Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Poco X3 have enough hardware and a large display to comfortably perform multiple tasks at once. However, the standard MIUI interface doesn’t always explicitly offer productivity tools. Many users buy a 6.67-inch device but use its potential only halfway, switching between apps instead of displaying them simultaneously.
Split Screen allows you to run two apps side by side, which is especially true for the Poco series. You can watch YouTube videos and chat in the messenger at the same time or copy text from the browser directly into notes. It's not just a convenience, but a real way to speed up the work with the gadget, turning it into a kind of mini-tablet.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available ways to activate multitasking on your device. We will look at both standard methods through the menu of recent apps, and the hidden capabilities available through special commands or developer settings. Understanding these mechanisms will allow you to have full control of the Android operating system on your smartphone.
System preparation and compatibility check
Before you start setting up, make sure your software is multitasking ready. While the split screen feature is standard for the MIUI shell, on some global firmware versions it may be hidden or run unstable without first activating. Make sure your Xiaomi Poco X3 is updated to the latest available version.
It's important to understand that not all apps support this mode. Social networks and browsers usually work correctly, whereas some games or specialized software can be forced to unfold to the full screen. Compatibility check is the first step to a competent organization of the workspace.
Activating advanced multitasking capabilities often requires activating developer mode. It's not a complicated procedure, but it requires care. If you accidentally change other options on this menu, it can affect the stability of the system, so proceed carefully.
- 📱 Go to Settings and select About Phone.
- 🔨 Find the line Version MIUI and quickly press it 7 times in a row.
- ✅ A notification will appear that you have become a developer, and a new section will appear in the settings menu.
⚠️ Warning: Do not change the values in the Developer Menu unless you are sure of their purpose. X3 or failures in interface animation.
Classic method through the menu of recent applications
The most common and intuitive way to split the screen on the Xiaomi Poco X3 is to use the running task menu, which requires no additional software installation and works out of the box on most shell versions, and is ideal for quickly organizing the workspace.
To start, open two apps you plan to use at the same time. Then roll them up and go to the menu of recent apps. Depending on the navigation style you choose (buttons or gestures), this action is performed by swiping from the bottom up with a delay or press of a square button.
☑️ Screen split algorithm
In the list of running programs, find the card of the first application. In the upper right corner of the preview, you will see a small icon that resembles two rectangles or a menu of three dots. Clicking on this element will open the context menu where you need to select the option to split the screen.
Once you select an application, it will occupy the top or bottom of the display (depending on orientation), in the remaining free area, the system will suggest selecting a second application from the list of recently used ones, if the desired program is not on the list, find it through a search or launch it manually.
- 🖐️ Press and hold your finger on the preview of the application in the task menu.
- 📑 In the menu that appears, select the option Split screen).
- 🔄 Select the second app from the list or find it in the library.
Using a sidebar for quick multitasking
The MIUI shell offers a more advanced window tool, the Sidebar, which allows applications to run in a floating window or split-screen mode with one touch, without interrupting current activities, especially on the Poco X3’s big screen.
To take advantage of this feature, you first need to activate the panel itself in the settings; by default, it can be hidden or disabled to save resources. Activation takes a few seconds, but significantly improves the usability of the smartphone in everyday life.
Once turned on, a tiny bar will appear on the side faces of the screen (left or right, depending on the settings), and the swipe will open a list of favorite apps, and you can add any programs you use most for instant access.
- ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Floating windows.
- 📲 Select the Sidebar and activate the switch.
- ➕ Click “Add Apps” and select the right programs for quick access.
⚠️ Note: When using a sidebar on a weak Internet connection, running heavy applications in the background can cause a temporary system hangover.
When the panel is set up, the split-screen process becomes rudimentary. Open the main application, such as a browser. Then call the sidebar and drag the icon of the second application (such as Telegram) to the free part of the screen. The system automatically divides the display into two active zones.
Secret Sidebar Settings
Setting up window sizes and managing the interface
Once you split the screen on the Xiaomi Poco X3, you have the flexibility to manage the space, the boundary between the two windows is not fixed, you can change the proportions of the display, giving priority to one of the applications.
To resize the active area, find a dividing line in the middle of the screen, touch it and move it up or down (in portrait orientation), which allows you to make one window larger if, for example, you are reading text, and leave the second one with a narrow bar to control notifications.
Each window is managed independently, so you can scrolle the social media feed at the top and type a message at the bottom, but remember the resource intensity: two heavy applications can run at the same time, and you can discharge your battery faster.
| Action. | The result | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Dragging the separator | Changing the proportions of windows | Leave more space for the main content |
| Pressing the divider | Appearance of the control menu | Use it to close one of the windows. |
| Swipe from the divider | Full screen mode | To focus on one task |
| Double-push | Replacement of windows | If the upper window interferes with the view |
Also in the center of the dividing line is often a special button or area, pressing it can roll one of the applications into a floating window or completely close the split mode, returning the active application to the full screen. MIUI.
Alternative methods and hot keys
For users who appreciate speed, there are alternative methods to activate split-screen. On the Poco X3, you can customize special gestures or use triple tapping on the back (if such a feature is supported by the current firmware version or installed through macros).
Another effective way is to use a command over a debugging bridge, although this requires a PC connection. However, for most users, it will be enough to activate a hidden function through the Special Features menu.
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Use the Triple Tap feature in the “Additional” section to set the screen split to start knocking on the body, if your model supports it.
To add the quick access button:
1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Additional → Unlimited Opportunities (or “Special Opportunities”).
3. Find the screen split item and turn it on.
Now, when you swipe to close the application or in the task menu, you will have an additional icon.
- 🔍 Look for a feature in the “Limitless Opportunities” or “Special Opportunities” section».
- 🔘 Activate the switch Screen splitting.
- 🖱️ Use the virtual button to start the mode quickly.
Problem Solving and Application Compatibility
Despite the convenience, Xiaomi Poco X3 users may face a number of limitations, with the main problem being that not all apps are adapted to work in split mode, and some developers are blocking this feature to ensure that the interface is displayed correctly.
If the app doesn’t want to open in the second window or is forced to deploy to the full screen, try updating it through the Google Play Market. Often multitasking support is added in new versions of the software.
⚠️ Warning: Forced split-screen activation for incompatible applications through developer settings can lead to graphic distortion or program crashes.
If standard screen splitting methods fail, you can try using third-party launchers or utilities to manage windows available in the app store, but regular MIUI tools are usually more stable and energy efficient.
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If the app does not support splitting the screen, the system will automatically start it in full size, ignoring the split request.