Modern Honor smartphones have powerful processors and large displays that are literally designed for multitasking. Many users switching from other brands or older models often wonder how to make two screens on Android Honor in order to simultaneously watch videos from YouTube and chat in the messenger, or compare products in the browser and calculator. This feature, known as split screen or Split Screen, is one of the most requested features in the Magic UI and EMUI shell.
Unfortunately, the interface is not always intuitive at first glance, since control gestures may differ depending on the version of the operating system Android and the specific firmware modifications on your device. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the ways to activate the multi-window mode, from standard gestures to specific settings for series models Honor 90 or Honor Magic 5.
You will find out which applications support this function and which do not, and how to fix the situation if the split-screen button does not appear. We will also look at alternative methods, such as floating windows, which can be even more convenient than the classic division of the display into two equal parts in certain usage scenarios.
The standard method of activation is through the recent applications menu
The most common and universal method of enabling dual screen mode on Honor smartphones is to use the recent applications menu. This method works on most devices with Magic UI shell versions from 4.0 to 8.0, based on Android 9 and higher. First, you need to open several applications so that they appear in the history list.
After that, press the "Square" navigation button (or do a delayed swipe from bottom to top if you have gesture controls enabled) to open the list of running tasks. Find the app card in this list that you want to pin to the top of the screen. On some models, to open an additional menu, you need to click on the application icon at the top of the card or swipe up on the card itself.
In the context menu that opens, you will see several action icons. You need to find an icon depicting two rectangles located one above the other, or an inscription "Split Screen". Clicking on this option will instantly pin the selected application to the top half of the display, and the bottom part will become active for selecting a second app.
Now from the list of recent applications or from the desktop, select the second application, which should occupy the bottom part of the screen. The system will automatically adjust the interface of both apps to the available space. If one of the applications does not support split screen mode, you will see a notification indicating that the software is not compatible with this feature.
⚠️ Warning: Some applications, especially fully immersive games or DRM-protected video players, may force close or display incorrectly when you try to launch in split screen mode. This limitation is related to the architecture of the application itself, and not to a bug in the smartphone.
Using gestures to quickly split the display
For users who value speed and do not like to delve into the menu again, Honor developers have provided a special gesture to activate multi-window mode. This method allows you to split the screen in just a second without interrupting your current activity. However, it is worth noting that this feature may be disabled by default in the system settings.
To use this method, open the first application, which should occupy the top of the screen. Then swipe up from the bottom edge of the display and hold your finger in the center of the screen for one to two seconds. You should feel a slight tactile feedback (vibration) and the app interface should shrink, making room for a second window.
If the gesture doesn't work, it may not be enabled in your device settings. Go to Settings → System and updates → System navigation and make sure that the “Gestures” control type is selected. Next, find the item "Gestures for split screen" or similar in the accessibility section and turn on the switch.
After activating the gesture, you can instantly switch between tasks. For example, while reading an article in a browser, you can open a calculator or notes at the bottom with one click. This is especially convenient when working with documents or planning a budget on the go.
If the gesture works too hard or, on the contrary, too easily, try changing the swipe speed or pressure in the accessibility settings of your Honor.
Setting up floating windows as an alternative to two screens
Sometimes the classic division of the screen into two equal parts is not suitable the optimal solution, especially if one of the applications requires a lot of space, and the second is needed only for occasional control. In such cases, the floating windows (Floating Windows) function on Honor smartphones is ideal. It allows you to launch applications in the form of small movable windows on top of the main app.
You can activate a floating window from the recent applications menu. Unlike the split screen mode, here you need to select an icon depicting a window with a frame or arrows in the corners. When pressed, the application will collapse into a compact block that can be dragged across the screen, resized and collapsed into the sidebar.
This mode is especially useful for instant messengers, such as Telegram or WhatsApp, as well as for a calculator and voice recorder. You can watch a movie in full screen mode and at the same time respond to messages in a small window without blocking the video.
| Mode type | Occupied area | Convenience for games | Application support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split screen | 50% / 50% or 70% / 30% | Low (often does not work) | Wide (social networks, browsers) |
| Floating window | Adjustable (small) | High (you can play and chat) | Almost all applications |
| Sidebar | Hidden / Callable | Average | Favorites only |
It is important to understand that the number of simultaneously open floating windows may be limited by the amount of RAM on your device. On models with 6 GB RAM or less, the system can automatically close background floating windows when launching heavy games.
Secret sidebar setting
In some versions of Magic UI, you can add any applications to the sidebar for quick launch in floating window mode. To do this, go to Settings → Accessibility → Sidebar and select the desired apps in the list.
Multi-Window function on new Honor models
Flagship Honor models released in 2023-2026, such as the series Honor Magic V2 or Honor 90 Pro, received advanced multitasking capabilities called Multi-Window. This feature takes multi-window management to the next level, allowing you to run up to three or more applications simultaneously in different configurations.
Unlike standard splitting, Multi-Window allows you to flexibly adjust the proportions of windows. You can make one app wide and the other two in a narrow column on the side, or split the screen into three horizontal stripes. Control is carried out through special markers on the borders of windows.
To activate advanced modes, the use of proprietary gestures or interaction with the sidebar of smart windows is often required. Just drag the application icon from the sidebar to the main screen, and the system will offer placement options: on the left, on the right, or on top of the current window.
This approach turns the smartphone into a kind of mini-tablet or laptop, which is critical for business users who need to work with mail, calendar and browser at the same time. However, it is worth remembering that the active use of several heavy applications significantly increases battery consumption.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and available gestures for Multi-Window may vary depending on the regional firmware version (Global, Europe, Russia). If you do not find the described functions, check for system updates in the section
Settings → System and updates.
☑️ Check readiness for multitasking
Solving problems with the missing split button
Quite often, users are faced with a situation where, when trying to enable two screens on Android Honor, the split button is simply missing in the application menu. This can be caused by several reasons, from an outdated version of the application to system limitations.
First, make sure that both applications you are trying to launch support multitasking. Many games, banking apps, and highly secure services block split-screen functionality for security or performance reasons. In such cases, the system simply will not show the corresponding option.
Secondly, check the developer settings. Sometimes multitasking mode can be forcibly disabled at the system level. Go to Settings → System and updates → For developers (if the menu is enabled) and find the item "Force actions resizing" or Force activities to be resizable. Enabling this switch can force the system to display the split button even for those applications that do not officially support it.
If the problem persists, try clearing the launcher cache or rebooting the device. In rare cases, a temporary glitch in the shell Magic UI may hide interface controls. Also make sure that third-party launchers are not activated on the screen, which can intercept gesture controls.
The absence of a split button most often means that a particular application is not optimized for multitasking by the developers, and not that your smartphone is faulty.
Optimizing work in dual-window mode
After You have successfully set up two screens on your Honor smartphone, it is important to learn how to manage this space effectively. The border between two applications can be moved up or down, changing the display proportions. Just hold down the gray separator bar and drag it to the desired position.
To quickly close one of the windows, just drag the dividing line to the very edge of the screen (up or down). Also, in the center of the separator there is often a special arrow button, clicking on which minimizes one of the applications to the background or closes it completely.
Use the clipboard to quickly transfer data between windows. You can copy text in the top window and immediately paste it in the bottom window, which is very convenient when filling out forms or sending information. Some Honor models support a feature Smart Multi-Windowthat automatically suggests opening a related application (for example, a map when viewing an address in a message).
Don't forget to monitor the heating of the case. The simultaneous operation of two active processes, especially if it is a browser with many tabs and video streaming, creates an increased load on the processor. When overheating, the system can automatically reduce the brightness of the screens or close one of the applications to stabilize the temperature.
Is it possible to play games in split-screen mode on Honor?
Most modern games do not support split-screen mode, as they require full control over graphics and input resources. When you try to launch the game in a second window, it may crash or display an error. However, some simple games or emulators may work correctly.
Why does the bottom screen sometimes turn black?
If the bottom application is displayed as a black square, this usually means that it has not had time to load or has frozen. Try collapsing it and opening it again, or reboot your smartphone. This may also be a sign of incompatibility between Android versions and a specific application.
How to save customized windows for quick launch?
Some versions of Magic UI have a function for saving a pair of applications. After setting up two windows, click on the special save icon (often looks like a bookmark or floppy disk) in the task switching interface. Next time, you can launch this pair with one tap from the recent applications menu.
Does dual-screen mode affect the speed of battery drain?
Yes, working in split-screen mode consumes more power than using a single application, since the processor and video accelerator are processing two active interfaces at the same time. Expect about 15-20% faster battery drain when actively multitasking.
Is it possible to use split screen with floating windows at the same time?
Yes, advanced Honor models allow you to combine these modes. You can split the screen into two and then launch a third app as a floating window on top of them. However, this configuration is only available on devices with sufficient RAM (from 8 GB).