- ColorOS allows you to open compatible apps from the Smart Sidebar or the recent apps menu.
- Floating windows allow you to interact with a complete application; PiP is primarily intended for videos, browsing, and video calls.
- Compatibility depends on each application, model, and version of ColorOS.
- WhatsApp primarily uses PiP to keep video calls visible.
Constantly switching between apps can be inconvenient when you need to check information, reply to messages, or control playback without interrupting what you're doing. floating windows in ColorOS They solve this problem by allowing certain applications to be opened in a box that remains above the main content.
This feature transforms your phone's screen into a more flexible workspace. You can check a conversation while browsing, use the calculator on a document, or temporarily minimize an app without closing it. However, it shouldn't be confused with the mode Picture-in-Picture (PiP)since each system has a different purpose.
What are ColorOS floating windows?
Floating windows allow you to run a compatible application within a movable and, in some cases, resizable window. Unlike split-screen mode, you don't need to divide the entire panel between two applications: the secondary window sits on top of the main application and can be moved freely.
ColorOS may also refer to this feature Flexible window o Flexible WindowDepending on the system version and language settings, its availability and controls may vary between OPPO models, especially between phones, foldables, and tablets.
Among its most practical uses are:
- Reply to messages without leaving a game or website.
- Check a note, email, or calculator while working with another application.
- Drag and drop specific content between compatible applications.
- Minimize a task temporarily to recover it later.
- Keep tools accessible from the Smart Sidebar.
Not all apps support this mode. Some can only be opened in full screen or split screen due to technical, security, or developer-imposed restrictions.
How to enable floating windows in ColorOS
One of the quickest ways to open a floating application is to use the Smart sidebarTo activate it, look for this option within Settings > Special featuresThe path may vary slightly depending on the ColorOS version.
Once enabled, a small translucent tab will appear on one side of the screen. Slide it to the center to show the available shortcuts and tap a compatible app. On some models, simply tap its icon, while on others you'll need to drag it from the bar to the center of the screen.
You can also use the recent apps menu:
- Open the application you want to use.
- Enter the view of recent applications.
- Tap the three dots or the menu located above the application card.
- Select Floating window o Flexible window.
If the option does not appear, the application is probably not compatible or the manufacturer has disabled it for that specific model.
How to move, resize, and minimize a window
When the application appears in floating mode, you can move it by dragging the bar located at the topThis way, you can place it where it will be least obtrusive or move it closer to the area of the screen you are working on.
In compatible applications, you can also resize the device by dragging a corner or one of its edges. The available controls typically allow you to perform these actions:
- Enlarge: returns the application to full screen mode.
- Minimize: It reduces the window to a tab or bubble located on one side.
- Close: The floating window ends.
- Move: It allows you to place it in another area of the screen.
Some versions of ColorOS allow you to minimize multiple windows and restore them later from the side. However, the number of simultaneous applications depends on available memory, the device model, and the installed version.
Differences between floating windows, split screen, and picture-in-picture
Although all three functions allow you to perform several tasks, they do not work in the same way.
- Floating window: It opens an interactive application on top of another and allows you to move it or change its size.
- Split screen: It splits the screen between two applications that remain visible simultaneously.
- Picture-in-Picture: It reduces a video, video call, or browsing activity to a small window anchored on top of other applications.
Picture-in-Picture (PiP) has been part of Android since Android 8.0 and is primarily intended for multimedia playback, video calls, and navigation applications. It is not the origin of all floating windows, nor does it allow you to use any application within a frame.
For example, you can continue watching a compatible video while replying to a message or keep a navigation path visible while using another app. The picture-in-picture window can usually be moved, temporarily resized, or closed, but it offers fewer controls than a ColorOS flexible window.
How to enable Picture-in-Picture on Android
The Picture-in-Picture permission is managed individually for each application. On most current mobile devices, you can find it by following a path similar to this:
- Open Settings.
- Enter Applications.
- Select Special application access.
- Press Picture in picture.
- Select an app and activate Allow Picture-in-Picture.
You can also press and hold an app icon to enter Application Information and look for the permission within its special options. The exact names vary depending on the manufacturer.
Enabling the permission alone does not guarantee that Picture-in-Picture (PiP) will work. The application must implement this feature and may impose additional requirements, such as a subscription, a specific account, or playback of a compatible content type.
How to use WhatsApp in a floating window
In WhatsApp, the clearest use of PiP mode occurs during the video callsIf the permission is enabled, you can exit the application while the call continues and keep the contact's image within a small overlay window.
To check permission, press and hold the WhatsApp icon, then go to Application Information and search Picture in pictureIf you disable it, video calls will not remain visible in this window after leaving WhatsApp.
The app can also play certain video links without leaving the conversation, but this behavior isn't guaranteed for all providers. It depends on the type of link, the version of WhatsApp, and changes made by platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram.
Don't confuse this integrated playback with ColorOS's flexible windows. If your phone allows it, you can open WhatsApp itself as a floating app from the Smart Sidebar or the recent apps menu, regardless of whether the video call's Picture-in-Picture mode is enabled.
External applications such as overlays and their limitations
If your mobile phone doesn't include an advanced floating window system, there are apps like OverlaysThis tool works as an overlay launcher and allows you to display widgets, shortcuts, web pages, media controls, notes, or notification history on top of other applications.
However, Overlays It does not turn any installed application into a desktop window.Its own description clarifies that it does not support a free window mode for actual applications. What it provides are mini-tools and content specifically designed to function as overlays.
These applications require permission Show over other appsBefore granting permission, it's advisable to check who is developing the tool and what other permissions it requests, as an overlay can view or cover information displayed on the screen.
They can also consume more battery if they remain active in the background. On some phones, you'll need to allow them to run automatically or temporarily exclude them from battery optimization to prevent the system from closing them.
What to do if floating windows aren't working
If the option does not appear or the window keeps closing, check these points:
- Update ColorOS and the app: An older version may not include the feature or may have compatibility issues.
- Try another app: Not all of them support floating windows, split screen, or Picture-in-Picture.
- Check out the Smart Sidebar: Check that it is activated and that the application appears among your shortcuts.
- Check the permissions: PiP and external applications require different authorizations.
- Turn off power saving: Battery restrictions may close windows that remain in the background.
- Restart your phone: It can resolve temporary system interface failures.
ColorOS's floating windows are especially useful for quick queries without interrupting your main task. Picture-in-Picture mode complements this experience with videos, browsing, and video calls, while split-screen is more suitable when you need to continuously interact with two applications.
The key is to use each mode for its intended purpose and remember that compatibility depends on both the operating system and each application. With proper configuration, your mobile device can offer a multitasking experience much closer to that of a computer without unnecessarily cluttering the screen.
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