Back with Android 7.0 Nougat, Google introduced the ability to use multiple apps together in split-screen mode. With the introduction of Android Oreo, Google announced the Picture-in-Picture mode as well. While both of these work well, it is still sad that we cannot run multiple instances of the same app together. Imagine being able to converse with 2 different contacts on WhatsApp without having to switch between the chat windows. Or browsing through 2 web pages at the same time using the same browser. While we previously covered an article on how to do that in Nougat, sadly, the method failed on Android Oreo until recently. So if you are wondering how to run multiple instances of the same app on a device that’s rocking the latest offering from Google, read on, as we show you how to run the same app in split screen windows on Android Oreo:
Run Same App in Split Screen Windows on Android Oreo
Note: I tried the following app on my LG Nexus 5X and Google Pixel running Android Oreo 8.0.0, and the method works just fine.
- To start off, download and install Parallel Windows for Nougat and Oreo (free) on your Android device.
- Once you’ve installed the app, open it. You’ll now be presented with a disclaimer about the app being in the experimental stage. Tap on the checkbox next to “I have read and understood” and tap on “Continue”. Next up, you’ll be presented with a warning that despite Android Oreo supporting Picture-in-picture (PiP) mode, the service only supports multi-window. Check the checkbox at the bottom and tap on “Continue”.
- The main app window should now open up. You need to grant the app permissions to draw over other apps as well as enable the Accessibility service. To do so, tap on the toggle next to each permission, and grant the permission in the screen that follows.
- Now that you’ve granted the app its required permissions, you can customize the various aspects of the sidebar. This sidebar will, later on, be used to open multiple instances of the same app while being in split-screen mode. You can customize the height, width, and position of the sidebar according to your preferences.
- You should be able to access the sidebar from the right edge, which features options to open the app drawer, trigger split screen mode and the option to mirror apps to run a single app side by side in the split screen mode.
- After you have configured the side bar, just open an app or tap on the Recents/Multitasking button. Then, just swipe from the right edge to bring up the sidebar (as shown in the step above) and select the third option. Now, you will be asked to “Select an app to mirror“. Just select the app and two windows of the same app should open up in the split screen mode.
SEE ALSO: How to Use Multiple WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat Accounts on Android
Use Multiple Windows of the Same App on Android Oreo
While the native multiple windows feature present on Android is great, adding the ability to run multiple instances of the same app to it surely takes things to the next level. It does enhance the whole multi-tasking experience and makes things much easier. Despite the app being in the Alpha stage, it works surprisingly well and stable. So, did you find this nifty trick useful for your multi-tasking needs? Let us know in the comments section below.
Abubakar Mohammed
