Split screen lets you run two apps side by side on your S10
Your Samsung Galaxy S10 can display two apps at the same time on the same screen — one on top, one on the bottom, or one on the left and one on the right depending on your phone's orientation. This feature is called split screen or multi-window mode, and it's built into your phone. You don't need to read anything or change any settings to turn it on.
Split screen works with most apps, though some older or specialized apps may not support it. Once you open two apps side by side, you can adjust how much screen space each one gets by dragging the divider between them. You can also switch which app is active, minimize one, or close one without closing the other.
Key Takeaways
- Open the first app, then swipe up from the bottom to open the app switcher and tap the second app's icon while holding it to set up split screen.
- You can drag the divider between the two apps to give more screen space to whichever one you need.
- Not all apps support split screen — if the option doesn't appear, that app cannot run in multi-window mode.
- Close split screen by dragging the divider all the way to the edge of the screen, or by swiping up on the divider itself.
Opening split screen using the app switcher
The fastest way to set up split screen is through your app switcher. Start by opening the first app you want to use — for example, your web browser or messaging app. Then swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold to open the app switcher, which shows all your recent apps as cards.
Find the second app you want to run and press and hold its card. A menu will appear with options including "Open in split screen view" or "Split screen." Tap that option, and the app will open in the lower half of the screen (or the right half if you're holding your phone sideways). The first app stays open in the upper half.
Adjusting the size of each app window
Once split screen is active, you'll see a divider line between the two apps. You can drag this divider up, down, left, or right to change how much of the screen each app takes up. This is useful if one app needs more space than the other — for example, if you're watching a video in one half and taking notes in the other, you might want the video to be larger.
Drag the divider slowly to find the split that works for you. The divider will snap into place once you let go. If you drag it all the way to the edge of the screen, split screen will close and that app will take up the full screen.
Switching between apps in split screen mode
When split screen is active, only one app is "active" at a time — that's the one that responds to your touches and taps. To switch which app is active, straightforward tap anywhere in the app window you want to use. The active app will show a slightly brighter border or highlight.
You can also swipe up on the divider itself to see options for the active app, including the ability to minimize it or close it. If you minimize an app, it shrinks to a small floating window that you can move around the screen and tap to bring back to full size.
Closing split screen
To close split screen and return to a single full-screen app, drag the divider all the way to the top, bottom, left, or right edge of the screen — whichever direction is fastest. The app in that direction will close, and the other app will expand to fill the entire screen.
Alternatively, swipe up on the divider and tap the close button (usually an X) on the app you want to close. The remaining app will stay open and take over the full screen.
Apps that don't support split screen
Not every app on your S10 can run in split screen mode. Some apps, particularly older ones or those designed for single-screen use, will not have the split screen option available when you hold them in the app switcher. If you try to open an app in split screen and nothing happens, that app straightforward doesn't support the feature.
Most built-in Samsung apps (like Messages, Calendar, and Notes) support split screen, as do popular apps like Chrome, Gmail, YouTube, and most social media apps. If you need to use two unsupported apps together, you'll have to switch between them using the app switcher instead of running them side by side.
Using floating windows instead of split screen
If split screen feels too rigid for what you're doing, your S10 also supports floating windows — small app windows that float on top of your main app. To open a floating window, open an app, then swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers. The app will shrink into a small floating window that you can move around and resize.
Floating windows are useful if you want to check something quickly without fully switching apps. You can have multiple floating windows open at once, and you can tap the main app behind them at any time. Tap the floating window's title bar and drag it to move it, or pinch the corners to resize it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use split screen with any two apps?
Most apps support split screen, but not all. If an app doesn't have the split screen option when you hold it in the app switcher, it doesn't support the feature. Try a different app, or use floating windows instead.
What if split screen closes when I'm using it?
Split screen closes if you accidentally drag the divider all the way to the edge. It also closes if you open a full-screen app like a game or video player that doesn't support multi-window mode. straightforward open split screen again using the app switcher.
Can I save a split screen setup so it opens automatically?
Your S10 doesn't have a built-in way to save and restore split screen layouts. You'll need to set up split screen each time you want to use it. However, if you use the same two apps together regularly, the app switcher will remember them and make them straightforward to find.
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 one app or use floating windows instead, which use less power than full split screen.