How to open two apps on the same screen on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10

Multitasking is not just a buzzword, it’s a real necessity for the modern smartphone user. Xiaomi device owners often wonder how to effectively use the large display space of the Redmi Note 10 model to work with multiple programs at the same time. The split-screen feature allows you to run two applications side by side, which greatly speeds up routine tasks such as texting in a messenger while watching videos or copying text from a browser into notes.

The MIUI shell interface offers several ways to activate this mode, each with its own characteristics. Some methods require minimal action, while others give more flexible control over the size of windows. Understanding all the options available will allow you to customize the workspace exactly as you like, turning your gadget into a powerful tool for productivity.

It's important to note that not all programs support split mode, and app developers may block this feature for security or interface reasons, but for most popular services like social media, browsers, and text editors, the restriction doesn't apply, and you can easily switch between tasks.

Using the latest application menu

The most common and intuitive way to run two apps simultaneously on the Redmi Note 10 is to use the standard menu of running tasks.This method does not require installing additional software and works out of the box on any version of MIUI firmware. First, you need to open the first application you plan to use, such as a browser or YouTube.

When you start the first program, don't close it, but go to the menu of recent apps. Depending on the navigation method you choose, this action is performed by swiping from the bottom up with a delay (gestures) or pressing a special button at the bottom of the screen (classic buttons), you will see cards of all currently open programs, located horizontally or vertically.

Find an app card that should be at the top of the screen. In the upper right corner of this card (or if you press it long, depending on the version of MIUI), an icon that resembles two rectangles or a divided square will appear, clicking on this symbol will instantly roll the application into the upper half of the display.

Then the system will suggest you select a second application from a list of frequently used or a full list of installed programs. Choose the desired program, and it will occupy the bottom of the screen. The boundary between the windows can be moved by changing the proportions of the content display as you wish.

⚠️ Note: If the split screen icon is not on the application card, then this program does not support multi-window mode at the system level.

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For quick switching between split windows and full screen mode, use a swipe on the central dividing strip.

Windows are flexible enough to be able to change the size, close one or deploy it to the full screen, and you can close both apps in one motion if you pull the dividing line to the edge of the screen.

πŸ“Š What kind of navigation you use?
The buttons at the bottom of the screen
Gestures (swipes)
Voice control
I don't care.

Activation through the Quick Action Panel

An alternative method that may seem more convenient to some users is to use a quick action panel, which is especially effective when you need to split the screen quickly without going to the recent task menu, but by default, this feature may be hidden and you will need to activate it in the system settings.

To enable the option, go to the Settings menu, then select Additional Features (or Advanced Settings) section. Find Pair App or Screen Split. You need to activate the switch that allows the split button to be displayed in the notification curtain or in the menu of recent apps.

Once activated, the algorithm changes. Open the first app, then call the control panel (swipe down from the top of the screen). Among the quick access icons (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flashlight), you will find a new icon indicating the split screen.

The good thing about this is that it's always on hand if you're used to using the notification curtain a lot, and it allows you to combine any two programs, even if they're not on your recent task list right now.

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Activating the button in the notification curtain speeds up access to the split mode, but requires pre-configuration in the system menu.

Note that the location of these settings may vary slightly on different versions of the MIUI shell. If you do not find the right item at once, search for the settings by entering the "partition" or "split" request.

Set up hot keys for instant start

For those who appreciate speed and want to minimize the number of touches on the screen, Xiaomi can assign a hot key. This can be a combination of buttons or a long press on a certain area, which allows you to instantly activate the separation mode without unnecessary movements.

From the Settings menu, go to the Additional Features section and select Hot Keys (or Shortcuts). Here you can set the action to press the Menu button long term (third navigation button) or assign a volume key combination. Select the Screen Split action from the list offered.

Now, when you're in any app, pressing the assigned button (like the menu button) for a long time will automatically start splitting mode, splitting the screen in half, and you can select the second app from the list, which is especially convenient when your hands are busy or when you need to quickly capture information.

  • πŸ“± Long-term pressing of the button "Menu" is the most popular option, familiar to many Android users.
  • πŸ”Š Volume button combination – a useful option if the navigation buttons are hidden or used for other purposes.
  • πŸ–±οΈ Stylus use – on some models, it is possible to assign an action to the stylus button, if it is supported.

Using hotkeys is addictive, but after a few days of practice, it becomes a reflex: you stop thinking about how to call the menu, and just do it automatically, saving precious seconds.

⚠️ Warning: Assigning a hotkey to press the Menu button for a long time may conflict with other system features, such as screenshot or Google Assistant call, if they are set up by default.

Features of working with floating windows

In addition to the classic split screen in half, the MIUI shell on the Redmi Note 10 supports floating windows, which allows you to run the application as a small window on top of the main one, which gives even more freedom to control multitasking.

To activate a floating window, open the menu of recent apps, as in a normal split screen. However, instead of clicking on the split icon, click on the app name at the top of the card (or pull the card down, depending on the version).

The app will open in a small window that you can drag your finger to any corner of the screen, which is perfect for viewing the navigator while you're texting or responding to a message without interrupting the movie, and the size of the window is regulated by sipping around corners.

Secrets of Floating Windows Management
You can run up to 9 floating windows at a time, but you can only actively work with one, and hiding the floating window into the sidebar allows you to quickly return to it without closing it at all.

It is important to distinguish between modes: splitting the screen divides the display into two equal (or proportional) parts, blocking the rest of the space, and floating window hovers above the interface, allowing you to interact with the main application fully.

Application compatibility and possible limitations

Not all apps in the Android ecosystem are optimized for split-screen operation, due to the security policies of banking applications or the interfaces of some games and video players, and understanding these limitations will help avoid frustration when trying to run unsupported software.

Most often, problems arise with applications that require constant active focusing, such as high-resolution online games or video calling apps (Zoom, Skype), which can automatically unfold to the full screen when launched, and banks often block this mode to prevent fraudulent programs from recording the screen.

The table below shows the typical behavior of different categories of applications in split-screen mode on the Redmi Note 10:

Category of annexSupport for separationSplit mode behaviourNote
Social networks (VK, Telegram)Complete.Stable workPerfect for chat rooms.
Video players (YouTube, Netflix)PartialIt works, but the video may go out.Requires a Premium for the background
Banking applicationsForbidden.Departure or black screenSecurity lockdown
Games (PUBG, CoD)No.Turning around on the whole screen.Requires full focus

If the application does not start in the second window, the system usually gives a notification that the application may not support split screen, in which case it remains only to use the floating window mode or switch between applications in the standard way.

β˜‘οΈ Compatibility check

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Solving interface problems and failures

Sometimes users experience situations where the split screen function is not working correctly: windows do not open, the interface freezes or applications crash immediately after launch, such problems can be caused by overflow of RAM or software errors of a particular version of MIUI.

The first step in diagnosis should always be to clean up RAM.Close all background apps before starting split mode.The Redmi Note 10 has enough RAM to run comfortably, but heavy applications can consume a lot of resources, causing crashes when trying to run another.

If the problem persists, try updating the problematic app through the Google Play store or GetApps. Developers often release patches that fix compatibility with new versions of Android and manufacturers shells. It is also worth checking for system updates in the Settings β†’ About Phone menu.

  • πŸ”„ Rebooting the device is a universal tool that eliminates temporary software failures and cleans the cache of the system.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Clearing a specific application’s cache can help if the problem is only seen in one program.
  • πŸ”‹ Power saving mode can limit background activity, which sometimes interferes with the proper operation of the split screen.

In rare cases, resetting interface settings or disabling battery optimization for specific applications can help, but these actions require caution and understanding the consequences, as they can affect the autonomy of the device.

⚠️ Note: When applications are frequently dropped in split-screen mode, it is not recommended to reset to factory settings immediately. First, try to remove newly installed programs that may conflict with the system.

Can I change the size of the windows after they open?
Yes, it's possible. There's a dividing bar between two apps that are running, and if you click on it and drag it up or down, you can change the proportions of the content that you display, and one app can have 70 percent of the screen, and the other one can have 30 percent of the screen, which is convenient for reading or looking at the details.
Why does the sound disappear when the second application is turned on?
Android typically only allows you to play sound to one app at a time, and if you run a video in one window and music in another, the system prioritizes the last active action, or it can silence one of them. This is standard operating system behavior, not error.
Does the screen split work horizontally?
Yes, when you rotate the Redmi Note 10 horizontally, the windows split vertically (left and right), which is especially useful for working with documents or tables, where screen width is important, not height.
Does split screen mode affect battery consumption?
Of course, two active applications simultaneously consume more CPU resources and increase the brightness of the backlight (because a large area of the AMOLED matrix is involved). Expect faster battery discharge with active multitasking.