How to Enable Split Screen on All Android Phones?

To enable split screen on any Android phone, open the Recent Apps view, long-press the app icon, and select “Split screen” to run two apps side by side. This feature works on Android 7.0 and newer, and supports most phones from Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, and Xiaomi. You can resize windows and multitask without third-party tools..

This guide shows you every step to turn on split screen mode. You will learn methods for Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and other Android phones. We also cover tips to fix common problems.

What Is Split Screen on Android?

Split screen is a feature that runs two apps side by side on your phone. This feature came with Android 7.0 Nougat in 2016. Most Android phones made after 2016 have this feature.

Split screen helps you do two things at once. You can watch videos while texting friends. You can take notes while reading articles. You can check maps while calling someone.

The feature works on phones and tablets. Tablets work better for split screen because they have bigger screens.

Which Android Phones Support Split Screen?

All Android phones with Android 7.0 Nougat or newer support split screen. This includes phones from these brands:

Samsung Galaxy phones (S8 and newer)
Google Pixel phones (all models)
OnePlus phones (5 and newer)
Xiaomi phones with MIUI 8 or newer
Huawei phones with EMUI 5.0 or newer
LG phones with Android 7.0 or newer
Motorola phones with Android 7.0 or newer

Phones with Android 6.0 or older do not have split screen. You need to update your phone or buy a newer phone.

How to Check Your Android Version

Follow these steps to check your Android version:

Go to Settings on your phone
Scroll down and tap About Phone
Look for Android Version or Software Information
Check the number shown

If you see 7.0 or higher, your phone can use split screen.

How to Enable Split Screen on Android Phones

Method 1: Using Recent Apps Menu (Most Common)

This method works on most Android phones:

Open the first app you want to use in split screen
Open the second app you want to use
Tap the Recent Apps button at the bottom of your screen (square icon) or swipe up from the bottom
Find the first app in the recent apps list
Long-press the app icon above the app preview
Tap “Split screen” or “Open in split screen view” from the menu
Select the second app from the list

The two apps now run side by side on your screen.

Method 2: Three-Finger Swipe (Some Phones)

Some Android phones let you use three fingers:

Open the app you want in split screen
Swipe down with three fingers on the screen
The app moves to the top half
Choose another app for the bottom half

This works on some Vivo and OPPO phones.

Method 3: Long-Press Recent Apps Button

On older Android phones with navigation buttons:

Open the app you want to use
Press and hold the Recent Apps button (square icon)
The app moves to the top half of the screen
Pick another app for the bottom half

How to Enable Split Screen on Different Phone Brands

Samsung Galaxy Phones

Samsung phones use One UI with special split screen features:

Swipe up from the bottom to open Recent Apps
Tap the app icon above the app you want to use
Select “Open in split screen view”
Choose the second app from the list
Both apps appear on screen

Samsung phones also have Edge Panel shortcuts. You can save app pairs to open together quickly.

Google Pixel Phones

Google Pixel phones use stock Android:

Swipe up from the bottom and hold to see Recent Apps
Long-press the icon of the first app
Tap “Split screen”
Select the second app

Pixel phones get new Android features first. They work well with split screen.

OnePlus Phones

OnePlus phones with OxygenOS:

Swipe up from the bottom to open Recent Apps
Long-press the body of the first app (not just the icon)
Tap “Split screen”
Choose the second app

OnePlus phones have Open Canvas on tablets. This lets you use three apps at once.

Xiaomi Phones

Xiaomi phones with MIUI:

Open Recent Apps by swiping up or tapping the button
Tap the app icon you want to use
Select split screen from the menu
Pick the second app

Some Xiaomi phones need you to turn on split screen in Settings first.

How to Use Split Screen Features

Resize App Windows

You can change how much space each app uses:

Look for the line between the two apps
Drag the line up or down to change app sizes
Make one app bigger and the other smaller

This helps you focus on the app you use more.

Switch Between Apps

Both apps stay active in split screen. You can tap either app to use it. The app you last touched stays in focus.

Rotate Your Phone

Split screen works in both directions:

Portrait mode: Apps stack on top of each other
Landscape mode: Apps sit side by side

Turn your phone to change the layout.

Copy Text Between Apps

You can copy text from one app to another:

Select text in the first app
Tap Copy
Tap in the second app where you want the text
Tap Paste

This works well for research and note-taking.

How to Exit Split Screen Mode

There are several ways to leave split screen:

Method 1: Drag the Divider

Find the line between the two apps
Drag the line all the way to the top or bottom
One app closes and the other fills the screen

Method 2: Use Navigation Buttons

Press the Home button to go to your home screen
Press the Back button several times to close apps

Method 3: Close Apps Manually

Go to Recent Apps
Swipe up on the apps you want to close

Common Split Screen Problems and Solutions

Problem: Split Screen Option Missing

If you cannot find the split screen option:

Check your Android version – You need Android 7.0 or newer
Update your phone to the latest software
Restart your phone to refresh the system
Clear Recent Apps and open them again

Problem: Apps Do Not Support Split Screen

Some apps cannot run in split screen mode. According to Google’s Android documentation, these apps include:

Banking apps (for security)
Some games
Camera apps
Phone dialer apps

To fix apps that do not support split screen:

Go to Settings > Developer Options
Turn on “Force activities to be re-sizable”

Warning: This may make apps crash or work poorly

Problem: Split Screen Runs Slowly

Split screen uses more battery and memory:

Close other apps running in the background
Restart your phone to clear memory
Use lighter apps in split screen mode
Charge your phone while using split screen

Problem: Cannot Resize Apps

If you cannot change app sizes:

Look for a thin line between the apps
Press and hold the line then drag it
Try landscape mode for easier resizing
Restart split screen if the line does not work

Which Apps Work Best in Split Screen?

Great Split Screen Apps

These apps work well in split screen mode:

Web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
Note apps (Google Keep, OneNote, Notion)
Text apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Messages)
Video apps (YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video)
Maps apps (Google Maps, Waze)
Social apps (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)

Apps That May Not Work

Some apps do not support split screen:

Games (most mobile games)
Banking apps (security reasons)
Camera apps (hardware limitations)
System apps (Settings, Phone)

Tips to Get the Most from Split Screen

Plan Your App Combinations

Think about which apps you use together:

YouTube + Notes for learning
Maps + Messages for navigation
Browser + Notes for research
Email + Calendar for planning

Use Landscape Mode for Small Text

Turn your phone sideways when reading or typing. This gives each app more width.

Save Battery While Using Split Screen

Split screen uses more power:

Lower screen brightness
Close apps you do not need
Use battery saver mode
Plug in your charger for long sessions

Try Split Screen Shortcuts

Some phones let you save app pairs. You can open two specific apps together with one tap.

Use Split Screen for Learning

Split screen helps you learn:

Watch tutorials while taking notes
Translate text while reading foreign websites
Check facts while reading articles
Compare prices across different shopping apps

Split Screen vs Other Multitasking Options

Picture-in-Picture Mode

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) shows videos in small windows. This works better for videos you want to keep watching while using other apps.

Floating Windows

Some phones offer floating windows. These work like computer windows you can move around the screen.

App Pairs and Shortcuts

Newer Android versions let you save app combinations. You can create shortcuts to open two specific apps together.

Future of Split Screen on Android

Android 16 Updates

Android 16 may bring new split screen features:

Three apps at once on tablets
Better app switching
More flexible layouts
Improved performance

Foldable Phone Features

Foldable phones get special split screen features:

Multiple apps on the big screen
App continuity when folding and unfolding
Desktop-like multitasking

Troubleshooting Advanced Split Screen Issues

Developer Options for Power Users

Advanced users can access more split screen options:

Enable Developer Options in Settings
Find “Force activities to be re-sizable”
Turn on the option to force apps into split screen

Warning: This may cause app crashes

Fixing Memory Issues

If split screen makes your phone slow:

Clear app cache for heavy apps
Restart your phone daily
Uninstall apps you do not use
Free up storage space

Network Performance Tips

Using two apps that need internet:

Connect to WiFi instead of mobile data
Close streaming apps when not watching
Pause downloads in the background

Research from Pew Research Center shows that 85% of Americans own smartphones, with most using multiple apps simultaneously. Split screen makes this multitasking easier and more efficient.

Final Thoughts

Split screen mode changes how you use your Android phone. You can watch videos while texting, take notes while reading, or check maps while calling someone. Most Android phones from 2016 or newer support this feature.

The steps are simple: open Recent Apps, long-press an app icon, and choose split screen. Then pick your second app. You can resize the windows and switch between landscape and portrait modes.

Start with easy combinations like YouTube and Messages. Once you get comfortable, try more complex setups for work or study. Remember that split screen uses more battery, so keep your charger nearby for long sessions.

Visit our Apps section for more Android productivity tips, or check out our guide on how to clone Android apps for even more multitasking options.