Split Screen Basics on Samsung Tablets
Split screen on a Samsung tablet lets you run two apps side by side at the same time. You open one app, then swipe from the edge of the screen to bring up a second app in a separate panel. Both apps stay active and responsive — you can type in one while watching video in the other, or compare information between two documents without closing either one.
The exact method depends on which Samsung tablet model you have and which version of Android it runs. Most Samsung tablets from the last five years support split screen, but the gesture or menu option to set up it varies slightly. This guide covers the most common approaches.
Key Takeaways
- Split screen works on most Samsung tablets running Android 5.0 or newer, letting you use two apps at once in separate panels.
- The fastest way is to swipe up from the bottom of the screen with three fingers, or swipe down from the top and tap the split screen icon in the notification panel.
- You can resize the dividing line between apps by dragging it left or right, and swap which app is on which side by dragging the divider all the way across.
- Not all apps support split screen — some will refuse to open in the second panel, and you can close either panel without closing the other app.
Opening Split Screen with the Three-Finger Swipe
The quickest method on most Samsung tablets is the three-finger swipe. Open the first app you want to use, then place three fingers on the screen and swipe upward in one smooth motion. A menu will appear showing recently used apps and a list of all installed apps.
Tap the app you want to open in the second panel. It will appear on the right side of the screen (or the bottom, depending on your tablet's orientation), and you will now have two apps running side by side. If the three-finger swipe does not work on your tablet, try the notification panel method instead.
Using the Notification Panel to Start Split Screen
If the three-finger swipe does not set up split screen, open your first app, then swipe down from the very top of the screen twice to open the full notification panel. Look for an icon labeled Split Screen or Multi Window — it usually looks like two rectangles side by side.
Tap that icon. Your current app will shrink to fill half the screen, and a list of available apps will appear on the other half. Tap the app you want to open in the second panel. If you do not see a split screen icon in your notification panel, your tablet model may require a different method — check your tablet's settings under Advanced Features or Motions and Gestures to see if split screen is turned on.
Resizing and Swapping Apps in Split Screen
Once both apps are open, you can adjust how much screen space each one gets. Look for the dividing line between the two apps — it will be a thin bar running horizontally (if the apps are stacked top and bottom) or vertically (if they are side by side). Tap and drag that line toward whichever app you want to make smaller.
To swap which app appears on which side, drag the dividing line all the way to the edge of the screen. The app on that side will move to the other side, and the dividing line will snap back to the center. You can also drag the dividing line past the center to give one app most of the screen while keeping the other visible in a narrow strip.
Apps That Do Not Support Split Screen
Not every app works in split screen mode. Some apps, particularly games and certain media players, will refuse to open in the second panel or will close automatically when you try to use them alongside another app. If an app does not appear in the list when you try to open it in split screen, that app does not support the feature.
You can still use split screen with other apps — just choose a different one for the second panel. If you want to close one app while keeping the other running, tap the X button or swipe up on the app you want to close. The remaining app will expand to fill the full screen, and the other app will stay open in the background so you can return to it later.
Troubleshooting Split Screen Problems
If split screen is not working, first check that it is turned on in your tablet's settings. Go to Settings, then Advanced Features (or Motions and Gestures on some models), and look for an option called Multi Window or Split Screen. Toggle it on if it is off.
If split screen is already on but the gesture is not working, restart your tablet and try again. Some apps also require you to have the latest version installed — if an app refuses to open in split screen, check your app store to see if an update is available. If you are still having trouble, try the notification panel method instead of the three-finger swipe, as one method may work when the other does not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use split screen with any two apps at the same time?
Most apps work in split screen, but some do not — particularly games, video players, and banking apps. If an app does not appear in the list when you try to open it in the second panel, it does not support split screen. You can still use split screen with other apps instead.
How do I close split screen and go back to one app?
Tap the X button on whichever app you want to close, or swipe up on that app's panel. The other app will expand to fill the full screen. Both apps stay open in the background — closing one from split screen does not close the app entirely.
Can I resize the split screen panels to make one app bigger than the other?
Yes. Drag the dividing line between the two apps toward the app you want to make smaller. You can make one app take up most of the screen while keeping the other visible in a narrow strip, or drag the line all the way to one edge to swap which side each app is on.
What if the three-finger swipe is not working on my tablet?
Try using the notification panel method instead. Swipe down from the top twice to open the full notification panel, then tap the Split Screen icon. If you still do not see a split screen option, go to Settings and check that Multi Window or Split Screen is turned on under Advanced Features.
Does using split screen drain my tablet's battery faster?
Running two apps at once does use more processing power and battery than running one app, but the difference is usually small. If battery life is a concern, close one app when you are done using it instead of leaving both running in split screen.