These multitasking tricks turned my phone into a productivity tool
by Anu Joy · Android PoliceI used to underestimate how much I could do on my phone at once. I would switch between apps, lose track of what I was doing, and waste time repeating small steps that could have been simpler.
But after I started exploring some of its lesser-known features, I realized I could do more without constantly switching between apps or interrupting what I was doing.
From running apps side by side to making everyday tasks easier with a few shortcuts, these tricks have turned my phone into a much more capable multitasking machine.
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Split screen makes juggling tasks easier
One of Android's most useful multitasking features is split-screen mode. Instead of repeatedly switching between two apps, I can keep both open on the same screen and work with them.
It's handy when I'm researching, taking notes, following instructions, or copying information from one app to another.
Here's how to use split-screen mode:
- Open the first app you want to use.
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold to open the Recent Apps view.
- Tap the app icon above its preview and select Split screen.
- Choose the second app you want to open.
Both apps now share the screen. Drag the divider to give more space to whichever app you're using most.
Not every app supports split-screen mode, and the menu options can vary by device.
You could keep Google Keep open while browsing Chrome, refer to a message while filling out a form, or check a shopping list while browsing an online store.
Chrome became its own multitasking tool
I organize my browsing with tab groups
I also didn't realize how useful Chrome could be for multitasking until I started using multiple windows.
For example, when I'm planning a trip, I can group pages about hotels, attractions, and transport instead of keeping them scattered across dozens of open tabs.
To do this, tap the three-dot menu icon, select Add tab to new group, name it, and choose a color.
On Android tablets, you can open multiple windows and move tabs between them. You can also drag a tab to the edge of the screen to trigger split view.
That's useful for comparing products, researching a trip, checking two sources, following a recipe while shopping, or keeping one page open while working through another.
App bubbles keep useful apps within reach
Multitask without leaving the screen
Switching between apps isn't always the problem; sometimes, you have to leave one task to check something in another app.
On phones running Android 17, app bubbles offer a handy workaround by keeping apps in small, floating windows that sit over the screen.
For example, instead of moving from a web page to reply to a message, a chat bubble can open the conversation on top of the browser, letting you respond before returning to what you were doing.
This means you can access a calculator while comparing prices online, or open a note-taking app while following a tutorial.
To create a bubble, long-press an app icon on the home screen or in the app drawer and select Bubble. Tap the floating icon to expand the app, then tap outside its window to collapse it when you're finished.
You can group multiple bubbles and switch between them without cluttering the screen.
Gemini helps me get things done without leaving an app
I use Gemini without putting other tasks on hold
When a question comes up while browsing, reading, or watching a video, you don't have to stop your task to find an answer.
Gemini's on-screen overlay lets you ask questions about the content you're viewing.
You can summon it by saying "Hey Google" or long-pressing the power button. Instead of opening the full Gemini app, the assistant appears over the current screen, ready to answer questions about what you're viewing.
To try it, activate Gemini while the app you want help with is open, then select Share screen with Live.
If the option to ask about the screen doesn't appear, check that Access onscreen text and Access screenshots are enabled under Gemini's Settings > Screen context.
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My phone finally feels like a productivity tool
Multitasking on Android doesn't have to mean constantly switching between apps or settling for a cluttered screen.
Features like split-screen mode, Chrome's tab groups, and Gemini's on-screen overlay make it easier to manage several tasks without losing track of what you're doing.
Each solves a different problem, whether it's keeping two apps visible at once, organizing research, or getting a quick answer without interrupting what you were doing.