Multitasking on modern smartphones has ceased to be a luxury and has become an urgent necessity. Users are often faced with a situation where they need to simultaneously reply to a message in the messenger, watch a video tutorial, or check data in the browser without minimizing the current application. The split-screen feature, also known as Split Screen, solves this problem by allowing you to display two windows on one display.
The implementation of this feature depends on the version of the operating system Android and the user interface of the specific manufacturer. While on pure Android the algorithm of actions is standardized, shells like One UI ot Samsung or MIUI ot Xiaomi can offer their own control variations. Understanding the general principles of operation of this function will help you effectively manage the workspace of your gadget.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the ways to activate the split-screen mode, consider the nuances of working with various applications and answer frequently asked questions among owners of mobile devices. You will learn how to adjust the size of windows and which apps are best suited for working simultaneously.
Checking compatibility and system requirements
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your device technically supports this function. Split screen mode was introduced starting from version Android 7.0 Nougat. If you have an older version of the system, you will not be able to activate this option using standard means without obtaining root access or installing third-party launchers.
It is also worth considering hardware limitations. On devices with a small amount of RAM (less than 2 GB) or a weak processor, running two active applications at the same time can lead to noticeable slowdowns and rapid battery drain. The system can automatically block the launch of heavy games or video editors in multi-window mode to maintain stability.
⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers of budget smartphones programmatically disable the split-screen function, even if the latest version of Android is installed. This is done to save device resources.
Particular attention should be paid to supporting specific applications. Not every app can work correctly in a reduced window. Developers can disable scaling of their software, which is why when trying to activate the mode, the application will simply minimize or remain on the entire screen. This usually applies to banking clients and some secure instant messengers.
Activation through the recent applications menu
The most common and universal way to enable split screen is to use the multitasking menu. This method works on the vast majority of devices with clean Android and custom shells. To begin, open the app you want to place on the top or left side of the screen.
Then bring up the recent apps 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.
On the application card, click on its icon, usually located at the top of the preview. In the drop-down menu, select Split screen or Split screen. After this, the application window will shrink, occupying the upper half of the display, and a list of other apps will appear at the bottom for selecting a second window.
- 📱 Click on the application icon in the recent tasks menu.
- 🖥️ Select the “Split screen” option in the appeared menu.
- 🔍 Click on the second application from the list to fill the lower area.
- ↔️ Drag the dividing line to change the window proportions.
If you do not see the desired item in the icon menu, the application may not support this mode. In this case, try running another app. It is also worth checking your system settings, as in some shells this feature must first be activated in the developer menu.
To quickly swap applications, press and hold the split bar, then drag it to the opposite side of the screen or select another application to replace.
Using gestures and special buttons
Smartphone manufacturers often introduce their own convenient ways to manage multitasking that differ from standard behavior Android. For example, in devices Samsung with a shell One UI there is a taskbar called up by swiping. This allows you to launch a second application literally with one touch.
To activate the mode on such devices, open the first application, then swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger to bring up the recent applications panel, but do not release immediately. In some versions of the interface, you just need to swipe your finger from the side of the screen to the center to slide out the Quick Launch panel.
On the panel you will see icons of frequently used apps. Drag the desired icon to a free part of the screen. The system will automatically split the display into two parts. This method is especially convenient for those who constantly use the same pair of applications, for example, Telegram and YouTube.
| Manufacturer | Activation method | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Taskbar (swipe) | Supports up to 3 windows at the same time |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Recents menu + button | Requires inclusion in advanced settings |
| Google Pixel | Icon in the task menu | Clean interface without unnecessary elements |
| Huawei / Honor | Swipe from the corner of the screen | Works only with certain gestures |
If the described gestures do not work, go to the section Settings → Accessibility → Manage gestures and check whether the appropriate options for multitasking are activated.
☑️ Check interface settings
Adjusting aspect ratios and managing windows
Once you have launched two applications, you have the ability to flexibly configure the space they occupy. There is a special dividing strip between the windows. By dragging it up, down, left or right, you can give priority to one of the applications.
However, the system imposes certain restrictions on the minimum window size. If you try to make the area too small, the app may automatically crash or go into suspend mode. This is done to ensure that the app interface remains readable and functional.
Additional controls are often located at the top or bottom of the dividing bar. Clicking on the arrow allows you to minimize one of the applications into a floating window or close it completely. There may also be a button to save the current configuration as a shortcut on the desktop.
⚠️ Attention: When changing the device orientation from portrait to landscape, window proportions may be reset to default values. Pin important windows before rotating your smartphone.
Some advanced users prefer to use the Floating Window mode instead of the classic split. In this mode, the second application is displayed on top of the first in the form of a small movable frame. This is convenient for short-term tasks, such as viewing a notification or quickly responding to a chat, without occupying half the screen all the time.
The optimal ratio of windows depends on the type of task: for reading and typing, it is better to allocate more space to the main application, and compress the auxiliary one to a minimum.
Solving problems with incompatible applications
Quite often, users encounter a situation where the application refuses to launch in split-screen mode, displaying a size mismatch message or simply ignoring the command. This happens because the developer has explicitly specified in the app code a ban on changing the window size (resizeableActivity).
You can bypass this restriction through the menu for developers, but this requires caution. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the build number 7 times until a notification appears that you have become a developer. Then in the advanced settings, find the item Force resize (Force resize activities).
Activating this option will force the system to try to scale any applications, even those that do not support it. However, the result may be unpredictable: the interface may move, the buttons will become unclickable, or the application will crash when launched. Use this function only as a last resort. cases.
Risks of forced scaling
Enabling this option can lead to unstable system operation, increased battery consumption and incorrect display of interface elements in critical applications such as banking clients.
If, after enabling the option, the application still does not work correctly, it is better to abandon the idea of using it in multi-window mode. Try to find an alternative app or use the web version of the service in a browser, which usually adapts better to window resizing.
Frequently asked questions and additional features
Split screen mode opens up many use cases, but also raises a number of questions for beginners. Many people wonder if it is possible to run three applications at the same time. On standard Android this is not possible, but some shells, for example from Samsung and Xiaomi, support the Pop-up View function, which allows you to add a third floating window on top of the two main ones.
Another popular question concerns saving a couple of applications. In the latest versions of Android and proprietary shells, the “Save Pair” function or creating a shortcut has appeared. This allows you to launch two specific applications in split-screen mode with one tap on an icon on the desktop, which saves time during your daily routine.
Do not forget about the impact of multitasking on autonomy. Running two active processes at the same time loads the processor and RAM more than using a single application. If you notice rapid drainage, close unnecessary background processes or reduce the screen brightness in one of the windows.
Is it possible to play games in split-screen mode?
Technically this is possible if the game supports window resizing. However, most modern games block this feature to prevent cheating and ensure FPS stability. When starting a heavy game, the second application may be automatically paused by the system.
Why does the keyboard cover half the screen?
In split-screen mode, the virtual keyboard can take up a significant portion of the usable area, especially on small displays. Try using a floating keyboard (if supported by the launcher) or temporarily disabling candidate previews to free up space.
How to exit split-screen mode?
To exit, simply drag the split bar to the very edge of the screen (up or down). You can also press the Home button or use the gesture to return to the main screen - the system will offer to close one of the windows or minimize both of them.
Does copying text between windows work?
Yes, the clipboard works globally for the entire system. You can copy the text in the browser in the top window and paste it into the notes in the bottom window without any restrictions. This is one of the most useful functions of the mode for working with information.
Does split screen affect video quality?
When the video player window is reduced, the stream resolution can be automatically reduced to save traffic and resources if the application is adapted for this. In some cases, the video can simply be scaled without losing the quality of the original file, but the display area will be smaller.