{"id":64778,"date":"2016-08-30T15:36:36","date_gmt":"2016-08-30T14:36:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mobilefun.co.uk\/blog\/?p=64778"},"modified":"2016-08-30T15:36:36","modified_gmt":"2016-08-30T14:36:36","slug":"how-to-use-freeform-window-mode-on-android-nougat-no-root-required","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mobilefun.co.uk\/blog\/2016\/08\/how-to-use-freeform-window-mode-on-android-nougat-no-root-required\/","title":{"rendered":"How to use freeform window mode on Android Nougat, no root required"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ap_resize\"<\/p>\n

Android 7.0 Nougat adds a useful split-screen mode to Android; the first time we’ve seen proper multitasking outside of custom ROMs and some Samsung phones. However, it stops short of providing a desktop-level experience, with floating resizeable windows and all that jazz. However, it is possible to enable a hidden Freeform mode first spotted in the developer previews — and this time, you won’t need to have a rooted device or adb to make it happen. Here’s how to do it.<\/p>\n

1. Enable Developer Options<\/h3>\n

Go to Settings -> About phone -> Build number -> tap on it like crazy<\/p>\n

2. Force activities to be resizeable<\/h3>\n

Settings -> Developer options. ‘Force activities to be resizable’ should be at the bottom of the list; enable it.<\/p>\n

3. Reboot your device<\/h3>\n

You’ll need to reboot your device next. While your phone or tablet is rebooting, you could stretch or walk around the room. Ah, doesn’t that feel better?<\/p>\n

4. Install Taskbar from Google Play<\/h3>\n

It’s free, highly rated and key to getting this to work. Here’s a link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

5. Enable freeform window support<\/h3>\n

Turn on ‘freeform window support’ in the app settings, then hit the toggle at the top of the app to enable Taskbar. There should now be a floating drawer icon in the bottom left of the screen.<\/p>\n

6. Clear your recent apps<\/h3>\n

To make everything work in the new mode, you’ll need to clear your recent apps. Do so by pressing your multi-tasking button and then swiping them away (or pressing the clear all button, if you have one).<\/p>\n

7. Start launching apps<\/h3>\n

Now, open the multi-tasking screen again, and tap the Taskbar app drawer icon. You should see a list of your apps; tap on any one of them to open them in Freeform mode. After that, you’ll be able to move them around your screen, resize them and so forth.<\/p>\n

Here’s how it looks once it’s working.<\/p>\n