Android Split Screen: How to Use It in 2026

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You copy a date from an email, open your calendar, go back to the email, and then realize you’ve forgotten part of the message. Android split screen solves that problem by keeping two apps open on the display at the same time.

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You can browse the web while taking notes. You can keep Maps open while messaging someone. You can also watch a lesson while writing down the important points.

The feature is already built into Android. You don’t need to install a separate multitasking app.

On most phones, the process looks like this:

Open the first app → Open Recent Apps → Tap the app icon → Choose Split screen → Select another app

The wording may change depending on whether you use a Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, Motorola, Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO phone. The feature can also behave differently on tablets and foldable devices.

Android first added native split-screen support for phones in Android 7.0. It has become far more useful since then, especially on larger displays.

Android Split Screen at a Glance

Before getting into the device-specific steps, here’s what you need to know.

Question	Answer
Where do you start?	Usually from Recent Apps or Overview
How many apps can you open?	Normally two
Can you resize the apps?	Yes, by dragging the divider
Does every app support it?	No
Can you save app combinations?	Yes, on selected Pixel and Samsung devices
Do you need another app?	No
Is it easier on a tablet?	Usually, because each app gets more space

Split screen divides the display into two sections. Depending on the phone’s orientation, the apps may sit above and below each other or appear side by side.

You can drag the divider to give one app more room. You can also move the divider all the way to an edge when you want to close one app.

How to Use Android Split Screen

The standard method works on many Android phones, including Google Pixel and Motorola models.

Samsung and Xiaomi use similar steps, although some buttons have different names.

Step	What to Do
1	Open the first app
2	Enter Recent Apps or Overview
3	Tap the app icon above the preview
4	Choose Split screen
5	Select the second app
6	Drag the divider to resize the apps
7	Move the divider to an edge to close one app

Using Gesture Navigation

Most newer Android phones use gesture navigation by default.

Open the first app.
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
Hold your finger for a moment, then release it.
Find the app you want in the Overview screen.
Tap the app icon above its preview.
Choose Split screen.
Select the second app.

The first app will move into one part of the display. Android will then ask you to choose another app for the remaining space.

Using Three-Button Navigation

Some people still prefer the classic Back, Home, and Recent Apps buttons.

Open the first app.
Tap the square Recent Apps button.
Tap the app icon above the preview.
Select Split screen.
Choose the second app.

The Recent Apps button may appear on either side of the navigation bar. That depends on your phone and its settings.

Open Both Apps First

Here’s a simple time-saver: open both apps before starting split screen.

That way, both apps will already appear in your Recent Apps list. You won’t need to search through the app drawer after opening the first window.

Android Split Screen Steps by Phone Brand

Android phone makers don’t always put the split-screen button in the same place.

Use this table to find the most common route for your device.

Brand	Usual Method	Extra Features
Google Pixel	Overview → app icon → Split screen	Taskbar and saved pairs on Fold and Tablet
Samsung Galaxy	Recents → app icon → Open in split screen view	Edge panel, gestures, App pairs, Pop-up view
Motorola	Recents → app icon → Split screen	Swipe to split on supported phones
Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO	Recents → hold app → split-screen icon	Availability varies by model

Google Pixel Phones

On a standard Pixel phone:

Open the first app.
Swipe up and hold to open Overview.
Tap the app icon above its preview.
Tap Split screen.
Choose another app.

To leave split-screen mode, drag the center bar to the top or bottom of the display.

Keep in mind that standard Pixel phones don’t offer every large-screen multitasking feature. Google currently limits saved App pairs to supported Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet models.

Pixel Fold

Pixel Fold gives you more ways to open two apps.

You can:

Open Overview and tap Split
Drag an app from the taskbar to one side
Press and hold an app icon, then choose Split

Once both apps are open, you can save the combination as an App pair.

Open Overview and tap Save app pair. Android will add the shortcut to your Home screen, letting you reopen both apps together later.

This is handy for combinations you use every day, such as Gmail and Calendar or Chrome and Keep.

Pixel Tablet

On Pixel Tablet, slowly swipe up to reveal the taskbar. Then drag an app to the left or right side of the display.

To save an active pair:

Open both apps.
Swipe up and hold to open Overview.
Find the combined app preview.
Tap Save app pair.

The saved pair appears on the Home screen.

Some Pixel Tablet multitasking features require Android 15 or later.

Samsung Galaxy Phones and Tablets

Samsung calls its split-screen system Multi window.

The easiest method is:

Open Recent Apps.
Tap the app icon above its preview.
Choose Open in split screen view.
Select the second app.

Samsung also offers several shortcuts.

You can open the Edge panel and drag an app toward the top, bottom, left, or right side of the display. On supported Galaxy tablets and Fold devices, you can drag apps directly from the taskbar.

Use the Two-Finger Gesture

On Galaxy devices running One UI 6 or later, you may be able to start split screen with a two-finger swipe.

Open:

Settings → Advanced features → Multi window → Swipe for split screen

Turn the option on.

You can then swipe upward from the bottom of the screen with two fingers. The current app will move into split-screen view.

Save a Samsung App Pair

Once two apps are open:

Tap the dotted divider between them.
Tap the App pair icon.
Choose where you want to save the shortcut.

Depending on the model, you may be able to save it to the Edge panel, Home screen, or taskbar.

Some Galaxy Fold models can save a three-app layout on the larger inner display.

Motorola Phones

Motorola usually follows the standard Android method.

Open the first app.
Swipe up and hold to open Recent Apps.
Tap the app icon.
Choose Split screen.
Select the second app.

Some Motorola phones also support a feature called Swipe to split.

Look under:

Settings → System → Gestures

After turning it on, you can use a back-and-forth swipe gesture across the screen to start split-screen mode.

Not every Motorola model includes this shortcut, so don’t worry if you can’t find it. The Recent Apps method should still work on supported phones.

Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO Phones

On many supported Xiaomi devices:

Open Recent Apps.
Press and hold the first app’s preview.
Tap the split-screen icon.
Choose the second app.

This is one area where model differences matter.

Some Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones support split screen, while others don’t. Xiaomi’s own support pages confirm that availability can vary even between phones in the same product family.

For example, one Redmi Note model may support the feature while another closely related version does not.

The menu can also change between MIUI and HyperOS versions.

How to Resize, Swap, Replace, and Close Apps

The divider between the two apps controls most of the layout.

Action	What It Does
Drag the divider	Gives one app more space
Tap the divider handle	Opens extra options on some phones
Tap the swap icon	Reverses the app positions
Select another recent app	Replaces one side on supported devices
Drag the divider to an edge	Closes one app
Tap Home	Leaves or minimizes the split session

To resize the windows, press the divider and drag it.

In portrait mode, you’ll usually move it up or down. In landscape mode, you may move it left or right.

Samsung phones may show extra controls when you tap the divider. These can include options for swapping the apps, changing the layout, or saving the pair.

On Pixel phones, dragging the divider fully to the top or bottom closes one app and returns the other to full screen.

Rotating the phone may change a top-and-bottom layout into a side-by-side view. This depends on the apps, display size, and auto-rotate settings.

Split Screen on Tablets and Foldables in 2026

Split screen feels much better on a tablet or foldable phone.

On a small display, two apps can quickly become cramped. On a larger screen, each app has enough space for menus, documents, videos, and editing tools.

Feature	Why It Helps
Taskbar	Makes it easier to drag apps into place
Saved App pairs	Opens common combinations with one tap
Wider resizing range	Gives each app more useful space
Drag and drop	Moves supported text, images, and files
Desktop windowing	Runs apps in movable windows
Keyboard support	Makes writing and shortcuts easier

Android 12 made multi-window use more consistent on larger screens.

Android 16 went further. On displays that are at least 600dp wide, apps targeting API level 36 are generally treated as resizable and able to enter multi-window mode.

Android 17 was released on June 16, 2026. For apps targeting API level 37, Android removes the earlier developer opt-out for resizable windows on qualifying large-screen devices.

That should make split-screen access more consistent over time.

It doesn’t mean every app will suddenly look perfect, though. An app with a poor layout can still show clipped buttons, stretched images, awkward menus, or broken camera previews.

Desktop Windowing

Some Android tablets and connected displays now support desktop-style windows.

Instead of locking two apps into a fixed split, you can open several apps in separate windows. You can then move, resize, minimize, and organize them.

This setup works best with:

A tablet
A foldable phone
An external display
A keyboard
A mouse or trackpad

Desktop windowing isn’t available on every Android device.

Why Android Split Screen Is Missing or Not Working

Can’t find the split-screen button? The phone may be fine.

The app might not support the feature. Your phone maker may have moved the option. A software bug may also be getting in the way.

Problem	Likely Cause	What to Try
No split-screen option	The app or phone doesn’t support it	Test another app
The second app won’t open	It blocks multi-window mode	Choose a different app
An app reloads	It didn’t save its state properly	Update and reopen it
Controls look cut off	The app isn’t built for narrow windows	Resize it or use full screen
The steps look different	Your phone maker changed the menu	Check the model’s support guide
It stopped after an update	Temporary launcher or system bug	Restart the phone
The gesture doesn’t work	It’s disabled or unsupported	Use Recent Apps instead

Test Two Different Apps

Start with common apps such as Chrome, Gmail, Calendar, Calculator, or Google Keep.

If those work, the original app is likely the problem.

Some games, camera apps, banking apps, streaming services, and security-sensitive tools may block split-screen mode.

Update Your Apps

Open:

Google Play Store → Profile picture → Manage apps & device

Install any available updates.

Developers often fix window-resizing problems through app updates. An outdated app may crash, reload, or display controls incorrectly in a smaller window.

Check for a System Update

Go to:

Settings → System → Software updates

To check your current Android version, open:

Settings → About phone → Android version

The exact wording may differ depending on the brand.

Restart the Phone

A quick restart can fix temporary problems with the launcher, Recent Apps screen, memory, or an app that has become stuck.

It’s a basic step, but it’s often worth trying before changing deeper settings.

Try Three-Button Navigation

Gesture navigation can occasionally conflict with certain manufacturer shortcuts.

Switch to three-button navigation temporarily, then try opening split screen from Recent Apps.

This is especially useful if the app cards won’t stay open long enough for you to tap the app icon.

Don’t Force Unsupported Apps Unless Necessary

Some Android phones include a Developer options setting that forces activities to become resizable.

It may push an unsupported app into split-screen mode, but it won’t fix the app’s design.

You may end up with:

Missing buttons
Overlapping text
Stretched images
Broken camera previews
Forms that reset
Controls outside the visible area

For everyday use, it’s better to use another app or return to full screen.

Best App Pairings for Split Screen

The best combinations usually involve one app that gives you information and another that lets you act on it.

App Pair	What It’s Good For
Browser + Notes	Research and note-taking
Gmail + Calendar	Checking dates while replying
Maps + Messages	Sharing or confirming directions
Video + Notes	Following lessons or tutorials
Calculator + Spreadsheet	Checking numbers
Document + Browser	Verifying names, dates, or sources
Gallery + Messages	Reviewing and sending photos
File manager + Email	Finding and attaching files

On a compact phone, avoid pairing two apps with crowded interfaces. A spreadsheet beside a full desktop website may feel too tight.

A better combination would be a detailed app beside something simple, such as a calculator, chat window, or note.

Tablets and foldables can handle more demanding combinations.

Some apps also let you drag text, links, images, or files between windows. Both apps must support the content you’re moving.

Split Screen vs Picture-in-Picture and Floating Windows

Split screen isn’t always the right tool.

Sometimes you need one main app and a smaller floating window instead.

Mode	Best Use	Main Drawback
Split screen	Working actively in two apps	Each app gets less space
Picture-in-picture	Video, calls, or navigation	Only supported apps work
Samsung Pop-up view	Calculator, chat, quick tools	Can cover the main app
Desktop windowing	Large displays and keyboards	Not available everywhere
Normal app switching	Quick, occasional checks	Requires repeated switching

Picture-in-Picture

Picture-in-picture, or PiP, places a small video or navigation window over another app.

It works well when you mainly need to watch the second app rather than interact with it.

Common examples include:

Video playback
Video calls
Turn-by-turn navigation
Live streams

Apps must support PiP. Android can’t force every app to use it.

Samsung Pop-up View

Samsung’s Pop-up view turns an app into a floating, resizable window.

It’s useful for a calculator, messaging app, timer, or quick reference tool.

You can move the window around the display or minimize it into a small floating icon.

Final Thoughts

The easiest Android split screen method to remember is:

Open the first app → Open Recent Apps → Tap the app icon → Choose Split screen → Select the second app

Key Point	What to Remember
Start from Recent Apps	It works on many Android brands
Try another app if the button is missing	Not every app supports split screen
Use the divider	Resize or close a window
Save frequent combinations	Available on selected Pixel and Samsung devices
Use PiP for passive video	It leaves more room for the main app
Use desktop windows on large screens	They offer more control

Pixel, Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones don’t handle split screen in exactly the same way. Menus can change between models and software updates.

The feature works best when the two apps support each other. Think browser and notes, email and calendar, video and study material, or calculator and spreadsheet.

On a small phone, keep the pairing simple. On a tablet or foldable, use the extra space, taskbar, saved pairs, and drag-and-drop tools.

Android split screen won’t replace full desktop multitasking. But for quick everyday tasks, it can save a surprising amount of time.

Uncommon Android Split Screen FAQs

Question	Quick Answer
Can two Chrome pages appear together?	Yes, on supported Android tablets
Can the same app open twice?	Only if the app supports multiple instances
Can I save an app pair?	Yes, on selected Pixel and Samsung devices
Do both apps stay active?	Usually, but app behavior varies
Can I drag content between apps?	Yes, when both apps support it
Does split screen clone an account?	No

Can I Open Two Chrome Pages Side by Side?

Yes, on supported Android tablets.

Open Chrome, press and hold a tab, then drag it to the edge of the screen. Chrome will open the tab in a second window.

This is different from opening Chrome beside another app.

Can I Open the Same App Twice?

Only when the app supports multiple instances.

Split screen doesn’t automatically copy an app or create another account.

Features called Dual apps, App clone, or Parallel apps are separate tools. They create a second copy of a supported app for another account.

Do Both Apps Keep Running?

Usually, yes.

Modern Android versions support multiple active windows. Still, an app may pause video, reload content, or reset a page because of its own design or memory use.

Games, camera apps, and streaming services are more likely to behave differently.

Can I Save My Favorite App Combination?

Yes, on supported devices.

Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet can save App pairs to the Home screen. Eligible Samsung devices can save pairs to the Home screen, taskbar, or Edge panel.

Availability depends on the model and software version.

Does Split Screen Use More Battery?

It can, but there’s no fixed percentage.

Opening two simple documents may make little difference. Running Maps and streaming video together will use more battery, mobile data, processing power, and screen energy.

The apps matter more than the split-screen feature itself.

Can I Type in Both Windows?

Yes, but the keyboard works in the app that currently has focus.

Tap inside the other app before typing there.

The on-screen keyboard takes up a lot of space, so landscape mode or a physical keyboard may feel more comfortable.

Why Does an App Look Stretched?

The app probably wasn’t designed to adapt to smaller windows.

Try giving it more space with the divider. If that doesn’t help, use the app in full screen.

Can I Take a Screenshot of Only One Side?

Screenshot behavior depends on the phone, Android version, and manufacturer software.

Some newer Android versions support sharing or recording a single app instead of the whole screen. A normal screenshot may still capture both windows.

Apps that handle banking, streaming, or private information may block screenshots completely.