Multitasking is not just a marketing term, it’s a real necessity for the modern smartphone user. When you need to chat in the messenger, watch videos and respond to work emails at the same time, switching between applications becomes tedious. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS offer a built-in split-screen feature that allows you to run two apps side by side.
In this article, we will discuss how to open 2 windows on Xiaomi, what are the nuances in different versions of the operating system and how to manage running processes. You will learn how to adjust the size of windows, change their order and use additional features to improve productivity.
There are several ways to activate split screens, and they can vary depending on the firmware version. Some methods require customization of gestures, others require the use of a menu of running applications. It is important to understand the difference between standard split screen and floating windows, since these are different functions.
System preparation and compatibility of functions
Before you try to activate split screen mode, make sure your device technically supports this option.Split Screen is built into the Android kernel since version 7.0, but manufacturers often make their own changes to the interface. On Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones, this feature is available by default on most current models.
However, it is worth considering that not all applications work correctly in split mode: Social networks, browsers and office suites are usually perfectly adapted, while some games or specific utilities can be forced to unfold to the full screen. Check for system updates in the Settings menu → The phone, as in the new versions MIUI Algorithms for working with windows are often optimized.
It is also important to understand that the two-window mode consumes more RAM. If your device has less than 4 GB of RAM, the system can automatically unload background applications, which will cause them to restart when switching. For comfortable work, it is recommended to close unused tabs in the browser and heavy games before starting a split screen.
- 📱 Make sure Android is at least 7.0 for stable functionality.
- 💾 Close heavy applications to free up RAM.
- 🔄 Update to the latest available version via the Settings menu.
- 🚫 Check the list of incompatible applications if the feature is not activated.
⚠️ Note: Some global firmware versions may have split screen functionality hidden or unstable with certain regional applications, which may require a region change or update.
Method of activation through the menu of running applications
The most common and versatile method that works on the vast majority of Xiaomi devices is to use the recent task menu, which requires no additional settings and is available immediately after you buy a smartphone.
To start, open the app that should occupy the top of the screen. Then swipe from the bottom up (or press the menu button if three-button navigation is enabled) to call a list of running programs. Find the desired application in the list and click on the icon as two rectangles or squares, usually located in the upper right corner of the application card or under the name.
Once you click, the screen will split into two parts: the top will remain the selected application, and the bottom will open a list of other running programs. Select the second application from the list, and it will occupy the rest of the display. If you do not see the split icon, try to press and hold the application name in the list of recent tasks — in the context menu often appears item "Separate screen".
☑️ Launch algorithm through task menu
It's important to note that the order of applications can be easily changed, because there's a dividing bar between the two windows, and you can click on that, and you can choose to replace the top or bottom app with another one from the list, so you can quickly change the combinations of programs without going to the main menu.
Use of gestures and quick settings
For users who value speed and prefer in-house control, there is a method of activation through the quick settings panel or special gestures, which requires pre-preparedness, but saves a significant amount of time in the future.
In some versions of the shell, a gesture is available: if you run the app and swipe with three fingers from the bottom up, the screen will automatically split, but this feature often requires activation in hidden menus or through the Themes app. A more reliable option is to use the sidebar if it is supported by your model.
You can also use the control panel. Swipe from the top corner of the screen down to open the control center. Find the "Share Split" button (the icon of the two rectangles), after activating it, the system will ask you to select the first application, and then prompt you to choose the second from the list of compatible programs.
Activation path through search: Settings → Advanced settings → Screen splitIf you can't activate the function in the standard way, you can search by settings. Type the phrase "Share partition" or "Split screen" in the search bar of the settings menu. The system will suggest you go to the desired switch or start the setup wizard.
- 🖐️ Try a gesture with three fingers upwards for a quick start.
- ⚙️ Add a split screen widget to your desktop for instant access.
- 🔍 Use search in settings if you can’t find the feature in the menu.
- 📲 Check for the sidebar of tools in the advanced settings.
Secret Code for Engineers
Controlling and changing window sizes
Once you have opened 2 windows on Xiaomi, you have to manage them in a convenient way. The split screen interface provides several tools to customize the content display, you can change the proportions, change the applications in places and close unnecessary tabs.
The central control is the dividing stripe in the middle of the screen, and dragging it up or down, you adjust the size of the active window, so one app can take up two-thirds of the screen, and the other one-third, or they can be split equally 50 by 50, which is especially useful when watching video with parallel correspondence.
To change the location of the applications, click on the dividing bar. In the menu that appears, select the arrows indicating the direction of the swap. The top app will become the bottom, and vice versa. There is also a button to close one of the windows or exit the separation mode completely.
| Action. | Control element | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Change of size | Tug-and-tug central lane | Changing the proportions of windows |
| Replacement of the annex | Pressing the arrow in the middle of the lane | Choosing a new application for the window |
| Exchange of seats | Swap button (two arrows) | The upper and lower windows change places. |
| Closure of the regime | The "X" button or swipe strip to the edge | Exit to full-screen mode of one application |
Remember that when you change the orientation of the device (turn the screen), the proportions of windows can reset or reset depending on the support of landscape mode running applications. Horizontal mode is often the most convenient for working with two windows, as it provides more vertical space for each of them.
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Flexible window size control allows you to adapt the interface to a specific task: more space for video or more space for the messenger keyboard.
Floating windows as an alternative
In addition to the classic split screen, Xiaomi offers a floating Windows mode, which allows you to run applications on top of others in the form of small movable widgets. Unlike a split screen, where the screen is divided strictly in half or in a given proportion, a floating window can be moved to any point on the display.
To activate a floating window, open the recent task menu, click on the app icon, and select the “Floating Window” mode (an icon of a window with arrows or just a separate item on the menu).
This mode is ideal for messengers, calculators, or notes that should always be at hand, but do not require constant focus. You can type text in the main application, periodically looking into the floating chat window. In HyperOS, floating window management has become even smoother and more similar to desktop operating systems.
- 🪟 The floating window can be moved around the entire screen in free movement.
- 📏 The size of the floating window is adjusted independently of other running tasks.
- 📑 You can run multiple floating windows at the same time for maximum multitasking.
- 🔙 Quickly rolling the floating window into the side panel with one touch.
⚠️ Warning: Simultaneously running more than two floating windows or a combination of split screen with floating window can lead to a significant decrease in device performance and rapid battery discharge.
Frequent problems and their solution
Despite the convenience of the feature, users may face various difficulties: sometimes the split-screen button does not appear, or applications behave incorrectly; most often, the problem lies in the limitations of the applications themselves or the cache of the system; some banking applications and secure video services block split-screen work for security reasons.
If the feature stopped working after the upgrade, try clearing the Security system app cache or resetting the launcher settings. It's also worth checking if the Simplified Menu (for older adults) mode is turned on, which often disables complex interface features, including multitasking.
In the case when one of the windows is black or freezes, it is recommended to forcefully close both applications through the settings menu (Settings → Applications → All applications) and restart the device, which will help to clear RAM and start processes again.
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If the app doesn’t support split screen, try running it in floating window mode – this often bypasses developers’ limitations on split screen.
The navigation bar situation deserves special attention. On some models, with the navigation bar turned on (buttons at the bottom), the function may work differently than when controlling gestures. Experiment with the type of navigation in the Settings menu → Additional settings → System navigation to find the most convenient option.