Multi-window mode on Android is a feature that radically changes the way you use your smartphone, turning it from a tool for sequential tasks into a powerful workstation. Imagine being able to simultaneously view your news feed on a social network and respond to messages in Messenger without having to minimize either application. This is not just convenience, but a real way to increase productivity several times, saving time on constantly switching between tabs.
Although many users take this feature for granted, not everyone knows how to properly activate it and configure it to suit their needs. In older versions of the system, access to the function was hidden, while in modern shells it has become intuitive. However, there are nuances depending on the device manufacturer Samsung, Xiaomi or Google Pixelthat can confuse a beginner.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the ways to activate screen splitting, from standard gestures to advanced settings through the engineering menu. You will learn why some apps refuse to work in this mode and how to bypass these restrictions. If you're ready to turn your gadget into a real multitasking center, let's start exploring window management tools.
Preparing the device and checking compatibility
Before you try to run two applications at the same time, you need to make sure that your device physically and software supports this function. Multi-window mode requires a sufficient amount of RAM (RAM), since the system has to keep the processes of two apps active at once. On budget smartphones with 2 GB of RAM, working in this mode can lead to noticeable slowdowns or automatic closing of background applications.
The version of the operating system is also critically important. Native support for split-screen appeared in Android 7.0 Nougat, but before that many manufacturers implemented their own solutions. If you have custom firmware or a heavily modified shell installed, the operating logic may differ from the stock one. You can check the current version in the section Settings → About phone → Android version.
Not all applications are optimized for working in split screen. Developers can forcibly prohibit the launch of their software in multitasking mode if the app interface is not adapted to change AspectRatio. This usually applies to games, banking applications with a high level of security, and some video players.
⚠️ Attention: Forcing incompatible applications through special utilities may lead to incorrect display of the interface, system freezes, or the app crashes immediately after opening.
For comfortable operation, it is also recommended to disable power saving while testing the function. Aggressive battery saving algorithms often kill background processes, making multitasking pointless. Go to the battery settings and select the mode Performance or add the desired applications to exceptions.
☑️ Ready for multitasking
Standard activation methods through the interface
The most common method of enabling split screen does not require installing third-party software and is available directly from the recent applications menu. The logic of actions is the same for most devices, but the visual design of the buttons may vary. First, open the first application you plan to use, such as the browser or notes.
Then bring up the recent tasks menu. Depending on the type of navigation, this is done either by pressing the square button at the bottom of the screen, or by swiping up from the bottom and holding your finger in the center of the display. In the list that opens, find the card of the running application. It should have an icon or the name of the app at the top.
Click on this icon or hold down the application card to bring up the context menu. In the list of options, select Split screen or Split screen. After this, the selected application will occupy the upper (or left in landscape mode) half of the display, and a list of other apps will open below for selecting a second pair.
- 📱 Click on the application icon in the recent tasks menu to open the menu.
- 🔄 Select the "Split screen" option from the drop-down list.
- 👆 Tap the second app at the bottom of the screen to complete activation.
If you use gesture navigation without buttons, the process may be even faster. On some shells, for example One UI from Samsung, it is enough to swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger until the application “sticks” to the top. This action duplicates pressing the menu_recent button.
If the split screen button is inactive (gray), it means that this particular application does not support multi-window mode at the software level. Try replacing it with an analogue one.
Features of working in different Android shells
Smartphone manufacturers often modify the standard Android interface, adding unique features for managing windows. Understanding these differences will help you master a specific brand of device faster. For example, in smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi with the MIUI or HyperOS shell, there is an additional activation method through the notification panel.
Device owners Samsung have access to the Pop-up View function, which allows you to open applications in floating windows on top of other apps. This is a more flexible option compared to a strict 50 to 50 screen split. You can activate it by selecting the corresponding item in the recent tasks menu or using special gestures assigned in the settings.
On a pure one Android (Pixel, Motorola, Nokia) the interface is as minimalist as possible. There are no unnecessary add-ons, but there are fewer customization options. Split screen works strictly according to the Google standard: one application on top, another on the bottom, with the ability to drag the dividing bar.
Below is a table comparing activation methods on popular shells:
| Manufacturer / Shell | Main activation method | Additional features |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel (Stock Android) | Recent tasks menu → Application icon | Fine-tuning window size |
| Samsung (One UI) | Recent tasks menu or Edge panel | Pop-up windows, saving application pairs |
| Xiaomi (MIUI/HyperOS) | Recent tasks menu or curtain notifications | Floating windows, sidebar |
| Huawei (EMUI/MagicOS) | Two-finger gesture from bottom to top | Intelligent window distribution |
It is worth noting that in some Chinese firmware versions, multitasking functions may be curtailed or called differently. If you imported the device, be prepared for the fact that the translation of the menu may be machine-made and not obvious. In such cases, you should focus on icons rather than text.
Managing window sizes and switching tasks
After successfully activating the mode, the user has the opportunity to flexibly manage the screen space. There is a separator bar between two running apps that you can drag up, down, left, or right. This allows you to give priority to one of the applications, allocating 70% or even 80% of the usable display area to it.
To resize the window, simply touch the dividing line with your finger and drag it in the desired direction. The system will automatically adjust the interface of open apps to the new size. However, there are minimum and maximum restrictions: you will not be able to minimize the application to a narrow strip, as it will no longer be functional.
If you decide to close one of the windows, drag the dividing line to the very edge of the screen. The application that ends up “overboard” will be closed, and the remaining one will expand to the entire display. You can also press the "Home" button to minimize both applications, saving their state in memory for quick return.
⚠️ Attention: If you suddenly change the screen orientation (rotating your smartphone), the system may automatically rearrange the windows or close one of them if the application does not support landscape mode.
Switching between multi-window mode and normal use is instantaneous. You can minimize a couple of apps, read the news in the browser, and then return to the split screen via the recent tasks menu, where they will appear as a single block. This is especially convenient when working with documents and searching for information.
The separator bar is the main management tool. Don't be afraid to experiment with proportions to find the perfect balance for your eyes and tasks.
Advanced settings and forced activation
For those for whom standard features are not enough, the Android system offers hidden settings through the developer menu. This section allows you to force applications to run in split-screen mode, even if the developer has prohibited this in the app manifest. However, you should use these tools with caution.
To access these settings, you must first activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item Build number. 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 Allow Resizing (Force resize activities). Activating this switch will allow you to run almost any application in split-screen mode, including games and video players. Be prepared for the interface to look distorted or the buttons to become unclickable.
Settings → For Developers → Force Allow ResizingAnother useful feature is setting the minimum screen width (Smallest width). By changing this DPI value, you can visually make the interface elements smaller, which will allow you to fit more information into each multitasking window. The standard value is usually 360-400 DPI, increasing to 450-500 will make the picture smaller, but more informative.
Risks of changing DPI
Reducing the interface scale too much can make the system unusable without resetting the settings. Remember the initial value before experiments.
Solving common problems and malfunctions
Despite the well-functioning system, users sometimes encounter problems when working in multi-window mode. The most common situation is that applications close spontaneously or do not save state when switching. This is most often due to low RAM or aggressive system optimization.
If you notice that a background app keeps reloading when you return to it, check your battery settings. Many manufacturers limit background activity by default to save energy. You need to go to the settings of a specific application and select the option No restrictions or disable battery optimization for this software.
Another problem is black bars or incorrect display of content in one of the windows. This happens when the application is hard-coded to a specific orientation mode or resolution. In this case, only rotating the entire device or forcibly changing the developer settings mentioned above helps.
- 🔋 Check the power saving settings for problematic applications.
- 🧹 Clear the application cache if they are unstable in split-screen mode.
- 🔄 Reboot the device if the system starts slow down after long periods of multitasking.
In rare cases, the culprit may be a third-party launcher that replaces the standard desktop. Some custom shells do not correctly handle system calls to resize windows. If the problem appeared after installing a new launcher, try temporarily returning to the standard interface.
⚠️ Warning: Updating the operating system may reset your developer settings. After a major update, check whether the forced resizing feature is activated manually.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can you open three applications at the same time in a split screen?
The standard Android interface only supports two active windows in split-screen mode. However, on Samsung devices with Pop-up View, you can open a third application in a floating window on top of the two main ones. On tablets with large screens, some manufacturers allow you to split the screen into three parts, but this is extremely rare on smartphones.
Why is the Split Screen button missing in the application menu?
This means that this particular application does not support multitasking. The developer may have disabled this feature intentionally. Try activating the "Force allow resizing" option in the developer menu to bypass this limitation, but be prepared for possible visual bugs.
Does multi-window mode affect the speed of battery drain?
Yes, running two active applications at the same time consumes more processor resources and RAM, which leads to faster battery drain. Also, leaving the screen on at maximum brightness for a long time makes a difference. For long-term operation in this mode, it is recommended to keep the device on charge.
How to save a pair of applications for quick launch in the future?
In Samsung's One UI shell, after launching two applications in a split screen, you can click on a special icon in the center of the dividing bar (three dots) to save this pair. In the future, it will appear in the recent tasks menu or on the desktop as one shortcut. There is no such function on stock Android, but you can use widgets or third-party launchers.
Does multi-window mode work in games?
Most modern games block the ability to run in the background or in split screen to prevent cheating and optimize resources. However, using the developer settings, you can try to launch the game in a small window, although the performance in this case may be unsatisfactory.