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger for 1 second to open the list of recent applications.

3. Find the application card you want to pin on top, and pull it up appears hints Split screen.

4. Release your finger - the top part of the screen will be fixed, and the bottom will show a list of other applications.

Android version	Gesture to open recent	Action to split
Android 10–11	Swipe up + hold	Drag the card up
Android 12	Swipe up + pause	Tap on the application icon → "Split screen"
Android 13–14	Swipe up and left/right	Hold the card → drag up

If gestures do not work:

• 🔧 Check the gesture settings in Settings → System → Gestures → System navigation.
• 📲 On some devices (for example, OnePlus), you must first enable the option Enable split screen in the multitasking settings.
• 🔄 Restart the phone - sometimes it helps to reset temporary glitches in processing gestures.

Classic three buttons|Gestures (swipe up)|Gestures (swipe from the edges)|I don’t know-->

3. Branded solutions: Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei

Manufacturers often modify the standard functionality Android, adding their own features. Let's consider the features of popular brands.

Samsung (One UI 5.0–6.1)

On smartphones Galaxy (for example, S23, A54, Z Fold) the split screen works differently:

1. Open the first application.
2. Click on three dots (⋮) in the upper corner of the application card in the list of recent ones.
3. Select Open in split view.
4. A panel with other applications will appear at the bottom of the screen - select the second one.

Additional features:

• 🔄 Drag and drop border: drag the dividing line up/down to change the window proportions (for example, 70%/30%).
• 📱 Quick launch: hold "Recent" button 2 seconds to immediately open the last application in a split view.
• 🔧 Multi-window settings: in Settings → Additional functions → Multi-window You can enable display Multi-window panels for quick access.

Xiaomi (MIUI 13–14)

On Redmi, POCO i Xiaomi the algorithm is similar to the standard Android, but with nuances:

1. Open the first application.
2. Swipe up for a list of recent ones, then swipe the application card up until a hint appears.
3. The second application is selected from the bottom panel.

Features MIUI:

• 🔄 The dividing line has three fixed positions (50/50, 60/40, 40/60).
• 📱 In the settings (Settings → Accessibility → Split screen) you can enable Split gesture - swipe from the bottom corner diagonally upward.
• ⚠️ Some applications (for example, TikTok) can automatically expand to full screen.

Huawei (EMUI 12–13)

On Huawei P50, Mate 50 and others:

1. Hold Recents button 1 second.
2. Select Split screen in the menu that appears.
3. Select two applications from the list.

Proprietary feature - floating windows (Settings → Convenience → Floating windows), which allow you to open mini-versions of applications on top of the main screen.

Why doesn't the swipe to split work on Xiaomi?

On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11) the gesture is disabled by default. To enable it, go to Settings → System → Gestures → Split screen gesture and activate the option. Also check whether the shell from the telecom operator is blocking the function (for example, on devices for MTS or Beeline).

4. Split screen through developer settings

If your device does not support multi-window out of the box, you can try to enable the function through developer mode. This method works on most devices, but requires caution.

1. developer mode:

Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times)

A notification will appear You have become a developer!.

2. Go back to Settings → System → For Developers and find the options:

• Enable free form for multi-window (Force activities to be resizable) - allows you to resize windows.
• Minimum width/height for multi-window — set 220dp for both parameters.

3. Reboot your device and try the standard split-screen method (see section 1).

⚠️ Warning: Changing developer options may cause some applications to crash. For example, unstable interface operation or crashes in some applications. For example, Instagram or WhatsApp may not display correctly. After experiments, return the settings to their original state.

5. Applications for forced screen splitting

If the built-in methods do not work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue. We tested several solutions and chose the most reliable ones.

Application	Functions	Cons	Link
Split Screen Launcher	Creates shortcuts for pairs of applications, gesture support	Advertising, requires Android 8.0+	Google Play
Multi Window	Division into 2-4 windows, adjustable sizes	Paid version for advanced functions	Google Play
Floating Apps	Floating windows on top of other applications	Complicated interface, not all applications are supported	Google Play

How to use Split Screen Launcher:

1. Install the application from Google Play.
2. Open it and select Create Pair.
3. Indicate two applications that you want to run together.
4. A shortcut will appear on the main screen - click on it to launch in split mode.

Warnings:

• 🛡️ Some applications (for example, banking) block work in a multi-window for security reasons.
• 🔋 Third-party utilities may discharge the battery faster due to background activity.
• 🔄 After updating Android applications may stop working - check for updates in Play Market.

6. Solving problems with split screen

If the screen does not split or one of the applications does not open, use these troubleshooting instructions.

Problem 1: The Split Screen button is missing

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔧 Outdated firmware: update Android to Settings → System → Software update.
• 📱 Operator shell: some firmware (for example, from MTS or Tele2) disable the multi-window. Try resetting the settings to factory settings.
• 🔄 System failure: reboot the phone into safe mode (hold the power button → "Safe mode") and check the function.

Problem 2: The application does not open in a multi-window

Not all apps support split mode. Check:

• 🔍 In Google Play on the application page in the section Additional information it should be indicated Supports multiple windows.
• 🔧 In the developer settings (Settings → System → For developers) enable Do not limit background processes.
• 📱 Try an alternative application (for example, instead VK use Kate Mobile).

Problem 3: The screen is split, but one window is black

This is a typical error for applications that block display in a multi-window. Solutions:

• 🔄 Restart the application in split mode (close and open again).
• 🔧 In the developer settings, disable Forced use of GPU rendering.
• 📱 Update the application to the latest version.

7. data-i="268">If a multi-window is not suitable for your tasks, consider other methods of multitasking:

If multi-window doesn't suit your needs, consider other ways to multitask:

Floating windows (Picture-in-Picture, PiP)

Suitable for video and some instant messengers:

• 🎥 V YouTube Premium or Netflix start the video, then click Home —the video will continue playing in a small window.
• 💬 In Telegram or WhatsApp during a video call, press Collapseto move the window to the corner of the screen.

Quickly switch between applications

On Android 12+ can be used switch gesture:

• 🔄 Swipe on the bottom panel left or rightto instantly switch between the last two applications.
• 📱 To Samsung Hold Back buttonto open the recent list.

External monitor (DeX, Miracast)

For advanced multitasking:

• 🖥️ On Samsung connect the phone to the monitor via DeX (Settings → Additional features → Samsung DeX).
• 🔌 On other devices, use USB-C → HDMI adapter or Miracast for wireless image transmission.

8. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of method depends on your device and tasks. Here is a brief comparison:

Method	Pros	Cons	Suitable for
Standard ("Recent" button)	Fast, does not require settings	Does not work on all firmware	Pixel, Motorola, Nokia
Gestures	Convenient on modern devices	Requires getting used to	Android 12+
Proprietary solutions	Additional functions (for example, multi-window panel on Samsung)	Varies on different brands	Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung
Developer mode	Works on unofficially supported devices	Risk of interface failures	Outdated smartphones
Third-party applications	Flexible settings, support for 3+ windows	Advertising, battery consumption	All devices with Android 8.0+

For most users, a combination of the standard method and proprietary featureswill be optimal. data-i="325">it is convenient to use the multi-window panel, and Samsung Galaxy it is convenient to use the multi-window panel, and on Google Pixel - gestures.

If you need constantly work with two applications (for example, to translate text and enter it into a document), consider buying a tablet with support Android (for example, Samsung Tab S9 or Xiaomi Pad 6) - on large screens, a multi-window is much more convenient.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to split the screen into three parts?

Standard Android does not support splitting into three windows, but some shells (for example, MIUI 14 on Xiaomi Pad 6) allow you to open up to 4 applications at the same time. like Multi Window, but they require root access for full operation.

Why is there no split-screen function on my phone?

Possible reasons:

• Outdated version Android (below 7.0).
• Firmware from the telecom operator with limited functions.
• The manufacturer has disabled multi-window (for example, on some models Alcatel or ZTE).

Solution: update the firmware or use third-party applications from section 5.

How to change the proportions of windows in a split screen?

On most devices, drag the dividing line up or down Samsung and Xiaomi you can also:

• Tap the dividing line twice to reset to equal proportions (50/50).
• Click on the three dots (⋮) in the dividing line for predefined options (for example, 60/40).

Is it possible to use split screen in landscape orientation?

Yes, but not on all devices. On Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel when you rotate the screen, the windows are automatically reoriented. On Xiaomi you may need to manually enable anti-rotation in Settings → Display → Auto-rotate. On some tablets (for example Lenovo Tab), a horizontal split screen works better than a vertical one.

How to disable split screen?

To return to normal mode:

• Drag dividing line to the top or bottom edge of the screen.
• Click on Home button (or swipe up on gesture navigation).
• On Samsung click on the three dots (⋮) in the dividing line and select Close division.