January 6, 2021, 11:12 am | Read time: 2 minutes
In this series, TECHBOOK shows you the best Android hacks and tricks–with video and detailed instructions.
The Android operating system developed by Google is the most widespread in the world. Seventy percent of all smartphones today run on Android. The OS has now reached its eleventh generation, and with each new generation, it has gained new features–some of which are quite well hidden. In the “Android Hacks” series, TECHBOOK presents the best and most practical of these features.
In part 11, you’ll see how to activate Android’s split-screen mode. This allows you to use two apps simultaneously on the screen.
How it works
1. Open the two apps you want to use side by side. In our example, we use Google Chrome and Google Maps.
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the overview of recently opened apps.
Note: On older Android devices with a navigation bar, you need to press the right button to access the overview.
3. Tap the round app icon above the card displaying the app content. From the drop-down menu, select the Split screen option.
4. Now you can choose the second app from the list of recently opened apps to appear alongside the first. A click on the card is enough.
If everything worked, Android will display the two apps one above the other, and you can continue using them as usual. You can also rotate the smartphone to display the apps side by side. Additionally, you can adjust the size of the apps with the slider in the middle. Returning to the home screen automatically closes the second app selected–but the first remains open. This allows you to choose any other app from the app library to display in split-screen mode.
To exit, simply drag the slider all the way up or down to display the respective app on the entire screen again.