Split Screen Basics on Samsung Devices
Split screen on Samsung phones and tablets lets you run two apps side by side on the same screen. You open one app, then set up split screen mode, and a second app appears in the other half. Both apps run at the same time — you can text in one window while watching a video in the other, or compare two browser tabs without switching back and forth.
The method varies slightly depending on whether you have a phone or tablet, and which version of Android your device runs. Most Samsung phones from 2018 onward support split screen, as do all recent Samsung tablets. The feature is built into Samsung's One UI interface and does not require downloading anything extra.
Key Takeaways
- Open the first app, then swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold to open the app switcher, then tap the app icon and choose "Open in split screen view."
- On tablets, you can also drag an app from the edge of the screen inward to snap it to one side, then select a second app for the other half.
- Split screen works best with apps designed to resize — some older apps will not display properly in half the screen width.
- You can adjust the dividing line between the two apps by dragging it up or down to give one app more space than the other.
- Closing split screen is as straightforward as dragging the divider all the way to the edge of the screen or tapping the X button on one of the apps.
How to set up Split Screen on Samsung Phones
Start by opening the first app you want to use. Once it is on screen, swipe up from the very bottom of the phone and hold your finger there for a moment. This opens the app switcher — a view showing your recent apps as cards stacked on top of each other.
Look at the app card for the second app you want to open. Tap and hold on that app card until a menu appears with options. You will see "Open in split screen view" or similar wording depending on your Android version. Tap that option. The screen will split, with your first app on top and the second app on the bottom. You can now use both at once.
If the app you want is not in the recent apps list, close the app switcher and open the app normally from your home screen or app drawer first. Then repeat the process — swipe up and hold, find it in the switcher, and choose split screen mode.
How to set up Split Screen on Samsung Tablets
Samsung tablets offer an extra method that phones do not have. You can drag an app directly from the edge of the screen to snap it into place. Open your first app, then swipe inward from the left or right edge of the screen. A second app panel will slide in from that edge. Tap any app from your recent list or app drawer to fill that panel.
Alternatively, use the same method as phones: swipe up and hold to open the app switcher, then tap and hold an app card and choose "Open in split screen view." On tablets, you also have the option to use Multi Window, which is Samsung's name for a more flexible windowed mode where apps float as separate windows rather than splitting the screen in half. This is found in the same app switcher menu.
Resizing and Adjusting the Split Screen Divider
Once split screen is active, you will see a thin line dividing the two apps. Drag this divider up or down (on a vertical split) or left or right (on a horizontal split) to give one app more screen space. This is useful if one app needs more room — for example, if you are reading a long document on one side and taking notes on the other, you might want the document to take up two-thirds of the screen.
Drag the divider all the way to the edge to close split screen mode entirely. The app on the side you dragged toward will close, and the remaining app will expand to fill the full screen. You can also tap the X button that appears on one of the app cards to close just that app and return to full-screen mode.
Apps That Work Best in Split Screen
Most modern apps work fine in split screen, but some older apps were not designed to resize and may display awkwardly or refuse to open in split screen mode at all. Common apps that work well include Chrome, Gmail, Messages, YouTube, Spotify, and Samsung's own apps like Notes and Calendar.
If an app does not support split screen, you will not see the "Open in split screen view" option when you tap and hold it in the app switcher. In that case, you can still use Multi Window mode on tablets, which floats the app as a separate window rather than forcing it into half the screen. On phones, your only option is to use full-screen mode and switch between apps manually.
Troubleshooting Split Screen Problems
If split screen is not working, first check that your device is running a recent version of Android and One UI. Go to Settings, then About Phone (or About Tablet), and tap Software Update to check for updates. Older Android versions sometimes have bugs with split screen that newer updates fix.
If an app crashes when you try to open it in split screen, try closing both apps completely and opening them again. Force-close the app by going to Settings, Apps, selecting the app, and tapping Force Stop. Then open it fresh and attempt split screen again. If the problem persists, the app may straightforward not support split screen mode on your device.
If the app switcher does not appear when you swipe up and hold, make sure you are swiping from the very bottom edge of the screen and holding long enough for the switcher to load. On some Samsung devices, you may need to swipe from the home button area instead. If you have gesture navigation turned off, you may need to enable it in Settings under Display or Navigation.
Switching Between Split Screen and Full Screen
You can switch back to full-screen mode at any time by dragging the divider to either edge of the screen. The app on the side you drag toward will close, and the remaining app will expand. Alternatively, tap the X button on either app card to close just that app.
If you want to swap which app is on which side, close split screen entirely and open the apps again in the order you prefer. There is no built-in swap button, so this is the quickest way to rearrange them. Some Samsung tablets with Multi Window mode do allow you to drag windows around more freely, but standard split screen locks each app to its half of the screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use split screen with three or more apps at once?
No, split screen mode on Samsung phones and most tablets is limited to two apps. However, on Samsung tablets you can use Multi Window mode to open multiple floating windows at once, allowing you to have three or more apps visible simultaneously. Multi Window is accessed through the app switcher in the same way as split screen.
Why does my app keep closing when I try to use split screen?
Some apps are not optimized for split screen and may crash when resized to half the screen width. Try updating the app through the Google Play Store — newer versions often add split screen support. If the app still crashes, it may not support the feature on your device, and you will need to use full-screen mode instead.
Does split screen use more battery?
Running two apps at once does use more battery than running one, but the difference is usually small. If battery life is a concern, close split screen when you are not actively using both apps, and return to full-screen mode. The battery drain is similar to what you would see if you were switching between the two apps frequently.
Can I save a split screen setup so it opens automatically?
Samsung devices do not have a built-in way to save and restore split screen layouts. Each time you want to use split screen, you will need to set up it manually by opening the first app and then using the app switcher to open the second app in split screen mode.
Does split screen work with all Samsung phones?
Most Samsung phones from 2018 onward support split screen, including the Galaxy S, Galaxy A, and Galaxy Note lines. Older phones and budget models may not have the feature. Check your device's specifications or try the method described above — if split screen is not available, the "Open in split screen view" option straightforward will not appear in the app switcher menu.