Samsung split screen feature: Here’s how to maximise your productivity on your Galaxy device

Smartphones today, are second to none when it comes to getting your work done on the go. One may not entirely like the large screen sizes which has become the norm across most price points and segments today. However, one cannot entirely deny the boost in productivity the same screens have provided them with as well.  

However, multi-tasking is made possible not just with a large screen size. Software has a big role to play as well. Namely, the split screen capabilities available on Android smartphones. Particularly, Samsung Galaxy smartphones. Why? Well, Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones come running on the One interface layered on top of the Android software. They offer both, split-screen and multi-window features that allows you to use multiple apps simultaneously.

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And if you’ve tried them, or are wondering just how to use them, check out this little guide we put together.

Split screen on Samsung smartphones: How to use it

Split-screen multitasking is no longer limited to your laptops and desktops. As mentioned earlier, smartphones with larger and sharper displays have allowed for the same as well. A smartphone like Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 foe example, with its foldable screen, is designed for using two or more apps at the same time. However, the feature is not just limited to it, and can be used on Samsung’s candy-bar-design phones as well. Here’s how to do just that:  

Step 1: Press the menu button on any screen. 

Step 2: Now swipe up to find the first app you would like to view. Tap on the app icon. 

Step 3: Click on Open in the split screen view. 

Step 4: Now, choose the other app that you want to view and tap the app icon. 

Step 5: You will now be able to use both the selected apps in a split screen. 

By default, both the selected apps will each take 50 per cent of the screen’s real estate. However, Samsung allows users to change the size of these windows for greater flexibility.

Samsung split screen: How to change the size of the windows

Step 1: Once you have opened two apps in split screen mode, you will see a line between the windows.

Step 2: Tap and drag the line between the windows in either direction. 

Step 3: Release the line where you want the split to be. 

You have now created a split screen that meets your needs with two apps taking up different amounts of screen space. To leave the split screen view, all you have to do is simply tap on the home button.

Pop-up view: Another way to multitask on your Samsung device

In addition to split-screen multitasking, Samsung also offers a pop-up view as an additional way to multitask on Galaxy phones. Here is a look at how to use the same.

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How to open an app in pop-up view: 

Step 1: From any screen, tap the menu button on your Galaxy device. 

Step 2: Tap the icon of your desired app, and then tap open in the pop-up view. 

Step 3: This will open the app in a pop-up view which will be a layer on top of your screen. 

Step 4: You can move this pop-up window by tapping and dragging the top of the window to move it around the screen.

How to minimise the pop-up window: 

Step 1: Tap the home button or click on the bar at the top of the pop-up window. 

Step 2: This will show additional options or customisation for the pop-up window. Click on the minimise icon. 

How to close the pop-up window: 

Step 1: Tap the bar at the top of the pop-up window. 

Step 2: Tap X to close the pop-up window.

How to close the pop-up window in minimised view: 

If you have minimised your pop-up window, then you can also close it in two simple steps without having to reopen it. Here’s how. 

Step 1: Tap and hold the minimised app icon. 

Step 2: Now drag it down to remove it. 

How to open a video in a pop-up window: 

What’s cool is, the pop-up window feature is not just limited to apps and can also be used with videos. While watching a video, you can move it into a pop-up window and the window will close itself once the video has finished playing. Here’s how it works. 

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Step 1: When playing a video in full-screen on your Samsung Galaxy device, tap anywhere on the screen to bring up the options. 

Step 2: Tap on the pop-up icon. 

Step 3: The video will now open in a pop-up window. 

Multitasking on Samsung Galaxy phones, right from budget offerings such as the Galaxy M55 5G to mid-tier offerings such as the Galaxy A55 5G, and the premium Galaxy S24 Ultra is all about smart brevity. The two features may not necessarily be a replacement for your computer (even though there is DeX for it). However, they do help you maximise your smartphone user experience.