How to make a second window on Android: split-screen mode

Mobile devices have long ceased to be just phones for calls, turning into powerful pocket computers. The need to simultaneously watch videos, chat in instant messenger and read news led to the appearance of the function split screen. This feature allows you to turn one display into two independent workspaces, significantly increasing productivity.

Unfortunately, the operating system interface Android does not have a single standard for activating this function. Smartphone manufacturers such as Samsung, Xiaomi or Googleimplement multitasking management in different ways. In this guide, we will look in detail at how to open a second application on different skins and what to do if this option does not work on your device.

Users often confuse the split-screen mode with the "Floating Window" function or Pop-up view. These are different tools: the first divides the display strictly in half or in a given proportion, and the second puts one application on top of another in the form of a mobile frame. We will focus specifically on the classic split screen, which provides full-fledged work with two utilities.

A universal method of activation through the recent applications menu

The most common method, which works on most devices with “clean” Android and some custom shells, is associated with the multitasking screen. First, launch the first app you want to use and minimize it or go to the Home screen. Then open the second application, which should occupy the second part of the display.

Now bring up the recent applications 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 it in the center of the display. You will see cards of all running apps. Above the card of the first application, find the icon in the form of two rectangles or the icon of the application itself.

Click on this icon. In the drop-down menu, select Split screen or Split screen. The first application will occupy the top half of the display, and a list of other running apps or the desktop will appear at the bottom. Select the second application from the list, and the system will automatically split the space.

⚠️ Attention: Not all applications support split-screen mode. If you do not see the desired item in the menu or the application stretches to fill the entire screen when you try to split it, it means that the developer has blocked this feature for this app.

The border between two windows can be moved. To do this, tap the black or gray bar that separates the apps and drag it up or down, resizing the active space for each app. This is especially convenient when one application needs more space to display content than another.

Features of inclusion on Samsung Galaxy smartphones

Shell One UI from the company Samsung offers the most advanced tools for multitasking among all manufacturers. Here the function is called Multi-window and has several activation methods, including special gestures. The standard method through the recent applications menu also works here, but there are faster options.

Try using the swipe gesture. Open the first application. Then swipe your finger from the bottom of the screen towards the center and hold your finger in place for a second. The screen will split in half and a panel will appear at the bottom to select a second application. This is the fastest way for owners of flagship series S i Note.

You can also enable a special panel in the display settings. Go to Settings → Display → Edge panel and activate the necessary tools. A transparent tab will appear on the side of the screen. Pulling it out gives you access to your favorite apps, which you can drag directly onto the open screen, instantly creating a second window.

Devices Samsung allows you to save pairs of applications for quick launch. After you have expanded two windows, a special icon will appear in the center of the dividing bar. By clicking on it, you can save this combination to your home screen. Next time, with one touch, you will launch both applications in split mode.

Specifics of operation on Xiaomi and Redmi devices

In firmware MIUI and the new HyperOS from Xiaomi the operating logic is slightly different. The most common combination of navigation buttons is used here. Launch the first app, then press the Menu button (square) or swipe to enter multitasking mode. Hold your finger on the application card or click on the icon at the top.

In the menu that opens, select the icon with two rectangles. The screen will split and you will be asked to select a second app. It is important to note that on some budget models Redmi this function can be disabled by developers to save RAM, despite the presence of appropriate software.

There is an alternative method through “Floating Windows”. In multitasking mode, tap the app icon to bring up the menu and select Floating Window mode. Although this is not a classic split screen, it allows you to place a second application on top of the first anywhere on the screen, changing its size.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI and HyperOS interfaces are updated frequently. The location of buttons and menu item names may change with each firmware version. If you do not find the described items, check the “Advanced settings” section in the recent tasks menu.

For games and video players Xiaomi offers the “Video Toolbox” function. It allows you to bring up a second window on top of a game or movie to respond to a message or view the browser. This function is configured in the section Settings → Accessibility → Video panel.

Setting up multitasking on Google Pixel and pure Android

Smartphones Google Pixel and devices with certification Android One use a reference implementation of the interface. There are no unnecessary add-ons, so the controls are intuitive. The main method is through the recent applications menu, called up by swiping up and holding.

At the top of the application card there is a app icon. Tap it to open the context menu. There you will see the option Split screen. Once selected, the screen will split horizontally. In portrait orientation, one application will be on top, the other on the bottom. In horizontal - left and right.

A feature of pure Android is strict optimization. The system automatically determines which applications can run in the background in a split window. Heavy games or applications with DRM-protected content can block this function at the system level, and it is impossible to bypass this using standard means.

Window size is controlled by dragging the dividing line. If you release the line at the very top or bottom of the screen, one of the applications will close, and the second will take up the entire display. This is a convenient way to quickly switch between operating modes.

Why split screen does not work: main reasons

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the split screen function is unavailable or inactive. The most common reason is technical limitations of the application itself. Developers may prohibit working in multi-window mode due to interface features or security requirements, for example, in banking applications.

The second reason is the lack of RAM. On budget smartphones with 2 or 3 GB RAM the system can block the launch of two active applications at the same time to prevent the device from freezing. In such cases, one of the applications will be constantly unloaded from memory.

The third reason lies in the developer settings or specific versions of Android. On some devices, the feature may be hidden or disabled by default by the manufacturer. It is also worth checking if the power saving mode is enabled, which often limits the background activity of processes.

Cause of the problem	Symptoms	Possible solution
Application does not support	Menu item gray or missing	Use floating window mode
Low RAM	Applications crash when switching	Close unnecessary background tasks
Mode energy saving	The function is not activated	Disable battery saving
Outdated OS version	No function in the menu	Firmware update (if available)

How to check application support?

Go to Settings → Applications. Select the app you want and look at the "Advanced" or "Battery" sections. If there are restrictions on background activity, this may interfere with work in split-screen mode.

Forced activation through the developer menu

If standard methods do not help, you can try to forcefully activate the function through the hidden menu. This method is suitable for experienced users, since incorrect settings can lead to incorrect display of the interface in some apps.

First you need to activate developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and find the item Build number. Quickly click on it 7 times in a row until a notification appears indicating that you have become a developer. You may need to enter your screen lock PIN.

Now return to the main settings menu and find the new section For developers. In the list of options, scroll down to the Applications block. Find the item Forced multi-window mode (Force activities to be resizable) and activate the switch. After that, restart your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Forcing the mode on may result in the application interface being displayed incorrectly (buttons may overlap each other, text may be cut off). Use this option only if the standard method is not available.

After a reboot, the system will try to launch any application in split-screen mode, even if the developer did not provide for this. This may be useful for older apps, but modern heavy applications can behave unstable.

Alternative solutions and third-party utilities

If the built-in capabilities of the system do not suit you or your smartphone is too old for native split-screen support, there are third-party applications from the store Google Play. They emulate the operation of a second window by running applications in a special container.

Popular utilities, such as Split Screen Launcher or Floating Apps, create a virtual space. They do not share the screen systematically, but rather open a second application in a floating window that can be scaled. This is an excellent solution for Android tablets or smartphones with a large screen.

Some manufacturers build in their own launchers with multi-window support. For example, LG (in their older models) and Huawei had proprietary add-ons that allowed you to run two instances of one application, for example, two WhatsApp accounts at the same time.

It is worth considering that the use of third-party window emulators increases the load on the processor and consumes battery power faster. For everyday tasks, it is better to use the native capabilities of the system, optimized for the specific hardware of the device.

Is it possible to run the same application in two windows?

Yes, this is possible on many modern smartphones. To do this, you need to open the first application window, then in the selection menu of the second application, find the icon of the same application (sometimes it is duplicated in the list of recent ones) and select it. Some shells, for example Samsung or Xiaomi, have a built-in “App Clone” or “Dual Apps” function that allows you to do this officially.

Why does one of the applications turn black or close when splitting the screen?

This is due to a lack of RAM (RAM). When you open two active applications, the system is forced to keep data from both processes in memory. If there is not enough memory, Android kills the background process to free up resources for the active window. Try closing other running apps before activating the mode.

Does split-screen mode work in games?

In most full-screen games, split-screen mode does not work or does not work correctly. Games usually consume the entire display and video accelerator resources. Trying to split the screen may cause the game to crash or cause a significant drop in performance (FPS). The exception is some strategy or turn-based games.

How to exit split-screen mode?

To exit the mode, simply drag the split bar to the very edge of the screen (up, down, left or right depending on the orientation). The active application will expand to full screen, and the second will close. You can also press the “Home” button, which will minimize both applications, or the “Back” button, which will close the active window.