Split screen lets two apps share the display at the same time. You can watch a video while messaging, compare notes with a browser, or keep email open beside a calendar.
These steps apply to Android 12 through Android 15 on Samsung Galaxy, Pixel, and other Android phones with split-screen support.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you want multitasking without constantly switching between apps.
Open Split Screen from Recent Apps
- Open the first app.
- Open Recent Apps by swiping up and pausing, or tapping the square overview button.
- Tap the app icon at the top of the card.
- Tap Split screen or the two-rectangle icon.
- Choose the second app from Recents or the app list.
- Drag the divider to resize the two app areas.
Use Samsung Multi Window Options
- Open an app on a Samsung Galaxy phone.
- Open Recents.
- Tap the app icon and choose Open in split screen view.
- Pick the second app below.
- Or open the Edge panel and drag an app into the screen while another app is open.
- Drag the center divider all the way to one edge to exit split screen.
Split Screen Notes
Some Apps Do Not Support It
Games, camera views, banking apps, and some video apps may refuse split screen or open only full screen. That is usually controlled by the app developer.
Two Apps Is the Usual Limit
Most phones split only two apps, but Samsung may let you open a third app as a floating pop-up window from Recents or Edge panels.
Save Frequent Pairs on Samsung
If you always open the same two apps together, create a Samsung App Pair so the split screen opens from one shortcut.
Sources
- Google Support: Use split screen on Android
- Samsung Support: Multi window and split screen on Galaxy
- Android Developers: Multi-window support overview