Smartphone owners often face multiple tasks at once, such as responding to a message in a messenger without interrupting a video, or copying text from a browser into notes, a split-screen feature available on Xiaomi and Redmi devices that allows them to effectively solve such tasks, turning the display into a full-fledged working tool.
Multi-window mode is built into the default MIUI shell, but its activation can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the interface modification. Understanding the principles of this feature significantly improves the productivity of using the gadget in everyday life. Next, we will discuss in detail all the available ways of activation and fine-tuning.
Not all applications support split-screen backgrounds, and some programs may be forced to close or display incorrectly if the developer has not provided for this, but most popular services, including social networks and browsers, are stable.
Preparation of the device and compatibility check
Before you start splitting your screen, make sure your device is technically ready for this operation. Most current Xiaomi models, including the budget Redmi series and flagship Mi, support this feature out of the box. However, on very old versions of Android (below 7.0 Nougat), this option may not be systemically available.
It is also important to check the amount of free RAM. Screen split mode requires more resources, since the system has to keep two applications active at the same time. If the device is experiencing a lack of memory, work can be unstable, with frequent reboots of active windows.
To check the software version, go to Settings โ About Phone. This is the MIUI version and Android version. Make sure the software is updated to the latest version available, as new builds often fix bugs associated with multitasking.
- ๐ฑ Make sure Android is at least 7.0 for native support.
- ๐พ Free up RAM by closing background processes.
- ๐ Update the system to the current version MIUI via the update center.
โ ๏ธ Attention: On devices with less than 2 GB of RAM, split-screen operation can lead to a significant slowdown in the interface and heating of the housing.
If your device meets the requirements, you can move to directly activate the function. In some cases, you may need to manually enable the option in advanced developer settings, but with standard MIUI tools, this is much easier.
Activate through the menu of recent apps
The most common and convenient way to split the screen in two is to use the menu of running apps, which works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 10 and higher, and you first need to run the first app you plan to use.
After you swipe the program from the bottom up (or click Menu if you use classic navigation), call a list of recent apps. In this list, find the card of the running application. At the top of the card or next to the program name, there is usually a special icon.
Click on this icon, and the context menu will appear on the screen. Select "Separate screen" (sometimes indicated by the icon of two rectangles). The screen will instantly split in half: at the top you will remain the selected application, and at the bottom you will open the menu of the choice of the second program.
โ๏ธ Checking before separation
Select the second app from the list or search it, and then both windows will be active, so you can resize them by dragging the dividing line, or close one of the windows by folding it into the task menu.
Use of gestures and quick settings
For users who prefer touch, there is an alternative method of activation through gestures, which may be less obvious, but with a certain skill allows you to split the screen faster, and to do this, open the first application and swipe three fingers from the bottom up the screen.
If the gesture function didn't work, it may be disabled in the settings. Go to Settings โ Additional settings โ Special features โ Split screen. Here you can activate gesture control and adjust sensitivity.
Another option is to use the Quick Settings Panel, where in some versions of MIUI, if you press the app icon long enough, you can see a button for fixing or splitting in the menu of recent tasks, and you can add a split-screen widget to your desktop if you have the theme that supports it.
- ๐ Swipe with three fingers from the bottom up for instant separation.
- โ๏ธ Check the settings of special features for activation of gestures.
- ๐ฒ Use widgets on your desktop for quick access.
If the screen doesnโt split, try changing the swipe direction or speed of the movement.
โ ๏ธ Note: The three-finger gesture may be used for other functions, such as screenshots, prioritizing the one that is configured first or has higher system priority.
Window management and resizing
Once the screen is divided, the user has full control over the windows, and there's a thin stripe separator between the top and bottom of the screen, and you can change the proportions of the display by grabbing it with your finger.
You can make one window bigger than the other, for example, by highlighting the 70% space for video player and 30% This is especially useful when viewing content in high resolution, where it is important to save aspect. ratio_ picture.
To switch between active windows, simply touch the desired area, and the sound will play from the application that is in focus, or both if they play media content at the same time.
| Action. | The result | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Dragging the separator | Change the size of windows | Minimum window size is limited by the system |
| Swipe on the divider sideways | Closing of one of the windows | The remaining window will be turned to the entire screen. |
| Double pressing of the divider | Balancing windows | The windows are split exactly in half (50/50) |
Some applications allow you to change the orientation of the screen independently of each other, but most often the orientation is blocked for both windows according to the position of the device in space.
Secret separator menu
Application compatibility issues
Not all programs are optimized for multi-window, especially banking applications, horizontal screen games, and some instant messengers, and when you try to run them in the second window, you can display a black screen or error message.
Android and MIUI automatically block incompatible applications from running in split mode to prevent crashes, but there are ways to get around these limitations for power users, although this can lead to unstable software.
If the app doesn't start, try opening it in full screen first, and then activating split screen, which in some cases helps the system to correctly determine display settings.
- ๐ซ Banking apps often block screenshots and split screens for security reasons.
- ๐ฎ Games can go into the background and suspend processing.
- ๐น Video players can lose audio track when switching focus.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Forced running of incompatible applications in split mode can lead to system freeze or loss of unsaved data in running programs.
To check the compatibility of a particular application, you can use third-party utilities from the Google Play store, which analyze the program manifest and report support for various display modes.
Setup through the Developer Menu
For advanced users, it is possible to fine-tune the behavior of windows through the developer menu, which allows you to force split-screen mode on applications that do not officially support it.
To activate the developer menu, go to Settings โ About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI build number. After the notification โYou became a developerโ appears in the settings menu, a new section โAdditionalโ or โExtended settingsโ will appear.
Inside the developer menu, find Force Resize Activities, which will allow you to stretch the windows of any application without the system constraints.
adb shell settings put global force_resizable_activities 1The same command can be executed via a computer by connecting a smartphone via USB and using ADB debugging. This gives you deeper control over the system, but requires drivers and basic command line knowledge.
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Before changing the settings in the developer menu, create a restore point or backup of data, as incorrect settings can lead to a cyclical reboot of the device.
The changes take effect immediately, and some system applications may begin to behave unpredictably, such as overlapping with each other or reacting incorrectly to touch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why isnโt splitting the screen on my Xiaomi?
Can the screen be divided into more than two parts?
Does split screen affect battery consumption?
How to get out of split screen mode?
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The split screen function is a powerful tool for improving efficiency, but requires sufficient hardware resources of the device for comfortable operation.