See two apps at the same time on Pixel phone

Depending on the app, you can sometimes use more than one app at once. You can also watch a video in a small window while you do other things.

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 9.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Use two apps at once ("split screen")

Important: If you have a Pixel 2 or Pixel (2016), turn on "Swipe up on Home button." You can find it in your Settings app, under System  Gestures  Swipe up on Home button.

1. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to the top.
2. Open an app.
3. From the bottom of your screen, swipe up, hold, then let go.
4. Touch and hold the app's icon.
5. Tap Split screen.
6. You'll see two screens. In the second screen, tap another app.

To see one app again: Drag the bar between the apps to the top or bottom of your screen.

See one app while using another (picture-in-picture)

1. On your phone, open an app and play a video.
2. Depending on the video app, swipe up or tap Picture-in-picture . If you swipe up and the app closes, or you don't see the Picture-in-picture icon, this feature won’t work with that app. 
3. Open the other app you'd like to use.
4. To close the video, drag the video off the bottom of the screen.

Tip: You can drag the video window anywhere on the screen. To make the video big again, tap the video Full screen .

Turn off picture-in-picture for an app

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Tap Apps & notifications Advanced Special app access Picture-in-picture.
3. Tap an app.
4. Turn off Allow picture-in-picture.

Related resources

• Manage screen and display settings
• Find, open, and close apps