How to split the screen on Android 11

Modern smartphones have become so powerful that many users no longer perceive them simply as a means of communication. The device has become a pocket computer capable of performing multiple tasks simultaneously. Feature split screenavailable in Android 11 allows you to turn one display into two workspaces. This is incredibly convenient for those who want to watch videos and simultaneously chat in messenger or compare products in an online store.

In this article we will look in detail at how to activate this mode on various devices. The interfaces of manufacturers, such as Samsung, Xiaomi or Google Pixelmay differ visually, but the operating logic remains the same. You'll learn about hidden settings, ways to resize windows, and methods to solve problems if a feature doesn't work.

By mastering multitasking, you can significantly increase your productivity. No more constantly minimizing one app to open another. All the necessary information will be before your eyes in a convenient format.

Standard activation method via the menu button

The most common way to launch two applications side by side is to use a navigation bar with buttons. This method is universal and works on most devices running pure Android and custom shells. To begin, open the first application that you want to pin to the top of the screen.

Then click the "Browse" or "Recent Apps" button. It usually has the shape of a square or three vertical lines and is located in the bottom navigation row. A list of all running apps will open in front of you. Find the card of the desired application and tap its icon located at the top of the card.

In the context menu that opens, select Split screen. If this item is not present, it means that the application does not support this function. Once selected, the screen will split in half and a list of recent apps will appear at the bottom.

⚠️ Warning: Some apps, especially banking clients and games, block multitasking for security or technical reasons.

Select a second app from the list and it will take up the rest of the display. Now you can work with both windows at the same time. The border between them can be moved by changing the proportions of the space allocated.

Using gestures to split the display

Owners of modern smartphones are increasingly abandoning buttons in favor of gesture navigation. In Android 11, this process is intuitive, but requires some skill. Open the first application and swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen, holding your finger in the center for a split second.

This action will open the recent applications menu. Without releasing your finger completely, find the card you need. In some shells, for example One UI from Samsung, you just need to pull the application card up or down until the split screen message appears.

In a pure Android 11 system, the algorithm may differ. Try swiping up from the very bottom of the screen and holding your finger until the application “sticks” to the top half. Then release your finger and select the second app.

After successful separation, you will see a thin dividing line. It serves not only as a visual reference, but also as a management tool. By dragging this bar, you can give priority to one of the applications, making its window larger.

Setting window sizes and managing focus

The flexibility of the Android 11 system allows the user to independently determine how much space each application will take up. This is critical when reading small texts or viewing details in photographs. Move the dividing line with your finger to adjust the comfortable space.

Pay attention to the behavior of the keyboard. When you enter text in the lower window, the keyboard may overlap some of the content in the upper window. In this case, the system will automatically adjust the dimensions, but sometimes manual intervention is required.

To focus on one of the applications, simply touch its area. The active window will have a brighter frame or highlight, depending on your theme. This helps you understand where keyboard input or commands will go. smartphone. This helps you understand where keyboard input or commands will go.

Settings -> System -> Gestures -> Pressure sensitivity

If you feel that accidental touches are interfering with your work, you can adjust the screen sensitivity. This is especially true when using a split screen, when fingers are often close to the borders of windows.

Developer mode and forced split

What to do if the application you need does not support split screen? There is a hidden feature in Android 11 to force the system to ignore software developer restrictions. To do this, you will need to activate the developer menu.

Go to the phone settings and find the “About phone” item. Quickly click on the build number 7 times until a notification appears indicating that you have become a developer. Then return to the main settings menu and open the new section “For Developers”.

In the list, find the option Force to allow resizing of actions (Force activities to be resizable). Activate this switch. After this, reboot the device for the changes to take effect.

⚠️ Attention: Forcing split mode on for incompatible applications may lead to incorrect interface display, app crashes, or data loss. Use this feature with caution.

Now try running split screen again with the problematic app. Most likely, the system will allow you to place it next to another window. However, the interface may appear stretched or cropped because the app has not been optimized for this format.

How to disable the Developer menu?

If you no longer plan to use the advanced settings, simply go to the Developer menu and turn off the main switch at the top of the screen. The item will disappear from the main settings after a reboot.

Comparison of models and interface features

Various manufacturers make their own adjustments to the standard Android code. This affects button layout, menu item names, and advanced multitasking features. Understanding these differences will help you quickly master your specific device.

For example, devices Samsung often have an additional taskbar in split-screen mode, allowing you to quickly change applications without minimizing windows. While Xiaomi (MIUI) offers the "Floating Windows" feature, which works on top of the split screen.

Below is a table showing the key differences in the implementation of the function on popular platforms.

Manufacturer	Calling method	Additional features	Restrictions
Google Pixel	Swipe and hold	Clean interface	Fewer customization settings
Samsung	Recents menu	Taskbar, Pop-up view	More complex gestures for beginners
Xiaomi	Menu button	Floating windows on top of everything	Lots of advertising in system applications
OnePlus	Gestures or buttons	Quick switching	Depends on the version of OxygenOS

Studying the specifics of your model will allow you to use Multitasking as efficiently as possible. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the settings to find the most convenient work scenario for you.

Solving common problems and errors

Sometimes users encounter with a situation where the split screen function suddenly stops working or does not work correctly. This may be caused by a lack of RAM or a software glitch.

First, check to see if the system is overloaded. Close all unnecessary applications and try again. If the problem persists, clear the cache of the system process responsible for the interface. This can be done through application settings.

Also make sure that there is enough free space on your device. If there is not enough internal memory, the system can limit background processes and multitasking functions to maintain stability.

⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and settings may change with software updates. If you do not find the described items, check the official user manual for your specific firmware version.

As a last resort, rebooting the device in safe mode will help. This will eliminate the influence of third-party applications that may conflict with the system functions of Android 11.

Why does split screen not work in YouTube?

The official YouTube application limits work in the background and in split screen for users without a Premium subscription. This was done intentionally to encourage the purchase of the paid version of the service. However, some third-party clients or browsers allow you to bypass this limitation.

Is it possible to split the screen into three parts?

It is not possible to split the screen into exactly three equal parts using standard Android 11 tools. However, you can use a combination of split screen and floating window (if supported by the manufacturer) to achieve a similar multitasking effect.

How to exit split screen mode?

To close the mode, drag the dividing line to the very top or bottom of the screen. One of the applications will close, and the second will take up the entire display. You can also press the Home button to minimize both applications.

Does splitting the screen affect battery consumption?

Yes, running two active applications at the same time increases the load on the processor and screen, which leads to faster battery drain. It is recommended to monitor the charge level when actively multitasking.

Does my phone support Android 11?

You can check the Android version in the menu Settings -> About phone -> Android version. If you have an older version, the split-screen function may work differently or be missing, since it was significantly improved in version 11.