How to Enable Split Screen on Xiaomi After Update: 5 Ways to Work (2026)

After another firmware update on Xiaomi devices — whether it’s a MIUI smartphone or an Android TV — many users are facing the disappearance of the usual split-screen feature. The manufacturer often transfers or hides this option in new versions of the software, and sometimes removes it from quick access. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to return multi-window mode on Xiaomi devices in 2026, from standard settings to hidden commands for power users.

The problem is that the split screen switching algorithm depends on the device type (smartphone/tablet/TV), the MIUI/Android TV version, and even the processor model. For example, on Xiaomi Mi TV Q2 or Redmi Smart TV X, after upgrading to Android TV 12, the path to settings has changed, and on smartphones with MIUI 14+, the function can be blocked for some applications. We tested all methods on current firmware and collected universal solutions that work even if the standard method does not work.

1. Standard method: via the Quick Settings Panel (MIUI 12–15)

On most Xiaomi smartphones (Redmi Note series, POCO, Mi) The split screen function is still available through the notification curtain, but its location has changed. MIUI:

1. Open any application that supports multi-window mode (such as YouTube, Chrome or Gallery).

2. swipe down from top to bottom to call the notification panel.

3. Find the "Separate Screen" icon (two rectangles one above the other). If it is not, swipe left across the panel to reveal all available buttons.

4.Click on the icon – the screen will split into two parts, and in the bottom will appear a list of compatible applications.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14+ The icon may not be available if you have "Light Mode" or "Little Mode" on the system. → Special facilities.

• 📱 It works on: Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5/F5, Mi 11/12/13 etc.
• ❌ Does not work on: devices with MIUI for POCO (separate setup is required).
• 🔄 Alternative: If there is no icon, try holding the "Recent" button (square) for 2-3 seconds.

2. Hidden mode for Android TV (Xiaomi Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV)

On Xiaomi TVs, the split screen function (PIP or Multiview) after upgrading to Android TV 12/13 is often hidden in the developer.

1. Go to Settings → About TV → Firmware version.
2. Click on the firmware version 7 times in a row until the notification “You became a developer!” appears.
3. Return to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
4. Find the option "Enable freeform windows" and activate it.
5. Restart the TV (Settings → Reboot).

After the reboot:

1. Open the first app (like YouTube).
2. Press and hold the Home button on the remote for 3 seconds and a menu with the option “Open in a small window” will appear.
3. Select the second app and the screen will split automatically.

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If the TV doesn’t have a Home button on the remote, use the Menu + Back combination (hold 5 seconds) to call the hidden menu.

3. Alternative method: through settings of special features

If the standard methods didn’t work, try to turn on split screen through special features, which is suitable for Xiaomi smartphones on MIUI 13/14, where the function can be disabled by default:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Functions Lab.

2. Find the option Multiwindow or Split Screen and activate it.

3. Return to Settings → Additional → Full-screen mode and select “Allow multi-window for all applications”.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4 GT) When this mode is activated, the back gesture may disappear. To return it, turn off the option "Full-screen gestures" in Settings → Display.

Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)

Disable the power saving mode (Settings → Battery)

Close all background applications

Reset the device

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4.Separation of the screen via ADB (for power users)

If none of the above methods worked, you can force the multi-window through the ADB-This method is suitable for all Xiaomi devices, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools (download here).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 taps according to version → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:

adb shell settings put global force_split_screen true


adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.CLOSE_SYSTEM_DIALOGS




adb shell input keyevent 187

1. Reset the device.

After you execute the commands, a split screen icon will appear in the notification curtain, and if it is not there, check if the antivirus or the MIUI optimizer is blocking it.

5. Use of third-party applications (if nothing helps)

If the built-in features fail to work, you can use third-party split-screen utilities.

• 📱 Split Screen Launcher – creates a shortcut for fast multi-window launch (works on the platform) MIUI 12-15. Download to Play Market.
• 🖥️ Floating Apps – allows you to open applications in floating windows (suitable for TVs).
• 🔧 Taskbar – Adds a taskbar like Windows, with split-screen support.

Warning: Some applications may conflict with MIUI, causing freezes.

1. Make a backup of the data (Settings → Additional → Backup).
2. Turn off battery optimization for utility (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All applications → Find utility → Disable).

⚠️ Note: On the TVs Xiaomi installation APK Unknown sources may block access to Google Play. To avoid this, go to Settings before installing → Security → Unknown sources and allow installation only for File Manager.

6. Problem Solving: Why doesn't split screen work?

If you have followed all the instructions but the screen is still not split, check the following points:

If the problem persists, check:

• 📵 Power Saving Mode: Turn it off in Settings → Battery.
• 🔒 Administrator rights: Some apps (e.g. Netflix) block multi-window security policies.
• 🔄 Application Updates: Outdated versions may not support mode.

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If the split screen worked before the update, but disappeared after - most likely the problem is resetting MIUI. Try to return factory settings through Settings → Additional → Reset (without deleting data).

FAQ: Frequent questions about split screen on Xiaomi