Are you used to sharing screen on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, but suddenly you find that the option has disappeared from the menu? or has the feature never worked on your model, although the specifications should be supported? This problem is more common than it seems — especially after MIUI updates, resets or on budget devices with disabilities.
In this article, we will discuss all possible causes of the disappearance of the function - from banal (disabled setting) to technical (limited firmware). You will learn how to return a split screen through hidden menus, bypass manufacturer restrictions, and even use alternative multitasking methods if the standard method is not available. 4X, Mi A1) We provide special instructions taking into account the features of their firmware.
Before you jump to solutions, check two things: 1 Make sure your model technically supports split screen (the list of incompatible devices is in the table below). 2 Update MIUI to the latest version: in some cases, the feature returns after an update.
1.Why did the “Share the Screen” feature on Xiaomi disappear?
There are several reasons, and they depend on the version of MIUI, the smartphone model, and even the firmware region.
- 📱 Restriction on budget models: The manufacturer intentionally disables the feature on devices with low RAM (for example, Redmi). 9A 2GB of memory).
Fun fact: on some models (Mi 11, POCO F3), split screen only works in horizontal orientation. If you try to activate it vertically, it won't work.
2. How to enable split screen through standard settings
Before looking for workarounds, make sure the function is simply disabled in the settings. Depending on the version of MIUI, the path to the option may differ:
For MIUI 12/13/14:
- Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
- Go to the System Settings section → Split screen.
- Activate the switch Enable the split screen.
For MIUI 11 and older:
- Go to Settings → Additional → Split screen.
- Turn on the function and select the activation method (by gesture or through the notification panel).
If the option is not on the menu, try an alternative method:
- Open any app (like YouTube or Chrome).
- Click on the “Recent” button (square in the bottom navigation bar).
- Hold your finger on the app icon at the top of the card and select Split screen.
Update. MIUI last-minute|Check free memory (minimum 1 GB)|Turn off the power saving mode|Reboot your smartphone-->
3. Hidden settings: how to return the function through the "Laboratory" MIUI»
If the standard method didn't work, try turning on the split screen through the hidden system settings, which works on most models, but you need to be careful:
Step 1: Activate Developer Mode:
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- Click 7 times on MIUI until you become a developer!
Step 2: Turn on MIUI Lab:
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Find the MIUI Lab option and activate it.
- In the menu that opens, find the Split screen and turn on the function.
What if there is no MIUI Lab?
Attention! Change of settings in the MIUI Lab can lead to unstable operation of the system. If after activation of the split screen there are lags or errors, reset the settings of this partition or turn off the laboratory completely.
4. ADB-commands for compulsory inclusion of the function
If none of the previous methods worked, you can try to turn on a split screen via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for advanced users and requires connecting a smartphone to a computer.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
- 📱 Included Developer Mode and Debugging by USB smartphone.
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
Instructions:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
- Execute the command to enable split screen: adb shell settings put global multi_window_mode 1
- Reboot your smartphone.
Important: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) will need to activate the feature in the display settings after this command.
adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.MiuiMultiWindowSettings
This command directly opens the split screen settings menu (does not work on all firmware).-->
5. Alternative ways to multitask on Xiaomi
If you can't get back a standard split screen, don't despair! There are alternative methods that will allow you to use two apps at once:
| Method | How it works | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floating windows | Applications open in small windows on top of the main screen. | It works on all models and does not require root. | The windows are small and inconvenient to work with text. |
| The "Split Screen Launcher" app | Third-party software for forced screen splitting. | It supports most applications. | Requires superuser rights on some firmware. |
| Picture in Picture Mode (PiP) | Videos or calls are displayed in a small window. | Built into MIUI, works without settings. | Only for multimedia, not for all applications. |
| Horizontal Mode + Gestures | Screen rotation + swipe to activate separation. | It does not require additional programs. | It doesn't work on all models. |
How to turn on floating windows:
- Open Settings → Special features → Floating windows.
- Activate the function and select the applications that can be opened in the windows.
- Now hold your finger on the app icon in the multitasking menu and choose Open in the floating window.
💡
Floating windows are the most versatile way to multitask on Xiaomi, but they are only suitable for quick actions (for example, correspondence in the messenger over the video).
6 Xiaomi models that don’t have split screens
Some Xiaomi devices do not support split screen at the software level, due to hardware restrictions (low RAM) or manufacturer policies, and here is a list of models that are guaranteed to be missing or error-proof:
- 📵 Redmi 9A, Redmi 8A, Redmi 7A — 2 GB of RAM, function disabled.
- 📵 Redmi Go, Redmi 6A — weak iron, no support.
- 📵 POCO C3, POCO C31 — Budget models without multi-content.
- ⚠️ Mi A1, Mi A2 — Android’s stock function is unstable.
- ⚠️ Redmi Note 5, Redmi Note 6 Pro – requires manual activation via ADB.
If your model is on this list, don’t waste time looking for a standard solution – use alternative methods from the previous section or consider installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
⚠️ Attention! Installing unofficial firmware will void the warranty and may cause the device to blink. Before firmware, back up your data via Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
7. Frequent errors and how to fix them
Even if you've managed to turn on a split screen, you can have problems with it, and here are some of the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:
- 🔳 Screen does not divide when swiping up: Check if the feature is enabled in Settings → System system → Gestures → If you don't have an option, use the button in the notification bar.
- 🔄 Apps don't support mode: Not all programs are optimized for multi-window. Try Chrome, YouTube or Google Maps - they work consistently.
- 📱 The screen is divided only in horizontal mode: on some models (POCO X3 NFC) It only works when you turn the screen.
- ⚡ Strong lags when using: Close background apps through Settings → Annexes → Clean up and disable animation in Settings for Developers.
If the split screen is not working correctly:
- Reboot your smartphone.
- Clear the system cache through Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
- Disable the MIUI Lab if it has been activated.
💡
On models with 3GB of RAM or less, the split screen may not work as well, so it’s better to use floating windows or PiP mode.