Multi-window is, without a doubt, one of Android 7.0 Nougat's biggest feature additions. Samsung pioneered the idea a few years back, but it's finally on Google's version of Android. Just like with numerous other OEMs' implementations, many apps, such as Pokémon GO, are restricted from launching into Nougat's multi-window; however, Google has added an option to enable any app to do so in Developer Options, which can be found in the Settings menu.

People have been able to add unsupported apps to Samsung and LG's implementations of multi-window for a while, but root access and/or a custom recovery was necessary. With Google's version, you don't need to modify your software or void your warranty.

Disclaimer: Android Police isn't responsible for any harm to your device - proceed at your own risk.

But if we're being honest here, even the most severe issues caused by this will probably be able to be fixed with a reboot.

Prerequisites

Obviously, you'll need a phone with Android 7.0 Nougat. You don't need to be rooted, although you can still do this if you are. It's currently unclear if the option exists/will exist on skinned versions of Nougat (for now, only the LG UX 5.0+-equipped V20 is out), but we'll update this article when we find out. Update: the option is available on the V20.

The Steps

If you try to multi-window with an unsupported app before following this guide's steps, you'll get this message.

screenshot_20160918-174806

  • If you don't already have Developer Options enabled, go to your Settings, scroll all the way to the bottom, open "About phone", scroll all the way down to "Build number", and tap "Build number" seven times. Once you do this, you should get a toast message saying, "You are now a developer!" Then, press the back button and return to the main Settings menu.
  • Open Developer Options and scroll all the way down.
  • See the "Force activities to be resizable" toggle? Click that.
  • Reboot.
  • When you finish rebooting, your phone will allow any app to be used with multi-window.

1: tap "Build number" 7 times. 2: A wild Developer Options has appeared. 3 & 4: toggle "Force activities to be resizable".

Here are some screenshots:

A couple of notes:

  • Pokémon GO will work, but if you're rooted, you might want to check this guide out to be able to play.
  • If you're using multi-window with your phone in portrait mode, some apps may default to a tablet mode as a result of the ratio change.
  • Netflix will launch in this mode, but as soon as you try to interact with the other app, your video will pause.
    • tl;dr: Netflix doesn't work.
  • Clash of Clans has a similar issue to Netflix's, so I wouldn't recommend trying to use it either.

Via: reddit (/u/yooman)