How to Use Split Screen and Do Two Things at Once on Android
Need Two Apps at Once? Try Split Screen on Your Android Phone
Switching back and forth between a message and a browser can be annoying, especially when you need information from both. Split screen lets you put two supported apps on the display at the same time, so you can follow directions while checking a note or read a page while replying to a message.
The feature is useful, but it does not work identically on every Android phone. Your phone’s brand, Android version and the apps you choose all matter. The steps below show common methods and explain what to do if the option is missing.
What is split screen on Android?
Split screen displays two app windows together. On many phones in portrait orientation, one app appears above the other. On a wider screen or in landscape orientation, they may sit side by side. A divider separates them, and on supported devices you can drag it to give one app more space.
This is different from picture-in-picture, where a small floating video window appears over another app. Split screen gives each app its own section of the display. It is also different from a floating or pop-up window, a separate feature offered by some manufacturers.
Keep in mind that two apps being visible does not mean both will perform every task simultaneously. A video, camera, game or sensitive banking app may pause, resize awkwardly or refuse to open in this mode.
Before you start
Open the two apps you want to use at least once, so they are easy to find in the recent-apps list. Try a simple combination such as a browser and a notes app. Save any unfinished work before experimenting.
Make sure you know how to open your phone’s recent-apps screen. On a phone using gesture navigation, swipe up from the bottom and hold briefly. With three-button navigation, tap the Recents button, often shown as a square or three vertical lines. The symbol and gesture can vary by device.
The image above illustrates the idea of split screen. It is not a screenshot of a particular phone, so your menus and icons may look different.
How to use split screen on a Google Pixel
On supported Pixel phones, you generally start from the recent-apps screen. Google’s instructions note that some steps depend on the Android version. If your screen looks different, consult the guide for your exact device.
- Open the first app you want to use.
- Swipe up from the bottom, hold briefly, then release to open recent apps.
- Find the first app and tap its icon above the preview.
- Choose Split screen if the option appears.
- Select the second app from the available apps or recent-apps list.
Once both apps appear, drag the divider if your phone lets you resize them. To leave split screen, drag the divider all the way towards one edge of the display. The remaining app should return to a larger view.
Google’s Pixel split-screen guide gives version-specific instructions and explains other ways to see two apps at once.
How to use split screen on a Samsung Galaxy
Samsung calls the feature Multi window on many Galaxy devices. The layout can vary with One UI and phone model, but the recent-apps method is a common starting point.
- Open the first app, then open Recents.
- Tap the app icon above its preview.
- Choose Open in split screen view.
- Choose a second supported app from the list shown.
- Use the divider between the windows to adjust the space where available.
If the option is absent, try another app first. Some Galaxy models also offer shortcuts through an Edge panel or other multitasking controls, but availability differs. Samsung’s recent-apps guidance describes options on supported devices.
What about other Android phones?
Manufacturers such as Tecno, Infinix, Xiaomi and others may customise their recent-apps menu. Open the first app, go to Recents and look for a split-screen or multi-window option in the app’s menu. On some models, you may need to touch and hold the app preview or tap a small menu button rather than the icon.
If you cannot find it, search your phone’s Settings and its manufacturer’s support pages for “split screen” and the exact model name. Do not install a random multitasking app just because a website claims every phone needs one. A third-party tool may request unnecessary permissions, and it may not provide the same behaviour as a built-in feature.
Useful ways to work with two apps
Read and take notes
Open a web page in one window and a notes app in the other. This is useful for a class, a recipe or a list of instructions. If you need a notes app, see our guide to note-taking apps for staying organised. Make the reading window larger when you are checking details, then adjust the divider when you need more room to type.
Check a message while using a calendar
Keep the conversation visible while adding an appointment to your calendar. Double-check the date and time before saving. Some messaging apps may hide part of the conversation when the keyboard opens, so you might need to resize the windows or switch briefly to full screen.
Compare information
View an email beside a document, or compare a shopping list with a store page. Be careful with personal information in public: two windows can reveal more of your screen to someone nearby. Close sensitive apps when you are finished.
Why split screen may not work
The option is missing
The app may not support the mode, or your phone may use a different menu. Try the browser and notes app, then check the manufacturer’s instructions. A work or school administrator may also restrict features on a managed device.
One app closes or switches back to full screen
Some apps need the full display or cannot operate in a resized window. Choose a different app or use the normal app switcher. Restarting the phone may help with a temporary glitch, but it will not force every app to support split screen.
The keyboard covers too much of the screen
Drag the divider to give the typing app more space, or rotate the phone if both apps support landscape orientation. On a small display, returning temporarily to full screen may be more comfortable than trying to squeeze everything into view.
The phone feels slower or gets warm
Two active apps can place more demand on memory and battery, particularly during video calls or streaming. Close apps you do not need and let the device cool if it becomes hot. If the problem continues in ordinary use, check the phone’s support guidance.
How to exit and return to normal
Try dragging the divider fully to the top or bottom, or to one side in landscape. Some phones offer a close or full-screen control on the divider. If your model uses a different gesture, consult its instructions rather than repeatedly forcing apps closed.
After exiting, check that your notes or message were saved. Leaving split screen does not automatically mean a draft has been sent or a document has been saved.
Is split screen useful on every phone?
It works best when the screen is large enough and both apps support resizing. On a small phone, two windows and an on-screen keyboard may feel cramped. Use it for quick tasks, and switch back to full screen when you need to read a long page or work with sensitive details.
Start with two familiar apps, learn the divider gesture, and experiment with a layout that suits you. Once you know where your phone’s split-screen control lives, comparing information can take far fewer taps.
Drop Your Comments (0)