The split screen feature on Android devices allows you to multitask effortlessly. You can divide your phone or tablet's display into two sections, each running a separate app. You could be watching YouTube at the top side while having your browser open at the bottom.
Also, the divider lets you prioritize one side over the other, making it appear larger and improves your viewing experience. This handy feature came with the Nougat 7.0 update back in August 22, 2016, which means you already have it if you own the latest smartphone models. Here's how to use it.
How to use split screen view on Android devices
Split screen may appear as “multi-window” on your device, depending on which Android version it runs and your manufacturer. Typically, you can run only two apps at a time. It's the most common layout where one app stays at the top, with another one appearing at the bottom.
There are different ways to open split screen view on Android gadgets. The easiest method is as follows:
- First, open the apps you want to run simultaneously. For this walkthrough, we're using YouTube and Google Chrome. Since the browser is such a resource hog, it may cause the split screens to run slowly if you don't have enough RAM.
- From your app switcher, tap an app's icon. Then select Split screen or Open in Split screen view. The app will now take the top position of the split screen view.
3. Next, select the app you want to appear at the bottom.
4. To resize the screens, drag the dividing line between them to your preferred direction. Tapping the three-dot icon on the line also gives you the option to reorder them. If you no longer need an app, drag the divider in the direction of the app you want to remove. You'll have one app on your screen again.
For foldable phones, app switching is better:
Foldable smartphones can open three or more windows, and allow layout customization. The advantage they have over traditional touch screens is in the flexible design. They can expand to a tablet-size of up to 7.6 inches, allowing you to view multiple apps without the constraint of limited space.
Not all apps are optimized for split screen view. Some might resize awkwardly, lose functionality, or simply refuse to work in that view. Technically, you could force them to work in the Developer options menu. But it's not something we recommend as you may experience app instability or crashes, among other problems, afterward.
There is no limit to productivity on Android
Split screen is a brilliant Android feature that helps you give equal attention to different apps. But if you want to use a specific app while having it floating on top of other ones, Picture-in-Picture mode (PiP) is the best alternative. PiP windows are unobtrusive, and you can resize or move them to any position without dividing your screen. But when you have none of these multitasking capabilities on your device, you can get third-party apps that work similarly on the Google Play Store.
