Xiaomi smartphones today have powerful enough processors and large displays to be used effectively not only for entertainment but also for serious work. The split-screen feature is becoming an indispensable tool for those who are used to performing several tasks simultaneously without switching between windows. Owners of devices based on MIUI and HyperOS often look for ways to activate this mode to watch videos in parallel with correspondence or compare products in different browsers.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to activate split-screen mode, from standard gestures to hidden developer settings. You will learn which models support this feature natively, and where you will need to use special scripts or third-party utilities. Understanding these nuances will help you turn your gadget into a real pocket multitasking tool.
It's worth noting that the MIUI shell interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware, but the basic principles of the workspace organization remain the same for the entire ecosystem of the Chinese manufacturer. We'll look at current methods that work on current versions of the software so that you can immediately apply the knowledge in practice.
Standard method through the menu of running applications
The most common and safe way to activate screen splitting on Xiaomi smartphones is to use the recent task menu, which requires no additional software installation and works consistently on most devices released in the past few years.
Once you start the program, don't close it, go to fold it, or just go to the desktop. Now call the menu of running applications by swiping from the bottom up and holding your finger in the center of the screen (or pressing the corresponding navigation button if you have classic buttons on).
In the upper right corner of the app card, you'll see a small icon that looks like a rectangle with a dividing line or just a three-point menu icon. Clicking on this element will open a context menu with additional window management options, and that's where the feature you're looking for is to lock the app to the top of the display.
- 📱 Click on the menu icon on the app card in the list of recent tasks.
- 👆 Select the “Split screen” option from the list that appears.
- 🔍 On the bottom half of the screen, select the second app from the list of frequently used apps or find it through search.
- ↔️ Adjust the size of the windows by dragging the dividing strip with your finger.
Once you select the second program, the screen will automatically split into two functional zones, so you can change the proportions of the two by simply dragging the central boundary up or down, and this allows you to tailor the interface to your specific needs, such as giving more space to a video player or a text editor.
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If the menu icon doesn’t appear on the app card, try swiping down the card itself – on some versions of MIUI, this action also opens up access to split screen mode.
Using the sidebar for quick access
The MIUI shell offers a more modern and convenient way to manage multitasking through what is known as the Sidebar, which allows applications to run in a floating window or split-screen mode literally in one touch without interrupting current activities, especially for users who often turn to messengers or calculators while working in other programs.
To activate this feature, you need to first enable it in the system settings. Go to Settings → Special features → Sidebar and activate the switch. Here you can configure a list of applications that will appear in the Quick Access menu, removing the extra and adding frequently used tools.
Once set up, the panel will appear as a translucent bar on the side of the screen in any compatible application. Swipe will open a list of programs on this bar. If you drag an application from this list to the center of the screen, it will open in split mode. If you let it go closer to the edge, it will start as a floating window.
It is important to understand that not all applications support background or split screen. Some heavy games or specialized software can be forced to unfold to the full screen, ignoring attempts to run them in parallel with other content.
Customization through special features and gestures
For users who are critical to speed, there is an alternative method of activation through feature settings, which allows you to pin the action of the "Share screen" on a certain gesture or button, which greatly speeds up the process of switching between modes of operation.
Some firmware versions offer a feature called “Fast Start in Split Screen” that allows you to run two apps at the same time if you use certain keyboard or gesture combinations. For example, on Xiaomi Pad tablets, a three-finger swipe down often activates this default mode.
If standard methods don’t work, you can try activating the mode through the developer menu, although this is rarely required. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and quickly click 7-10 times on the build number. Once the “You’ve become a developer” notification appears, go back to the main settings and find “Additional” or “Extended settings”.
⚠️ Attention: Including experimental features in the developer menu can lead to unstable system operation. Change the settings only if you understand what they are responsible for.
In the developer menu, you should pay attention to the option “Forced Screen Size Change” that allows you to run in split mode even those applications that do not officially support this feature by the software developer, which can be useful for old or poorly optimized programs.
☑️ Checking the readiness for splitting the screen
Application compatibility and system limitations
Not all programs are equally good at multitasking; app developers may block split-screen options if they believe their product requires full user attention or full interface display, most commonly banking applications, some games, and DRM-protected video streaming services.
If you try to run an incompatible application in split mode, the system can either refuse to execute the command or force the application to the full screen, closing the second window. In some cases, the program interface may be displayed incorrectly, with cropped elements or a displaced layout.
Below is a table showing the typical behavior of different categories of applications when trying to work in split screen on Xiaomi devices:
| Category of annex | Support for separation | Behavioral characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Social networks (Telegram, VK) | Complete. | Stable operation, support for notifications |
| Video players (YouTube, Netflix) | Partial | May require a Premium subscription for background work |
| Banking applications | Limited. | Screenshots and separations are often blocked for security reasons |
| Heavy Games (PUBG, Genshin) | No. | Forced transition to full screen mode |
If the app is behaving strangely in split mode, try updating it through the Google Play store or GetApps. Developers are constantly improving the optimization of their products for new versions of Android and the features of smartphone screens.
Solving Display and Performance Problems
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where split screen is working, but one of the applications constantly crashes or freezes.This is often due to a lack of RAM, especially on models with 4 GB of RAM or less. Android aggressively clears background processes to free up resources for the active window.
To minimize performance problems, it is recommended to close unnecessary tabs in the browser and background applications before starting the split mode, and it is also worth checking whether the power saving mode is turned on, which can limit the operation of background processes and reduce the frequency of the processor.
What to do if the screen is flashing or blackening?
In cases where the interface floats or buttons become unavailable, restarting the interface service can help. You do not need to restart the phone completely - sometimes you just need to switch to Do Not Disturb mode and back, which restarts some UI system processes.
⚠️ Warning: Prolonged operation of two heavy applications at the same time (for example, the navigator and the game) can cause strong heating of the case and accelerated battery discharge.
Alternative solutions and third-party software
If MIUI is not meeting your needs or working on your model for some reason, there are third-party apps from the Google Play store that emulate split-screen functionality. Programs like Split Screen Shortcut or Multi Window for All can force the mode to start where the system blocks it.
The use of third-party software requires special permissions through the ADB-This gives the application the right to control the windows of other programs. Although it is a powerful tool, it can conflict with system gestures and work less stable than the native implementation.
For advanced users with Root rights, there is even greater opportunity to customize multitasking, and Magisk modules allow you to completely rework the logic of how windows work, creating véritable desktops with multiple active applications, but this approach is only suitable for advanced users who understand the risks.
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The native MIUI function is the most stable and energy efficient, and third-party applications should only be used in extreme cases when conventional methods cannot achieve results.
In conclusion, the ability to correctly use the split screen makes Xiaomi smartphone a powerful working tool. Proper configuration and understanding of the limitations of the system will allow you to save time and increase productivity in everyday use of the gadget.