Xiaomi Screen Split: How to Turn on Multi-Window in 30 Seconds

Multitasking on Xiaomi smartphones is made even more convenient by the split screen feature (Split Screen), which allows you to work with two applications simultaneously - for example, chat in the messenger and watch videos, or copy text from the browser into notes. However, many users of Redmi, POCO or Black Shark face the problem of where to find this option in MIUI 12/13/14 and why it sometimes disappears from the menu.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to enable a split screen on Xiaomi devices, from the standard gesture to hidden settings for older versions of firmware. You’ll learn which models support the feature, how to activate it on MIUIs of different generations, and what to do if the split screen button doesn’t appear. And a unique life hack for devices without official multi-window support that works even on the budget Redmi 9A and POCO M3.

What is Screen Sharing and Why You Need It

Split Screen (or "multi-window") allows you to divide the display of a smartphone into two independent areas, each of which runs a separate application. This is not the same as floating windows (which in MIUI are called Mini-applications), where one window is superimposed on top of the other. When split screen, both applications occupy a fixed half of the display and can be used in parallel.

The main advantages of the function:

• 📱 Multitasking without switching: copy text from the browser directly to the messenger without closing any of the applications.
• 🎥 Easy viewing of content: watch videos on YouTube and read comments on Telegram at the same time.
• 📊 Work with documents: compare tables in Excel or edit photos in Lightroom with referencias from the gallery.
• 🎮 Game mode: on some Black Shark models, you can run the game and chat Discord simultaneously.

It is important to understand that not all apps support split-screen work, such as Instagram and some banking programs may block this mode for security reasons, and on devices with a small screen (less than 5.5 inches), the feature may be disabled by the manufacturer.

What Xiaomi smartphones support screen splitting

Split Screen is officially available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI 9 and later.

If your model didn’t make it to the table, check the MIUI version in the Settings → About Phone menu.

• 📱 Update to MIUI 12 or newer (on MIUI 11 and older may be bugs).
• 🔄 Active Multi-window option in settings (see next section).
• 🛠️ Lack of custom firmware (for example, LineageOS may not support the function).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G for the Russian market), the split screen function can be disabled by default due to local restrictions, in which case, resetting or manual activation through the developer settings will help.

Method 1: Standard gesture activation (MIUI 12-14)

The fastest way to activate Split Screen is to use a standard gesture, which works on most modern Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 shell and later.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the first app you want to use in a split screen (like YouTube).
2. Click on the recent apps button (square at the bottom of the screen or swipe up gesture with a delay).
3. At the top of the app card, you'll see the "Separate Screen" icon (two rectangles). Click on it.
4. The screen will split into two parts, and in the bottom half, you'll see a menu with other running apps, and you'll pick the second one.

If the Sharing Screen icon does not appear:

• 🔧 Check if the function is enabled in the settings: Settings → Special facilities → System settings → Multi-window.
• 📱 Make sure you use a standard launcher (not a Nova Launcher or other third-party shells).
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes helps with temporary crashes.

Make sure both apps support multi-window

Check the MIUI version (not lower than 12)

Disconnect the energy saving mode

Close all background processes (if the screen is "hanging")

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On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) you can change the proportions of the split screen.

1. Close the dividing line between the windows.
2. Move it up or down to change the ratio (for example, 70/30 instead of 50/50).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with AMOLED-With screens (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro), prolonged use of Split Screen at maximum brightness can cause pixels to burn out, it is recommended to reduce the brightness to 70% or use a dark theme.

Method 2: Enable via settings (for MIUI 11 and older)

If the gesture doesn’t work or you’re using an older version of MIUI, you can activate splitting the screen through the settings menu, which is suitable for devices like the Redmi Note 8 Pro or POCO X3 NFC, where the feature is hidden by default.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings and go to Special Opportunities.
2. Select System Settings (on some firmwares, the item may be called Additional).
3. Find the Multi-Window or Screen Split option and turn on the slider.
4. Return to the recent apps and check for the split icon.

If the multi-window item is not on the menu:

• 🔍 Try to find it through the search by settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen).
• 🛠️ Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI In About Phone, then check the Developer section. → Multi-window.
• 📲 Update the firmware to the latest version – in old builds MIUI 10 The function may not be available.

On some devices (such as Black Shark 4), the feature may conflict with Shark Space's game mode.

1. Open the settings → Game mode.
2. Turn off the optimization option for games.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

Method 3: Split the screen through the "Recent" button (alternative method)

If the standard gesture doesn’t work, try an alternative way by long-pressing the recent apps button, which is especially useful for devices with MIUI 13, where the split icon sometimes disappears.

How to do this:

1. Start the first app (like Chrome).
2. Press and hold the Recent (square) button for 1-2 seconds.
3. The screen will split in half, and at the bottom there will be a list of applications to select the second.

If nothing happens,

• 🔧 Check if navigation gestures are disabled in Settings → Display. → Navigation panel.
• 🖱️ On certain devices (e.g, POCO F4 GT) You need to use a physical button, not a swipe.
• 🔄 Try another launcher (for example, install a standard one). MIUI Launcher instead of Launcher POCO Launcher).

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If splitting the screen is unstable, try turning off the window animation option in the developer settings, which will speed up the switch between applications and reduce the number of bugs.

On Xiaomi tablets (such as the Xiaomi Pad 5/6), splitting the screen works differently:

• 🖥️ Press the app icon into the dock panel and drag it to the edge of the screen.
• 🔄 In horizontal orientation, you can divide the screen into 3 parts (only on the screen). MIUI 14).

Method 4: Split screen on devices without official support

If your smartphone (like the Redmi 9A or POCO M3) doesn’t support Split Screen at the firmware level, you can use workarounds, one of which is the Freeform Mode, which is on Android 7.0+ but hidden in MIUI.

Instructions for activation:

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the Freeform Mode option and turn it on.
4. Now in Recent Apps, press the app icon and select Open in the window.

Another option is to use third-party applications:

• 📱 Split Screen Launcher (available on Google Play) – creates shortcuts to run apps in split mode.
• 🛠️ Taskbar – adds taskbar, like on PC, with support for multi-windows.
• 🔧 Island (formerly OAndBackupX) – allows you to clone applications and run them in separate windows.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party split-screen utilities, turn off battery optimization for these apps in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Battery optimization. Otherwise, the function may not work smoothly.

For root users, there is a more radical way to edit the build.prop file. Add a line:

ro.miui.has_split_screen=true

After saving, restart the device. Careful: improper editing of system files can lead to bootloop (locked on smartphone).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you've enabled split screen correctly, there can be some failures, and let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.

If none of the methods helped, try resetting to factory settings:

1. Create a backup of data in Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Reset (do not delete files on the memory card!).

After reset, Split Screen should work. If the problem persists, it may be a hardware feature of your model (for example, on the Redmi Go or POCO C31, the function is not supported due to weak iron).

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On devices with 3GB of RAM or less (e.g. Redmi 8A), splitting can be unstable due to a lack of resources, in which case it is recommended to close all background processes before activating multi-windows.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions