Can you use multiple apps at once on lollipop?

[Victory_Hand]

What I am looking to be able to do is use an app like YouTube in a small window that ideally I could move around the screen while I use other apps. Does anyone know if this is possible and if so how can I do it on my nexus 5 or 6?

Note: Ideally I would like to do this without having to root either phone. I have seen something called Halo and X floating window. If the only way to do it is through rooting a device I may also need a link to an idiots guide to rooting ^-^

 

[bkdodger]

Welcome to the forum.. I'm not sure if anything out there yet.. I'd have to check on some of the custom ROMS.. rumors that Google will add such a thing in Android L in future version..

Tap'd by Big 6

 

[Victory_Hand]

Thank you dodger, it would be nice if google put this in as a feature. Would be excellent for nexsus 9 and 6 users with tons of screen space.

 

[bkdodger]

Yup I agree... I've just finally put my first custom ROM on my Nexus 6 and we definitely have the real estate.. I'm going to start searching for any forums threads with such.. Hopefully we get one first before an update..

Tap'd by Big 6

 

[Jonny Kansas]

Welcome to the forum!

Not that it helps you out much if you're already satisfied with your device otherwise, but Samsung's devices have a multi-window feature that allows exactly this type of usage.

I'm actually surprised that a third party developer hasn't figured out a way to give this functionality, but, like bk, I seem to remember seeing something that multi-window was planned as part of a future official android update.

 

[smalltowngirl13]

Hello and welcome to the forum...

You might check out this app - Floating Apps multitasking - Android Apps on Google Play - not sure if it is what you are looking for and it is somewhat limited on apps but the dev is quite active on it...

 

[Jeffrey]

Welcome to the Forum @Victory_Hand

 

[Jonny Kansas]

Hello and welcome to the forum...

You might check out this app - Floating Apps multitasking - Android Apps on Google Play - not sure if it is what you are looking for and it is somewhat limited on apps but the dev is quite active on it...

Shows how much I know. Haha! Thanks stg!

 

[bsweetness]

As others have said, this sadly isn't a feature in stock Android. Samsung is the only OEM that I'm aware that has this functionality in many of their devices. LG has a split screen feature on some devices that allows you to run two apps side by side, but I'm pretty sure only Samsung allows a floating window that can be moved around (along with split screen).

Hello and welcome to the forum...

You might check out this app - Floating Apps multitasking - Android Apps on Google Play - not sure if it is what you are looking for and it is somewhat limited on apps but the dev is quite active on it...

It is quite limited, but that's definitely an app that I hope continues to see development. Being able to run multiple apps simultaneous on the screen is something that I absolutely love about Samsung devices. It would be great to have the same functionality available on virtually any Android device.

 

[Victory_Hand]

Thanks stg. That seems like a quite good app, I tried the lite(free) version just now it seems basic but it does have some good features.

I'm going to keep looking at different alternatives but its not a bad start until something gets put as standard in the android OS.

Thanks all for the help