If you need to multitask on your phone, there is an easier way than swiping between apps. Learn how to split screen on Android instead.
If you are an Android owner and multitasker, sharing the screen on your Android device is something you can do. The split screen feature on Android allows you to use two apps simultaneously. So, for example, you can use split screen to keep Messages and Discord open on the same screen.
Maybe you need some light word processing or emails and want YouTube on the other screen. Whatever apps you need, knowing how to split screen on Android makes for a responsive experience – all without the need for a dual-screen device.
This guide shows you how.
How to split screen on Android
Note: To use the split screen feature, you need to run Android 10 or later. In addition, each device manufacturer has different variants of Android. The steps for split screen on Android are similar. However, the experience will vary between phones. For example, the use of split screen mode on a Samsung phone differs from a Google Pixel.
To split screen on Android, do the following:
- Open the first app you want to split, then open the second. Make sure the first app is available in Recent overview the screen.
- Press Latest button in the lower right corner of the navigation bar.
- The two apps you started will appear.
- Long press on one of the apps you want on split screen and press Split screen from the menu that appears.
- The first app is pinned to the top in window mode and the second is displayed below it.
- Tap the app below the pinned app – in this example it’s DuckDuckGo. The two apps then share equal parts of the shared screen view.
- You can adjust the size of the windows by adjusting the partition in the center, up or down the screen.
- Tap to switch apps Home button. The top app remains pinned and you can select another app from the home screen.
- The app will launch and split screen mode will be split evenly. Again, move the partition up or down to adjust the size of the windows.
- To shut down split screen mode, drag the divider to the top or bottom of the screen – only one app remains on the screen.
How to split screen on Samsung Galaxy
The idea is the same on a Samsung phone, but it varies a bit.
To use split screen mode on a Samsung phone, use the following steps:
- Launch an app and press Latest button in the lower left corner.
- Long press on the app icon.
- Push Open in split screen view when the menu is displayed.
- Now Samsung will allow you to open the second app you want to be in split screen mode.
That’s all it takes. The split screen experience on Android is pretty much the same as on other phones. So you can swipe the divider up and down to resize the screens. Swipe up or down the partition to exit split screen mode.
Multitasking on Android
The split screen experience on Android 10 or later is useful when you need to work on more than one app at a time. Although you can use the feature on smaller devices, the best experience is on a phone with a lot of screen property.
For an even better multitasking experience, check out how to connect your Android phone to Windows 11. If you lack space, you can learn how to figure out which apps take up the most space.
And if you are running the latest version of Windows, you can check out how to run Android apps on Windows 11.