Multitasking has become an integral part of using modern smartphones. Often there is a need to simultaneously chat in the messenger and watch a video, compare prices in the browser, or drag and drop files between applications. Fortunately, the operating system Android offers a built-in split-screen feature that allows you to run two applications side by side in the same window.
This feature radically changes the experience of interacting with the device, turning your smartphone into something like a mini-tablet. However, the activation procedure may differ depending on the manufacturer and firmware version. In this article, we will look in detail at how to properly set up and use this tool to increase your productivity.
Before moving on, it is worth noting that the function works stably on most devices released in recent years. The only exceptions are some budget models with a small amount of RAM or specific shells where the manufacturer has deliberately limited the capabilities of the system.
Checking compatibility and system requirements
The first step before activating split screen is to understand the capabilities of your device. The Split Screen function has been officially implemented in Android 7.0 Nougat. If your smartphone runs on an older version, there may be no native support, and you will have to resort to third-party solutions.
Even if you have the latest version of the OS, some manufacturers may hide this option in the developer settings or disable it to save resources. You can check basic compatibility by trying to bring up the recent applications menu. If you see an app icon icon at the top of the card, splitting is most likely available.
It is important to note that not all apps support multi-window mode. Software developers can block this function for apps that require complete immersion, such as games or banking clients with increased security requirements.
⚠️ Attention: On some models of the budget segment, the function may not work correctly or cause strong heating of the case due to increased load on the processor when two active processes are running simultaneously.
For comfortable use of split screen also What matters is the diagonal of the display and its resolution. On screens smaller than 5 inches, the interface may become too small, making navigation difficult. The best option is devices with a diagonal of 6 inches or more and a pixel density of at least 400 ppi.
If you cannot find the split-screen function in the standard menu, try updating the operating system to the latest available version in the "Settings" → "About phone" section.
Universal activation method through the recent applications menu
The most common method of enabling split-screen mode works on pure Android and most shells, such as One UI from Samsung or ColorOS from Oppo. It does not require a deep dive into technical settings and is completed in a few taps.
To begin, open the application that you want to pin at the top of the screen. After that, minimize it and go to the recent tasks menu. This is usually done by swiping from bottom to top with your finger held down or by pressing a special navigation button in the form of a square.
In the list that opens, find the card of the running application. At the top of this card, next to the icon, the app logo or three dots should appear. Click on this element to open the context menu of actions.
- 📱 Select “Split screen” or “Split screen” in the drop-down list.
- 📉 The screen will split in half: the upper part is occupied by the first application, and a list of other apps will appear at the bottom.
- 🚀 Tap on the second application at the bottom to launch it next to the first one.
After completing these steps, you will get two active windows. You can move the border between them by holding your finger on the dividing strip and pulling it up or down. This allows you to change the proportions of the occupied space depending on your current tasks.
To exit split mode, simply drag the split line to the very top or bottom of the screen. An alternative option is to close one of the applications in the standard way by clicking on the cross in the window title.
Features of operation on Samsung and Xiaomi smartphones
Large manufacturers often modify the standard interface Android, adding their own gestures and settings to control multitasking. Owners of devices Samsung and Xiaomi should pay attention to the specific operating algorithms of their shells.
On smartphones Samsung with a shell One UI there is an additional taskbar that greatly simplifies the process. You can pin frequently used app pairs for instant launch. To do this, you need to open the application tray, find the three dots icon and select “Settings”, where the “Split screen panel” option is activated.
In devices Xiaomi with a shell MIUI or HyperOS the logic may be different. Sometimes you need to enable the feature in advanced settings. Go to Settings → Additional functions → Windows and make sure the switch is active. In some firmware versions, separation is caused by a long press on the “Menu” button (square) in the navigation panel.
| Manufacturer | Shell | Method call | Add. features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | One UI | Recent tasks menu | Favorite application pairs panel |
| Xiaomi | MIUI / HyperOS | Recent tasks menu / Settings | Floating windows |
| Google Pixel | Stock Android | Recent tasks menu | Basic support |
| Huawei | EMUI / HarmonyOS | Swipe from the corner of the screen | Smart division |
It is worth noting that the new flagships Huawei i Honor use a unique activation method through gestures. Swiping inward from the corner of the screen will often bring up a floating window, which you can then dock to split the screen. This requires some skill, but saves time in the long run.
Samsung Secret Feature
You can save a couple of apps as a shortcut on the home screen. To do this, in split-screen mode, tap on the three dots in the middle of the divider and select “Save app pair.” Now running two apps at the same time will take one tap.
Configuration through developer options
If the standard methods do not work or you want to force split-screen for applications that do not officially support this feature, you will need to access the developer menu. This section is hidden by default to prevent accidental changes to critical system settings.
To activate the menu, go to Settings → About phone and find the “Build number” item. Click on it 7 times in a row until a message appears indicating that you have become a developer. After this, a new section “For Developers” will appear in the main settings menu.
Inside this section, find the item “Force resizeable”. Activating this switch will allow you to run almost any application in split-screen mode, including games and video players that usually block this feature.
⚠️ Attention: Forcibly resizing applications may lead to incorrect display of the interface, app crashes, or data loss. Use this option only if you understand the risks and are prepared for unstable software operation.
You can also find settings for the minimum screen width (Smallest width) in the developers menu. Changing this setting in dp (density-independent pixels) affects how the system perceives available space. Decreasing the value may trick the system into thinking the screen is wider, thereby allowing splitting.
Be careful when changing the screen width. Values that are too small will make the text unreadable, and values that are too large can break the layout of system menus. Remember the original value before making changes so that you can return everything back.
☑️ Preparing to change the developer settings
Working with floating windows and free form
In addition to the classic horizontal split screen, modern versions Android support free window mode (Freeform). In this mode, applications open as floating windows that can be moved around the screen and resized independently of each other.
This mode is especially convenient for devices with large screens or foldable smartphones. To activate a floating window, it is often enough to select the corresponding item in the recent tasks menu, which looks like a window icon with arrows in the corners.
In some shells, for example in MIUI, floating windows are called up by swiping from the corner of the screen. The window that appears can be pinned in a corner, expanded to fill the entire screen, or minimized to a small icon. This allows you to create complex multitasking scenarios using three or more applications simultaneously.
Managing such windows is intuitive: you can drag it by the top part of the window, and resize it by the bottom right corner. However, it is worth remembering that each additional active window consumes RAM, which can slow down the device.
Free window mode gives maximum flexibility in space management, but requires more system resources than the standard split screen into two parts.
Solving typical problems and limitations
Despite the convenience of the function, users often face a number of limitations. The most common problem is a gray application icon in the partition menu, which means it is prohibited by the developer. In such cases, only the developer mode described above or the use of third-party launchers will help.
Another common situation is automatic exit from split mode when minimizing one of the applications. This system behavior is aimed at saving energy. To avoid this, try disabling app-specific battery optimization in settings.
Sometimes the dividing line disappears or becomes inactive. This may be the result of a bug in a specific firmware version. In this case, it is recommended to clear the system interface cache through the recovery menu or reset the interface settings.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and names of menu items may change with operating system updates. If you don't find the settings described, use a search in your phone's settings menu by entering the keyword "split" or "screen."
It is also worth considering that when working in split-screen mode, some functions, such as screenshots of the entire screen or video recording, may not work correctly or only capture the active window. To create a full screenshot of both windows, you often need to use special key combinations or third-party software.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to divide the screen into three parts at the same time?
Standard tools Android split the screen exactly into Three equal parts are not possible. The system only supports two active windows in split mode. However, using a combination of split screen and floating window, you can visually fit three apps on the display, although the third will be on top of the others.
Why doesn't split screen work in games?
Most games use full screen mode and take up all the GPU resources, so developers block the ability to minimize or split the screen. This is done to prevent lags and cheating. You can bypass this limitation only through the developer menu, but the game may freeze.
Does split screen affect battery consumption?
Yes, running two active applications at the same time increases the load on the processor and RAM, which leads to faster battery drain. If you need to save charge, try not to keep heavy applications in the background, such as a navigator or video streaming, in a second window.
How to disable split screen permanently?
The function itself cannot be disabled systemically, since it is part of the kernel Android. However, you can simply not use it. If the problem is the random activation of the gesture, check the navigation gesture settings and screen sensitivity in the corresponding section of the menu.