With modern Android smartphones sporting large 6.5-inch displays, foldable screens, and ample RAM, running a single full-screen application often underutilises your phone’s capabilities. Whether you are referencing a recipe in Chrome while noting ingredients in Google Keep, watching a tutorial on YouTube while chatting on WhatsApp, or comparing spreadsheet figures with a calculator, Android’s built-in Split Screen feature lets you run two active apps simultaneously side-by-side or stacked top-to-bottom.
Why Use Split Screen Multitasking?
Dual-app multitasking boosts mobile efficiency in daily scenarios:
- Eliminate App Switching: Read reference materials, emails, or instructions while actively typing notes or filling out web forms without constant app toggling.
- Copy and Paste Comfort: Highlight text or numbers in the upper window and drag or paste directly into the lower window.
- Video & Chat Together: Stream video lectures or sports broadcasts in one half while keeping messaging conversations active in the other.
How to Open Split Screen Mode on Stock Android (Google Pixel, Motorola)
Activating split screen on devices running clean Android takes just a few gestures:
- Open both applications you want to use so they appear in your recent apps history.
- Swipe up from the bottom of your screen and pause to enter the Recent Apps (Overview) screen.
- Scroll horizontally to the first app you wish to use in split screen.
- Tap the app icon located at the very top of the app preview card.
- From the popup menu, tap Split top (or Split screen).
- The selected app will snap to the top half of your screen.
- Scroll through your remaining recent apps in the lower half and tap the second application you wish to open.
- Both applications are now actively running in split view.
How to Open Split Screen on Samsung Galaxy Devices (One UI)
On Samsung devices running One UI:
- Open the Recent Apps screen (tap the ||| button or swipe up and hold).
- Tap the app icon above the preview card.
- Select Open in split screen view.
- Select your second app from the app drawer or recent carousel displayed below.
How to Resize and Exit Split Screen
You have full control over the screen real estate allocated to each app:
- To resize windows: Touch and drag the horizontal divider bar situated between the two apps up or down to adjust proportions (such as 70/30 or 50/50 split).
- To exit split screen: Drag the divider line all the way to the very top or very bottom edge of your screen. The remaining app will smoothly expand into full-screen mode.