How to divide the screen into 2 parts on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: all ways to activate the multi-window

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 – a popular smartphone with a shell MIUI, It offers a lot of useful features, including split-screen (multi-window) mode, which allows you to work with two applications simultaneously, such as texting in a messenger and watching a video, or comparing data in two documents. However, not all users know how to activate and configure this feature correctly.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to split the screen on the Redmi Note. 8, including standard settings MIUI, You'll also learn which apps support multi-windows, how to resize windows, and what to do if the feature doesn't work. MIUI 12/13/14.

If you've never used a split screen or have had problems turning it on, this guide will help you understand all the nuances. Let's start with the simplest method!

1. Standard way: split the screen through the panel of recent apps

The fastest and most versatile method of activating a multi-window is using the recent app dashboard.It works on all Xiaomi smartphones with a shell. MIUI, including the Redmi Note 8. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the first app you want to use in split mode (like YouTube or Chrome).
2. Click on the recent apps button (square in the bottom navigation bar) or swipe up and hold your finger on the screen to open the list of running programs.
3. Find the app icon (its icon) at the top of the screen and press it on 1-2 seconds.
4. In the menu that appears, select Divide Screen (or Multiwindow in new versions). MIUI).
5. The screen will split into two parts, and at the bottom you will see a list of applications. Select the second app for the second half of the screen.

If the Shared Screen icon doesn’t appear, make sure the feature is enabled in the system settings (we’ll talk about this in the next section). Also check if the selected application supports multi-window mode – some programs (such as games or system utilities) can block this feature.

After activation, you will be able to:

• 🔄 Change windows – pull the top panel of any window in the opposite direction.
• 📐 Change the size of the windows – drag the dividing line up or down.
• ❌ Close one window - swipe it down or click on the cross.
• 🔙 Return to full screen mode – pull the dividing line to the edge of the screen.

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If the dividing line has disappeared, swipe your finger from the top or bottom edge of the screen to the center and it will appear again.

2. Multi-window settings in system parameters

If the standard method doesn't work, it's possible that the split screen function is disabled in the settings to activate it:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Multi-window (in some versions) MIUI The path may be different: Settings → Additionally. → Multitasking).
2. Make sure the split screen switch is in the on position.
3. Here you can configure a gesture to quickly start a multi-window (we will talk about this in the next section).

Additional options are also available in this menu:

• 🔄 Automatic screen rotation – if disabled, split screen in landscape orientation will not work.
• 📱 List of supported apps – some programs (such as WhatsApp or Instagram) may restrict multi-window performance.
• 🔒 Orientation locking – if the screen is locked in portrait mode, the separation will not work.

If the settings do not include Multi-window, try updating the firmware to the latest version. MIUI. On older versions (below). MIUI (10) the split screen function may be missing or may not work smoothly.

3. Quickly launch multi-window with gesture

V MIUI There's a hidden ability to run a split screen with a swipe gesture from the bottom corner of the screen, and this feature isn't available on all firmware versions, but on the Redmi Note 8, you can turn it on as follows:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Gestures (or Settings → System → Gestures).
2. Find the Multi-Window or Split Screen section.
3. Activate the Swipe option from the multi-window angle.
4. Select the angle of the screen (usually the left or right lower) from where the gesture will work.

Now to split the screen:

1. Open the first appendix.
2. Swipe from the chosen corner to the center of the screen and hold your finger.
3. The screen will split and you can select the second app.

This method is convenient for quick access, but can conflict with other gestures (e.g., calling Google Assistant).

• 🔧 Check if the gestures are turned off in the settings MIUI.
• 📱 Make sure you swipe from the corner, not from the middle of the bottom panel.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes it helps restore gestures.

Alternative method: Free window mode (floating applications)

If the standard screen splitting is not suitable for you, MIUI There's another useful feature, which is Free Window (or Floating Apps), which allows you to open programs in small windows on top of other applications. It's not really a split screen, but it's also convenient for multitasking.

To activate the Free Window:

1. Open the recent app bar (swipe up with a delay).
2. Press the icon of the desired application and select the Free window.
3. The app will open in a small window that you can drag around the screen and change its size.

Advantages of this regime:

• 🔄 You can open multiple floating windows at the same time.
• 📱 Windows can be folded into icons (they will remain on the screen in the form of small circles).
• 🎯 Convenient for quick access to messengers or calculator.

However, there are limitations:

• ❌ Not all apps support this mode (such as games or video players).
• ⚠️ Some windows may close when the screen is locked.
• 🔧 Windows are limited in size – they cannot be stretched across the entire screen.

✅ Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI

✅ Check if the function is included in the settings

✅ Make sure that the apps support multi-window

✅ Turn off the screen orientation lock-->

Table: Comparison of screen splitting techniques on Redmi Note 8

To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have collected the main characteristics of each method in one table:

Important: on the Redmi Note 8 with firmware MIUI 12.5 and later, the standard multiwindow is more stable than third-party solutions. If you notice lags or freezes when using a split screen, try clearing the system cache or rolling back the update (if the problem appeared after the upgrade).

6.What to do if the split screen does not work?

Sometimes the multi-window function may fail to turn on, and here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the split screen may not work properly or at all. In this case, try installing the Xposed or Magisk module to restore the function.

Problem 1: There is no “Separate Screen” item in the app menu.

• 🔧 Check if the function is enabled in the settings (Settings) → Multi-window).
• 📱 Update the firmware to the latest version – in older versions MIUI The multi-window may have been missing.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes it helps to restore the system.

Problem 2: The application does not open in split mode.

• 📌 Check if the application supports multi-window (some programs, such as games, block this feature).
• 🔒 Make sure that there are no restrictions on working in the background in the application settings (for example, in Settings). → Annexes → Permits).
• 🔄 Try opening another app – maybe the problem is only with a specific program.

Problem 3: The screen splits, but one of the windows closes immediately.

• 📱 Check if there is enough RAM – close unnecessary applications in the taskbar.
• 🔧 Turn off the power saving mode (Settings) → Battery → Power saving mode, as it can close background processes.
• 🔄 Reinstall the problem app – it may have accumulated errors in its cache.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the system to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings), but make sure to back up the data before doing so!

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On the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 14 split screen works more stable if you turn off battery optimization for the applications used.

7. Third-party screen split applications

If integrated functions MIUI You don't like it, you can use third-party utilities from Google Play, and they offer additional features, like, for example:

• 🔄 Dividing the screen by 3-4 Parts (instead of the standard two).
• 📱 Set up hot keys for quick start-up.
• 🎯 Support for applications that do not work in a standard multi-window.

Popular applications for split screen:

• 📌 Split Screen Launcher – a simple launcher with multi-window support.
• 📌 Floating Apps – Creates floating windows for any application.
• 📌 Multi Window – Advanced split-screen settings.

However, before installation, consider:

⚠️ Note: Third-party multi-window applications may require super-user (root) rights or access to special features (Settings) → Special facilities → This can create security vulnerabilities in your smartphone. Use such programs only from trusted sources!

If you decide to try a third-party solution, follow the instructions:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. Provide the necessary permissions (if required).
3. Follow the instructions in the program interface to configure the multi-window.

After installation, check if the device is slower. If you have lags, delete the application and go back to standard methods.

8. Useful Tips for Working with a Split Screen

To use the multi-window on the Redmi Note 8 as efficiently as possible, use these tips:

• 🔋 Battery savings: Split screen consumes more power.To save charge, reduce screen brightness and turn off background processes of unnecessary apps.
• 📱 Quick switching: To swap apps in places, pull the top window panel in the opposite direction.
• 🔊 Multi-window sound: By default, sound is played in only one window. To change this, open the notification panel and select the sound source.
• 📐 Resize windows: Drag the dividing line up or down to fit the windows to your needs.
• 🔒 Orientation Lock: If the screen automatically rotates in split mode, pin the orientation in the notification curtain.

Also pay attention to horizontal mode – if you rotate the smartphone sideways, the windows will be distributed differently, which may be more convenient for some tasks (for example, to watch video and chat at the same time).

If you use multi-windows to work with documents, try the Google Docs combination. + Chrome or Microsoft Word + Excel, which allows you to quickly copy data between windows without switching.

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To quickly close one of the windows in split mode, swipe your finger from the top edge of the window down – as when closing a regular app.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)