How to Use Split Screen on Any Phone or Tablet

Having two apps visible at once means you can follow a recipe while watching a video, compare prices on two shopping tabs, or take notes during a video call without constantly switching. Every modern phone and tablet supports this natively.

Android (All Brands)

Open the first app. Tap the recent apps button (the square icon, or swipe up and hold). Tap the app’s icon at the top of its preview card. Select “Split Screen” or “Open in split screen view.” The app moves to the top half. Select a second app from recents or the app drawer to fill the bottom half.

Drag the divider in the middle to resize. Drag it all the way to one edge to exit split screen. In landscape mode, apps split left and right instead.

Samsung One UI (Extra Features)

Samsung adds App Pair: open two apps in split screen, then tap the divider and select the three-dot menu > “Add App Pair to Home Screen.” This creates a single icon that launches both apps in split screen simultaneously. Create pairs for common combos like YouTube + Messages or Maps + Spotify.

Edge Panel: Swipe from the right edge of the screen to open the Edge Panel. Under “App Pair” tab, drag two app icons together to create an instant pair.

Samsung’s Pop-up View gives you a floating window instead of split screen. In the recent apps view, tap the app icon and select “Open in pop-up view.” Resize and move the floating window anywhere on screen. You can have a split screen plus a floating window for three apps visible at once.

iPhone and iPad

iPad: Open the first app. Tap the three dots at the top center of the screen and select the split view icon (two equal rectangles). Choose a second app from the Home Screen. Both apps appear side by side. Drag the divider to adjust the split ratio.

iPhone: iPhones do not have native split screen. However, Picture-in-Picture works for video: start a FaceTime call or video in a supported app, then swipe up to go home. The video shrinks to a floating window you can move and resize. Not full split screen, but it lets you watch while using another app.

Tablets (Android)

Android tablets work the same as phones but with more screen space making split screen genuinely productive. On a 10-inch tablet, each half is roughly phone-sized. Samsung Galaxy Tabs support three-app split screen: two on one side and one on the other.

Best Use Cases

Cooking: Recipe on one side, timer on the other. No flour-covered fingers swiping back and forth.

Shopping: Browser with the product page on one side, price comparison on the other.

Studying: Notes or flashcards on one side, PDF textbook on the other.

Travel: Maps on one side, messaging app to update your group on the other.

Video calls: Meeting on one side, reference document on the other. Essential for job interviews where you need your resume visible.

Apps That Do Not Support Split Screen

Some apps (mostly games and certain banking apps) block split screen mode. On Android, you can sometimes force it: Settings > Developer Options > Force activities to be resizable. This may cause visual glitches in unsupported apps but often works.

Bottom Line

Android users: recent apps > tap icon > Split Screen. iPad users: three dots > split view. Samsung users: create App Pairs for instant two-app launches. Use it for cooking, shopping, studying, and video calls to eliminate constant app switching.