Split screen lets you run two apps side by side on your tablet
Most modern tablets can display two apps at the same time on the same screen, each taking up half the display. This feature is called split screen, multitasking view, or side-by-side mode depending on your tablet's operating system. You open one app, then drag a second app into view next to it. Both apps run at the same time, so you can watch a video while texting, or read a recipe while timing something in a calculator.
The exact steps depend on whether you have an iPad or an Android tablet, and which version of the operating system your tablet runs. The method is built into the tablet itself — you do not need to read anything or change any settings first.
Key Takeaways
- iPad split screen (called Split View) works by opening one app, swiping up from the bottom to show all apps, then dragging a second app to the left or right edge of the screen.
- Android split screen is usually accessed by opening the first app, then holding the recent apps button or swiping up and holding until a menu appears, then tapping the app you want to split with.
- Not all apps support split screen — some apps will open full screen even if you try to drag them into split view.
- You can adjust the dividing line between the two apps by dragging the center bar left or right to give one app more screen space.
- Closing split screen is as straightforward as dragging the dividing line all the way to one edge, or swiping the dividing line away.
How to split screen on an iPad
Open the app you want to use first. This becomes the main app on one side of the screen. Swipe up from the very bottom of the screen with one finger to open the app switcher — you will see a row of app icons at the bottom of the screen above the home indicator bar.
Find the second app you want to open. You can scroll left or right through the app icons to find it. Once you see it, press and hold on that app icon for about one second, then drag it toward the left or right edge of the screen. As you drag it close to the edge, you will see a gray zone appear on that side. Release your finger, and the second app will open in split screen next to the first one.
If you are using an iPad with a home button (older models), swipe up from the bottom but stop halfway — do not swipe all the way to the top. This opens the dock. Find your second app in the dock, press and hold it, then drag it to the left or right edge of the screen the same way.
How to split screen on an Android tablet
Open the first app you want to use. Then look for the recent apps button — on most Android tablets this is a square icon in the bottom right corner of the screen, or sometimes in the bottom center. Tap and hold that button for about two seconds until a menu appears showing your recent apps.
You will see your open app at the top of the screen and a list of other apps below it. Tap the app you want to open in split screen. It will appear next to your first app, divided by a line down the middle. On some Android tablets, you may instead see a "Split screen" option appear when you hold the recent apps button — if so, tap that option, then choose the second app from the list that appears.
If your tablet does not have a recent apps button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold your finger there for two seconds. This opens the app switcher. Look for a split screen icon (usually two rectangles side by side) or tap and hold on an app name until split screen options appear.
Adjusting the split screen divider
Once both apps are open, you will see a line or bar running down the middle of the screen between them. You can drag this divider left or right to change how much screen space each app gets. Drag it toward the left to give the right app more space, or drag it toward the right to give the left app more space.
On an iPad, the divider is a thin line. On Android tablets, it is often a thicker bar that you can grab more easily. The divider will snap into place once you release it, and both apps will resize to fit the new layout.
Closing split screen
To close split screen and return to a single full-screen app, drag the divider all the way to one edge of the screen. The app on that side will close, and the other app will expand to fill the entire screen.
Alternatively, on an iPad you can swipe the divider away from the screen, or tap the X button if one appears near the divider. On Android, you can usually swipe the divider off the screen or tap a close button if your tablet shows one.
Apps that do not support split screen
Not every app works in split screen mode. Some apps are designed to run full screen only and will refuse to open in split view, or will close the split screen automatically when you try to open them. Games, video streaming apps, and some older apps are common examples.
If you try to open an app in split screen and it does not work, the app itself does not support the feature. You can still use split screen with other apps — just choose a different second app that does support it. There is no setting you can change to force an app to work in split screen.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is not dragging the app far enough toward the edge of the screen. The gray zone (on iPad) or the split screen prompt (on Android) only appears when you drag the app close to the edge — if you release it in the middle of the screen, it will just open full screen instead of splitting. Drag all the way to the edge before releasing.
Another mistake is trying to split screen with an app that does not support it. If an app closes or goes full screen when you try to split, that app straightforward does not work in split view. Try a different app instead.
On iPad, some people swipe all the way to the top instead of stopping halfway when using the dock. This closes the app switcher instead of opening it. Swipe up slowly and stop when you see the dock appear at the bottom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than two apps open at the same time?
On iPad, you can use a feature called Slide Over to add a third app on top of split screen. Open split screen first, then swipe up from the bottom again and drag a third app in from the side. It will float on top of your two split apps. On most Android tablets, split screen is limited to two apps at a time.
Why does my app close when I try to put it in split screen?
That app does not support split screen mode. Some apps, especially games and video players, are designed to run full screen only. You can still use split screen with other apps — just choose a different one for your second window.
Can I save my split screen setup so it opens the same way next time?
iPad does not automatically save split screen layouts between sessions. You will need to set up split screen each time you want to use it. Some Android tablets may remember your last split screen setup, but this varies by manufacturer and Android version.
What if the divider line is hard to grab and drag?
On iPad, the divider is very thin and can be tricky to grab. Try tapping and holding on the divider for a moment before dragging it. On Android, the divider is usually thicker and easier to grab. If you still have trouble, make sure you are touching the divider itself and not the app content on either side.
Does split screen use more battery than running one app?
Yes, running two apps at the same time uses more battery than running one app, because your tablet is doing more work. The difference is usually noticeable only if you use split screen for long periods. If battery life is a concern, close split screen and use one app at a time.