I used to think my PC was the only place I could actually get any work done. The bigger screen, the full keyboard, and the sense of “serious work mode” felt necessary. Over time, however, I realized my Android phone could handle just as much, if not more, with the right setup.
Between split screen, App Pairs, and a few carefully chosen productivity apps, I can use Android’s multitasking features to research, write, and manage tasks when I’m away from my laptop. While it’s not a replacement for my full work setup, it’s incredibly handy for working on the go.
How app pairs transformed my multitasking on Android
Double your productivity
Raghav Sethi / MakeUseOf
Credit: Raghav Sethi / MakeUseOf
I’ve been using split screen on Android for years, and it’s incredible. Back when phone screens were smaller, splitting two apps felt like trying to write on a sticky note with a marker—possible, but awkward. Now, with Android displays bigger than ever, split screen finally makes sense. Reading notes while watching a video or replying to messages while browsing suddenly feels natural instead of cramped.
Split screen offers a taste of true multitasking, the kind that used to belong only to laptops and tablets. Then came App Pairs, and that taste turned into a full meal. It lets you create shortcuts that launch two apps on the split screen instantly.
Instead of manually dragging apps into place every time, I can tap a single shortcut and jump right into my usual combo—like Chrome and Google Docs when I’m researching, or YouTube and Messages when I’m following a tutorial while chatting with a friend.
It’s such a simple idea, yet it completely changes the flow of using a phone. With split screen already strong, App Pairs refine it even further. And the best part is, the apps remember their positions, so everything opens exactly the way I like it.
Setting up app pairs only takes seconds
One tap, two apps, zero hassle
One of the things I love most about App Pairs is how incredibly easy they are to set up. To get started, you need to open your apps in split screen mode. For that, open the first app, then use the recent apps view, tap the app icon at the top, and select Open in split screen view. Next, choose your second app, and you’re ready to go.
Once you’ve got both apps arranged side by side, tap the three dots in the middle of the divider and choose Star. Then, select Home screen to save your setup. That’s it. You’ve just created an App Pair. Alternatively, you can skip straight to the recent apps screen, tap the app icons at the top, and select Add app pair. Both methods work beautifully.
The whole process takes less time than opening your email, and once it’s done, you’ll have a home screen shortcut that instantly launches both apps in split screen. You can move it, group it into folders, or place it wherever it fits best in your workflow. On Samsung phones, you can go even further by adding your App Pairs to the Edge panel for easier access.
Samsung was the first to add this feature all the way back in 2017, so it’s available on almost all Galaxy phones and tablets. Now, most other Android phones running Android 15 and later also have it. If you have an older Android phone, you can get similar functionality with the Be Nice app from the Play Store, which allows you to launch apps in split-screen mode.
How I use app pairs to stay productive on Android
My go-to app combos for maximum focus
Screenshot by Pankil Shah — No attribution requiredScreenshot by Pankil Shah — No attribution requiredScreenshot by Pankil Shah — No attribution required
Depending on what you use split screen for, App Pairs can have countless use cases. For me, I’ve created pairs for research and writing, messaging while following tutorials, and even scheduling with note-taking.
Even on the go, App Pairs shines. When I’m commuting, waiting in line, or sitting through a quick meeting, I can get work done efficiently. I also use App Pairs during downtime. Scrolling through my Instagram feed while watching YouTube, for example, feels completely seamless, letting me stay entertained without interrupting other tasks. Since I don’t have YouTube Premium, it’s a perfect workaround.
I use a Samsung S22 Ultra, which has a 6.8-inch screen—big enough to comfortably display both apps at once. Android’s split screen is flexible, so I can adjust the ratio to 70:30 or even 90:10 depending on what I’m doing. The experience is even better on foldables with larger screens, where both apps feel expansive and fully usable. Even on smaller phones, App Pairs still makes multitasking noticeably smoother.
Android phones already have the processing power and RAM to handle most everyday tasks like a laptop. Features like App Pairs make those bigger screens truly worthwhile. If you haven’t tried split screen and App Pairs on your device yet, they’re definitely worth exploring.
