Xiaomi Screen Split: How to Open Two Apps at the Same Time

Xiaomi’s split-screen (or multi-window) feature on smartphones allows you to work with two apps simultaneously — for example, chatting in the messenger and watching videos, or copying text from the browser into notes. Despite the obvious benefits, many Redmi, POCO or Mi users do not know how to activate this mode or face errors when using it. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to turn on the multi-window, the nuances for different versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and MIUI 15), and solve typical problems.

It is important to understand that not all applications support split screen mode – this depends on the developer’s policy (for example, some banking programs or games may block the function). Also, on older models with low RAM (2 GB or 3 GB), the multi-window can work unstable. Before you start setting up, make sure that your Xiaomi is updated to the current version of the firmware – this minimizes the risk of failures.

1. Standard method: gesture for splitting the screen

The fastest method of activating a multi-window is using a gesture from the recent app panel. It works on most Xiaomi devices running MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 11.

1. Open the first app (like YouTube).
2. Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger to open the recent apps panel.
3. Click on the app icon at the top of the card and select Split screen (or Multiwindow).
4. Select the second app from the list or the recent panel.

If the option "Share the screen" is not in the menu, it means:

• 🔹 Your model doesn’t support function (relevant for budget devices until 2019).
• 🔹 The function is disabled in the system settings (see the next section).
• 🔹 The application has blocked multi-window work (for example, Netflix or SberBank Online).

2. Enabling multi-window through system settings

If the gesture doesn't work, maybe the function is disabled in the settings to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Screen split (on some firmware, the path may differ: Settings → Additional → Multi-window).
2. Turn on the switch to Allow screen splitting.
3. Optionally, activate Automatic Split so that the system itself offers the mode when you open supported applications.

At MIUI 15 (2026), the path to settings changed:

Settings → Screen → Screen splitting and multitasking

Update the firmware to the latest version

Check free RAM (minimum 1 GB)

Close the background applications

Turn off the power saving mode-->

If the settings do not include the split screen option, then your model does not support it, in which case you can try alternative methods (see section 4).

3. Screen splitting in games and full-screen applications

Many games (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) block the standard multi-window, but there is a workaround:

1. Turn on Developer Mode (go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times in a row).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Force Resize Activities.
3. Reset the device.

Now, if you try to split the screen, the game can be displayed at the top or bottom, but the graphics will deteriorate and the control will become uncomfortable, and there are also possible outages, which is only suitable for experiments.

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If the game doesn’t run in the multi-window, try opening it in the window (swipe down the icon in the recent panel) and then splitting the screen.

4. Alternative methods: third-party applications

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities.

• 🔧 Split Screen Launcher – Creates shortcuts for fast screen splitting.
• 🔧 Multi Window – supports arbitrary window size change.
• 🔧 Island (Sandbox) – allows you to run cloned applications in a multi-window (useful for two accounts in instant messengers).

Warning: Google Play apps may require root rights or ADB-For example, for Split Screen Launcher, you need to execute:

adb shell pm grant com.example.splitscreen android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

5.Sharing screen splitting setup on Xiaomi tablets

On Xiaomi Pad 5/6 and other tablets, the multi-window function is implemented differently - there is a desktop mode with free window placement.

1. Go to Settings → Home screen and select Desktop Mode.
2. Open the first app, then swipe from the right edge of the screen to open the Multitasking panel.
3. Drag the second app to the left or right side of the screen.

On tablets, there are also:

• 🖥️ Change the size of the windows (pull the dividing line).
• 🖥️ Floating windows (hold the app icon in the recent panel).
• 🖥️ Horizontal mode (automatically activated when the device is rotated).

Typical problems and their solutions

If the split screen doesn’t work, check the following points:

• ⚠️ The application does not support multi-window → Try something different (e.g. Chrome instead of Firefox).
• ⚠️ Lack of RAM → Close the background processes through Settings → Annexes → Cleanup.
• ⚠️ Failure after update MIUI → Reset settings through Settings → System system → Resetting settings (without data loss).

If the screen splits but one of the apps doesn’t respond to touch, do:

1. Drag the dividing line up/down to wake up the window.
2. Close and reopen the problem application in the multi-window.

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On devices with AMOLED-Long-term use of multi-windows can lead to uneven wear of the matrix (burn-in.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with MediaTek Helio G-processors (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Multi-window can cause severe overheating. → Battery → Status.

7.Separate screen on Xiaomi TV and Mi Box

On Xiaomi Mi TVs and Mi Box S consoles, the multi-window function is implemented differently - "Picture-in-Picture" (PiP) mode is available here.

1. When watching the video, press the Menu button on the remote.
2. Select PiP Mode and select a second source (e.g. YouTube or YouTube). TV-tuner).

Limitations:

• 📺 Only one PiP window can be used at a time.
• 📺 The window size is fixed (cannot be stretched arbitrarily).
• 📺 Not all apps support PiP (e.g. Netflix blocks feature).

FAQ: Frequent questions about splitting the screen on Xiaomi