Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have enough power to handle multiple tasks at once, but often users do not know how to activate split-screen mode. This feature allows you to run two applications side by side, occupying the top and bottom of the display, which greatly improves productivity or ease of communication. Owners of devices based on MIUI and HyperOS can use this feature without installing third-party software, since it is built into the system by default.
However, when people talk about “two screens,” they often mean not only splitting the display, but also cloning applications that allow you to have two accounts on the same social network. Split Screen is a native shell feature that works on almost all models, from the Redmi Note 4 to the flagships of the Xiaomi 14 series. Understanding the differences between these modes will help you make the most of the capabilities of your gadget.
Next, we'll go into all the ways you can organize your workspace, learn how to activate a function through a standard menu, what hidden gestures exist for quick switching, and create a shortcut to run two programs instantly, and explore the nuances of working with vertical separation on tablets and large smartphones.
Activation of split screen mode through the task menu
The most common and easiest way to run two apps at once is to use the process menu. First, open the first app that should be at the top of the screen, like the browser or YouTube. Then roll it up by clicking the Home button or swiping from the bottom up to return to your desktop.
Now, run a second app that you plan to put on the bottom, like messenger or notes, and then you go to the window control menu. On classic navigation devices, this is done by pressing the square button at the bottom of the screen. If you have gesture control enabled, swipe from the bottom of the screen upwards and hold your finger in the center until the list of open windows appears.
In the list that opens, find the card of the first application you launched. In the upper right corner of this card (or sometimes in the center at the top, depending on the version of MIUI), a small icon resembling two stripes or rectangles will appear, clicking on this symbol will automatically split the screen in half, leaving the top behind the selected application, and the bottom will prompt you to select from the list of recently used programs.
- 📱 Click on the task menu button (square or swipe with delay).
- 👆 Touch the screen split icon on the first application card.
- 📲 Select the second app from the list or reopen it.
- ↔️ Adjust the size of the windows by dragging the dividing line.
☑️ Verification of compatibility of the regime
Using the sidebar for quick access
For those who prefer speed and convenience, Xiaomi has a special sidebar in its shell, which allows you to run applications in a floating window or split screen mode in just one click without interrupting the current process. To use this method, you must first activate the panel itself in the system settings.
Go to Settings, then select Additional Features (or "Special Features"), find the Sidebar option and activate the switch, and you can set up a list of apps that will be displayed in the Quick Access menu, which is especially useful for commonly used programs like a calculator, voice recorder or instant messengers.
Once activated on the side faces of the screen (left or right, depending on the settings), a translucent marker will appear. Once you swipe from this marker inside the screen, you will open the panel. Select the desired application and drag it to the top or bottom of the display, the system will automatically prompt it to start in split-screen mode.
⚠️ Note: Some applications, especially full-screen games and video players, can block sidebar call. In such cases, try to fold the application or change the orientation of the device.
Importantly, the sidebar works not only to split the screen, but also to run floating windows. If you drag the app away from the edge and let it go in the center, it opens in a small window on top of the current program, which allows you to have essentially three active elements: the main application, the split-screen application and the floating window.
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Adjust the transparency of the sidebar in its settings so that it does not interfere with the viewing in games or when watching videos, but remains accessible by touching the edge.
Creating a shortcut to instantly launch two apps
If you use the same bundle of apps every day, like a navigator and a music player or messenger and browser, it makes sense to create a special shortcut. MIUI has a hidden feature that allows you to save the split-screen state as a separate icon on the desktop.
To implement this method, first run split-screen mode in any convenient way described above. Place the desired applications as you like, and adjust the size of the windows. Then pay attention to the central dividing strip between the two windows. In the middle of this strip is a small round icon or dot.
Click on this central element. In the context menu that appears, select Create shortcut, and the system will generate a new icon on your desktop, and when you click on it, both apps will run simultaneously in a predefined configuration, saving time and eliminating the need to reconfigure windows each time.
| Action. | Interface element | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Launch of the regime | Task menu / Sidebar | The screen is split in two. |
| Window setup | Dividing line | Change in the proportions of the display |
| Conservation | Central point on the divider | A menu with the option "Tag" appears |
| Use of the | Icon on the desktop | Instant launch of a pair of applications |
Cloning apps: a second account on one screen
Often, when users say "two screens," they mean they can use two accounts in the same app, like two WhatsApp or Telegram profiles, Xiaomi has a Dual Apps feature, which creates a full copy of the program with independent data and notifications.
To activate this feature, go to Settings and find the Apps section. In the list of options, select App Cloning. The system will offer a list of supported programs that can be duplicated, usually social networks, instant messengers and some gaming platforms.
Once you turn on the toggler in front of the app, you'll see a copy of it on your desktop with a two-blue yellow circle icon in the corner of the icon, and it works as an independent application, so you can log in from another phone number, receive separate notifications, and set it up autonomously.
Can games be cloned?
Note that cloned applications consume additional RAM resources. If you have many copies installed on your device, this can lead to more frequent uploading of background processes. Regularly check the list of cloned programs and delete those that are no longer in use.
Features of working on tablets and large screens
Owners of Xiaomi Pad tablets and smartphones with large diagonals (Max series or foldable models Fold) have advanced multitasking. On devices with MIUI Pad or HyperOS for tablets, the split screen interface works more flexibly, allowing not only to divide the screen in half, but also to change the proportions of windows arbitrarily.
What's available here is what's called free window mode, so you can start an application, roll it up into a floating window, resize it, and move it to any corner of the screen, and what's more, it allows you to open more than two windows at once, making the tablet a full-fledged workstation.
To control windows on large screens, you use a special taskbar, similar to a computer one, that can be mounted on the side or on the bottom, and dragging icons from this panel directly to the workspace creates new windows instantly, which is especially useful when working with documents, spreadsheets and video conferencing.
⚠️ Note: On foldable smartphones, when the device is decomposed, split-screen mode can be activated automatically. Check the multitasking settings in the Screen section to adjust the system behavior when changing the form factor.
Problem Solving and Hidden Settings
Despite the stability of MIUI, users may experience situations where split-screen mode is not activated or not working properly, most often due to limitations of the applications themselves, some developers block the possibility of working in split mode to protect content or because of an unadapted interface.
If you don’t see a split screen icon in the task menu, try updating the problematic app via Google Play or GetApps. It’s also worth checking if Full Screen App mode is enabled in the display settings, which can force the program to stretch to the full screen while ignoring other windows.
For advanced users, there is the possibility of activating hidden functions through the engineering menu or ADB-And you can use standard tools to try to reset the special settings if the panel is no longer responsive to touch.
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If standard methods don’t work, check for MIUI/HyperOS system updates, as split-screen support often improves with newer firmware versions.
In some cases, cleaning the Security cache or restarting the device in safe mode helps to avoid conflict with third-party launchers. 3D-Games rarely support split screens due to high GPU resource requirements.