Huawei Mate 8 Split Screen: Complete How-To Guide

To use split screen on the Huawei Mate 8, open an app, then long-press the square (recent apps) navigation button; the app will shrink to the top half of the screen, and you can select a second app from the bottom half. This guide explains the exact steps, what to do if it doesn’t work, and how to manage the split-screen mode effectively.

What Is Split Screen on the Mate 8?

Split screen is a multitasking feature that lets you view and interact with two apps at the same time, one on the top half of the display and one on the bottom. The Mate 8, running Android 6.0 Marshmallow with EMUI 4.0, introduced this as a native feature, so you don’t need a third-party app. It’s useful for watching a video while chatting, comparing prices while shopping, or taking notes while reading.

The feature works with most pre-installed apps and many popular third-party apps, but not all. Apps that are not optimized for multi-window may not appear in the selection list or may force-close when used in split screen.

How to Enable Split Screen: Step-by-Step

There are two main methods to enter split screen on the Mate 8. The first is the most direct:

1. Open the first app you want to use (e.g., YouTube or Chrome).
2. Press and hold the square (recent apps) button at the bottom of the screen for about 1 second.
3. The app will snap to the top half of the screen. A list of compatible apps appears in the bottom half.
4. Tap the second app from that list. It will fill the bottom half.

The second method uses the recent apps view:

1. Tap the square button once to open the recent apps carousel.
2. Find the app you want to be on top.
3. Tap the small two-rectangle icon at the top of that app’s preview card (looks like a split screen symbol).
4. The app goes to the top, and you pick the second app from the bottom list.

Once split screen is active, you can drag the white divider line up or down to resize the two windows. To exit, drag the divider to the very top or bottom of the screen, or press the back button.

Why Split Screen Might Not Work

Several common issues can prevent split screen from activating on the Mate 8:

• App not supported: Some apps (especially games, banking apps, and certain video players) disable multi-window. You’ll see a message like “This app does not support split screen.â€�
• Wrong button: A quick tap on the square button opens recent apps; you must press and hold it.
• Navigation mode: If you use gesture navigation (swipe up from the bottom), the square button is hidden. Go to Settings > System > System navigation and switch to “Three-key navigationâ€� to get the physical buttons.
• EMUI version: If your Mate 8 has been updated to a newer EMUI (like 4.1 or 5.0), the long-press gesture still works, but the UI may look slightly different. The two-rectangle icon in recent apps is still present.

If none of these apply, try restarting the phone. A temporary system glitch can sometimes block the gesture.

How to Choose Which Apps to Use

Not every app appears in the split-screen selection list. Generally, apps that follow Google’s multi-window guidelines will work. To check if an app supports it, try the long-press method. If the app doesn’t appear in the bottom list, it’s not compatible.

For the best experience, use apps that are designed for multitasking:

• Messaging apps: WhatsApp, WeChat, Telegram, and standard SMS.
• Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
• Video players: YouTube and local video players (though some DRM-protected content may block it).
• Notes and documents: Keep, Google Docs, and Notepad.

Avoid heavy games or apps that require full-screen touch input—they often won’t work or will lag.

Adjusting and Managing Split Screen

Once you have two apps open, you can control them in a few ways:

• Resize: Drag the divider up or down to give one app more space. You can make one window very small, but it won’t disappear completely.
• Swap: Tap the round button in the middle of the divider to swap the top and bottom apps.
• Close one app: Drag the divider all the way to the top or bottom, or press back to exit split screen entirely.
• Open a new app: Tap the square button while in split screen to see the recent apps list, and replace either window.

You can also copy and paste text between the two windows, which is handy for transferring addresses or quotes.

Common Problems and Fixes

Here are a few frequent issues Mate 8 users encounter:

• Apps keep crashing: If an app crashes when you enter split screen, it’s likely not compatible. Try a different app, or update the app from the app store.
• Split screen won’t trigger: Double-check that you are pressing and holding the square button, not tapping it. Also, ensure you are not in a full-screen game or a locked-down app.
• Divider won’t move: Some apps have a minimum height. If you can’t drag the divider further, the app has reached its limit.
• No sound from one app: The Mate 8 may pause audio from one app when you interact with the other. This is normal behavior; you can’t play two audio streams simultaneously.

If the feature stops working after a system update, a factory reset is a last resort, but first try clearing the cache partition from recovery mode (turn off, then hold Volume Up + Power).

Split Screen vs. Other Multitasking Options

The Mate 8 also has a “Floating Window� feature (in some EMUI versions) that lets you open a small, movable window on top of another app. This is different from split screen:

• Split screen: Two apps share the screen equally or in adjustable halves. Both are fully interactive.
• Floating window: One app is in a small resizable bubble; the other app is full-screen behind it. You can drag the bubble around.

Floating windows are useful for quick replies or calculators, while split screen is better for continuous use of both apps. To enable floating windows, go to Settings > Smart assistance > Floating window (or similar), and add apps to the allowed list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn’t my Mate 8 have the split screen icon in recent apps?

Some EMUI versions hide the icon if the app is not compatible. Try the long-press method instead. If that also fails, the app simply doesn’t support multi-window.

Can I use split screen with any app?

No. Only apps that have declared multi-window support in their code will work. Most Google apps and popular social media apps support it, but many games and some banking apps do not.

How do I exit split screen quickly?

Press the back button once, or drag the divider all the way to the top or bottom of the screen. The top app will become full-screen.

Does split screen drain the battery faster?

Yes, running two apps simultaneously uses more CPU and screen power, so battery life will be shorter than using one app at a time. It’s not a defect, just normal power consumption.

Can I take a screenshot of just one half of the screen?

No, the standard screenshot captures the entire screen including both windows. You can crop the image afterward using the built-in photo editor.

Will split screen work after I update to a newer Android version?

If you update to a newer EMUI (e.g., EMUI 5.0 based on Android 7.0), split screen remains available and may even work with more apps. The long-press gesture stays the same.

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