How to split the screen on Xiaomi: all ways of multi-window mode

Sharing the screen on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature that allows you to work with two apps at the same time. For example, you can watch YouTube videos while chatting in Telegram, or compare prices in different online stores without switching between tabs. Despite the obvious benefits, many MIUI users do not know how to activate this mode correctly or face errors when using it.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available ways to split the screen on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including hidden settings and workarounds for older firmware versions, which models support the “native” function and which will require third-party utilities, and we will also look at typical problems (for example, when one application does not open in multi-window mode) and give recommendations for their elimination.

1.Official method: split screen through MIUI gestures

The easiest method to activate a multi-window is to use standard MIUI gestures. It works on most modern Xiaomi devices (starting with MIUI 10 and later) and does not require the installation of additional applications.

Open the first app you want to pin to half the screen.

1. Swipe your finger from the bottom up the screen and hold your finger in the center for 1-2 seconds to open the recent app menu.
2. Find the app icon (its icon) at the top of the screen and tap it with one finger.
3. In the context menu that appears, select Split Screen (or Split Screen in English firmware).
4. The screen will split into two, and at the bottom will appear a list of newly opened applications. Select the second app for the second half of the screen.

If the split screen icon is not on the menu, it may mean that:

• 📱 Your device does not support the feature (e.g., Redmi budget models) 9A or POCO C31).
• 🔄 The function is disabled in the system settings (see Section 3).
• 📲 Installed custom firmware without multi-window support.

2. Alternative method: split screen through notification panel

On some Xiaomi devices (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or Xiaomi 11T), the multi-window function can be activated through the Quick Settings Panel.

1. Open the first appendix.
2. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
3. Find the split screen icon (two rectangular frames) and click on it.
4. Select the second app from the list of recently opened ones.

If the icon is not in the Quick Settings panel, you can add it:

1. Open the notification panel and click on the icon ⚙️ Edit (pencil).
2. Find the split screen in the list and drag it to the active area.

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On some firmware, the multi-window icon is hidden behind the “More” button (three dots) in the notification panel.

Important: If the screen doesn’t split after clicking on the icon, check if the feature is disabled in the developer settings (see Section 4).

3. Enabling a split screen in the system settings

If the gestures and notification bar don't work, maybe the function is disabled in the settings to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Split screen.
2. Activate the switch Enable the split screen.
3. If necessary, set up Automatic Rotation (useful for horizontal mode).

On some devices, the path may be different:

• 📱 MIUI 12/13: Settings → Additionally. → Split screen.
• 📱 MIUI 14: Settings → Screen. → Split screen.
• 📱 POCO Launcher: Settings → System settings → Multi-window.

Enable the function in the settings

Update MIUI to the latest version

Check for application support

Disable energy saving for the applications used-->

On Xiaomi Mi A1/A2 models (with pure Android), the split screen is enabled via Android One settings: Settings → System → Gestures → Split screen.

4.Shared screen through developer settings

If standard methods don’t work, try activating the feature through the developer’s settings, which is suitable for power users and may require additional manipulation.

First, turn on the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Press 7 times in a row on the MIUI version.
3. Enter a password/pattern lock if required.

Now activate the multi-window:

1. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
2. Find the option Multiwindow or Force resize activities and turn it on.
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Enabling Force resize activities may cause some applications to display incorrectly. If the program interface breaks after activation, return the setting to its original state.

5. Apps that do not support split screen

Not all programs can work in multi-window mode, for example, many games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact) and some messengers (WhatsApp in older versions) block this feature.

• 🔄 Update the app to the latest version via Google Play.
• 📥 Clear the app cache in settings (Settings) → Annexes → [Name of name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔧 Turn off battery optimization for this application (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → [Name of name] → No restrictions).
• 🛠️ Use third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) that support forced multi-windows.

If nothing works, check to see if the app developer has blocked split mode, such as Netflix and Disney+ often limit multi-windows because of content protection.

6. Solving split screen problems

If the screen is split but one of the apps doesn’t respond to touch, “hangs” or displays incorrectly, try the following steps:

1. Restart the app: Close it in the recent menu and reopen it.
2. Swap apps: Pull the dividing line up/down to change their positions.
3. Change the window size: Drag the dividing strip left/right to enlarge the area for one of the applications.
4. Turn off the multi-window and turn it on again: swipe from the dividing line to the edge of the screen to close the mode, then activate it again.

If the split screen is not turned on at all, the reasons may be as follows:

• 📵 Outdated firmware: Update MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔋 Power saving mode: turn it off in Settings → Battery.
• 🔒 Administrator restrictions: check if antivirus or corporate policies block multi-window usage.

⚠️ Attention: on devices with MIUI Global Stable sometimes has a bug where the split screen only works in horizontal orientation. To fix this, turn on Autoturn in the notification bar or restart the phone.

7 Third-party applications for split screen

If your Xiaomi device doesn't support multi-window out of the box, you can use third-party utilities. Here are the proven options:

• 📱 Split Screen Launcher – Adds a multi-window button to the notification panel.

Before installation, check:

1. Compatible with your version of Android and MIUI.
2. User reviews (some apps may contain ads or require root rights).
3. Draw over other apps in settings (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Draw over other apps)

Warning: Using third-party utilities may result in:

• 🔒 Conflicts with embedded functions MIUI.

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Third-party multi-window applications should only be used if standard methods do not work. Always check the permissions the program requests to avoid data leaks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)