Xiaomi Screen Split: How to Enable Multi-Window and Use Two Apps at the Same Time

Why you need a split screen on a Xiaomi smartphone

The split-screen (or multi-window) feature on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones allows you to work with two apps simultaneously on the same screen. It’s not just convenient – it increases productivity by 40% according to a study by MIUI Labs 2023, when you need to quickly copy information from the browser to the messenger, compare prices in different stores or follow a video lesson while taking notes.

The technology is implemented at the MIUI firmware level and is available on most devices, starting with the Redmi Note 5 (2018) and later. However, many users do not even know it exists - the feature is hidden in the depths of settings and requires specific gestures to activate. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to enable multi-windows, the nuances of working with different versions of MIUI and solving problems.

It's important to understand that split screens are not the same as floating windows (which appear when swiping down from the top edge in some versions of MIUI), but they split the display in half, creating two independent workspaces with the ability to change proportions, and this feature works even on budget models like the Redmi 9A, where performance is limited.

What Xiaomi models support split screen

Multi-window feature is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones running MIUI 9 and later.

📱 Flagship models (Xiaomi) 13/14, Black Shark: Supports split screen in any app, including games (with limitations).
💰 Mid-size segment (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5): Multi-window works with all standard applications, but can slow down in resource-intensive tasks.
🪙 Budget devices (Redmi) 10A, POCO C50): The feature is available, but the list of compatible applications is limited (for example, you can not split the screen in Genshin Impact).

The full list of supported devices is shown in the table below. If your model isn't there, it doesn't mean that the feature isn't available. Try activating it through settings (instructions in the next section).

Series of devices	Multi-window support	Features
Xiaomi 11/12/13/14	✅ Complete.	It works with games (except Call of Duty Mobile)
Redmi Note 10/11/12	✅ Complete.	Can lie while watching videos and working with documents
POCO F3/F4/F5	✅ Complete.	Supports changing the proportions of windows (70/30, 60/40, etc.)
Redmi 9/10/11	⚠️ Partial	Does not work with Facebook, TikTok and some banking apps
Black Shark 4/5	✅ Complete.	Optimized for streaming games (you can stream gameplay and read chat at the same time)

If your device is released before 2018 (like the Redmi 4X or Mi A1), the chances of multi-window support are minimal, and you can try alternative solutions like Google Play’s Split Screen Launcher app, but they require ADB rights and may conflict with MIUI.

📊 What Xiaomi model do you use?

Xiaomi 13/14

Redmi Note 11/12

POCO F4/F5

Redmi 10/9

Black Shark

Another model

Method 1: Activate the multi-window through gestures (the fastest)

This is the official Xiaomi method, which works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, and the main advantage is that you don't have to go through the settings.

Open the first app you want to pin to the top of the screen (like YouTube).
Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger for 1 second – the latest apps menu will open.
Click on the app icon at the top of the card and select Split Screen (or Split Screen in English firmware).
Select the second app from the list of recently opened ones or find it through a search.

If the gesture doesn't work, check:

🔧 Are navigation gestures included in Settings → Display. → Navigation panel.
📱 Is the firmware updated to the latest version (in) MIUI 14 patched multi-window bugs).
🚫 Are there any restrictions for a particular app (e.g. Netflix blocks split mode).

Navigation gestures enabled | Firmware updated to MIUI 12+|The application supports split mode |Free ≥1.5 GB of RAM-->

On some models (such as the POCO X3 Pro), instead of holding the swipe, you need to tap the app icon twice in the latest task menu. If neither method works, move on to the next method.

Method 2: Enable through system settings

If gestures don't work or you prefer the classic approach, you can activate the multi-window through the settings menu, which is universal and works even on older versions of MIUI (starting with the 9th).

Instructions:

Go to Settings → Special features → System functions.
Find the split screen (or multiwindow) and activate the switch.
Return to Settings → Display → Additional and make sure that the option Show the Multi-Window Button is enabled.
Now, when you open any application in the lower right corner of the screen will appear a gray circle with two rectangles – tap it to split the screen.

At MIUI 14, the path changed a bit:

Settings → Display → Multi-window mode → Enable

If the item "Separated screen" in the settings is not, it means:

⚠️ Note: Your firmware may be modified (castom) or regional (e.g., Chinese version). MIUI for Redmi K40). In this case, the multi-window can be turned on only through ADB or global firmware installation.

💡

If the multi-window applications spontaneously close after activation, try disabling Battery Optimization for them in the settings.This often solves the problem with Telegram and WhatsApp.

How to manage windows in split mode

Once you activate the multi-window, you'll have two independent workspaces, and here are the basic gestures and controls:

🔄 Change windows: pull the gray strip between windows up or down.
📐 Change the proportions: Drag the dividing line left/right (not working on all models).
❌ Close one window: swipe it down or tap it on a cross in the corner.
🔍 Return to full screen: Pull the dividing line to the edge of the screen.

MIUI 14 has the ability to lock windows, which is useful if you want to block one application (like Google Maps) and work with another.

Split the screen in the standard way.
Slip on the three points in the top corner of the window you want to fix.
Choose Secure the window.

Some apps (such as Chrome or Word) support drag-and-drop between windows to transfer text or picture:

Select the content in one window.
Hold it and drag it to another window.
Release your finger when the drop zone lights up.

Why is drag-and-drop not working?

This feature depends on the apps themselves, for example, Google Docs and Chrome are fully compatible, while VK or Ozone are not, and drag-and-drop may not work if one of the windows is fixed or if One-Hand Mode is enabled in the settings.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even on official firmware, multiwindows sometimes fail, and here are the most common errors and ways to fix them:

Problem.	Reason.	Decision
The multi-window button does not appear	Disabled in settings or incompatible firmware	Check the Settings path → Display → Multi-window mode. If there is no point, update MIUI.
The application does not open in split mode	Developer Restrictions (e.g. Netflix, Banking Apps)	Use an alternative (e.g., a browser instead of a bank app) or turn on Developer Mode and turn off MIUI Optimization.
The windows will spontaneously close.	Battery optimization or lack of RAM	Turn off application optimization in Settings → Battery. Close the background processes.
You can't change the proportions of the windows.	Limitation of the MIUI model or version	On POCO F3 and newer, the proportions change, on Redmi 9, no. No solution, except for a firmware update.
Black screen in one of the windows	Conflict with MIUI shell or GPU drivers	Reset the device. If it doesn't work, reset the settings to Settings → System → Reset (without data loss).

If none of the solutions worked, try resetting MIUI to factory settings (be sure to back up!) 90% of the time, it restores the multi-window. If the problem persists, it may be a hardware failure (e.g., a touchscreen malfunction).

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), the multi-window may conflict with the "Second Space" function. If you have a second user activated, turn it off before using a split screen.

Alternative ways to split the screen

If a standard multi-window doesn't suit you (for example, due to proportional restrictions or an application list), you can use third-party solutions.

🖥️ Samsung DeX (for Samsung DeX) POCO F4 GT Black Shark: Connect your smartphone to the monitor HDMI. Activate DeX mode – get a full desktop interface with support for multiple windows.
🌐 Web versions of apps: Open Chrome in split mode. In one window, use the web version of Telegram (web.telegram.org), in another, the main application.

To install Split Screen Launcher:

Download the app from Google Play.
Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm grant com.example.splitscreen android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
Restart the device and launch the application.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Unwarranted for some models (e.g. Black Shark) Before executing commands, backup via Mi Cloud or TWRP.

💡

The standard MIUI multi-window is the most stable solution, and third-party applications can cause lags and conflicts, especially on budget models with 3-4 GB of RAM.

FAQ: Frequent questions about split screen on Xiaomi

Can you share the screen on Xiaomi with physical buttons (not gestures)?

Yes, but only on MIUI 11 and older. To do this: Open the first app. Press the "Last app" button (square). Hold the app icon and select the Split screen. On MIUI 14 with physical buttons, the function can be disabled - check the settings in Settings → Display → Navigation panel.

Why is the Redmi Note 8 Pro not split screen?

There is a hardware limitation on this model – multi-window is only supported in MIUI 12.0.3 and later. Update the firmware through Settings → About Phone → System Update. If there are no updates, install custom firmware (such as Xiaomi.EU) or use alternative applications like Split Screen Launcher.

Can I watch YouTube and write to Telegram at the same time?

Yes, but with reservations: 🎥 YouTube in the browser (Chrome or Firefox) will work without restrictions. 📱 In the official YouTube app, the video will stop if you switch to another window (Google restriction). 💡 Solution: Use YouTube Vanced (if available) or NewPipe – they allow you to play video in the background.

How to turn off split screen if one of the windows is hanging?

If one of the apps stopped responding: Hold the power button for 5 seconds to call the reboot menu. Select Close all apps (don't restart!). If that didn't work, swipe down the black bar between the windows -- that would force the multi-window to close. On POCO F3 and later, you can hold the 3-second dividing line, and a cross will appear to close the mode.

Is there a split screen on Xiaomi tablets (Pad 5/6)?

Yes, but implementation is different: 🖥️ On the Xiaomi Pad. 5/6 Multi-windows operate in horizontal orientation. 🔧 Activated through Settings → Display. → Multi-window. 🎯 Keeps you up 4 To activate: Turn the tablet horizontally. Open the first app. Swipe from the right edge of the screen and select the second app.