Multi Window on Samsung Galaxy J7: A How-To

Multi Window on the Samsung Galaxy J7 lets you run two apps side by side on the same screen, so you can chat while watching a video, or read an email while taking notes. This guide shows you the two ways to start a split-screen session, how to adjust the divider, and what to do when an app doesn’t cooperate. No special setup is required—the feature is built into the phone’s software.

What You’ll Need

A Samsung Galaxy J7 (any variant) running Android 6.0 or later—the steps are the same for most versions.
Two apps that support Multi Window. Most Samsung and Google apps do, but some third-party apps may not.

Step-by-Step

Open the first app. Launch the app you want to use in the top half of the screen. For example, open YouTube.
Open the Recent Apps screen. Tap the square Recent Apps button (bottom-left on the J7) or press and hold the Home button if you’re using older navigation. You’ll see a carousel of your recently used apps.
Start Multi Window from Recents. Find the app you just opened in the list. At the top of its preview card, you’ll see an app icon. Tap and hold that icon—a small menu will pop up. Select Open in split screen view. The app will snap to the top half of the screen, and the bottom half will show a list of compatible apps.
Choose the second app. Scroll through the list in the bottom half and tap the app you want to open there. It will fill the lower portion of the screen. You’re now in Multi Window mode.
Adjust the split. Drag the circular handle in the middle of the screen up or down to resize the two windows. Drag it to the top or bottom edge to close one app and return to full screen.
Switch apps in a window. Tap the circular handle to open a small menu with options like Swap windows (moves the top app to the bottom and vice versa) and Add app to split screen (to replace the current app in that window).
Exit Multi Window. Drag the handle all the way to the top or bottom of the screen, or press the Back button. The remaining app will go full screen.

Alternative Method: Using the Edge Panel (if available)

Some Galaxy J7 models have an Edge screen feature (usually on the J7+ or J7 Pro). If you see a thin tab on the right edge of your screen:

Drag the Edge handle toward the center to open the Edge panel.
Tap Apps edge (the grid icon).
Drag an app from the panel to the top or bottom half of the screen. The app will open in that half, and you can then select a second app for the other half.

Common Mistakes

Holding the recent apps button instead of tapping it. On the J7, tapping the square button opens Recents; holding it might trigger a different action (like split-screen on some other Samsung models). Use the tap method described above.
Selecting an app that doesn’t support Multi Window. If an app doesn’t appear in the list of compatible apps in the bottom half, it simply doesn’t support the feature. Try a different app.
Forgetting that some apps are already in Multi Window mode. If you see two apps on screen and you didn’t intend that, you may have accidentally triggered the feature. Press Back or drag the divider to close one.

Tips

Use the handle’s menu for quick actions. The circular handle between the windows isn’t just for resizing—tap it to swap apps, add a new app, or drag the handle to the top/bottom to exit.
Copy and paste between windows. In Multi Window, you can long-press text in one app, copy it, and paste it into the other app without switching. This is great for filling forms or quoting messages.
Pair frequently used apps. Some Galaxy models let you create an app pair (e.g., YouTube + Messages) that opens both in split screen with one tap. Look for the Create app pair option in the handle menu or in the Edge panel.
Keep an eye on battery. Running two apps at once uses more power. If you’re low on battery, consider closing one window.

Troubleshooting

Multi Window option is grayed out or missing. This happens when the feature is disabled in settings. Go to Settings > Advanced features > Multi window and make sure it’s toggled on. If you don’t see that option, your model may not support it—check your phone’s manual.
Apps won’t open in split screen. Not all apps support Multi Window. Try a Samsung app like Messages or Settings. If those work, the issue is with the specific app, not your phone.
The split screen appears but one app crashes. This can happen with older apps that aren’t optimized for multi-window. Close the app and try again, or update the app from the Play Store.
Can’t drag the divider. Make sure you’re touching the circular handle, not the thin line itself. The handle is the target for resizing.
Multi Window works but the screen is unresponsive. Restart your phone. This clears temporary glitches. If it persists, check for software updates in Settings > Software update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Galaxy J7 support Multi Window for all apps?

No. Only apps that are designed to work in split screen will appear in the compatible list. Many popular apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube work, but some games and banking apps may not.

Can I use Multi Window with two windows of the same app?

No, the J7 doesn’t allow the same app to be opened in both windows simultaneously. You’ll need two different apps.

How do I exit Multi Window quickly?

Press the Back button, or drag the divider all the way to the top or bottom of the screen. The remaining app will take over the full screen.

Why doesn’t my J7 have the Edge panel?

The Edge panel is only available on certain J7 models, like the J7+ or J7 Pro. The standard J7 (2015/2016) doesn’t have it. Use the Recent Apps method instead.

Can I adjust the size of the windows?

Yes, drag the circular handle in the middle up or down to resize. You can make one window as small as about a third of the screen.

Does Multi Window work in landscape orientation?

Yes, you can rotate the phone to landscape and the windows will appear side by side. The handle will then be vertical.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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