All users are waiting with anticipation for the moment to have a chance and update their smartphones to a new operating system that has just rolled out. Android 7.0 comes with a selection of award-winning features and multi-window mode for Android is the most anticipated one. It has been available for LG and Samsung owners for a while. This time, it will hit the headlines and take the market by storm as well.
The new feature allows users to run two apps on the screen simultaneously. Unfortunately, Android split-screen mode for applications comes with some slight misses. The first and foremost is the fact that not all native Android applications actually support the new feature. Luckily, there is a way out. We can optimize multi-window mode by ourselves. Let’s learn more about some useful tips on how to do that from this article.
What you need to know about Android multi-window mode
This new Android feature is all about multitasking. It lets users handle several applications at the same time on the screen without stopping any of them. The idea is great considering a growing number of users who need to cope with several tasks on the screen simultaneously.
You may read an article or case study and check the meaning of the particular term at the same time in another window without closing the first one. We have already witnessed some efforts by other mobile systems to introduce the multi-window concept before. However, they didn’t succeed with it. And Android developers team seems to be the first to implement it properly.
Thus, if you prefer using your Android device in landscape mode, you will have a split screen displaying running applications evenly. If you like using your device in portrait, the first window will occupy 2/3 of the screen while the rest 1/2 will be reserved for another app.
How to Get Android Multi-Window Mode on Nougat?
Here are some major steps how to enable multi-window mode without facing any difficulties:
- Open the target app on your smartphone to activate the new feature.
- Press and hold the “Overview” button. The standard button will change its view. It will be available in two rectangles of a smaller size.
- Use the app switcher in order to choose the second application you want to be displayed on the split screen. If the app does not support the new feature, a special notification will appear.
- You can change the secondary app with the help of rectangles and app switcher whenever you need.
- Hold down the overview button every time you need to exit the mode or you can simply swipe the line between the two screens with the applications displayed on them.
The Process of Optimization
There is one beneficiary trick that will let run apps in multi-window mode on Android 7.0. Would you like to learn how to do it? Here are some useful tips:
- Activate the developer’s mode on your device in order to maximize some areas of your smartphone (go to settings and find “About Phone” option in order to activate the developer’s mode. There you will find Build Number session. You need to tap on it seven times in a row);
- As far as you are done, go back to the main menu and get the fullest from the developer’s mode. It can be useful to extend some other features. If you want to take the fullest from your smartphone, you will use this mode rather often.
Once you have entreated the developer’s mode, you should expect a decreased battery lifespan as well as some other possible drawbacks in the device operation. It is a natural thing for all Android devices.
Now you can optimize your multi-window mode for applications that initially do not support the feature. If you are holding a device with new Android N installed, you need to indicate the main attributes and settings for the core operation including the entire stack of tasks.
NOTE: if you use an android app for multi-window mode supporting various orientations that was built with the earlier SDK version (compared with Android N) the system will inevitably change the size of the application available on the screen. Moreover, the system will notify the user that the application can run in an unpredictable manner. Always keep in mind that the system never changes the custom size of the window for an app with a fixed orientation. If a user tries to open such application in multi-window mode, it will occupy the entire screen.
android:resizeableActivity
Install this attribute in for <activity> or <application> subclass of the manifest to enable or disable multi-window mode or disable it:
android:resizeableActivity=[“true” | “false”]
If you set to “true” value for this attribute, the operation can be launched in the multi-window phone. If you set to “false” value for this attribute, the operation does not support the multi-window mode.
Testing Methods
Developers can use various methods to check the capacity and performance of the application in the multi-window mode. They can opt for a list of operations necessary to be implemented in different modes to compare and contrast the results:
- Enable and disable the multi-window mode;
- Use the app switcher to change applications and ensure the operation runs smoothly. Pay attention to another running application and make sure it does not stop when you switch to another screen. For example, the video is supposed to keep playing;
- Enable the multi-window mode and try to change the size of both screens. Make sure you control and observe all elements of both applications;
- Quickly change the sizes of the app screen several times making sure that applications do not stop running or stuck. Check the RAM statistics and analysis;
- Make sure you have the access to all functions and tools of the application, you can clearly read the text and use it in full swing.
Final Word
As you can see, the process of optimizing the app to use it in multi-window mode is a tough challenge. It calls for specific coding and programming skills in addition to testing methods. The best bet is to hire a professional team of qualified specialists who know what they are doing.
They will ensure that your application is running without the slightest drawbacks and bugs providing you a full access to a new award-winning feature available on Android devices.
Lunapps has a pool of experts ready to handle the most complicated code and project. Our QA engineers will ensure 100% efficient running of the app. Contact us for more information.