Is Android split screen not working on your phone? Split screen (multi-window) lets you run two apps simultaneously — watching YouTube while browsing, or messaging while reading. When it stops working, the option may be missing from the recent apps menu, apps may refuse to split, or the feature may be completely absent. This guide covers 9 fixes to restore split screen functionality on any Android device.
Quick answer: Make sure Multi-Window or Split Screen is enabled in your phone’s settings (check under Display or Labs), then long-press an app in Recent Apps and drag it to the top of the screen. Some apps don’t support split screen by design.
Why Is Android Split Screen Not Working?
- Feature disabled in settings: Some manufacturers disable multi-window by default — it must be enabled in Display or Developer settings.
- App doesn’t support split screen: Apps can declare themselves as “fixed orientation only,” preventing split screen use.
- Insufficient RAM: Split screen runs two apps simultaneously. Phones with 2GB or less RAM may not support it or may run it very poorly.
- Incorrect gesture: Different Android versions and brands activate split screen differently — the method may have changed after an update.
- Software glitch: A system UI crash can temporarily break multi-window functionality.
9 Fixes for Android Split Screen Not Working
1. Enable Multi-Window in Settings
Many Android manufacturers disable multi-window by default. On Samsung: go to Settings → Advanced Features → Multi Window and enable both “Use Multi Window for all apps” and “Split Screen View.” On Xiaomi/Redmi: go to Settings → Additional Settings → Multi-Window Switch. On Huawei: look in Settings → Accessibility → Multi-Window. If you can’t find it, search “multi window” or “split screen” in your Settings search bar — manufacturers name this feature differently.
2. Use the Correct Gesture to Activate Split Screen
The activation method varies by Android version and brand. On stock Android (Pixel): tap the Recent Apps button (square), then tap the app icon at the top of the card (not the app itself) and select “Split screen.” On Samsung (One UI): open Recent Apps, long-press the app thumbnail, select “Open in split screen view,” then tap a second app. On Android 12+: look for a split-screen shortcut in the Recent Apps screen at the top. The exact gesture may have changed with your last Android update.
3. Check If the Specific App Supports Split Screen
Not all apps support split screen. Developers can set their app to “resizeableActivity=false” which prevents split screen use. Common apps that don’t support split screen include Netflix, some banking apps, games, and certain Google apps. If the split screen option doesn’t appear for a specific app, that app has restricted it. You can force-enable split screen for all apps on some devices (see Fix #5), though the forced app may display oddly in split mode.
4. Restart Your Phone
A System UI crash can temporarily remove the split screen option from the Recent Apps menu. If the option was available before and suddenly disappeared, a restart often brings it back. Press and hold Power → Restart. After reboot, try split screen again using the appropriate gesture for your device. Periodic System UI crashes are normal and typically fix themselves on restart — they don’t indicate a permanent problem with your phone.
5. Force Enable Split Screen in Developer Options
Developer Options contains a toggle that forces split screen for all apps, including those that have disabled it. First, enable Developer Options: go to Settings → About Phone and tap “Build Number” 7 times. Then go to Settings → Developer Options and enable “Force activities to be resizable” or “Allow apps in multi window mode” (the exact name varies). After enabling this, all apps — even those that normally refuse — will be available in split screen mode, though some may look stretched or unusual.
6. Check RAM and Close Background Apps
Split screen is RAM-intensive because Android must keep two apps fully active simultaneously. If your phone has limited RAM (2-3GB), split screen may be slow, crash frequently, or one app may be killed to free memory. Close unnecessary background apps before starting split screen. Go to Recent Apps and swipe away everything you don’t need. Some manufacturers also restrict split screen on lower-end devices with limited RAM — check your phone’s specifications to confirm split screen is supported.
7. Update Android and Apps
Split screen bugs are sometimes introduced in Android updates and fixed in subsequent patches. Go to Settings → Software Update to check for Android updates. Also update both apps you want to use in split screen — outdated apps sometimes conflict with the multi-window system. After updating, restart your phone and try split screen again. Manufacturers like Samsung regularly update their multi-window implementation through system updates.
8. Clear System UI Cache
The System UI app manages Android’s interface including Recent Apps and multi-window. Go to Settings → Apps → Show System Apps → System UI → Storage → Clear Cache. On some devices, also clear the cache for “Launcher” or your home screen app. After clearing, the System UI will briefly reload and rebuild its cache. This often fixes persistent split screen issues where the interface behaves unexpectedly — like the split screen option being present in the menu but doing nothing when tapped.
9. Check Screen Size and Orientation Settings
Split screen requires enough display real estate to show two apps usably. Some settings can prevent this: if Display Size is set very large (Settings → Display → Display Size), the system may determine there isn’t enough space for two apps and disable split screen. Try reducing Display Size to the default or smaller. Also make sure your phone isn’t in a restricted landscape/portrait lock mode that prevents the split screen divider from being repositioned correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use split screen with any two apps?
Most apps support split screen, but some explicitly disable it (mainly streaming apps, some games, and certain banking/security apps). Using Developer Options → “Force activities to be resizable” overrides this restriction for all apps, but forced apps may not display correctly in split mode. If an app looks stretched, black, or shows a wrong layout in split screen, it wasn’t designed for that mode. YouTube, Chrome, Gmail, WhatsApp, and most productivity apps work well in split screen.
How do I exit split screen on Android?
To exit split screen: drag the divider bar all the way to the top or bottom of the screen — the app on that side takes over full screen. Alternatively, tap the full-screen icon in the title bar of either app if visible. On some devices, long-pressing the Recent Apps button exits split screen. On Samsung One UI, there’s an “X” or exit button in the middle divider bar. The exact exit method varies by Android version and manufacturer.
Does split screen use more battery?
Yes. Running two apps simultaneously means two apps are actively consuming CPU, RAM, and network resources. Battery drain in split screen is roughly 30-50% higher than running a single app, depending on what both apps are doing. Using split screen with two lightweight apps (Chrome + Notes) uses much less power than two resource-intensive apps (YouTube + a game). Keep your phone plugged in during extended split screen use if battery is a concern.
Why does one app keep closing in split screen?
An app closing itself in split screen is almost always a RAM issue — Android’s memory manager kills the less important app to free resources. This is especially common on phones with 3GB or less RAM. Try closing all other background apps before starting split screen. If the problem persists with a specific app, that app may have crash or memory leak issues in multi-window mode — check if an update is available for it. Running two lightweight apps rather than heavy ones improves split screen stability significantly.