Multitasking in modern smartphones has reached a whole new level, turning the gadget into a full-fledged working tool. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often underestimate the capabilities of the operating system, unaware that they can simultaneously watch videos, chat in messengers and work with documents. The split screen function (Split Screen) allows you to bring two applications to one display, dividing it into two independent areas.
Activating this mode does not require superuser rights or complex flashing of the device, as it is built into the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS by default. However, the location of the buttons and activation methods can vary significantly depending on the version of Android and the specific model of your smartphone. Intuitive interface sometimes hides important settings that need to be activated manually for comfortable operation.
In this article, we will take a look at all the known ways to run window mode, from standard gestures to hidden developer functions. You will learn not only to run applications, but also to properly adjust their interaction, avoiding typical errors. Proper use of multitasking will significantly increase your productivity and save time on switching between tasks.
System preparation and compatibility check
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure your device is technically ready to multitask. Not all applications are optimized for split-screen operation, and the system can block some programs from running, usually for games and applications with unique orientation that do not support the adaptive interface.
For stable operation of the split screen function, it is recommended to update the operating system to the latest available version. In the Settings menu → About the phone, check for updates for MIUI or HyperOS. Older versions of firmware may contain errors that lead to improper display of windows or spontaneous closure of applications.
⚠️ Note: Some system applications, such as Camera or Recorder, may not support background work when splitting screen due to hardware access restrictions.
It’s also worth checking the amount of free RAM. Screen split mode consumes more RAM resources, so on devices with less than 3 GB of memory, the system can force one of the applications to keep the performance up.
☑️ Checking the device's readiness
Classic Activation Method via Recent Apps Menu
The most common and versatile way to enable split screen is available on all current versions of Xiaomi’s shell. It requires no additional settings and works through a standard menu of running tasks. To start, open an application you plan to use at the top of the screen, such as a browser or YouTube.
When you start the program, don't close it, go to the menu of recent apps. Depending on the type of navigation you choose (three buttons or gestures), this action is performed by swiping from the bottom up with a delay or pressing a square button. In the list that opens, find the card of the running application and click on it to reveal additional options.
In the context menu that appears, select Screen Split (an icon with two rectangles). The screen of the smartphone will split in half, and at the bottom of the list of frequently used programs will appear. Select the second application, and it will occupy the remaining free area of the display.
- 📱 Click on the app icon in the recent task menu to access options.
- 🔲 Select the split screen symbol in the menu that appears.
- 👆 Tap the second application in the list to launch in the bottom window.
- ↔️ Drag the central dividing line to change the proportions of the windows.
And it's important to note that you can change the proportions of windows dynamically, pull the black stripe separator in the middle of the screen to enlarge the area of one of the applications, which is especially useful if you need more space to read text or watch video content vertically.
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For quick switching between windows, use the central button on the dividing line – it changes applications in places or folds one of them into a floating window.
Use of side panel and floating windows
MIUI and HyperOS offer a more advanced multitasking tool, the Sidebar, which allows applications to be run in split-screen or floating window mode in a single click without interrupting current activity. To activate, go to Settings → Special Features → Sidebar and turn on this functionality.
Once turned on, you'll have a transparent bar that you can move around, swipe through to open the app list, and if you drag a program icon from that list to the main screen, the system will suggest you choose the display mode: Split screen or Floating window, which is the fastest way to organize your workspace.
Floating windows are different from classic split screens in that they don't divide the display in half, but overlap over the main application. You can move them, resize them and roll them to the edge of the screen. This is ideal for messengers or calculators that should always be at hand.
| Characteristics | Screen splitting | Floating window |
|---|---|---|
| Area occupied | 50% of the screen (usually) | Miniature window |
| Number of applications | Two at once. | Several (superimposed) |
| Management | Fixed zones | Free movement |
| Perfect for | Text and video work | Messengers and utilities |
Using the sidebar greatly speeds up access to frequently used features, and you can add not only apps, but also specific contacts or tools, such as Notes or Screenshot, and you can customize the list through the menu of the panel itself in the Edit section.
Set up hot keys and gestures
For users who appreciate speed, standard methods may seem too slow. In the deep settings of Xiaomi’s system, the ability to assign hotkeys to instantly trigger split-screen action is hidden, a feature that is especially relevant for those who are constantly working with multiple sources of information.
To activate hidden features, go to Settings → Additional settings → Hotkeys. You can set the screen split to a long press of the home button (if you use three buttons) or a combination of volume buttons. In newer versions of HyperOS, gesture management also allows you to configure swipes for quick access.
If standard settings are not enough, you can use the function "Accelerate games" or third-party launchers, although the latter may work unstable on MIUI. The main focus should be on the regular system tools, as they have the highest priority and do not discharge the battery.
⚠️ Warning: Assigning hotkeys to volume buttons may conflict with audio control features in games or when watching videos, so test settings carefully.
Remember, hotkey activation requires a habit. At first, you can accidentally start split mode when you don't need to, but after a few days of use, muscle memory will pick up new actions, and you won't be able to imagine working without switching quickly.
Secrets of Navigating Gestures
Solving Typical Problems and Errors
Despite the system's fine-tuning, users may encounter various problems when using split-screen mode. Often, the app simply doesn't start in the second window or the screen flashes, most of the time it is due to a particular application's software conflicts rather than a smartphone malfunction.
One common problem is that you can't resize the windows. If the dividing line doesn't move, check the settings of the particular application in Settings → Applications → Application Management. Make sure the program has all the necessary permissions and is not limited in background activity.
Also worth mentioning is the problem with screen orientation: in split-screen mode, many apps are locked in portrait orientation even if autorotation is enabled, a limitation of the Android operating system itself that is difficult to circumvent without root rights. Some video players, however, allow you to force the change of orientation.
- 🔄 Restart the device if the screen split interface is not working properly.
- 🗑️ Clear the problem app's cache through settings.
- 📉 Reduce the number of running background processes for release RAM.
- 📲 Check for updates for the app itself on Google Play.
If none of the methods work, your device may not support full split screen for certain heavy-duty applications due to CPU limitations, in which case the system may automatically block start-up to prevent overheating or freezing.
Optimizing work in multitasking mode
Effective split-screen use requires not only technical knowledge, but also the right workflow organization. Don't try to run two resource-intensive applications at the same time, such as a navigator and a game, it will lead to a drop in performance and a quick battery drain.
The best bundles for productive work include a lightweight messenger and a heavy application (such as Telegram and Word), or a browser and a video player. This combination allows you to minimize the load on the processor, leaving the main resources for an active task. Optimizing energy consumption in this mode also depends on the brightness of the screen and the activity of the network modules.
Use Do Not Disturb mode to keep notifications from one window from overshadowing content in the other. MIUI has Advanced Notification Settings, which allows you to sort them by importance, which helps you keep your focus focused when you work with documents or learn.
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Save frequently used app pairs: After first running two programs in a split screen, the system will suggest saving this combination as a shortcut on the desktop for instant access in the future.
Remember that regular memory cleaning and closing of unused tabs in the browser also has a positive effect on the smoothness of the split screen. The less “junk” accumulates in the system, the faster the switching between windows and the more stable the interface works.