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How to Use Split Screen and Pop-Up View on a Samsung Galaxy

Use Recents to open two supported Galaxy apps in split screen, or put one app in a movable pop-up window. Availability varies by device, software, and app.
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To use split screen on a Samsung Galaxy, open Recents, tap the first app’s icon, choose Open in split screen view, then select a second supported app. For a floating window, choose Open in pop-up view instead. Samsung calls both features Multi window; the controls available can vary by device, software, carrier, and app.

Choose split screen or pop-up view

Mode What it does Best when
Split screen Shows two supported apps in separate panes; a divider adjusts how much space each gets. You need both apps visible at once, such as a reference and a note-taking app.
Pop-up view Shows one supported app in a movable floating window over another screen. You want to keep one app handy without dividing the display into two panes.

Open two apps in split screen

  1. Open the first app, then open Recents.
  2. Tap the app’s icon above its preview and choose Open in split screen view.
  3. Choose a second supported app from the app list or Recents. If the second app is not shown, use the Edge panel if available: tap All apps and drag an app into the display. Standard phone layouts generally place apps at the top or bottom; Samsung documents left, right, top, or bottom placement on the Galaxy Z Fold main screen. The placement choices depend on the device and layout.
  4. Drag the divider between the apps to give one pane more space.
  5. To save the combination for reuse, tap the divider and choose the App pair control (star). Select a save location if one is offered.

Open and manage a pop-up window

  1. Open Recents, tap the desired app’s icon above its preview, then choose Open in pop-up view. Alternatively, if your device has an Edge panel, drag an app from it to the center of the display.
  2. Drag the window’s handle or top area to move it. Drag its sides to resize it.
  3. Use the window controls to minimize it to a floating icon, maximize it, switch it to split screen, or close it. Closing the pop-up leaves the app available in Recents.

Use optional gestures

Some Galaxy devices offer gestures for Multi window. If the options are available, go to Settings > Advanced features > Multi window and enable the controls. Samsung documents a two-finger swipe up from the bottom to open split screen and a one-finger inward swipe from either top corner to open pop-up view. These are optional shortcuts; use Recents if the gesture settings or gestures are not available on your device.

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When a Multi window option is missing

  • Check Recents first. Make sure the app is open and look for its icon above the preview before selecting a view.
  • Consider app support. Samsung notes that some apps do not support split screen, and app support can affect whether a mode is offered.
  • Check the screen and device. Samsung says split screen and pop-up view are not supported on the front screen of Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip devices. Availability elsewhere can depend on the model and software.
  • On a supported foldable, consider the experimental Labs setting. Go to Settings > Advanced features > Labs > Multi window for all apps if it appears. Samsung describes Labs features as experimental, so enabling this option may not make every app work as expected.

Samsung cautions that available screens and settings may vary by wireless service provider, software version, and device model. Its support pages do not establish a complete compatibility list for every model and software build. For exact availability, check the Multi window settings on your device or Samsung’s Multi window and App pairs guide. For model-specific examples, see Samsung’s guides for the Galaxy Z Flip8 and Galaxy Z Flip7 and Z Flip7 FE screen features. Samsung also explains foldable Labs options in its Galaxy foldable Labs guide.

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