Modern brand smartphones Honor are equipped with fairly powerful processors and high-resolution screens, which makes them ideal tools for multitasking. Users often wonder how to split the screen into 2 parts of Android Honor in order to simultaneously read news and respond in the messenger or watch videos while chatting with friends. This feature, known as split screen or Split Screen, significantly improves device productivity.
Unlike older versions of the operating system, which required third-party utilities, this option is now built deep into the shell. data-i="36">. Activating the mode does not require root access and is available on most current models, from budget series to flagships. However, the interface may differ slightly depending on the firmware version and the specific year of manufacture of the gadget. MagicOS or EMUI. Activating the mode does not require root access and is available on most current models, from budget series to flagships. However, the interface may differ slightly depending on the firmware version and the specific year of manufacture of the gadget.
Below we will analyze in detail all the ways to activate this function, the nuances of working with various applications and solving typical problems. You'll learn which gestures to use and how to set up the Quick Access Toolbar to instantly switch between tasks.
Preparing your device and checking compatibility
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your software supports this feature. Usually split screen available on all smartphones Honor with Android version 7.0 and higher, but stable operation is guaranteed on more recent builds of MagicOS. Outdated versions of the firmware may not have a built-in algorithm for correctly distributing resources between two active windows.
It is also worth considering that not all applications are adapted to work in a reduced format. Social networks and instant messengers usually work flawlessly, while some games or banking applications may be forced to expand to the entire display. This limitation is related to the security policy of the software developers, and not to a malfunction of the phone.
Before activating the mode, close unnecessary background applications to free up RAM and avoid interface slowdown.
Check for system updates in the settings menu. Manufacturers often add improvements to multitasking through security patches and minor updates. If the feature is missing or does not work correctly, updating to the latest available version may solve the problem.
Activation method through the recent applications panel
The most common and intuitive method of enabling split-screen mode involves using the recent tasks menu. This method is universal for most models Honor i Huawei, regardless of the type of navigation (gestures or on-screen buttons). To begin, open the desired application that you want to pin to the top or left side of the display.
Next, you need to bring up the multitasking menu. If you're using the classic three-button navigation at the bottom, click on the square Menu button. When using gesture navigation, you need to swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger in the center for a split second. A carousel of open windows will appear.
Find the card of the running application. At the top of this card (or next to the icon, depending on the shell version) you will see an icon that resembles two brackets or a split icon. Click on this symbol Split Screen. The screen will automatically split, and the upper half will be occupied by the selected application.
☑️ Activation through the task menu
At the bottom of the display, the system will prompt you to select a second app from the list of recently used ones or from the full list of installed utilities. After selecting the second application, you will receive a full-fledged desktop with two active zones. The border between them can be dragged, changing the proportions of the occupied space.
Using gestures and the sidebar
For those who prefer speed and minimalism, there is an alternative method of activation through the sidebar of smart windows. This feature is called Smart Multi-Window and allows you to launch applications in floating or split mode without exiting to the task menu. To use this, you must first activate the panel itself in the settings.
Go to the section Settings → Accessibility → Smart Window (the path may vary depending on the model, sometimes this item is located in the “Ease of Use” section). Turn on the Sidebar switch. Now a translucent marker will appear on the side of the screen, calling up a list of mini-applications.
Pull out the panel and click on the icon of the desired application while holding your finger, or press once if the application is already open in the background. Select Split Screen mode from the context menu. This method is especially useful when you need to quickly open a calculator or notes on top of the main application.
⚠️ Attention: On some models with narrow screens, the sidebar may overlap content. In this case, it is recommended to temporarily disable it or change the transparency in the interface settings so as not to interfere with the main use of the smartphone.
The secret of quickly changing applications
If you pull the dividing bar to the very edge of the screen and release it, one of the applications will close, and the second will take up the entire screen. This is a quick way to exit multitasking mode.
Gesture controls also allow you to swap applications. Simply drag one window into place of another, if the interface of your version MagicOS supports this function. This is useful when you are used to the fact that the messenger is always at the bottom and the browser at the top.
Adjusting proportions and saving the configuration
One of the key features of the mode is the ability to flexibly adjust the window size. You are not limited to the standard 50-50 percent split. By moving the black or gray separator bar, you can give priority to one of the applications, for example, making the video player window large and the chat window compact.
The system remembers the last position of the separator for a specific pair of applications. The next time you launch the same duo of apps in split-screen mode, they will open with the same aspect ratio as last time. This creates a personalized multitasking experience multitasking.
| Content type | Recommended proportion | Use example |
|---|---|---|
| Video + Text | 70% Video / 30% Text | Watching YouTube and reading comments |
| Two messengers | 50% / 50% | Copying data from Telegram to WhatsApp |
| Browser + Notes | 60% Browser / 40% Notes | Taking notes of information from the article |
| Game + Chat | 80% Game / 20% Chat | Coordination of team actions during the game |
However, it is worth remembering that the application interface can make the window too small unreadable. Some apps have a minimum size threshold, below which they simply stop responding to clicks or automatically minimize. Experiment with sizes to find a balance between convenience and functionality.
Working with incompatible applications and limitations
Despite the extensive capabilities of the system, users often encounter a situation where the split screen button is inactive or missing for a specific application. This occurs because the application developer did not add scalable interface support to their code. In such cases, the system blocks launching in the mode Split Screen to avoid display errors.
There is a forced method for activating the mode for such apps, but it requires going to the developer menu. Be careful when changing these settings, as incorrect values may cause system instability. To enable forced resizing, go to Settings → System → For Developers.
In the list of parameters, find the item “Force resize activities” and activate it. After this, restart your smartphone. Now the system will try to run any application in split mode, even if it does not officially support it. The interface may look distorted, but the basic functionality is often still available.
⚠️ Attention: Forced resizing may cause applications to crash or buttons to display incorrectly. Use this method only as a last resort and only with proven apps, avoiding banking clients and applications with important data.
It is also worth noting that some heavy games and applications with screenshot protection (for example, banking sections) may automatically close split-screen mode when launched. This is a security measure that prevents other applications running in the background from intercepting data.
Solving common problems and errors
Sometimes users complain that the split-screen function disappears or malfunctions after a system update. Often the problem lies in a full cache of the system launcher or multitasking service. Clearing the cache of relevant system applications can restore the functionality of the function without losing personal data.
Another common problem is the inability to drag the separator bar. This is usually because one of the open apps is locked to a certain size or is in full-screen immersive mode. Try minimizing and expanding applications again or restarting the device to reset temporary interface glitches.
If after all the manipulations the split button still does not appear, check whether the “Simple Mode” or “One-Handed Mode” mode is activated. These special interface modes often disable complex multitasking features for easier control. Disable them in the main screen settings.
If the split screen feature disappeared after an update, first check your accessibility settings and interface simplification modes, as settings resets often return them to the default state.
In rare cases, the problem may be related to a specific firmware version that contains bugs. In such a situation, it is recommended to monitor the official support channels Honor and wait for the release of a corrective patch. A temporary solution may be to use third-party launchers that support their own implementations of multitasking.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to split the screen into three parts on Honor?
Standard system tools MagicOS i EMUI It is impossible to split the screen into more than two parts. The function is limited to two active windows. However, you can use the Floating Window mode for a third app that sits on top of the two split screens.
Why doesn't split-screen work on YouTube?
The official YouTube app often blocks background and split-screen work for users without a Premium subscription to incentivize purchasing the service. In some regions and versions of the application, this limitation may not be present or can be bypassed through the browser version.
How to close split-screen mode?
To exit the mode, drag the center dividing bar to the very top or bottom edge of the screen. One of the applications will close, and the second will expand to the entire display. You can also press the Home button, but then both applications will be minimized to the background.
Does split screen 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. The brightness of the screen also plays a role, since the backlight works constantly over a large area.
Is it possible to copy text between split windows?
Absolutely. The clipboard is working normally. You can highlight the text in the top window, click Copy, and then paste it into the input field of the bottom window. This is one of the most useful functions for working with documents and correspondence.