On a Galaxy Z Fold, the quickest method is to open the first app, open Recents, tap its app icon, choose Open in split screen view, and select a second app. You can then resize or swap the panes, save the combination as an App pair, add a third supported app, or turn an app into a floating pop-up window. Exact menus, gesture support and the maximum number of apps depend on your Fold model, country and One UI version.
What split-screen multitasking does on a Galaxy Z Fold
Split screen, called Multi window in Samsung documentation, displays two apps simultaneously on the large inner screen. Instead of switching back and forth, you can read a web page while writing notes, keep Maps visible while playing music, or view a photo beside the Camera or Gallery app. The divider between the panes can usually be moved, and Samsung provides controls for changing the arrangement or saving the combination for later.
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Samsung UK says that Split screen view can open up to three apps at the same time. That is a practical three-app split layout, not a guarantee that every Fold model can run three arbitrary apps. Samsung support pages describe higher Multi window counts on particular models and modes: a Galaxy Z Fold6 Flex-mode guide published by Samsung US describes up to four apps, while another Samsung US support page says certain Z Fold models can handle up to five. Treat those figures as model-specific capabilities rather than a universal Fold specification.
This guide is aimed at the unfolded inner display of Galaxy Z Fold phones. A Galaxy Z Flip has a different screen shape and folding behavior, so its split arrangements and available controls are not identical.
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Before you begin
- Unfold the phone fully when you want the broadest side-by-side workspace.
- Update One UI if a Samsung menu in this guide is missing; Samsung changes labels and layouts between versions.
- Have both apps installed and openable. An app must support Android/Samsung Multi window to appear as a selectable second window.
- Keep in mind that app support is the limiting factor. Samsung explicitly warns that some apps may not support Multi window.
- If you plan to use Apps Edge, make sure the Edge panel is enabled in Settings > Display > Edge panels.
Method 1: Start split screen from Recents
Recents is the most consistent method because it does not depend on a visible Edge-panel handle or an experimental gesture.
- Unfold the phone and open the app you want in the first pane.
- Open Recents using your navigation button or gesture.
- Find the app card you want to keep, then tap the app icon above its preview. Do not tap the preview itself.
- Tap Open in split screen view.
- Choose the second app from the app list or from the Recents choices. The selected apps will occupy the two panes.
- Drag the divider to give one app more space. The available direction and proportions depend on the current orientation and One UI layout.
Samsung’s current Fold8 Ultra instructions use this same Recents sequence. Your phone may show slightly different wording or place the command in a menu, because Samsung notes that screen arrangements and configurations vary by model, software version and country.
If the command is not shown
The most common reason is that the app does not support Multi window. Try a different app, such as Samsung Internet, Samsung Notes, Maps, Email or Gallery. If the option is absent for every app, restart the phone and check for a One UI update. A disabled or unavailable feature can also reflect model-specific software rather than a fault.
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Method 2: Drag apps from Apps Edge
Apps Edge is useful when you already know the two apps you want and prefer to place them directly without opening the Recents menu.
- Unfold the phone and open the app that should occupy the first area, or remain on the current screen.
- Swipe inward from the Edge-panel handle on the right side to open Apps Edge.
- Touch and hold an app icon, then drag it to a highlighted drop zone at the top, bottom, left or right of the display. Release when the zone appears.
- Repeat the drag for another app if you want a second or third window. On supported Z Fold models, Samsung allows a third app to be dragged into the layout.
- Move the divider to adjust the amount of space each window receives.
Dragging an app to the center rather than a split-screen drop zone can open it in pop-up view. The exact drop targets and whether a third window is accepted depend on the Fold generation and One UI version.
When Apps Edge is missing
Go to Settings > Display > Edge panels and turn the feature on. Open the panel settings and ensure Apps is included. Samsung says Edge panel is available only on certain models, so a phone without that feature must use Recents or another supported method.
Resize, swap and close the panes
Resize a window
Place your finger on the divider between the two apps and drag it. Moving the divider toward one edge gives the opposite app more room. Some layouts offer only practical size ranges so that each app remains usable.
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Swap positions
Tap the divider to reveal its toolbar, then choose the swap-position control when it is available. This reverses which app appears on each side or in the upper and lower positions. If no swap button is shown, close the layout and reopen the apps in the desired order.
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Maximize or exit
Tap the divider and choose the maximize control to make one pane fill the screen. You can also drag the divider completely to an edge on supported layouts. To end split screen, close one window from the divider controls or use that app’s toolbar; the remaining app then returns to full-screen view.
Save a frequently used combination as an App pair
An App pair stores two (and, on supported configurations, a multi-app arrangement) so that you do not have to rebuild it each time. With both apps open in Multi window, tap the divider to open its controls and select the App pair button if it is present. Choose where to save it: the Taskbar, Home screen or Apps Edge. The next time, tap the saved pair and Samsung will launch the apps together.
The App-pair button is not shown on every model or in every layout. If it is unavailable, use the Recents or Apps Edge procedure again; do not assume that a missing button indicates a hardware problem.
Use three apps at once
For a three-way arrangement, start with a two-app split, then open Apps Edge and drag a third supported app into an available top, bottom or side drop zone. Samsung UK’s support guidance states that Split screen view lets you open up to three apps at the same time. The arrangement may become a combination of two split panes and one smaller pane rather than three equal columns.
App compatibility and memory requirements determine whether the third window opens. A demanding game, camera session or other app may refuse Multi window even when lighter apps work. If the third app will not drop into place, close one window, try a different app, or switch to a pop-up window.
| Capability | What Samsung documentation establishes | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Split screen view | Up to three apps, according to Samsung UK support updated 5 March 2025 | Three-app layouts are supported on compatible models and apps; this is not a promise for every Fold. |
| Galaxy Z Fold6 Flex mode | Up to four apps in Multi window, according to a Samsung US guide published in 2026 | A model- and mode-specific figure, not a general Z Fold limit. |
| Certain Z Fold models | Up to five apps in Multi window, according to another Samsung US support page published in 2026 | Availability depends on the particular model and software configuration. |
Open an app in pop-up view
Pop-up view turns an app into a movable, resizable window above the other apps. It is useful for a quick reply, calculator, message thread or reference page without sacrificing the main split-screen workspace.
- Open Recents.
- Tap the app icon above the preview.
- Choose Open in pop-up view.
- Drag the window by its top toolbar to reposition it, and drag its edges or corners to resize it when supported.
- Use the toolbar controls to maximize the window or close it.
You can also open Apps Edge and drag an app into the center of the screen. That gesture creates a floating window on supported devices. A pop-up is separate from a two-pane split: it can cover part of either app and may be easier to dismiss when you need the full workspace.
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Flex mode is different from ordinary unfolded split screen. Fold the phone into an L shape and place it on a stable surface. On supported models, the Flex mode Apps screen lets you select another app, which Samsung places in the lower portion while the upper portion shows the current app.
- Open the first app and fold the phone halfway into an L shape.
- Wait for the Flex mode controls or Apps screen to appear.
- Select the second app from the available choices. It opens in the lower area on compatible software.
- If needed, open Apps Edge and drag an app to create a pop-up or replace the app in the upper or lower area.
Flex mode compatibility varies by app. An app that works in ordinary split screen may not provide a special Flex layout, and an unsupported app may simply remain in its standard view.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Enable gesture shortcuts through Labs
Samsung provides optional gestures in Settings > Advanced features > Labs. Labs features are experimental and Samsung warns that they may not work as expected; some models do not include the toggles.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Advanced features, then Labs.
- Turn on Swipe for split screen and/or Swipe for pop-up view.
- Return to an app and test the gesture shown by your phone. Samsung’s Z Fold4 instructions describe a two-finger swipe from the bottom or side for split screen and a one-finger swipe from a top corner for a pop-up window.
If the gesture does nothing, verify that the toggle remains on, try the exact starting edge shown in the Labs description, and use Recents instead. Labs settings can change or disappear after a One UI update.
Useful two- and three-app combinations
Choose apps that exchange information or provide context for one another. Samsung’s examples include the following pairings:
| Combination | Typical task |
|---|---|
| Internet + Samsung Notes | Read an article or instructions while recording notes. |
| Play Music + Maps | Keep navigation visible while controlling playback. |
| Email + Phone | Reference a message while calling a contact or service. |
| Camera + Gallery | Review captured images while continuing a camera workflow. |
| Contacts + Messages | Look up a person and continue the related conversation. |
| Samsung Notes + Drive | Draft or annotate notes while consulting stored files. |
For a three-app layout, put the app needing the most reading space in the largest pane and use a pop-up for a temporary third task. If text becomes cramped, a two-app arrangement is usually more productive than forcing every available window onto the display.
Optional handwriting setup with an S Pen
Samsung’s Fold6 multitasking guidance references the S Pen Fold Edition. A compatible pen can make a notes-plus-browser, calendar or call arrangement more practical for handwriting and annotation. Pen support is generation-specific, so verify compatibility with your exact Galaxy Z Fold model before buying or relying on a particular S Pen feature.
Troubleshooting split screen
Open in split screen view is missing
- The selected app may not support Multi window. Samsung explicitly states that some apps do not support it.
- Try launching the command from another app. If it works there, the first app is the likely limitation.
- Install available system and app updates, then restart the phone.
- If the option is absent everywhere, check your model’s documentation; some One UI builds expose different multitasking menus.
The Edge handle or Apps Edge does not appear
- Enable Edge panels at Settings > Display > Edge panels.
- Open the panel configuration and enable the Apps panel.
- Remember that Samsung makes Edge panel available only on certain models. Use Recents when your model lacks it.
A third app will not open
- Confirm that the app supports Multi window; compatibility is per app.
- Close a resource-intensive window and try again.
- Use the third app as a pop-up instead of a third split pane.
- Check whether your model supports the desired three-way arrangement. Samsung’s published maximums vary by model and mode.
The layout changed after an update
Samsung says menu names, screen arrangements and maximum app counts can vary by country, model and One UI version. Recheck the app icon menu in Recents and the divider toolbar rather than relying on an older screenshot or gesture instruction.
Flex mode does not rearrange an app
Flex mode behavior is app-dependent. Fold the phone into the L position before selecting the second app, and test a Samsung app or another app known to support Flex mode. If the app remains full screen, use unfolded split screen or pop-up view instead.
Which method should you use?
| Need | Best starting method | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Reliable two-app setup | Recents | Uses the app icon menu and does not require Edge panels or Labs. |
| Fast access to favorite apps | Apps Edge | Drag an app directly into a drop zone and save an App pair when available. |
| Temporary third task | Pop-up view | Keeps the main split while adding a movable window. |
| Hands-free tabletop use | Flex mode | Places compatible apps in the upper and lower areas while the phone is half folded. |
| One-handed shortcuts | Labs gestures | Convenient when supported, but experimental and not universal. |
Practical limits to keep in mind
- There is no single app-count limit that applies to every Galaxy Z Fold. Samsung documentation ranges from three apps in Split screen view to higher counts on specified models or modes.
- Multi window support is controlled by each app. A phone can have the capability while a particular app blocks it.
- Divider controls, App pair saving, pop-up resizing and gesture shortcuts vary with One UI version.
- More windows reduce the space available to each app. A two-app layout often remains easier to read and operate than a maximum-density arrangement.
- Flex mode and Edge panel behavior are additional model- and app-dependent layers, not replacements for the basic Recents workflow.
Bottom line
Start with Recents: tap the first app’s icon, choose Open in split screen view, and select the second app. Use Apps Edge for drag-and-drop and saved App pairs, pop-up view for a floating task, and Flex mode when the phone is partly folded. If a command is missing, check app compatibility and your model’s One UI documentation before treating it as a fault, because Samsung’s multitasking options and maximum app counts are not universal across Galaxy Z Fold generations.
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