Android 16 Could Bring Improved Split-Screen Multitasking

Based on the latest report, Android 16 could actually bring an improved split-screen experience to the table. It seems like you’ll be able to run three apps on the screen at the same time, but only if you have a tablet or a foldable.

Android 16 will seemingly deliver an improved split-screen functionality

This information comes from Android Authority, and yes, it does sound familiar. Why? Well, because of OnePlus. The company is offering the so-called Open Canvas which not only allows for three apps to be on the screen, but it has a great way of dynamically adapting them.

What do I mean by that? Well, two apps can take up 90% of the screen, while the third one, that you’re not on at the moment, takes the remaining 10%. Then when you need the third one, you simply tap it, and the screen adapts. It all depends on the apps you’re running.

Google’s implementation will be heavily inspired by Open Canvas, it seems. This change was spotted in Android 16 DP2, as Google is also working on a “flexible” multitasking system. In this system, the third app will also be able to get out of the way, it seems.

It will be heavily inspired by OnePlus’ Open Canvas

It’s not a direct copy of what OnePlus did, but… it’s heavily inspired by it. Based on what the source showed (video below), you’ll be able to put the third app on either side of the existing two.

One thing to note is that this feature doesn’t work at all in Android 16 DP2. There is obviously some ground work that Google did in the code, but it’s not exactly functional yet. However, it could be by the time Android 16 stable comes along.

Speaking of which, Android 16 will launch on June 3, as we’ve exclusively confirmed a while back. It will head to AOSP the same day that the OTA starts rolling out, unlike what happened with Android 15.