Google is Bringing Split-Screen Mode to Android 11

The Galaxy Z Flip’s split-screen usage mode isn’t just for Samsung: Google confirmed it will bring it to other devices in Android 11.

Samsung calls this usage mode, where the handset can be folded vertically to display two squarish apps stacked on top of each other, “Flex mode.” But it’s likely that the official Android feature will have a different name. App makers will need to tailor their apps to support this mode, just as they currently do to support current-generation dual-screen and folding screen devices. But a few already have: Samsung showed off Google Duo and YouTube at its Unpacked event this week. Tellingly, both are Google apps.

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You can also use this mode with two separate apps.

For now, Google is only saying that this new split-screen mode will be made available to other device makers “soon.” But if you’re familiar with the schedule that Google uses to publicly develop and test new Android versions, you know that we’re on the cusp of learning more about Android 11: Google always begins those tests in early March, and then reveals even more information about the releases in May at Google I/O.

Just as dual-screen support in Windows 10X is based on the Snap functionality that debuted previously in the normal desktop versions of Windows, I expect that this new portrait split-screen view in Android (whatever it’s finally called) will be based on Google’s earlier work adding support for the landscape split-screens in first-generation folding handsets like the Galaxy Fold. But we’ll find out soon enough.

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Conversation 12 comments

  • darkgrayknight

    Premium Member
    13 February, 2020 - 9:58 am

    <p>How do you expect this to relate to Microsoft's work on Surface Duo?</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      13 February, 2020 - 10:59 am

      Surface Duo relies entirely on Android SDK APIs, so I bet this is part of it.

  • glenn8878

    13 February, 2020 - 11:33 am

    <p>That second picture. I suppose it can be used as a makeup compact, but give me a break.</p>

    • Orin

      13 February, 2020 - 1:22 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#520311">In reply to glenn8878:</a></em></blockquote><p>I'm not sure what you mean. The top screen is displaying a video that someone is watching while chatting in WhatsApp on the lower screen.</p>

      • starkover

        13 February, 2020 - 4:49 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#520338">In reply to Orin:</a></em></blockquote><p>I just assumed he was kidding. Maybe not.</p>

        • glenn8878

          15 February, 2020 - 9:26 am

          <blockquote><em><a href="#520422">In reply to starkover:</a></em></blockquote><p>I’m not kidding. I specifically said the second photo. Not the top photo. The woman using the eyeliner. </p>

          • Sihaz

            15 February, 2020 - 10:35 am

            <blockquote><em><a href="#520794">In reply to glenn8878:</a></em></blockquote><p>It's clearly a video, look at the elapsed time display in the lower part of the window. Therefore as previously pointed out, not being used as a mirror.</p>

            • glenn8878

              15 February, 2020 - 8:22 pm

              <blockquote><em><a href="#520807">In reply to Sihaz:</a></em></blockquote><p>The exact same girl in both photos. Note her black choker. </p>

      • glenn8878

        15 February, 2020 - 9:22 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#520338">In reply to Orin:</a></em></blockquote><p>Are you blind? Woman is shown putting on eyeliner in second photo. Look again. Again!!!</p>

  • Omen_20

    13 February, 2020 - 1:46 pm

    <p>Seems like it should just auto turn on vertical split screen. I sometimes wish YouTube would do that on its own when hitting the home button, instead of doing PiP. Android &gt;=9 is slower to turn on split screen. I much preferred the long press of the multitasking button.</p>

  • Vladimir Carli

    Premium Member
    13 February, 2020 - 7:20 pm

    <p>The problem with these devices is that you need two hands to open/close them. That’s a deal breaker for a phone </p>

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