Multi-window mode: An additional competitive advantage for Android apps. How to enable multi-window: an experimental feature in Marshmallow Android 5 multi-window add-on
The physical dimensions of modern displays mobile devices become more and more, while maintaining the convenience of working with them. Therefore, the problem arises of a more rational use of space on the screen. Indeed, even in Android 6.0, they still did not dare to introduce the split-screen or windowed mode function, although the capabilities of the system and the power of the gadgets allow it. But when the manufacturers are in doubt, the community makes it happen.
Xposed Framework Activation
The second step is to install and activate a special module in Xposed called XHaloFloatingWindow. This can be done from the framework itself, but in this case, the program we need will be in English, which is unacceptable with an abundance of settings and capabilities.Therefore, you can download the Russified XHaloFloatingWindow here:
The module is installed as a normal android application, but for correct operation it will need to be activated and then rebooted. To do this, go to Xposed on the "Installed Modules" tab, find XHaloFloatingWindow in the list that appears, check the box and reboot in any convenient way.
Now you can go to the program itself. You can launch it from the usual list of applications. Main screen represents one of the settings tabs, at the initial stage you only need to enable the "Windowed mode" item. Next, slide to the left to switch to the "Window Behavior" tab. In the "Launch Applications" category, tap on "White / Black List Options". In the menu that opens, select the second item.
That's all, now any programs will open as windows in any number that can be dragged, collapsed or docked at the top or bottom of the screen. Minimized windows will be available from the notification bar. Having studied in more detail the XHaloFloatingWindow settings, the user can customize the behavior of applications completely to suit his needs, since the project allows you to do this in a wide range of possibilities.
XHaloFloatingWindow is currently in beta version, therefore, malfunctions are possible, up to the inability to turn on the device.
In this case, you do not need to panic, but take the following steps:
- Restart the device again.
- Clear cache through recovery.
- Clear dalwick cache.
- Delete the file /data/data/de.robv.android.xposed.installer/conf/modules.list, you can do this either through ADB or through recovery.
- Remove Xposed using the appropriate archive.
After each step, you need to reboot the device, checking if the problem has been fixed.
Hidden away in Android 6.0 is an experimental option that allows you to use multi-window mode. It is relatively difficult to activate it, but if you do everything correctly, there should be no difficulties with this. Unlike a similar function on smartphones Samsung, 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 that you are using the userdebug assembly, and not the user. This can be done using a computer and custom recovery, and if root access is obtained on the device, using a regular text editor.
The first way
1. Install custom recovery on the device (for example, TWRP). To do this, download and install ADB from the Android SDK. Then download the recovery image for your device, rename it to twrp.img and place the ADB folder.
2. Connect your smartphone to your computer with a USB cable, open a command prompt and run three commands:
Adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
fastboot reboot
3. Turn off your smartphone and go into recovery by pressing a certain key combination (usually the power button and volume up and down buttons).
4. In the recovery, select the Mounts section and put a cross in front of System.
5. Connect the smartphone to the computer with a cable and on the computer in 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 in the command line:
Adb push build.prop / system /
8. Enter three more commands that are needed in order to third party applications couldn't modify build.prop:
Adb shell
cd system
chmod 644 build.prop
9. Restart your smartphone and enable multi-window in developer settings.
Second way
On rooted smartphones, editing the build.prop file is much easier. It can be done special application Build Prop Editor or with text editor embedded in file manager like Root Explorer or X-Plore. The file is located at /system/build.prop and 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 the Android build number a few 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 on a virtual button). You will see a new icon on the app page thumbnails. After clicking on it, the system will offer you to choose the location of the application: on half, one-fourth of the screen or on the whole screen. When multiple applications are open, the aspect ratio of their windows can be changed.
Most likely, in the future, Google will open access to this Android functions to all users. Do you think smartphones and tablets need it or is it completely useless?
As we already know Android version Nougat has many features to make your user experience as smooth as possible. Basic moments newest update Android includes improved notification bar, data transfer and power saving optimizations, and device support virtual reality... One of the most important aspects of the innovation, which has won many fans (including us), is the set of task management options. Thanks to the latter Android update 7.0 Nougat, now you can use two applications at the same time in multi-window mode.
Note
We want to inform you that not all applications are the same in nature,
and for this reason, you will find that not all of them are compatible with multi-window mode. However, you should not worry - this is not your fault, but the fault of the developers, as they will need some more time to create the next update before other applications can work in the above mode. Today there is a way to get around this problem. You can run any application in multi-window mode from under "Developer Tools" in latest version mobile operating system from google.
Launch any application in multi-window mode in Android Nougat
First you need to activate the "Developer Tools" item on your phone. To do this, go to the "Settings> Developer tools> About device" scheme. Next, click on the build number several times until you see a message stating that you have become a developer.
Now go back to the settings menu and open "Developer Tools". Scroll to the bottom of the page and enable the Force Resize Operations option. When you do this, you will need to reboot your device to activate this option. After that, even those applications that were not compatible with the update for Nougat will be able to work in multi-window mode.
Finally, to use multi-window mode, open two apps of your choice, then press and hold the multitasking key. Both of these applications will now open in multi-window mode.
In your opinion, will multi-window mode be useful for your multi-tasking needs? Or will you be taking the more traditional single-tasking approach for now? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
The official announcement of Android 6.0 took place last fall. As befits any major update, Marshmallow has brought a lot of changes to Google's mobile operating system. However, it was recently revealed that some of the system's functions are hidden from view. ordinary users... To gain access to the hidden functionality, you need to do a number of simple steps. In this article, we will show you how to enable multi-window mode on Android 6.0.
The first thing to say is that this instruction will be relevant only for those users who have got root-rights on their devices.
After reboot, in the menu of all open applications you will have an additional icon that will allow you to enable multi-window mode on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Unfortunately, the functionality of this mode is still extremely limited. The user cannot independently change the width of the windows or select applications to display. The developer himself calls this feature a test one, and it will begin to function fully only with the next updates. It is curious that in customized firmware versions, for example, in
V new version operating room google systems implemented very desired function- Multiple windows 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 multiple windows for some applications. It means that new function works for almost all applications, all the time.
However, there are limitations. First, the function probably won't work with outdated applications which have not been updated in due time. Secondly, you cannot launch the same application in a new window. Fortunately, there is a solution for the latter: an application called Parallel Windows for Nougat.
Before we talk about how to use Parallel Windows, it is worth noting that this application is in Alpha Development and is experimental, so some bugs may occur. Keep this in mind when testing your application! Also, it goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway): you need to have Nougat in order to use this app.
So, now we can tell you how to start multi-windowing 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 indicating that the application is experimental. Click on the "I have read and understood" box, then click on "Continue".
On the next screen, you need to give two permissions in order 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 app.
Next, in the main menu, click on the "Enable Accessibility Service" switch. You will be taken to the accessibility menu, where you will need to enable Parallel Windows for Nougat. A pop-up window will appear, in which it will be said 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 where the Parallel Windows menu will appear. By default, it is set in the middle of the right side of the screen, which is a great place to do this. I will use this parameter throughout the tutorial.
This completes the installation of Parallel Windows. You can now use multiple windows in Android Nougat.
How to use Parallel Windows
First, swipe to the middle of the right side of the screen - in the place we talked about earlier when setting up "Hotspot Dimensions". The Parallel Windows menu will open.
There are three options here, from top to bottom: open the applications menu, launch a multi-window session, and an application mirror.
The first option opens the Applications Menu - a quick and easy way to open an 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. A list of recently opened processes will open 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 can 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 telling you to Select an application to get a mirror.