Smartphones are no longer just call devices, becoming powerful multimedia centers that require effective space management. Owners of flagship models such as the Xiaomi Mi 9 often face the need to use multiple apps simultaneously to improve personal productivity. Split Screen mode, or Split Screen, is becoming an indispensable tool for those who are used to keeping abreast of events, texting in the messenger while watching videos or copying data from one source to another.
While the MIUI shell offers a wide range of customization options, the display splitting feature is not always obvious to beginners. In some software versions, it is hidden in the depth of the menu, while in others it is activated with a simple gesture. Understanding how to multitask on your device will significantly speed up routine tasks and make interaction with your gadget more comfortable.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the known ways to activate split screen on Xiaomi Mi 9. You will learn not only about standard methods through the menu of recent applications, but also about hidden features that may not be available by default.
System preparation and compatibility check
Before you start activating complex interface features, you need to make sure your software is updated to the current version. Xiaomi developers are constantly making changes to the algorithms of the MIUI shell, and old bugs that prevent proper screen separation are often fixed in security patches. Verification of the software version is the first step that any user who wants to customize their work environment should take.
It's important to understand that not all applications support split-screen operation. Social media, browsers, and office suites are typically optimized for this format, while some games or specific utilities may be forced to deploy to the full screen. Application compatibility depends on their developers, and system constraints play a secondary role here.
💡
Before setting up, make sure that the memory of the smartphone is free at least 1-2 GB, since the work of two active applications simultaneously consumes more RAM.
Also worth paying attention to is the orientation of the screen. Most Split Screen apps on the Xiaomi Mi 9 only work correctly in portrait mode. If you try to flip the device into landscape mode, one of the windows may curl up or disappear, which is normal behavior for the system to maintain the proportions of the interface.
Standard activation method through the task menu
The most common and reliable way to split the screen on Xiaomi Mi 9 is to use the menu of running apps.This method works on all current versions of the MIUI shell and does not require installing additional software. To start, open the first application you want to see at the top of the screen, such as a browser or YouTube.
Once the application is running, you need to go to the recent task menu. Depending on the type of navigation you choose (buttons or gestures), the action may be different: when using the buttons, you need to press the Menu key (three bars), and when you control gestures, you need to swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger in the center of the screen.
☑️ The algorithm for enabling Split Screen
Above the thumbnail of the app, you'll see a series of icons, and you'll find an icon that resembles two rectangles separated by a horizontal line, or a button that says Split Screen. Pressing that button will instantly move the app you select to the top half of the display, and at the bottom of the icon you'll find a list of frequently used programs to quickly select the second task.
If the app you want isn't on the "frequently used" list, you can find it through a built-in search, or just by opening it from your desktop while the top is occupied, and you can move the boundary between the windows by dragging the dividing line, which allows you to prioritize one of the apps by making the window bigger.
Use of sidebar and quick settings
For those who prefer speed and convenience, the MIUI shell offers an alternative method through the sidebar, which allows applications to run in a floating window or in split-screen mode literally in one touch, without interrupting current activities, but by default this feature can be disabled and must be activated manually.
To turn on the sidebar, go to Settings → Special Features → Sidebar. Here you need to activate the switch and select the applications that will be available for quick start. Once set up, a swipe from the edge of the screen will call a menu where you can drag the application icon to the workspace by selecting split screen mode.
⚠️ Attention: The sidebar may overlap content in some games or applications with non-standard aspect ratio. If you notice interference, temporarily disable the feature in the settings.
Another option is to use the Quick Settings widget, and if you pull the notification curtain down twice, you can find the Screen Split button there, and if you add that button to active toggles, you start the first app, you press the button in the curtain, and the system automatically switches to the second app selection mode.
The use of shortcuts and panels is especially relevant for users who often switch between the same bundles of applications, such as Telegram and Chrome, which allows you to create a kind of working template that is available at any time without unnecessary manipulation of the menu.
Customization of window behavior and process management
Once the screen is split, the user has full control over each of the running processes, the top and bottom windows function independently: you can scroll through the tape on the social network while the video is playing on the other half of the screen, but it is worth remembering the load on the device's RAM.
A dividing bar is used to control window sizes, and a short tap can trigger a menu of additional options where you can close one of the windows or deploy an active application to the full screen. Some versions of MIUI have a floating window mode, which allows you to display one of the applications as a small window on top of others.
| Action. | Control element | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Change of size | Dragging the separator | Changing the proportions of windows |
| Closing the window | Cross in the headline | Completion of the annex |
| Change of seats | Double tap on the divider | Changes windows in places (top/bottom) |
| Full screen | Deployment button | One app takes up 100% of the screen |
It's important to note that audio can only work for one of the apps at a time, and it's usually the same app you last interacted with, or the one you launched first, depending on the version of Android.
Typical Problems and Conflicts
It is not uncommon for users to experience split screens that are not working or not working properly. One common case is that the application itself has blocked the function. Some programs, especially banking or security-related ones, prohibit the use of the background or split screen for data protection purposes.
If you notice that after splitting the screen, one of the applications crashes or freezes, try clearing its cache. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, select the problem program and click Clear → Clear the cache. This action will not delete your personal data, but can correct errors in the work.
What to do if the Split Screen button is missing?
Another cause of failure can be overcrowded RAM. Xiaomi Mi 9 has a sufficient amount of RAM, but heavy games combined with resource-intensive browsers can cause the system to force the closure of background processes.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to split the screen with system applications such as Camera or File Manager in some versions. MIUI, This can cause the interface to temporarily freeze.
Hidden opportunities and additional settings
For advanced users who want to make the most of their Xiaomi Mi 9, there are hidden settings through the engineering menu or special commands. However, standard tools can activate advanced multitasking capabilities. For example, in some regions and firmware versions, the “Second Space” feature is available, which allows you to create a completely isolated environment, but this already goes beyond just splitting the screen.
Also worth mentioning is the possibility of using a stylus or special accessories to more accurately control the dividing line. Although the Mi 9 does not support an active pen, the use of capacitive styluses can make it easier to get into thin interface elements when splitting.
💡
Effectively using Split Screen requires a habit: after a week of regular use, you will no longer notice the switching process, and it will become a natural part of interacting with your smartphone.
Keep in mind that the two apps are constantly running in active mode can consume more battery power faster. If you use split screen to work with documents, it is recommended to reduce the brightness of the display to compensate for the increased power consumption of the processor.