Your Android phone is a multitasking powerhouse, but most people only use one app at a time. Split screen mode lets you run two apps side by side — watch a video while chatting, compare prices across two stores, or follow a recipe while setting a timer. Once you learn these tricks, you will wonder how you ever lived without them.
This complete guide covers everything: how to enable split screen, use picture-in-picture, create app pairs, drag and drop between apps, and master multitasking on tablets and foldables.
1. How to Enable Split Screen
Split screen works on Android 7.0 and newer. Here is the standard method:
- Open the first app you want to use.
- Open the Recent Apps view (swipe up from the bottom and hold, or tap the square/overview button).
- Tap the app’s icon at the top of its preview card, then choose Split screen.
- The app moves to the top half. Now tap any other app in the recent list (or the home screen) to fill the bottom half.
Drag the divider bar between the two apps to give one more space. To exit, drag the divider all the way to the top or bottom of the screen.
2. Save Time with App Pairs
If you always open the same two apps together — say, YouTube and WhatsApp — save them as a pair. On Samsung phones, open both apps in split screen, tap the divider bar, then tap the star icon to add the pair to your Edge panel. On Pixel and other phones, some launchers and third-party apps offer similar shortcuts. One tap then opens both apps in your saved layout.
3. Use Picture-in-Picture for Videos and Calls
Picture-in-picture (PiP) shrinks a video or video call into a small floating window you can move anywhere. While watching YouTube, Netflix, or Google Maps navigation, just press the home button — the video keeps playing in a corner. During a WhatsApp or Google Meet video call, the same trick keeps the call visible while you check email or browse. Tap the window to expand it, or drag it to a corner to keep it out of the way.
4. Drag and Drop Between Apps
In split screen, you can drag content directly from one app to another. Long-press an image in Chrome and drop it into a WhatsApp chat. Drag text from a document into an email. Drag a link from your browser into a notes app. This works best with apps that support Android’s drag-and-drop API, including most Google apps and major third-party apps.
5. Floating Windows on Samsung, Xiaomi, and Others
Many manufacturers add floating (pop-up) windows on top of split screen. On Samsung, open Recent Apps, tap an app icon, and choose Open in pop-up view — the app becomes a resizable window you can move anywhere, like on a computer. Xiaomi’s MIUI and OnePlus’ OxygenOS offer similar floating window features. You can even stack multiple floating windows.
6. Master the Recent Apps Switcher
Fast switching is the heart of multitasking. Swipe left or right on the gesture bar at the bottom of the screen to jump instantly between your two most recent apps — no need to open the full recent-apps view. In the recent-apps view itself, you can also:
- Pin an app so it stays at the front (useful when lending your phone).
- Lock apps in memory (on Samsung and Xiaomi) so they are not closed when you clear recent apps.
- Screenshot a single app from its preview card without capturing the whole screen.
7. Multitasking on Tablets and Foldables
Big screens unlock even more. Android tablets support three or more apps at once — split screen plus floating windows. On foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold, the taskbar lets you drag apps straight into split screen, and you can save taskbar app pairs. If you own a tablet or foldable, explore its taskbar and desktop-style modes for a near-laptop experience.
Tips for Smoother Multitasking
- Not every app supports split screen (most games and some video apps do not). If the option is greyed out, that app cannot split.
- Split screen uses more battery and RAM — close it when you are done.
- Rotate to landscape for a wider side-by-side layout, which works better for documents and spreadsheets.
- Use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse with a tablet for a true desktop multitasking setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is split screen not available on my phone? Make sure you are on Android 7.0 or newer, and check that the app supports it. Some manufacturers hide the option — try the recent-apps icon menu described above.
Can I use three apps at once? On phones, generally no — two is the limit for split screen, though you can add a PiP window as a third. Tablets and foldables support more.
Does split screen work with all apps? Most do, but some apps (especially games and DRM-protected video apps) block it. Developers can opt out, so a few apps will refuse to split.
Start with the basics — open split screen for your two most-used app combos today — and build from there. Multitasking on Android rewards a little practice with a lot of saved time.
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