Smartphones are getting software and hardware upgrades every year. At this point, most phones now have large screens, and that too in compact sizes, thanks to bezel-less designs. One feature that is now easier to use due to the larger screen is the split screen or multitasking feature. Here’s a quick guide on how to enable split screen on Android 13.
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Google first introduced the split screen feature with Android Nougat. Back then we were mostly using navigation buttons and not gestures. To enable split screen all we had to do is drag and drop an app to one part of the screen. But now things are different and can say quite difficult for new users.
The split screen feature comes in handy when one needs to multitask. Let’s say you want to note down something while watching a video at the same time, split screen is the feature that let you do that. It may not be as effective on smaller screens than on tablets and foldable phones. But now most phones have at least 6.5 inch screen and hence split screen is getting more attention.
If you have been using split screen quite often, you can easily figure out how to use it on Android 13. But if you don’t, here’s a guide to split screen on Android 13. I assume you have already updated your phone to Android 13, so moving on with the guide.
How to Split Screen on Android 13
Step 1: Open both the apps you want to use in the split screen view. Skip this step if you’ve already opened them.
Step 2: Now launch the Recent Apps page. To access the Recent Apps screen, the process is different for the gesture and navigation buttons. If you’re using gestures, swipe up from the bottom and release the middle of the screen.
Step 3: Now on the Recent Apps page locate the first app you want to use in the split screen.
Step 4: Once done, long tap on the app icon which will be located at the top. It will show some options, here you have to choose Split Top. If you have a non-Pixel phone, the option you have to choose is open in Split Screen View.
Step 5: When you choose to open an app in split screen, the app will reduce its size to accommodate the top half of your phone’s screen. While in the second half, you will find the recent apps screen. On Samsung phone you can select second app from app drawer.
Step 6: Now choose the other app from recent apps to use both apps at the same time in split screen view.
Depending on the UI, enabling split screen or navigating through split screen can be different on different phones. The method above is for Pixel and other stock Android phones. But don’t worry the process will not be that different on other phones.
For Samsung users, we have a dedicated guide that includes multiple methods.
How to Resize Split View
After switching to split screen mode, you will not find text options to control the mode. And hence it becomes difficult to use functions like resizing each app window. Here’s how to resize app pages in Split Screen view.
Resizing apps windows in split screen is easy enough. Touch the dividing line between apps and drag it up or down depending on the app page location you want to resize. Release at a point that corresponds to the required app window size.
How to Interchange Apps in Split screen view
Let’s say you want to send the app that is below to the top and vice versa. You can do that too in the split screen view.
Double tap on the dividing line between the two apps and the two apps will swap places with each other. And if you are a Samsung owner then tap on the dividing line and you will get two options. Touch the interchangeable icon.
How to Exit Split Screen
Now once you no longer need the split screen and want to switch to normal mode, you need to exit the split screen.
To exit the split screen, touch and drag the dividing line to the extreme top or extreme left depending on the app placement you want to keep open. For example, if you want to keep open the app on the lower window, drag the line to the top.
Do all Apps support Split Screen?
No there are some apps that don’t support split screen view. You may ask how to know which app is unsupported. If there is an unsupported app, the Split Top option will not appear.
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