Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to use multiple apps at once. The Redmi Note 8 Pro features a powerful enough Helio G90T processor and a large display, making it an ideal candidate for multitasking. However, by default, the split-screen feature may be hidden or not obvious to newcomers to the MIUI shell.
Activating split-screen mode allows you to watch videos in the messenger or chat without closing the main application. This significantly increases the productivity of the gadget. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to activate this feature, including hidden settings and the use of gestures.
Not all apps support correct display in a smaller window. Android system restrictions can block some banking or split-mode games from running, but for most popular services such as browsers, YouTube and social networks, this mode works consistently and smoothly.
System preparation and compatibility check
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your smartphone operating system is updated to the current version. Xiaomi developers are constantly improving the algorithms of memory in MIUI, and older versions of firmware may contain errors that prevent the correct start of two windows. Check for updates in the About Phone settings section.
It is also important to understand that split-screen mode requires certain RAM resources. If you have many background processes open, the system can automatically close one of the windows to maintain performance, it is recommended to close unused browser tabs and heavy games before starting multitasking mode.
Some applications may not have horizontal orientation or responsive interface support, and in such cases, when you try to split the screen, you might see a message of incompatibility, which is normal system behavior, protecting the user experience from incorrect display of interface elements.
💡
Before activating the two-window mode, close heavy games, as they can be forced to close the system if there is a lack of free RAM.
Make sure the display settings are optimal for your experience. While the Redmi Note 8 Pro supports high resolution, split-screen mode can sometimes make it more useful to switch to standard settings for better readability in smaller windows.
Activate through the menu of recent apps
The most common and quick way to run two apps simultaneously on Xiaomi is to use the task menu, which requires no deep immersion in settings and is available immediately after unpacking the smartphone. MIUI is intuitive, but has its own features depending on the version of the shell.
To start, open the first app you plan to use. Then fold it and run the second. Now you need to go to the running process management menu. Depending on the type of navigation you choose (buttons or gestures), the action may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same.
- 📱 Press the Menu button (square) or swipe bottom-up with a delay if gestures are enabled.
- 👆 In the list of open applications, find the desired program and click on the icon at the top of the card (or hold your finger on the card in older versions). MIUI).
- 🔲 In the context menu that appears, select “Share screen” (an icon with two rectangles).
- 📲 After that, the screen will split in half, and at the bottom there will be a list of frequently used applications for selecting the second window.
If you don't see the split screen icon, it may be hidden in the optional menu. In some versions of MIUI, you need to click on three dots or the pencil icon in the corner of the app card to see the full list of actions, so that you don't overload the interface with unnecessary elements.
☑️ Checking for split-screen activation
Use of floating windows and side panel
An alternative to the classic split screen is the floating windows feature, which allows you to run an application in a small window on top of the main interface, which is especially convenient for watching videos on YouTube or VK while chatting on Telegram or WhatsApp.
To activate this feature, you need to turn on the Sidebar, which is a special widget that hangs on the edge of the screen and contains shortcuts of frequently used programs. Call the panel by swiping your finger from the edge of the screen, and drag the desired application to the center of the display.
You can move the floating window freely around the screen, resize it, fold it into a narrow strip or unfold it to the full screen, and control it through special markers around the edges of the window, which gives you much more flexibility than a static splitting of the screen in half.
Sidebar secrets
It is worth considering that the simultaneous operation of several floating windows can lead to increased battery consumption. the Redmi Note 8 Pro processor copes with the load, but the background activity of two or more applications requires energy.
Customization of gestures and navigation buttons
Multitasking is directly dependent on the type of navigation you choose. MIUI has two main options: classic on-screen buttons and gesture control. Switching between them is done in the Settings menu → Additional settings → Full-screen mode.
When using navigation buttons, access to the menu of recent apps is done by pressing a square button, a common and reliable method that eliminates random swipes, but the buttons occupy a useful screen area, which may be critical for some users.
Using gestures frees up the entire display for content. A swipe from bottom to top delays opens the task menu. In this mode, split-screen activation often requires more precise tapping of the icon above the application card, since the fieldclick is smaller.
| Parameter | Navigation buttons | Gesture management |
|---|---|---|
| Access to the task menu | Pressing the "Square" button | Swipe bottom up with a delay |
| Screen area | Busy with a button stripe | 100% usable area |
| Speed of access | High (one action) | Medium (requires habits) |
| Compatibility | Complete. | Full (depending on the MIUI version) |
Choosing the type of navigation is a matter of taste, but for frequent split-screen work, many users find the button mode more convenient because of the clear tactile or visual fixation of the action. Try both to determine the most suitable for you.
Decision and possible errors
During the setup process, users may encounter a situation where the app does not open in the second window or closes immediately, most often due to battery optimization. Android aggressively closes the background processes to save energy, which can interrupt split screen operation.
To fix this, you need to go to the settings of a particular application, find the right one in the list of programs, go to Battery and select No Limits mode, which will prevent the system from forcibly closing the application, even if it is running in the background or in a split window.
⚠️ Warning: Setting No Limits mode for a large number of applications can result in noticeably faster battery discharge throughout the day. Use this setting only for those programs you really need in the background.
Another common problem is the incorrect orientation of the screen. If one of the applications is locked in portrait mode and the other requires landscape, there may be display conflicts, in which case it is recommended to turn the screen autorotate in the notification curtain.
💡
The main reason for closing the second window is aggressive energy saving, switching the battery mode to "No restrictions" for specific applications solves 90% of departure problems.
If splitting the screen is not working properly after updating the firmware, try clearing the cache of the system application "Security" or reset the interface settings. Sometimes temporary files can cause conflicts in the operation of the system functions of MIUI.
Hidden opportunities and expert advice
Few people know that even more than two windows can be run on the Redmi Note 8 Pro using a combination of split-screen and floating windows. First activate the standard two-part split, then call the sidebar and drag the third app as a floating window on top of the split-screen.
This three-in-one mode requires significant resources, but on the Helio G90T processor it works quite well for light tasks such as a calculator, notes or a music player. However, for heavy games or video editing, this method will not work due to the possible drop in frame rates.
- 🚀 Use split screen mode to copy text: Open source and receiver of text nearby to quickly transfer data.
- 🎮 Some games support running in a floating window, allowing you to respond to messages without leaving the gameplay (requires Game Turbo activation).
- 📝 The Notes app is ideal for use in the second window, allowing you to record while watching video lectures or instructions.
⚠️ Warning: Running three or more active windows at the same time can overheat the body of the smartphone.
Experiment with window sizes. You can move the boundary between applications by changing the proportions of the display, for example, you can leave a narrow strip for the messenger, giving the bulk of the screen to the browser or document.