How to make multi-window mode on Android. How to use multi-window mode on Android

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IN new version operating room Google systems implemented very the desired function- multi-window in Android Nougat. This feature allows you to run any application in windows, and not like Samsung and LG, which only allow you to use multi-window for some applications. It means that new feature works for almost all applications, all the time.

However, there are limitations. First, the feature probably won't work with legacy apps that weren't updated at the time. Secondly, you cannot launch the same application in a new window. Luckily, there's a solution for the latter: an app called Parallel Windows for Nougat.

Before we talk about how to use Parallel Windows, it is worth noting that this application is in the Alpha stage of development and is experimental, so some errors may occur. Keep this in mind when testing the application! Also, it goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway): you need to have Nougat to use this app.

So, now we can tell you how to run multi-window in Android Nougat. First, install Parallel Windows (it's free). After installation, launch the application.

How to install Parallel Windows

After launching the application, a warning will be displayed stating that the application is experimental. Click the “I have read and understood” box, then click “Continue.”

On the next screen, you need to give two permissions to take advantage of all the features of Parallel Windows. Click on the first switch “Permit to draw over Apps”, you will be taken to the permission menu where you need to enable it. Once you enable the permission, go back to the Parallel Windows application.

Next, in the main menu, click on the “Enable Accessibility Service” switch. You will be taken to the menu special features where you will need to enable Parallel Windows for Nougat. A pop-up window will appear telling you what the application will have access to, click OK. Again, just press the back button to return to the main application.

Finally, you need to put “Hotspot Dimensions”. This is the place where the Parallel Windows menu will be shown. By default, it is set to the middle right side of the screen, which is a great place for it. I'll be using this option throughout the tutorial.

This completes the installation of Parallel Windows. You can now use multi-window in Android Nougat.

How to use Parallel Windows

To begin, swipe to the middle from the right side of the screen - in the place we talked about earlier when setting up “Hotspot Dimensions”. The Parallel Windows menu opens.

There are three options here, from top to bottom: open the application menu, launch a multi-window session and an application mirror.

The first option opens the application menu - this is a quick and easy way open the application. Selecting an application from the application menu will automatically open the application in multi-window mode. It is also worth noting that it will take time to display all installed applications if there are many of them.

The second icon launches the application in multi-window mode. The list will open recently open processes and you need to select the application you are interested in at the bottom of the window.

The second option can be used without using Parallel Windows. The third option is the most powerful, it allows you to use the application mirror in multi-window mode. However, it may seem confusing.

To use this feature, you must first run at least one application in windowed mode. Open the Parallel Windows menu and select the bottom option. A pop-up message will appear that will tell you that you need to Select an application to get the mirror.

Hidden in Android 6.0 is an experimental option that allows you to use multi-window mode. Activating it is relatively difficult, but if done correctly, there should be no difficulties with this. Unlike a similar function on Samsung smartphones, it works with all applications.

In order for the multi-window option to appear on Android 6.0, you just need to edit the build.prop file, indicating in it that you are using the userdebug build, not the user one. This can be done using a computer and custom recovery, and if the device has root access, using a regular text editor.

First way

1. Install a custom recovery (for example, TWRP) on your device. To do this, download and install ADB from the Android SDK. Then download the recovery image for your device, rename it twrp.img and place the ADB folder.

2. Connect your smartphone to your computer with a USB cable, open the command line and run three commands:

adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
fastboot reboot

3. Turn off your smartphone and enter recovery by pressing a certain key combination (usually the power button and the volume up and down buttons).

4. In recovery, select the Mounts section and put a cross next to System.

5. Connect your smartphone to the computer with a cable and on the computer command line issue the following command:

Adb pull /system/build.prop

6. The build.prop file will be downloaded to your computer. Open it in Notepad and replace the line "ro.build.type=user" with "ro.build.type=userdebug"

7. Download the build.prop file back to your smartphone by entering the command on the command line:

Adb push build.prop /system/

8. Specify three more commands that are needed in order to third party applications could not modify build.prop:

adb shell
cd system
chmod 644 build.prop

9. Restart your smartphone and activate multi-window in the developer settings.

Second way

On rooted smartphones, editing the build.prop file is much easier. This can be done using the special Build Prop Editor application or using text editor, built in file manager like Root Explorer or X-Plore. The file is located at /system/build.prop, and in it you need to replace the line “ro.build.type=user” with “ro.build.type=userdebug”.

How to activate multi-window?

1. Open in system settings, go to the About device section and tap on the Android build number several times.

2. A section for developers will appear in the settings. Go into it - you will see a switch that allows you to activate multi-window.

3. Open the multitasking screen by long pressing the button home page(or at virtual button). You will see new icon on application page thumbnails. After clicking on it, the system will offer to choose the location of the application: on half, one-quarter of the screen or on the entire screen. When several applications are open, the proportions of their windows can be changed.

Most likely in Google's future will open access to this Android features to all users. Do you think smartphones and tablets need it or is it completely useless?

The Second Screen application on Android has become available to users of the operating system. From now on, two windows can be displayed on the device screen at the same time, regardless of their content - it can be a game and a reading application, a browser and social network and any other combinations.

Multi-window mode on Android 7 allows you to use five programs at a time. To add an application to multitasking, you need to open it and swipe your finger from any top corner of the screen in a diagonal direction and select the button that minimizes the application. Do the same with another program needed for work. Click on the button that allows you to view all active programs (usually to the left of the “Menu” button on the device is an LED icon with multiple windows) and select the applications that you want to run in multi-window mode.

On some devices, multi-windowing is enabled by long pressing the view button running programs and turns off in the same way.

The multi-window mode feature on Android 7 is especially convenient for devices with large displays.

For Android version 8

Multi-window mode on Android version 8.0, or in other words Oreo, is called “Picture in Picture” and is turned on automatically. How? When watching a video in various applications and browsers, the user can press the Home button and turn on something else. In this case, the playing video will turn into a small screen that can be moved to any point on the display for convenience. Of course, this is not the multi-window mode that can be obtained by tinkering with the phone’s settings, but for movie fans who don’t want to bother, it’s quite suitable.

Videos enabled in Picture-in-Picture mode have hotkeys. They allow you to quickly close a small window, rewind the video, pause it, and open it to full screen mode.

You can also work with programs in extended multi-window mode by installing special application or by changing the factory settings.

On Android 6 version

The Android operating system version 6.0 allows working with several applications at once since 2015, thanks to independent suppliers software. Making some changes to the open source developers allow the device to display more than one window at once.

Ordinary users should take into account that on older versions of the operating system the function does not always work stably. In multi-window mode on Android 6, there may be problems with the display and use of some programs and games. Resizing work windows is not supported.

How to enable multi-window mode on Android

To work with the device in multi-window mode, you need to activate this function in the settings of your gadget. For this:

Go to settings and select the "About device" section.
You need to click on the build number multiple times for the “For Developers” menu to appear.
Find the phrase “Resize in multi-window mode” and move the plug next to it to the working position.
Reboot your gadget and enjoy the new features.

If connecting the option according to the instructions provided does not lead to results, you need to download the special Taskbar application. It's completely free. Do all the manipulations from the instructions above, after rebooting the device, install Taskbar and launch it.

How to remove the second screen on Android

The easiest way to quit multitasking screen use is to restart the gadget. Most devices, however, allow you to do things more logically - close, collapse, move each of the open windows with a special label on top.

If you entered multi-window mode using separately installed application– just turn it off.

If we're talking about about the Picture in Picture feature for Android Oreo(8.0), the small video screen will show a cross in its upper right corner. You just need to click on it.

Attention! The article uses screenshots and options from the Android 7.1 operating system. Although most of the described elements should be present in other versions of Android, the author does not guarantee this.

How to enable developer options

Despite the fact that this article will focus on settings for developers, do not be intimidated by this name. Some of the options presented in this section will be useful and ordinary users. By default they are not shown in the settings, but this is easy to fix.

Open Android settings and go to the "About phone" section.
Scroll to the very bottom. Find the line "Build number".
Make seven quick taps on this element in a row. As a result, a notification should be displayed stating that you have now become a developer, and the corresponding section will appear in the settings menu.

Now let's take a look at some of the opportunities available to us.

Some developers specifically disable the ability to install to an SD card in their applications. Use the Allow saving to external drives"You can allow this regardless of the developer's wishes.

Please note that the developer may have good reason to prohibit installation on external card. Some programs are strictly tied to a specific location and will not work if they are not installed where the developer intended. Therefore, you should use this feature with caution.

Multi-window mode is a feature latest versions operating systems from Google. However, this feature requires more than just correct version Android, but also support in the applications themselves, which, unfortunately, not all developers took care of.

With the option "Resize in multi-window mode" you will be able to use this mode any applications.

Typically, smartphones automatically turn off the screen during inactivity to save battery power. However, in some cases this feature is not needed. For example, if you want to use old smartphone as table clock or in a car as a navigator.

The “Keep the screen on” option will allow the smartphone to remain in active mode the entire time it is connected to the charger.

This is one of the most useful options that allows you to achieve significant visual acceleration. Android work. The fact is that some manufacturers, in pursuit of wow effects, overload operating system beautiful animation.

In this section of developer options, you can independently set the time they are displayed or disable them altogether. As a result, it will seem that the system has simply begun to fly.

If your device uses an AMOLED screen, then the number of colors displayed really matters to save battery. To last even longer on the remaining charge, simply activate monochrome mode. This option is also hidden in the developer settings and is called “Simulate anomaly”.

And what useful options do you use for developers?

Anyone who has worked in multi-window mode on an Android device can attest that it is very convenient in certain situations. Simple example: reading e-book with an electronic dictionary. Especially on a smartphone or tablet with a fairly large screen.
If a user has to choose between two applications that are similar in almost every way, but differ in their support for simultaneous work with several windows, it is not surprising that he will choose the one that provides such support.

In this article you will learn about multi-window mode in Android, and how to use this feature when building your own applications.

Review

Simultaneous work with several windows in Android is interesting feature, which can distinguish your application from many others and give it an additional competitive advantage. Many OEM and ODM manufacturers, such as Samsung, Ramos and Huawei, subject the basic Android system revision. In particular, they are introducing support for multi-window mode. They do this in order to increase the attractiveness of their smartphones and tablets, to distinguish them from the bulk of devices that do not support such a function.

Scenarios for using multi-window mode

Preliminary information

In June 2012 it was introduced Cornerstone is the first open source platform for multitasking on Android. In August 2012, Samsung released the first device that supports multi-window mode. From 2013 to the present day, one can observe the explosive growth of solutions to support simultaneous work with multiple windows in Android.

In May 2015, Android M Developer Preview was released (today, in July, Preview 2 is already available). The official release of Android M (6.0) is expected in the fall of 2015. Among other innovations, Android M Preview 2 is notable for its support for multi-window mode.

Development of solutions to support multitasking in Android

There are two approaches to working with multiple windows: using floating and docked windows. Among the main features of working in multi-window modes are opening and closing windows (open/close), changing their size (resize) and relative position(swap). By opening or closing a window, we, accordingly, enable or disable multi-window mode. The resizing feature allows you to adjust the size of windows. Rearranging windows is an action that allows you to change their places.

Multi-window modes

In 2013, many solutions designed to work with multiple windows appeared on the market. They were developed by OEM and ODM manufacturers, independent suppliers software and open source community. In the table below you can find a comparison of various technologies for organizing multi-window work in the Android environment.

Product	Cornerstone	Standout	Xposed	Tieto
Description	Framework for organizing multitasking work in Android OS	An open source library that can be used to create applications with floating windows	Multi-window application that supports docked windows	The project aims to create working environment, reminiscent of working on a desktop PC
Supports opening, closing windows, resizing, expanding to full screen	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Window style	Pinned	floating	Pinned	Fixed and floating
Code modification	At the level Android platforms	At the application level	At the Android platform level	At the Android platform level
Application support	All applications are supported; however, SurfaceView dynamic configuration is not available.	Some supporting applications. For example, a calculator.	Compatibility and stability of the solution needs to be improved.	Supports all applications.
Android version	Android 4.1. – Android 4.4.	Android 4.1. – Android 4.4.	Android 4.4.	Android 4.4
Official site	Cry	Cry	Cry	Cry

Software architecture

The Android platform code can be modified to support it additional features. The Android OS architecture consists of several layers.

In the case of Android 4.2 and Android 4.3, the launcher and other applications are placed in one stack at startup, called the “main stack”. As you know, multi-window mode requires more stacks to accommodate multiple windows. As a result, you need to modify the ActivityManagerService system class by adding an interface to it for creating and managing a stack. To modify the platform class WIndowManagerService, which allows you to manage graphical views of applications, you need to modify the InputManager. This is necessary so that it can redirect touch events to the appropriate windows.

WITH Android release 4.4 and Android 5.0, the approach to stack management has changed significantly. The shell and other applications can run on different stacks. Support for multiple stacks and the ability to manage them have been added to the system. The figure below shows the differences in working with the stack in different versions Android.

Comparison of working with a stack in Android 4.3 and Android 4.4

Now let's focus on Android 5 (Lollipop). Android OS uses callback mechanisms to execute Activity interface functions. However, the control function is implemented at the platform level. So now we'll look at two important classes: ActivityManagerService and WindowManagerService.

Lollipop platform software structure

Activity Management in Lollipop

Since the ability to work in multi-window mode depends on the stack, the following shows how you can create a stack and how you can run an Activity on that stack. In Lollipop, the following functions have been added to the IactivityManager.java interface:

Once started, the SystemServer process calls Activity manager services and windows ( windows management services). In order to observe this process, we can add commands to throw a runtime exception (RuntimeException) at the appropriate places.

The process of creating a stack in Lollipop

Now let's see how to launch an Activity on the stack:

Launching an Activity on a Stack

In Lollipop, the following commands were added to the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) utility:

Window management in Lollipop

WindowManagerService is the central part of the window management system. Its functionality includes dispatching input events, controlling the location of objects on the screen and the surfaces on which graphic elements are displayed.

WindowsManagerService's role Android graphic architecture

Multi-window problems

When working in multi-window mode, you can resize windows. There are examples when the size of the window displaying game animation cannot be changed. The main reason for this is that the Android SurfaceFlinger subsystem cannot dynamically change the size of the output image.

Games using SurfaceFlinger cannot dynamically resize the window

Another problem is that some applications do not display correctly in multi-window mode. In the picture below you can see that the calculator is not displayed correctly in multi-window mode. It's all about the application's layout, which is not designed for such conditions of use.

Calculator with a layout that is not designed to work in multi-window mode

Multi-window support in Android M

Android M Developer Preview 2 can be run on Nexus 5, 6, 9 and Nexus Player. If you don’t have such a device, or you don’t want to install an OS on it that is in Preview status, you can get acquainted with Android M using the emulator in Android Studio. In particular, we are now interested in standard means for working in multi-window mode.

To see this mode in action, just create a new virtual device using the AVD Manager tool, selecting one of those available with API Level MNC as the system image. In our case, it was the x86_64 image. Next, you need to launch the emulator, go to the Developer settings section and enable the Multi-window mode option there. If you can't find such an option, take a look at this guide

Now comes the fun part. To begin with, you can launch several applications, everything will be as usual. But if you click on the list button recently open applications, a new icon will appear in the window thumbnail title bars. By default, this is a frame indicating that the application is running in full screen mode. If you click on this icon, a window layout selection menu will appear.

Menu for selecting window layout in multi-window mode

Multi-window mode in Android M

Will it be possible to work with multiple windows in official release Android M, unknown yet. However, for example, the system calculator feels good in this mode. As a result, we have good reason to believe that the day is not far off when adapting applications for multi-window mode will turn from a competitive advantage into an urgent necessity.

If you want to equip your applications designed for more early versions Android, multi-window support, it's time to turn to solutions third party developers, which were discussed above. For example, to Cornerstone.

Example: Cornerstone

Onskreen created Cornerstone, the first multi-window framework on Android. It is designed for devices with large screens and tablets. The source code can be downloaded on Github. It supports working with Android versions 4.1 and 4.2. For more later versions Cornerstone has not yet released this OS. However, you can analyze the source code for Android 4.2 in order to find out technical details system operation.

Cornerstone modifications Android Jelly Bean

Results

In many mobile devices working under Android control OS, used Intel processors®. How can developers improve the user experience of their apps? How to make applications more competitive? These questions lead us to continually improve products on devices with Intel architecture Architecture (IA). Multi-window support is good example useful opportunity, giving applications competitive advantages. This is convenient; multi-window mode gives the user the opportunity to perform several tasks simultaneously. For example, watch a video and write a review to your friends about what you watch. For example, play a game and read its reviews. Today, multiple devices support multi-window mode. For example, these are the Ramos i12, Teclast x98 and Cube i7 tablets, which runs Remix OS.

Multi-window mode on IA devices