How to use split screen and bubbles on a Google Pixel (Android 17)

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.260905.009)

App

Recents

Path

Recents › App icon › Split screen

Real screenshots

5 of 5 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open the app menu in Recents

   Swipe up and hold to open Recents. Tap the app's icon above its preview. The menu has App info, Split screen, Screenshot, Select and Clear.

   Done

2. 

   Pick the second app

   Tap Split screen, then tap a second app. Both show, with a divider between them. Drag the divider to resize, or all the way up or down to close one app.

   Done

3. 

   Open an app in a bubble

   On the home screen, press and hold an app icon. Tap Bubble in the menu.

   Done

4. 

   Use the bubble

   The app opens in a floating window, with its icon at the top. Ours was Chrome, showing its first-run screen. Tap the icon to hide or show it.

   Done

5. 

   Close the bubble

   Tap Manage at the bottom left, then Dismiss bubble.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• No Bubble in the menu? Not every app offers it. Chrome did on ours.
• No Split screen in Recents? Google says some apps don't support split screen. Source: Use split screen on your Pixel phone

If this does not work

• Can't get out of split screen? Google says to drag the divider to the top or bottom, or swipe up to go home. Source: Use split screen on your Pixel phone
• Bubble keeps coming back? Dismiss bubble closes it; opening Bubble again brings it back.

About this guide

Split screen shows two apps at once. A bubble floats one app over whatever you are doing.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 (build CP3A.260905.009), in Dark mode. We opened Settings and Clock side by side, and Chrome in a bubble, then closed both.

Good to know

Take a screenshot of what you see: how to take a screenshot on a Pixel.

In short: Recents, app icon, Split screen, second app. Or hold an app icon, Bubble.