Things to know Open recent apps > long-press an app/tap its app icon > tap Split Screen or Open in Split Screen. After selecting the first app to appear in split screen, tap another app. To return to a single app, drag the divider all the way up or down the screen.
This article explains how to use the split screen feature on Android devices to view two apps at the same time.
This is how multitasking works on Android
Split screen is a multitasking feature that allows you to view two apps on your phone at the same time. This way you can interact with both apps and not just see them on screen.
To use split screen, you need Android 7.0 or newer. It relies on the recent apps view to get started, so you’ll need to have used both apps recently. If you haven’t, you can open one app and then open the other and then you can use it in split screen.
How to use split screen on Android:
Open recent apps.
Most newer Android devices: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen until you see your recent apps.
Some older versions: At the bottom of the screen, tap the recent apps icon, which is usually to the left or right of the home button. Some older devices: Press the physical recent apps button on your phone, which looks like two overlapping rectangles. Samsung Galaxy: Tap the Recent Apps button next to the Home button.
Tap the app icon for the first app.
You may have to long press on the app instead.
Tap Split screen.
On Samsung devices, tap Open split screen view.
Tap on the second app.
The apps will open in split-screen mode.
How to customize and change apps in Android split screen mode
In split screen mode, you can press and drag the divider between apps to adjust the size of the screen assigned to each app. You can also swap the bottom app by opening Recent apps and tapping another app.
How to customize and change apps in Android split screen mode:
To adjust the app size, press and hold the divider.
Drag up or down.
Release the divider when each app is the size you want.
To switch between apps, in split screen mode, open recent apps.
Tap another app.
The new app will open in split-screen mode.
How to exit Android split screen mode
Exiting split screen mode is similar to resizing one of the app windows and requires dragging the split bar. When you’re done with split screen mode, press and hold the divider line, then drag it all the way up or down the screen. Depending on which direction you drag the line, either the top or bottom app will open in full screen and exit split screen mode.
To switch from split-screen mode to single-app view on Android:
Press and hold the divider between apps.
Drag up to keep the bottom app, or drag down to keep the top app.
Keep dragging until you reach the top or bottom of the screen.
Lift your finger and the phone switches back to the default single app view.
FAQ
How do I share the screen on an iPad?
Apple’s version of split screen is called Split View and it allows you to open two apps side by side when the tablet is in landscape mode. To use it with two compatible apps, select the three-dot menu at the top of the screen, then tap the Split View button. On your home screen, select a second app to open it alongside the first.
How do I share the screen on a Mac?
Apple added Split View to Mac starting with macOS Catalina (10.15). To use it, hover over the green button in the top-left corner of an app (to the right of the minimize button) until a menu appears. Select Tile Window to Left/Right of Screen and then select a second open window to add the second app.
Thanks for letting us know!
Get the latest tech news every day
Subscribe to
Tell us why!
Miscellaneous Not enough detail Difficult to understand
