How to enable and configure screen splitting on Xiaomi: a complete guide with life hacks

Xiaomi’s split-screen (or multi-window) feature on smartphones allows you to work with two apps simultaneously — for example, chatting in a messenger and watching videos, or copying text from a browser to a document. Despite the obvious benefits, many users do not even know about this feature or face problems when setting it up. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to activate split-screen mode, the nuances of working on different versions of MIUI, and hidden chips that will make multitasking even more convenient.

It’s important to understand that support for the feature depends on the smartphone model and firmware version. For example, on budget devices like Redmi 9A or Poco C31, multi-windows may not be available, while flagships of the Xiaomi 13 or Mix Fold series offer advanced features, including floating windows and gestures for quick switching. We tested the feature on MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 (including global and Chinese builds), so the instructions are relevant for most modern devices of the brand.

If you've tried splitting your screen before, but you've failed, chances are there's one of three reasons why you're not working: a disabled option in your settings, an incompatible app, or an outdated firmware, and then we'll break down each one of those and learn to get around the limitations.

1.What Xiaomi models support split screen?

The multi-window feature is available on most Xiaomi smartphones released after 2018, but with reservations:

• 📱 Flagship Series (Xiaomi) 12/13/14, Mix 4/Fold, Black Shark: Full support including floating windows and gestures.
• 💰 Mid-size segment (Redmi Note) 11/12, Poco X5/F5): Basic functionality (vertical separation only).
• 🔋 Budget models (Redmi) 10A, Poco C50): Often absent or operating with limitations (e.g., system applications only).

To see if your smartphone supports multi-window, check the version of MIUI in Settings → About Phone. The feature is guaranteed to work on MIUI 12 and later, but even on MIUI 11 it can be activated through the Developer Settings (we will talk about this below).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9T s MIUI 12.5) Screen splitting is only available for pre-installed applications such as YouTube, Gallery or Notes. Third-party programs such as Telegram or Chrome may not be supported.

2. How to enable split screen: 3 official ways

There are three standard methods of activating multi-windows, and all of them work without root rights.

Method 1: Through the Quick Settings Panel

The simplest method that works on most devices with MIUI 12-15 is:

1. Open the first app (like YouTube).
2. Swipe your finger from the bottom up the screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
3. Find the Screen Split icon** (two overlapping rectangles) and tap it.
4. The screen will split into two parts. At the bottom, you'll see a list of compatible apps, select the second.

Method 2: By gesture (for MIUI 14/15)

On new versions of firmware, you can use a hidden gesture:

1. Open the first appendix.
2. Hold the “Recent” button** (square in the navigation bar) for 1-2 seconds.
3. The screen will split and you can select the second app from the list.

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If the Screen Sharing icon is missing from the Quick Settings panel, add it manually: swipe down the panel → click Edit → drag the icon to the active zone.

Method 3: Through System Settings

If previous methods have not worked, try to enable the function manually:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Multi-window functions.
2. Activate the "Share Split" switch**.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → Full-screen mode and make sure the “Show in Full-screen” option** is enabled for the right applications.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 Global for Redmi Note 11) Multi-window option can be hidden, in which case it will help to reset the settings to factory or update the software.

3. Secret chips: how to make multi-window more convenient

The basic split-screen feature is just the tip of the iceberg, and there are hidden features on MIUI that will allow you to customize the multi-window to suit yourself:

• 🔄 Quick app switching: In split screen mode, swipe your finger on the dividing line left or right – apps will swap places.
• 📐 Resize windows: Drag the dividing line up/down to enlarge one window at the expense of another. On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13 Pro) the proportions can be fixed (50/50, 60/40 etc.).
• 🚫 Lock random taps: Twice tap the dividing line – it will lock and you won’t be able to accidentally change the size of the windows.
• 🔒 Prohibition for individual applications: C Settings → Annexes → Permits → Multi-windows can be prevented from opening certain programs in split mode (useful for games or banking applications).

Floating Windows is another hidden feature of MIUI, which allows you to open miniature windows on top of the main screen to enable it:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Multi-window features → Floating windows.
2. Activate the switch and select applications that can be opened in floating mode.
3. Now, holding your finger on the app icon in Recents, select Open in a floating window**.

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Floating windows consume more RAM, so on devices with 4-6 GB of RAM (for example, Redmi Note 10) they are better not to use at the same time as heavy applications.

4. Why isn't splitting the screen working? Solving the problems

If the multi-window refuses to turn on, the reasons may be as follows:

Difficult case: If your smartphone has no feature at all (e.g., Redmi) 9A), You can try to cheat the system with the help of ADB-For this purpose:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate USB Debugging in Developer Settings.
2. Enter in command line: adb shell settings put global force_split_screen true
3. Reset the device.

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If the split screen is gone after the MIUI update, try resetting to factory settings (but back up first!).

5.The Best Applications to Work in Multi-Window

Not all programs work properly in split-screen mode, and we tested dozens of apps and compiled a list of those that are guaranteed to support multi-window on Xiaomi:

• 📺 YouTube (enable Settings) → General. → Allow background reproduction).
• 💬 Telegram (works without restrictions, but chats open in a full window).
• 🌐 Chrome or Firefox (you can view two web pages at the same time).
• 📝 Google Docs/Sheets (convenient for working with documents and tables).
• 🎵 Spotify or Yandex Music (playing is not interrupted when switching windows).
• 📊 Trello or Notion (ideal for task planning).

Important: Screenshot-protected apps (such as banking or some messengers) may block multi-window work for security reasons.

The situation is more complicated for games: most of them 3D-games (like) PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty automatically block splitting of the screen. However, some casual games (such as Among Us or Brawl Stars) can work in a multi-window if you turn on Game Turbo mode** in the settings.

6.Alternatives: If the multi-window is not suitable

If standard splitting is uncomfortable or not working, consider alternative ways to multitask:

• 🪟 Floating Apps:** Apps like Floating Apps or Island let you open mini windows on top of any screen. MIUI 12–15.
• 🔄 Quick switching: Use the double-press gesture on the screen (configured in Settings) → Gestures) for instant return to the previous annex.

7. Optimization of performance in multi-window

Splitting the screen loads the processor and RAM, so weak devices (such as the Redmi 8A with 2 GB of RAM) can experience lags.

• ⚡ Close background applications: Clean before activating the multi-window RAM through settings → Annexes → Clean up.
• 🔋 Turn off animation:** In the Developer Settings, set the Windows Animation Scale and the Size of the Switch to animation 0.5x.

On devices with MIUI 15 there is a hidden option “Modular window optimization”**:

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On smartphones with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro), the multiwindow works smoothly even with heavy applications, while on Helio G88 (Redmi Note 12) there may be slowdowns.

FAQ: Frequent questions about splitting the screen on Xiaomi