Multitasking on mobile devices has ceased to be a fantasy and has become a necessity for the modern user. The operating system Android 10 brought with it not only an updated design and gesture navigation, but also significantly improved work with several applications at the same time. Now you can view the news feed and chat in the messenger or watch video tutorials while taking notes in another window, without switching between apps every few seconds.
The split display function, known as Split Screen, allows you to effectively use the screen space of modern smartphones with large diagonals. However, the interface of this option may vary depending on the device manufacturer and the installed shell. In this article, we will look in detail at all the ways to activate multi-window mode, adjust window proportions and solve typical problems that users encounter.
Activating this feature opens up new horizons of productivity, turning your smartphone into a powerful tool for work and study. Let's take a step-by-step look at how to manage two applications on one screen, what limitations exist, and how to optimize this process to suit your personal needs without using third-party software.
Preparing the system and checking compatibility
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your device technically supports the split-screen function. Although Android 10 has built-in support for multi-window mode at the system kernel level, some manufacturers of budget smartphones can programmatically disable this option to save RAM. You can check the presence of the function in the system settings or by trying to activate it with a standard gesture.
An important aspect is the volume RAM (RAM). For comfortable operation of two active applications at the same time, 4 GB of RAM is recommended. On devices with 2GB of memory, the system may force one of the apps to exit when attempting to split screen, rendering the feature useless. It is also worth considering that not all applications are optimized to work in a reduced window.
Some apps, especially games and video players with DRM protection, may block the ability to resize the window or force it to fill the entire screen. This is due to the features of their architecture and the requirements of developers for the user interface. If a particular application does not minimize to the top or bottom of the screen, this means that it does not support multitasking mode ⚠️ Attention: If after all attempts the function is not activated, it is possible that the manufacturer of your smartphone has hidden it in the “For Developers” menu. In this case, you will need to enable special debugging options, which may affect the stability of the system if you carelessly change the parameters. in the current version
⚠️ Attention: If after all the attempts the function is not activated, it is possible that the manufacturer of your smartphone has hidden it in the “For Developers” menu. In this case, you will need to enable special debugging options, which may affect the stability of the system if the parameters are carelessly changed.
Make sure that the latest available firmware version is installed on your device. Developers often release updates that fix interface bugs and improve compatibility with popular applications. Go to Settings → System → System update and check for new packages. Current software guarantees the correct operation of all system gestures and separation functions.
The classic method of activation through the recent applications menu
The most common and universal method of enabling split screen Android 10 involves using the recent tasks menu. This method works on most devices with standard navigation (three buttons at the bottom of the screen) and on many custom skins. To begin, open the first app you want to use at the top of the screen, such as the browser or YouTube.
Once the app has loaded, click the Recent Apps button (square or three bars depending on the model). You will see a list of all running apps in the form of cards. Above each card or on its icon there is usually an application icon. Press and hold your finger on the icon or window title until a pop-up context menu appears with additional control options.
In the list that appears, select an item "Split screen" (or the icon depicting two rectangles). The active window will automatically occupy the upper half of the display, and the lower half will be filled with a list of other running applications or the desktop. Now all you have to do is select the second application from the proposed list by clicking on its icon.
- 📱 Hold the application icon in the recent tasks menu until the menu appears.
- 🔲 Select the "Split screen" option or the corresponding icon.
- 👆 Tap the second app at the bottom of the screen to launch.
- ↔️ Drag the split bar to resize the windows.
Once both apps are launched, a thin split strip will appear between them. You can drag it up or down, changing the proportions of the space occupied. This allows you to customize the interface for a specific task: make the video window larger for comfortable viewing or expand the keyboard window for convenient typing.
☑️ Quick launch algorithm
Using gesture navigation for multitasking
With the release Android 10 many manufacturers have switched to Gesture control, eliminating physical or touch navigation buttons. In this mode, the process of activating split screen becomes less obvious, but faster with proper skill. Gestures allow you to control windows directly without going into intermediate menus, which saves the user's time.
To activate the mode, you need to open the first application, and then swipe from the bottom edge of the screen up to the middle and hold your finger in this position for about a second. The app will collapse and turn into a thumbnail at the top of the screen. When you release your finger, you'll see the bottom half of the screen ready for you to select a second app. This gesture simulates pressing and holding the menu button in classic navigation.
An alternative method is to use the side edges of the screen on some smartphone models, such as Samsung Galaxy or Xiaomi Mi. Swiping from the corner of the screen towards the center and then holding can also bring up the multitasking menu. However, the behavior of gestures is highly dependent on the specific shell, so it is worth experimenting with different movement trajectories.
If you have difficulty performing a gesture, check the sensor sensitivity settings or animation speed in the section Settings → Accessibility. Sometimes slowing down the animation helps to better understand the moment the system is triggered. Remember that the gesture must be smooth and confident, without sudden jerks, so that the system correctly recognizes the command.
The secret of quickly changing applications
If you often switch between the same pair of apps, remember their location in the recent tasks menu. In split-screen mode, you can quickly close one window with the Home button and launch another without closing the first, which speeds up task rotation.
Adjusting window sizes and fixing applications
One of the key advantages of split-screen mode is the ability to flexibly adjust window proportions. In Android 10 you are not limited to a strict proportion of 50 to 50. The dividing bar between applications allows you to resize the active window in a wide range, giving priority to the content that is more important to you at the moment.
To change the size, touch the dividing bar and drag it in the desired direction. The system remembers the last installed position for each pair of applications. This means that if the last time you configured the screen so that the messenger occupied only 20% of the space, then the next time you open this pair of windows, the system will automatically apply the same proportions.
There is also an “App Pinning” function, which is useful if you give the phone to a child or colleague and want to limit their actions to only one app. In split screen mode, you can pin both windows, preventing you from leaving them without entering a PIN code or pattern. This provides an additional level of security and control.
| Action | Result | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Drag a bar up | Enlarge the bottom window | Dial text, reading articles |
| Drag the bar down | Enlarge the top window | View videos, maps |
| Double click on the bar | Reset to 50/50 ratio | Quick alignment of windows |
| Swipe the stripe to the edge | Closing one of the windows | Exit split mode |
Some shells allow you to save preset split screen profiles. For example, you could create a Work scenario where the browser and email take up equal parts, and an Entertainment scenario where video takes up 80% of the screen. Check your device's display settings for these features, as they can make day-to-day use much easier.
To quickly change the screen orientation in split mode, try rotating your device. Some apps support independent orientation in their windows, allowing you to watch videos in landscape mode while you type in portrait mode.
Advanced settings through Developer Mode
For users who want maximum control over multitasking, Android 10 offers hidden settings in Developer Mode. These options allow you to force split-screen for apps that don't officially support it, as well as set the minimum window size allowed.
To access these settings, you must first enable Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the “Build number” item. After the message “You have become a developer” appears in the main settings menu, a new section will appear "For developers".
Inside this section, find the item "Force resize activities". Enabling this switch will allow you to run in split-screen mode even those applications that usually block this feature, such as games or full-screen video players. However, it is worth remembering that the interface of such apps may not be displayed correctly.
⚠️ Attention: Enabling experimental functions in developer mode may lead to unstable system operation, application crashes, or increased battery consumption. Use these settings with caution and disable them if you notice problems with your smartphone.
You can also find the minimum window width setting here. By changing this setting, you can make application windows very narrow, which is useful when using the smartphone in conjunction with an external keyboard or in specific work scenarios. The standard value is usually 320 dp, but it can be increased or decreased depending on the screen diagonal.
Developer mode gives power over the system, but requires caution. Forced resizing can break the layout of the application, making buttons unclickable.
Solving typical problems and limitations
Despite the convenience of the function, users often encounter a number of problems when using split screen Android 10. One of the most common is the automatic closing of one of the applications when trying to open a third. This limitation is related to RAM management: the system closes background processes to free up resources for the active window.
Another common problem is black bars or incorrect display of content in a reduced window. This happens when an application is hardcoded to a specific screen size and fails to adapt to changes. In such cases, only updating the application to the latest version or using alternative software with better optimization helps.
Sometimes the dividing bar becomes inactive or disappears, fixing the windows in one position. This may be due to a software failure in the system interface. Try rebooting your device or clearing the system launcher cache through application settings. As a last resort, resetting accessibility settings can restore the split gesture functionality.
- 🚫 Application closes: Insufficient RAM, close unnecessary background processes.
- 📐 Graphics distortion: Application does not support resizing, try developer mode.
- 🔒 Unable to exit: Check if the App Pinning function is enabled.
- 📱 The sensor does not respond: Restart the smartphone or check the protective glass for interference.
If the problem is systemic in nature and occurs on many devices of the same model, most likely this is a bug in a specific firmware version. In this case, it is worth monitoring updates from the manufacturer. Developers regularly release patches that fix bugs in multi-window mode and improve compatibility with popular software.
Why doesn't splitting work in games?
Most mobile games use full-screen rendering for maximum performance. Forcibly shrinking a window can cause a drop in FPS and overheat the device, so developers often block this feature at the code level.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to split the screen into more than two applications in Android 10?
Using standard means Android 10 split screen only into two parts is supported. However, some manufacturers, such as Pop-up View or Floating Windows, allow you to open a third application as a small floating window on top of the two split screens. This requires support from the device shell. Samsung with Pop-up View or Xiaomi with floating windows, allow you to open a third application as a small floating window on top of two split screens. This requires support from the device shell.
Why is the Split Screen button inactive for some applications?
This means that the application developer has not added support for multi-window mode to the app code. Most often this concerns games, banking applications with increased security, and video players. You can try to enable forced resizing in developer mode, but this does not guarantee correct operation.
Does split screen affect the speed of a smartphone?
Yes, the simultaneous operation of two active applications increases the load on the processor and RAM. On older or low-end devices, this can lead to noticeable lag in the interface and faster battery drain. On flagship models with powerful hardware, the effect is almost unnoticeable.
How to quickly close split-screen mode?
The fastest way is to drag the dividing bar to the very top or bottom edge of the screen. This will close one of the windows and expand the remaining one to fill the entire display. You can also press the Home button, which will minimize both applications, or the Back button if it is configured to close the current window in this context.
Does the state of applications persist after closing?
When you close split screen mode, both applications remain running in the background. You can return to them through the recent tasks menu, and they will be in the same state in which you left them, unless the system unloaded them from memory due to lack of resources.