How to Use Multi-Window on the Samsung Galaxy S5

Your big screen can do more than show you stuff on Facebook, you know. If you want to do two things at once, leave that “recents” tab to the others. You’ve got multi-window support, and you can probably run two of the apps you want at once. Meant as an enterprise solution, multi-window view on the Galaxy S5 can also make things like finding links and sharing them via email much easier. Here’s how it’s done:

Settings First!

1. Head into “Settings”.

2. Find the “”Sound and Display” section, and select “Multi Window”.

3. Make sure it’s turned on.

Note: There is an optional toggle here to default some content to go straight into multi-window. This will open the chosen content at half the size of your screen, so choose wisely.

Setting Up Multi Window

Once you toggle multi-window on, you’ll see a small arrow icon on the left side of your home screen. That’s your jumping off point for multi-window success.

1. Tap the arrow icon.

2. Drag an item (we’ll choose ‘Internet’ for this exercise) to the top or bottom pane.

3. Drag a second item (we’ll choose ‘Maps’) to the opposing pane.

Mastering Multi Window

With two windows open, you’re basically in charge of two screens. To work on one pane, simply tap anywhere on that pane to “activate” it. Once you do, you can scroll or use any part of the window you like, like searching in a browser.

If you want one pane larger than the other, tap and hold the center circle that sits on the divider line. Once you see the blue hue around it, drag it up or down to alter the view of each pane.

Switching panes is also simple. A long-press on the center circle brings up a small menu when you release it. the two arrow on the left side switch the windows around. The right “X” deletes the window you currently have selected.

The center option is widely unsupported, but allows for the transfer of info between the two windows.

Create Groups

If you find yourself using the same two apps all the time, or want to create multi-window profiles for work or media viewing, it’s not hard to do.
1. Open the two apps in multi-window that you want for a given profile and tap the triangle at the bottom of the menu.

3. Choose “Create”. Name this grouping of apps accordingly, and select “OK”.

Now you’re a multi-window, productivity master! Or maybe a media hog, or social media monster. Either way, you’re enjoying multi-window, and that’s the point!

Do you use multi-window on your Samsung phone? What groups do you have set up? Let us know in the comments section below!