Galaxy S6 Guide

Samsung Galaxy S6 Multi Window

How to use multi window in Galaxy S6 and S6 edge

Update: added section of “How to disable Galaxy S6 multi window?“

What is Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window?

Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window lets you run two or more apps at the same time in foreground. In other words, you can run two or more apps side by side (or floating over each other) in Galaxy S6.

By default, when you start an app in Android, the app will occupy the screen and you cannot access the screen (UI) of another app without pushing current app to background (for example, by tapping home button). In other words, Android apps always try to occupy the whole screen (except the status bar).

With improved hardware and larger screen size in smartphones and tablets, it is nature that you may want to run multiple apps side by side, just like what you can do on a PC.

Unfortunately, Android does not have an universal solution for multiple windows on the screen, although Android is a multi-tasking OS from day one.

Samsung first introduced multi window feature for Galaxy Note devices because of its giant size (in 2011 standard). It was later introduced and polished in Galaxy S devices.

So, Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window is not a new feature. It is actually quite stable and reliable, although it is a resource hogger.

Anyway, Galaxy S6 has sufficient resource for multi window to run smoothly.

Please note, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge has an identical multi window feature as Galaxy S6. So, this guide also applies to Samsung Galaxy S6 edge multi window.

What are the two types of Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window?

Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window allows two type of views (as shown below):

  • split screen view. Two apps share the screen without overlapping. You can adjust the size and location of  for one app. The other app will take the rest of the screen.
  • pop-up view. Two or more apps float on the screen. They can overlap, partially overlap with each other. You can move and re-size them individually without affecting others.

samsung_galaxy_S6_multi_window_1_split_screen_pop_up

Use split screen view in Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window?

How to launch Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window in split screen view?

To launch split screen view for Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window, you can choose one of the two methods:

  • Tap the Recent apps button, then select first app from the list.
  • Tap and hold the Recent apps button to create a split screen view directly. If current app is supported in Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window, it will occupy the upper window automatically. You then select another app for the lower window.

If you choose method 1, you may follow these steps.

Step 1: Tap Recent apps button (left to Home button). Please check the device layout here for S6 and here for S6 edge.

Step 2: Select the first app for the upper window.

Swipe upwards or downwards in the list of recent apps. Then tap multi window icon samsung_galaxy_S6_multi_window_2_multi_window_icon on a recent app window. The selected app will launch in the upper window as shown below.

Please note, only apps that have the multi window icon are supported in Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window.

samsung_galaxy_S6_multi_window_3_app_upper_window

Step 3:  Select another app for the lower window as shown above.

Now you have more options to select the second app to full the lower screen.

You can choose one from the Recent apps list. It does NOT require the multi window icon. In other words, any apps in recent apps list can be used for the lower screen.

Of course, you can switch to right to choose apps that are supported.

How to adjust the window size in split screen view for Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window

By default, in split screen view, each app occupies half of the screen. You can adjust the screen size for each app.

To adjust the window size in split screen view for Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window, you can drag the circle between the app windows up or down as shown below.

When one app occupies more screen, the other will occupy less.

samsung_galaxy_S6_multi_window_4_adjust_window_size

Additional options for split screen view in Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window

When using apps in the split screen view, select an app window and tap the circle between the app windows to access the additional options as shown below.

samsung_galaxy_S6_multi_window_5_additional_options

samsung_galaxy_S6_multi_window_6_switch_window   Switch locations between app windows.

samsung_galaxy_S6_multi_window_7_copy_between_windowDrag and drop text or copied images from one window to another. Tap and hold an item in the selected window and drag it to a location in another window. Some apps do not support this feature.

samsung_galaxy_S6_multi_window_7_minimize_window Minimize the window. The app will becomes an icon floating on the other app. You can tap it to open it again in pop-up view. You cna also tap and hold to move the location of the icon.

samsung_galaxy_S6_multi_window_8_maximize_window Maximize the window. This will essentially close the other app and switch back to normal single window mode.

samsung_galaxy_S6_multi_window_9_close_window Close the app.

Use Pop-up view in Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window?

Launch pop-up view in Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window from an app

You can open the app normally from galaxy S6  apps screen or from home screen, or from Recent apps screen.

Then, drag down diagonally from either end of the top edge as shown below.  The app screen will appear in the pop-up view.

samsung_galaxy_S6_multi_window_10_launch_pop_up_view

Move pop-up view window and other options for pop-up view

To move the pop-up view window, you can tap and hold the circle on a window and drag it to a new location.

If you tap and hold the circle on a window, you will also get similar options except the switch location option as in split screen view as shown below.

samsung_galaxy_S6_multi_window_11_pop_up_view_options

How to convert a split screen view to pop up view in Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window?

You can also convert a split screen view to pop up view in Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window in two ways:

  1. Tap and hold the circle of a window in split view. The app will be in pop-up view. The other app will be in full screen.
  2. Minimize one window, then tap the app icon again. Once an app is minimized, you cannot put it back to split-view. If you tap to open it, it will be in pop-up view.

How to disable Galaxy S6 multi window?

In Galaxy S6, S6 edge and S6 edge+, there are no options to disable multi window feature.

So, to disable Galaxy S6 multi window, you need a free third-party app named MultiWindow Toggle for Samsung.

Please follow this guide or this guide to disable multi windows on Galaxy S6, S6 edge and S6 edge+ (Galaxy S7 and S7 edge of course).

Can you use Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window now?

If you have any questions on Samsung Galaxy S6 multi window or Samsung Galaxy S6 edge multi window, please let us know in the comment box.

The community will try to help you find a solution/answer.

For other features of Galaxy S6, please check Galaxy S6 online manual page.

For detailed guides on how to use Samsung Galaxy S6, please check Galaxy S6 how-to guides page.



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Comments

      • hi all
        i have other problem in my S6.
        I want back; my back button and the multi window button.
        I dont know why, they dont work anymore; maybe i had changed anything; but i want it back, and cant find a way.
        Both buttons are dead… 🙁
        I tried all the info for S6 in the net, and nothing explains well how to do it.
        Thanks in advance
        Pedro

        Looks everyone wants to turn off, but i want turn on… :)))

        Reply

        • I have the same problem. I want my multitask button back on my samsung galaxy s6. Home and back button are the ones working

          Reply

        • I have the same problem! It’s really annoying. Sometimes the split screen button suddenly dissapears and my back button only works sometimes but not all the time. So if watch videos on facebook I sometimes can’t click back, instead I have to close my whole app because my back button doesn’t properly work. And my emoji button in the samsung keyboard also dissapears but i don’t want to download an alternative emoji keyboard app. I also don’t know when it comes back, it vanishes one time and comes back a while later. Right now I can’t use both the splitscreen button as the emoji button and the back button still doesn’t work properly. The struggle is real.

          Reply

  2. How can I shut it off ???? It is terrible. It keeps switching to multi screen when I don’t want it. Very annoying.

    Reply

  5. How do you turn it off? How do I loop my home screens like in the past. Samsung you stop taking away my options for setting the phone the way I want it. And I’ll stop buying. As my next phone I promise is not going to be a samsung, change those 2 things right now!

    Reply

  6. I found the new MultiWindow gesture pretty annoying. On my S6 every time I swept down on the notification bar using one hand I’d always create a floating window. On other Galaxy devices there is a Quick Toggle to turn the MultiWindow feature off/on. The ability to control the feature is still in the S6 however it is not exposed in the user interface. I wrote a small application that can either enable/disable MultiWindow or bring back the MultiWindow Quick Toggle. It was primarily written for the Galaxy S6 however it should work on most of the devices that include Samsung’s MultiWindow. Look for “MultiWindow Toggle for Samsung” on the Play Store.

    Reply

  7. I really hate this phone after less than 24 hours of having it and this is one of a plethora of reasons why. What a stupid function, and there’s no ability to disable it? Who on earth uses this?

    Reply

  8. Usually, when viewing Facebook, the facebook setting are brought up using the button to left of home button. This no longer workss since multi window now appears… How do I bring up Facebook settings now with the S6??

    Reply

  9. There are abundant reasons to dislike the S6, but multi window is not one of them. I love this feature and am using it right now to watch YouTube while attempting to troubleshoot the above-mentioned feature. For some reason, my multi window divider is no longer functioning (it isn’t even visible), meaning I cannot adjust the size of windows, switch their location, or close or maximize them. As someone who frequently makes use of this feature, it is a frustrating bug? that until now I cannot identify a root cause for. Have there been any similar reports, or might there be a good forum I should check for troubleshooting information?

    Reply

  10. Can you say use a shopping app and then use the calculator to add up a total or can i have a website open and copy/paste into my Google drive in this mode

    Reply

  11. I got problem with my s6 edge
    This sms show on screen
    (The current screen does not support split screen view. Select two apps below to open in split screen view. )
    And right back button and left button is not working then me lock after open again is everything is right working

    Reply

  12. Only certain aps work with multi screen? I have two games I want to play at the same time like I can on the iphone6

    Reply

  14. Multi-Window

    Now you have more options to select the second app to full the lower screen.

    You can choose one from the Recent apps list. It does NOT require the multi window icon. In other words, any apps in recent apps list can be used for the lower screen.

    I opened 3 apps the multi window icon. I then closed them. I then opened a single app without the multi window icon and then closed it. I tapped the recent apps button and can see all 4 apps( 3 with multi window and 1 without). I exit out of recent apps. I then tap the recent apps button again and select an app with the multi window icon. It opens. I then hold down the recent apps button and the app moves to the top of the multi window screen. According to the instructions, I should be able to choose from either an app with the multi window icon or one that is in the recent apps list. When I scroll through the available apps list at the bottom of the screen, I can see the remaining 2 multi window apps, but the non multi window app is not shown.
    If I exit the multi window screen all together and again tap the recent apps button, I can see all 4 apps(2 with multi window icons and 1 without).
    Can the multi window function display a non multi window app in the lower half of the screen as the instructions indicate? Am I doing something incorrect? If so, what.

    Reply

  15. Hey STeve, “MultiWindow toggle for samsung”

    Does not work for me. When i click off it doesnt turn it off i can still use it.

    I am trying to disable the multi task button as mine gets called upon constantly without me touching it.

    Reply

  16. I was using multitasking icons in esy mode of galaxy s 6 edg but i cheng it for standard when i came back to easy mode i cold not use buth at the same time i know how but i forgot the why can u help with that

    Reply

  18. Hi, thanks a lot for this page, no one ever talks about that feature which is just : great. Anyway. EVERY app on the phone (even downloaded, third party apps) are available in the split view? Thanks again. They didn’t even talk about it on the S7 announces.

    Reply

  20. I have the S7. Downloaded the App for turing the Multi-windoe off. Does not work. Please advise. I find that feature quite annoying

    Reply

  21. hi! i can’t access other apps or lock my screen while on a whatsapp call, if my backlight goes off as well the call either disconnects or shows reconnecting. same with skype and viber. i use a samsung galaxy s6.

    Reply

  22. My multitask button doesn’t work. How will i enable it? Quick settings doesn’t work when i swipe down the menu. I got a message: “Developer options is not available for this user”. I updated my android 6 for patches april 2. Should i factory reset it? Is there any enable/disable for user/guest mode on samsung galaxy s6?. Thanks in advance.

    Reply

  23. Only up to five apps at once? The Note 3 did not have this limit.
    Es können NUR 5 Apps blah blah blah geöffnet werden. How ridiculous is that? Another Hyun Yeul Liar’s idea?

    Additionally, the Galaxy S7 partially suffered from Hyun Yeul Lee’s contrabutios to the S6. I can’t launch the camera-app (it was possible on thr Note 4) or the clock/stopwatch/alarm/timer-app in a pop-up, as it was possible on the Galaxy Note 3. The -Next- phones are so powerful, that those software limitations are superfluous.

    Additionally, I can not launch any multi window apps in a pop-up, while I run an app with fixed screen ratio (that only supports pop up view or no multiwindowing at all), such as telephone or camera. Due to the new S6multitasking, I have to launch them into a pop-up BEFORE actually opening the camera app. That’s unpleasant for a flagship phone. And it is even more unpleasant, to know, that those software-gaps are rather new. I hope that one random employee from Samsung (not Hyun Yeul Lee the minimalist) comes across this comment and takes my feedback seriously as a suggestion for improvement from a Power-User.

    This text was
    Written on a phone without keyboard case. So please excuse me for in patience text errors.

    Reply

  24. I forgot to mention, that the Galaxy Note 3’s pop-up (S-Pen-Windows) can actually be sized so small, that they fit between the virtual on-screen- keyboard and the URL-Bar. With the Note 4’s position limitations and minimum window size, that’s no longer possible of course. But since S5 (which did only have splitscreen-view), you can tap at both apps at the same time and scroll. It is possible on the SGN4, but I am not sure about the GalaxyS5
    .

    Reply

  25. hi,when i press the recent apps button i get a list of all my recent apps.if i press the split screen icon on an app it goes to the top half of my screen but the rest of my recent apps disappear and therefore i can’t choose another recent app to go on the bottom half.my phone is a samsung galaxy s6

    Reply

  26. I can’t switch on multiwindow. I don’t know why, but I’m holding left button and this option is not working.

    Reply

  28. Did they remove the pop-up view on the newest update?! I’m highly annoyed cuz I can’t use it anymore… u less there’s a new way and I’m just being dumb? Help? S6 active

    Reply

  29. Galaxy s6. Why didn’t you keep the circle for changing window seizes in split-screen mode? This new way feels extremely clunky and inaccurate and I can’t move the screen seizes to what I want. I have enabled the multi view function.

    Reply

  30. What an annoying feature. I hate it. There is no toggle in settings to turn it off (Galaxy S6) and the apps that are supposed to disable it don’t work.

    Reply

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