How to Open Multiple Windows on Xiaomi: All Ways to Multitask in MIUI

Working with multiple apps simultaneously on Xiaomi smartphones can significantly improve productivity — whether it’s simultaneous video watching and correspondence in messengers or comparing data from different sources. However, not all users know that modern versions of MIUI support several multitasking modes: classic split screen, floating windows and even hidden features for advanced users. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, including nuances for different models, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Xiaomi 14 and gaming Black Shark.

The main problem faced by owners of Xiaomi devices is the lack of obvious activation of these functions. In some firmware, options are hidden in the depths of the settings, and on older versions of MIUI (below 12) multi-windows may not be at all. In addition, performance in split screen mode depends on the amount of RAM: devices with 4 GB of RAM can slow down, we tested all methods on current firmware and collected checklists for quick configuration.

1. Classic split screen: how to divide the screen into two parts

Split screen mode (or split screen) is the most common way to work with two apps at once. It is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 9 and newer, but the activation path may vary depending on the version of the shell.

To turn on the split screen, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Open the first app you want to pin to the top of the screen.
• 👆 Swipe your finger from the bottom up and hold your finger on the screen to open the menu of the latest apps.
• 🔄 Click on the app icon at the top of the card and select Split screen (or Split screen on English firmware).
• 📱 Select the second app from the recent list or from the home screen.

Once activated, you can adjust the boundary between the windows by dragging it up or down. To exit the mode, simply pull the dividing line to the edge of the screen or press the Home button. Note that on some models (for example, the POCO F5), the split screen only works in landscape orientation.

Update MIUI to the latest version

Close unnecessary background applications

Make sure that both apps support the mode.

Check free RAM (minimum 1.5 GB)-->

2.Floating windows: mini-applications on top of the main screen

The floating windows (or "mini windows") feature allows applications to run in small windows on top of the main interface, which is convenient for quick response in instant messengers or viewing notes without switching between tasks. Unlike a split screen, you can open up to 3 floating windows at a time (on devices with 8 GB of RAM and above).

Floating windows can be activated in two ways:

1. Through the menu of recent apps: 📱 Open the app you want to make floating. 👆 Swipe up and hold to open recent tasks. 🔄 Click on the app icon and select the Floating Window.
2. Through settings MIUI: 🔧 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Floating windows. 🔄 Turn on the switch and add apps to the whitelist.

You can change the size of the floating window by pulling corners. To close the window, click on the cross in the top corner or swipe it down. On Xiaomi 13T models and newer floating windows, you can see the content underneath.

3. Hidden Multitasking Features: Gestures and Developer

In addition to standard methods, MIUI has hidden features for advanced users, such as enabling a gesture to quickly split the screen or activating an experimental four-window mode, which require enabling Developer Mode.

To unlock additional options:

1. 🔧 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
2. 👆 Click on the item Version MIUI 7 times until you are notified you have become a developer!.
3. 🔄 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. 🔍 Find options: Enable free window shape (for arbitrary size change) Forced split screen turn on (for incompatible applications)

After activating these parameters, you can:

• 🪟 Change the size of the windows in an arbitrary way (not only) 50/50).
• 🎮 Run some games in floating windows (e.g. Genshin Impact on Black Shark 5).
• 🔄 Quickly switch between windows by triple pressing the "Recent" button".

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If multi-windows start to work unstable after the developer mode is turned on, try disabling the option Do not save actions in the same settings. This often solves the problem of sudden application closures.

4 Multi-windows on Xiaomi tablets: features of MIUI for Pad

On the Xiaomi Pad 6 and Pad 5 tablets, multitasking is different from smartphones, with an extended mode that supports up to four windows at a time and a dedicated dock for quick switching, but the latest version of MIUI for Pad (14.0 and higher) is required to work fully.

Key opportunities:

• 🖥️ Desktop Mode: Imitating Windows-like interface with windows.
• 📄 Paired applications: Automatically open two related programs (e.g. Word) + Excel).
• 🔄 Gestures to control: swipe from the edge to call the dock panel.

To activate the extended mode:

1. 🔧 Go to Settings. → Home screen → Desktop mode.
2. 🔄 Turn on the switch and set up the display of the dock panel.
3. 📱 Drag apps from the dock to the screen to create pairs.

Tablets also have an app cloning mode, which allows you to run two accounts of the same messenger (such as WhatsApp) in different windows, which is useful for working with multiple profiles at the same time.

5 Problems and Solutions: Why the Multi-Screen is Not Working

Even on supported devices, users often encounter errors when trying to open multiple windows.

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Split screen stopped working, try resetting Special Opportunities settings in the Settings menu → System system → Resetting.It often helps to get back functionality without completely resetting the phone.

Problem 1: The split screen option is inactive in recent apps.

• 🔄 Solution: Check if the function is included in Settings → Additionally. → Multi-window. Some firmware has it disabled by default.
• 📱 Alternative: Use gesture: hold the app icon in the recent menu and pull it up or down.

Problem 2: The app does not support multi-windows.

• 🔧 Solution: Enable the option of Forced Split Screen Enablement in Developer Settings (not working for all applications).
• 🔄 Bypass: Use floating windows or clone the app through Settings → Annexes → Cloning of applications.

Problem 3: Multiwindows slow down or close spontaneously.

• 📉 Solution: Close background applications and free RAM. On devices with 4 GB of RAM, it is recommended to leave no more than 2 windows.
• 🔄 Settings: Turn off animation in Developer Settings (Window Animation Scale) → No animation).

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If none of the methods worked, check out the MIUI version: on devices with firmware below 12.0, the multi-windows may be completely absent, in which case only an update through Settings → System Update will help.

6. Alternative methods: third-party applications and ADB

If the built-in MIUI features don’t suit you, you can use third-party solutions, such as the Freeform Window app (requires root rights) allows you to create arbitrary-sized windows, and Split Screen Launcher adds quick shortcuts to split the screen.

For advanced users, the method is available through ADB (Android Debug Bridge):

adb shell settings put global force_resizeable_activities 1


adb shell settings put global enable_freeform_support 1

These commands force free window support for all applications, but can cause system instability. Use them at your own risk!

Another option is the second space in MIUI:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Second space.
• 📱 Create a second profile and run the desired application in it.
• 🔄 Use gesture to quickly switch between spaces (Settings) → Gestures → Switching spaces).

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB-If you have a command or root application, you risk disrupting your system services. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

7. Optimization of performance in multi-window mode

Working with multiple windows at once requires more resources, so it’s important to optimize the system. Here are some tips for smooth multitasking:

• 🔋 Battery charge: In multi-window mode, energy consumption increases by 20-30%. Connect the charger if you plan to work with multiple applications for a long time.
• 📉 RAM: Close all background processes through Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔄 Performance mode: On gaming smartphones (Black Shark, POCO F) Enable Game mode in battery settings to prioritize resources.
• 📶 Mobile data: Turn off automatic application updates in the background (Settings) → The Internet and the Internet → Use of data).

On devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processors (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), you can additionally activate the Performance mode:

1. 🔧 Go to Settings. → Battery → Performance modes.
2. 🔄 Choose Maximum Performance (reduces battery life but speeds up multitasking).

For devices with MediaTek (such as Redmi Note 12), it is helpful to disable MIUI optimization:

• 🔧 In the Developer Settings, find Disable Optimization MIUI.
• 🔄 Reset the device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about multi-windows on Xiaomi