In new versions of the Android mobile operating system, a special standard Split Screen option has appeared. Using this option, you can split the screen of your gadget into 2 parts. That is, you can watch videos on YouTube and at the same time read the news or chat on social networks. This is a very convenient feature that saves time.
So how can you take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to consume content from 2 applications at once? In fact, it is very simple, and even a person who is far from various gadgets can cope with it. At the moment, there are several ways, and in this article you will learn about the simplest of them.
What is multi-screen mode and why is it needed?
The split screen feature, called Split Screen, is a multi-window mode on an Android device that allows you to work with different applications simultaneously. The ability to split the display into parts eliminates the need to switch between windows and allows you to perform both related and unrelated tasks.
You will no longer have to prioritize goals and abandon one application or another in favor of another, since on one screen you can, for example, watch a movie and chat in instant messenger at the same time. Some games also support multitasking, so you can complete tasks without interrupting an exciting activity.
The display of an Android device is literally divided into two parts, and the windows of running programs are equally active and do not overlap each other, as a result of which you can interact with them simultaneously. The split screen feature basically provides multitasking functionality and can be used by users for a variety of purposes, including transferring data from one application to another.
Unfortunately, not every software supports this mode yet. For example, you won’t be able to pull off this trick with a standard camera or phone book. If multi-window operation is impossible, the application will notify the user about this.
Which phones have a split screen option?
Users can appreciate the convenience of multitasking starting from version 7 of Android. The availability of the function depends on the firmware, and not on the specific model of the device, so when purchasing a device, you should make sure that the installed Android version is up to date. Split screen is available on all older versions of Android. Moreover, the option is being improved, and owners of smartphones with a large screen diagonal can try multi-window mode with up to five application windows on the screen at the same time.
Initially, the Split Screen function became available not on every device running Android Nougat, but only on certain models, but later the technology was implemented in most smartphones.
To check the Android version, you need to go to the “About phone” section in the device settings, which contains detailed information about the software.
Opening applications in windows
Split screen mode is a useful feature, but its capabilities are quite limited. You cannot open more than two applications at the same time.
But you can go further and turn your Android into something like Windows with its windows. There are several ways to do this.
The first method will not require any extra effort from you: just install the Floating Apps application.
It has a built-in browser, document viewer, note editor, calculator and other programs - 41 applications in total. They open in floating windows so you can work in multi-window mode.
Download QR Code
Floating Apps Free (multitasking)
Developer: LWi sro
Price: Free
The possibilities of Floating Apps are still not unlimited, but there is a second way. No additional software is needed, it uses a hidden built-in Android feature. But keep in mind that this does not work on all firmwares - only on Android 7.0 Nougat.
How to split your smartphone screen into two parts
Let's look at how to activate the option on the device if it is supported by the Android version and use it. There are several ways to switch to multitasking mode. Moreover, in the latest versions of Android, preliminary unlocking of the function is not required.
How to Enable Split Screen on an Android Device
If the mobile device has just been purchased, or the multi-window mode option has not been used previously, it may be disabled. To enable it, you need to perform a number of simple steps:
- We go to the device settings and activate the developer mode, for which in the “About phone” section we click on the build number 7 times (the item may be called “firmware version”).
- We return to the menu and go to the section for developers (depending on the shell, it may also be hidden in the “Special Features” section).
- Here we find “Resizing in multi-window mode” and move the toggle switch opposite this item to the active position.
- We reboot, after which we can use the split-screen option.
If the Android version is lower than 7, this item is not available on the device, and therefore the option is not supported.
How to split the screen of an Android smartphone into 2 parts
Now let's move on directly to ways to divide the display into parts.
Using taps
The simplest method to split the screen into two parts involves the following steps:
- We launch several applications.
- Click on the multitasking button (the standard square at the bottom of the Android screen) and among the running applications, select one of the tabs that we will use in split-screen mode, drag it up or down (left or right if the device is in a horizontal position), which will immediately launch the mode split screen.
For some devices, you need to additionally select the “In window” or “Split screen” option - the name of the button differs depending on the shell.
- The screen will split into two parts, one of which will contain the selected application, and a list of programs will appear in the other; here you need to select an option to place on the second half of the screen.
- The dividing line that appears between windows can be shifted by adjusting the size of applications.
Using the Quick Settings panel
Another method involves using quick settings:
- In the notification shade (open by swiping from top to bottom), click on the gear image and hold for several seconds until the icon begins to rotate. If this does not happen, you need to activate developer mode and repeat the action.
- A new notification will appear indicating that the “System UI Tuner” option has been added to the settings menu.
- We go to the settings and find this function here, activate the ability to split the screen with a gesture, after which opening the multi-window mode will be available by swiping up, which is very convenient if the option is used often.
Using programs
Alternatively, you can use specialized software to split the screen, of which there is a lot in this category on Google Play. An excellent solution for implementing multitasking in Android is the Floating Apps Free (multitasking) tool.
The utility contains an impressive list of floating mini-applications and allows you to create an impressive multi-window. With its help you can not just divide the screen into two parts, but make three, four or more separate windows, which, of course, is more convenient to implement on a display with a large diagonal. Let's look at how to achieve multi-window mode using the Floating Apps Free application:
- We download and install the application in the standard way, like any other software from Google Play, and launch it.
- We provide the necessary permissions when the utility is prompted for the first time.
- Click on the “Applications” item and select from the list the software that you want to run in multi-window mode. Click on the applications one by one, after which windows will appear on the screen. The tabs are superimposed on one another and are activated when pressed; they can be moved, resized, and closed.
You can also search for something like “screen multitasking” or “split screen” in the Play Market search bar to find other tools and select the app you like.
Split screen on a Samsung smartphone
The activation process is slightly different on different devices. Let's look at how to split the screen into two parts in the case of Samsung on Android 9:
- We launch the applications that we want to work with in multitasking mode.
- Press the button to display all running programs (on-screen button in the form of stripes at the bottom left).
- We select the application that needs to be placed at the top of the display and hold it until an additional one appears, where we select “Run in split-screen mode” (if the option is not displayed, this means that the software does not support the ability to work in this mode).
- When a program is placed in the upper half of the display, you can select a second one to be placed in the lower part.
- The display is divided, you can change the size of the windows by moving the divider. To exit the mode, press the application list button and the cross at the top of the screen or simply close open programs.
Split screen on Honor
Interestingly, the multi-window launch function is implemented on Honor brand smartphones. Methods to activate EMUI shell mode:
- Using your knuckles. To enable the option, go to the device settings and select the “Management” section, then the “Enable multiple windows” item. By moving the toggle switch to the active position, you will be able to divide the display into two parts by running your knuckles across it.
- Via swipes. Another option involves launching the application that we will use and swiping with two fingers from bottom to top (if the software does not support the option, you will see a notification informing you about this).
- Floating video player window. Honor devices have a built-in media player that allows you to minimize the active window with video content into a small floating window. So, while the video is being viewed, you can use other software, even one that does not support multi-windows.
In addition to these methods, on Honor devices you can split the screen by holding down the multitasking button and while viewing the list of recently opened programs.
How to enable split screen on Android
If you want to activate the multitasking function on Android 7.0, it is important to consider that it is hidden. However, root rights are not required to unlock it.
To do this you need to do the following:
- Open the menu and go to settings. In the list, click on the “About phone” item.
- You need to click on the operating system build number until a notification appears that the builder mode is enabled.
- Select Developer options from the list.
- Click on the Resize option in multi-screen mode to activate it.
- Reboot your smartphone.
- After turning on the phone, open two software at once.
- In activated multi-screen mode, you need to click on the required icon, pull the tab to the side and release. Thus, two programs will run simultaneously. In this case, the user can change the size of the tabs by moving them.
In the same way, the multitasking function is enabled in other new versions of Android, as well as Android 9. The only difference can be that the mode is not hidden and does not require unlocking.
How to split the tablet screen into 2 parts
Here the actions are similar to those performed on a smartphone. You can use the split-screen function on any Android device if the version supports this feature, but the settings may differ depending on the shell.
By using any of the above methods, you can get a fully functioning multi-window mode, and in the case of a tablet, the convenience of using the option due to the larger screen than a smartphone is obvious.
How to remove division
There are also several ways to disable split screen on an Android device. When all tasks are completed and multi-window mode is no longer needed, you can disable it using one of the following methods:
- Long-pressing the multitasking button closes all active tabs in the mode.
- The separator can serve not only as a means of defining borders and adjusting the size of windows, but with its help you can also remove the division of the screen of an Android device by simply moving it up or down the display as far as possible (left, right, in the case of horizontal orientation). One of the applications, depending on which direction you pulled the separation bar, will be closed, and the other will expand to full screen.
- On Xiaomi devices, the “Exit” button is available, when pressed it disables the mode.
- You can also simply close running applications to exit multi-window mode.
The ability to work in multitasking mode is implemented in all mobile devices of the current generation; the latest versions of Android include the option by default. Gestures and swipes are used on different devices, sometimes there is a need to activate developer mode, in other cases the function is active immediately.
The above methods of using Split Screen are suitable for various Android devices, including tablets, so taking into account the Android version and shell, you can choose the best option for you to enable split screen for any task.
How to turn off the mode?
If desired, the user can disable split screen mode on a Samsung phone at any time. To do this, you can use one of two methods:
- pressing the multitasking button;
- dragging the separator all the way up or down.
In the latter case, the open application overlaps another program.
