Knowing how to use split-screen on Android can give you a huge productivity boost and it’s quick and easy to enable on any device running Android 7 or later. If your Android phone isn't running at least Android 7 or above we would recommend upgrading, you can take a look at our best phones or best budget phones for our current recommendations.
Split-screen mode doesn’t work on every app, but Android makes it simple to tell which apps support it. By using this feature, you can be watching a video while messaging a friend in just a few seconds.
Here’s how to use split-screen on Android regardless of which phone you use.
How to use split-screen on Android (Gesture-based navigation)
The methods differ slightly depending on whether you use gesture-based navigation or buttons, so we’ll cover them separately.
- Make sure both apps that you would like to use in split-screen are open.
- Swipe up slowly from the bottom of the display to bring up the app switcher.
- Stock Android/Samsung: Long press the icon for the first app that you would like to use in split-screen.
- OnePlus: Long press the body of the first app that you would like to use in split-screen
- Tap on Split screen (“Open in split screen view” on Samsung)
- Select the second app that you would like in split-screen
How to use split-screen on Android (Button-based navigation)
- Make sure both apps that you would like to use in split-screen are open.
- Tap the app switcher button at the bottom of the screen.
- Stock Android/Samsung: Long press the icon for the first app that you would like to use in split-screen.
- OnePlus: Long press the body of the first app that you would like to use in split-screen.
- Tap on Split screen (“Open in split screen view” on Samsung).
- Select the second app that you would like in split-screen.
You should have both apps open with each one taking up half of the display. Split-screen works fine in either orientation so just rotate your phone horizontally and the apps will reorient themselves properly. At the midpoint, a slider will allow you to resize the apps to a 75/25 split rather than 50/50 by simply dragging the line into position.
That’s all there is to it, now go enjoy your leveled-up productivity on Android.
