Multitasking is one of the key features that makes a modern smartphone a powerful tool for work and entertainment. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often look for a way to run two applications at the same time, for example, to chat in the messenger and watch videos, or copy text from one document to another.
Unfortunately, in the latest versions of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, the standard split-screen button is sometimes hidden or not working the way users are used to, which causes confusion, especially for those who have moved from other brands. However, the solution exists, and it is built into the system, just requires the correct activation through special settings or gestures.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to activate split screen mode, learn how to use hidden system capabilities, where to find the right switches in the special features menu, and how to configure window management for maximum comfort. We will also touch on the topic of application compatibility, since not all programs support this format.
Preparation of the device and compatibility check
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your device is technically ready to work in multi-window mode. Most modern Xiaomi smartphones with a screen diagonal of more than 6 inches support this feature at the system level.
The second critical point is that the applications themselves support the function, and not all programs are adapted to run in a smaller window, for example, some games or specific banking applications may be forced to unfold full-screen or may not be able to run in split mode at all.
To check compatibility, you can use the following list of popular applications that are guaranteed to work in split-screen mode on the MIUI shell:
- 📱 Messengers: Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber, Signal.
- 🌐 Browsers: Google Chrome, Yandex.Browser, Opera, Microsoft Edge.
- 📺 Media: YouTube (with restrictions), VLC Player, MX Player.
- 📝 Office: Google Documents, Microsoft Word, Notes.
⚠️ Note: If the app doesn't show correctly in split mode, try updating it through Google Play Market.Developers often add multi-window support in new versions.
It is also worth checking the amount of RAM. For comfortable operation of two "heavy" applications at the same time, it is recommended to have at least 4 GB of RAM. On devices with 2-3 GB of memory, the system can automatically close the background application to free up resources.
Activation through the menu of special features
The most reliable and often the only way to work on new firmware versions is to enable the feature through the feature menu, which forcefully activates the system flag responsible for splitting the screen, making it available in the menu of recent applications.
To activate, go to Settings, then select Advanced Settings (or Additional), find Special Opportunities, and in the tab list that opens, switch to Vision (sometimes called Visibility), and that's where the switch is hidden.
Find the split screen option and activate the slider, and then the system may issue a warning that using this feature may affect the display of some interface elements.
☑️ Verification of activation of the function
Once this option is enabled in the menu of running apps (the “Recent” screen), a new icon should appear next to the name of each application, a symbol of two rectangles separated by a line, and clicking on this icon will divide the screen in half.
If you don't find "Share Screen" in the "Vision" section, try looking for it in the "General" or "Physical" tab. The menu layout may vary slightly depending on MIUI 12, 13, 14 or HyperOS.
Use of gestures and menus of recent apps
Once the function is successfully activated through settings, the window management becomes intuitive. The main method of launching the second application is through the Task Manager. Open the menu of recent applications with a swipe from the bottom up with a delay (if gesture control is enabled) or press the button "Menu".
At the top of the card of each running application, you will see a split icon. Click on it and the screen will split: the current application will occupy the upper or left side, and at the bottom (or right) part will appear a list of other programs to select the second window.
You can adjust the size of the windows, so you can tap the black or gray stripe between the two apps and drag it around by changing the proportions of the screen, so you can make one window big and the other one narrow bar for quick access.
There's also a hidden gesture that doesn't work on all models, but it's worth trying: Open the first app, then swipe from the bottom edge of the screen up and hold your finger in the center of the screen for a second. If the system supports this method, the app will curl up to the top, making room for the second.
| Action. | The result | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Tap to the divider | Change the size of windows | You can make one window 30%, another 70%. |
| Swipe sideways separator | Closing of one of the windows | Depends on the direction of the swipe |
| Long press on the divider | Action menu | Close everything, swap places. |
| Swipe up from the divider | Full screen mode | One app occupies the entire screen |
It is important to note that when using navigation buttons, the logic may differ, and in some cases, you need to press the Menu button (square) to activate the separation mode for the current application.
Setting up floating windows and sidebar
An alternative to classic screen splitting is the use of floating windows and sidebars, a method often more convenient for short-term tasks such as responding to a message or checking a calculator, without having to close the main application.
The sidebar is a narrow bar hidden at the edge of the screen. To activate it, go to Settings → Special. Opportunities → Sidebar. Enable the feature and select the apps that will be available in this menu. Now, swiping from the edge of the screen, you can run the second app as a floating window on top of the first.
⚠️ Warning: Floating windows consume more battery life than normal mode, as they render over the active interface.
The floating window can be moved around the screen, resized, and even folded into a small icon, creating a multitasking effect, allowing you to work with three or more apps at the same time if the screen size allows.
To switch between a split screen and a floating window, it is often enough to simply change the way an application is opened from the sidebar.A short tap opens a floating window, and a long tap can offer a split screen option.
Solving problems and errors of work
Despite the convenience, users often face situations where the function is not working or is not behaving correctly. One common problem is automatically exiting the split mode, which occurs when the system lacks RAM to hold two active processes.
Another problem is that the interface is not displayed correctly, and some applications that are not optimized for horizontal or reduced mode can break the layout, in which cases buttons can become inaccessible and text can run over each other.
What if the screen goes off in split mode?
If the split screen spontaneously closes, try closing other background applications before running a pair of programs.
Also worth mentioning are design conflicts: Some third-party themes downloaded from MIUI Themes store can change system fonts or element sizes, which disrupts the split-screen interface. If you encounter bugs, try switching to a standard theme.
Features of work in HyperOS and new versions of MIUI
With the release of the HyperOS shell, Xiaomi began to introduce new standards for multitasking, bringing them closer to tablet computers, and new versions have the ability to more flexible control windows, including saving pairs of applications.
Now the system can "remember" which two apps you use most often together, and the next time you run one, the system can prompt you to open the bundle in split mode, which is especially true for bundles of Browser + Notes or Maps + Music.
💡
Use the Save Combination feature in the recent task menu (if available in your version) to create a shortcut to instantly run a pair of apps in a split screen.
HyperOS also improves the clipboard between windows, so you can copy text or an image in one window and paste it into another without delay, which has previously worked incorrectly on some models.
However, be prepared for the fact that in pursuit of visual component, developers can change the location of the buttons. In HyperOS, the split screen icon is sometimes hidden in the menu "three dots" in the corner of the application card, rather than immediately displayed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I split the screen into three parts on Xiaomi?
Why is split screen not working on YouTube?
How to get out of split screen mode?
Does splitting the screen affect the speed of the smartphone?
💡
Screen splitting is a powerful productivity tool that turns a smartphone into a mini-computer, allowing you not to switch between tasks, but to perform them in parallel.