Modern smartphones such as Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE, They have such powerful processors and large ones. AMOLED-Users often wonder how to use this resource effectively, for example, watching videos while chatting in a messenger or copying text from a browser into notes. The split screen feature, known as Split-screen, is one of the most convenient tools in the shell. MIUI productivity-enhancing.
However, despite the popularity of this feature, many Xiaomi device owners do not know how to activate it using standard methods, since in some versions of the firmware it is hidden or does not work clearly. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to start splitting the screen, including standard gestures, hidden features of the menu of recent applications and the use of third-party utilities.
We will also discuss the technical details of the MIUI 12.5 and newer Android systems, explaining why some apps may not support this mode. Understanding these limitations will help you avoid confusion and adjust your workspace properly.
The standard way to activate through the menu of recent applications
The most common and proven method of running split-screen mode on Xiaomi 11 Lite is through the menu of running apps.This is a regular mechanism that does not require installing additional software or activating hidden developer flags. First, you need to open two apps that you plan to use simultaneously and fold them so that they remain in the background.
Then, call the recent app menu. Depending on the navigation method you choose (gestures or screen buttons), this action is done by swiping from the bottom up with a delay or pressing a square button. In the list that opens, find the card of the first app that should occupy the top of the screen. Attention: do not click on the application itself to deploy it.
⚠️ Warning: If you don’t see the control icons above the app cards, try swiping the card down a little (when using gestures) or tapping the top of the card to reveal the additional menu.
At the top of the app card, three small icons should appear: pin, edit, and split the screen. We're interested in a third icon that looks like two rectangles separated by a horizontal line. Click on it, and the system will automatically deploy the selected application on the top half of the display, suggesting that you select the second application from the list of recently launched programs or the menu of all programs.
☑️ Pre-launch checks
Once you select the second app, the screen will split into two equal parts, and you can drag and drop the black dividing line, changing the proportions of the windows to make one more than the other, which is especially useful if you watch a video and simultaneously type a message that requires more space for the keyboard, and if one of the apps doesn't support this feature, the system will notify you.
Using the sidebar for quick access
A second, more modern and convenient way to manage multiple tasks on the Xiaomi 11 Lite is to use the Sidebar, which allows you to run applications in a floating window or in split-screen mode without interrupting current activities. To use this method, you first need to activate the panel itself in the system settings.
Go to Settings → Special Features → App Sidebar, where you activate the switch and select the apps that will be displayed in the Quick Access menu. Once set up, you can swipe this panel from the edge of the screen in any application or desktop, which greatly speeds up access to frequently used functions.
When the sidebar is activated, open any app that will occupy the main part of the screen. Swipe from the edge to call the menu, and click on the icon of the second app. It will open in a small floating window. To turn this into a full-blown screen split, drag the floating window to the top or bottom edge of the display until the characteristic animation of filling half the screen appears.
- 📱 Control flexibility: Sidebar allows you to instantly switch between full screen, floating window and split modes.
- ⚙️ Setting up the list: you can add to 10-15 The most commonly used applications for quick access to one click.
- 🎨 Transparency: Floating windows can be made translucent to see the content of the main application.
The use of the sidebar is especially relevant for owners of Xiaomi 11 Lite due to the thin body and the lack of physical bezels, which makes swipes from the edge very convenient. However, it is worth considering that some heavy games or applications with special access rights can block the call of the side menu to prevent accidental clicks.
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To quickly close the floating window or exit split screen mode, simply drag the app to the center of the screen or use the closing button in the corner of the window.
Configure hidden functions through the engineering menu
In some versions of MIUI global firmware, the standard split-screen button may be missing or not working properly with certain applications, and in these cases, hidden settings are available through the Developer Menu, which is an extended part of the system for engineers, but also useful for advanced users.
To activate the developer mode, go to Settings → On the phone and press quickly 7-10 once in "Version" MIUI". After you have become a developer, go back to the main settings menu and select Additional. → For developers, we're interested in the section on multitasking here.
Find Force activities to be resizable, which causes the system to force applications to run in split-screen mode even if the developers did not claim to support it, which may be useful for old or specific programs, but may cause some to run insecurely.
| Setup parameter | Recommended value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory authorization | Included. | Allows Split-screen for all applications |
| Don't destroy activity | Off. | Standard behavior of the system |
| Background process | No more than 2 processes | Optimizing memory for two windows |
After making changes, you need to restart the device to make the settings effective. Forced activation can cause the interface to be incorrectly displayed in applications that are not adapted for horizontal or split mode. Use this feature with caution and turn it off if you notice frequent program crashes.
What to do if the settings are reset?
Third-party applications for advanced multitasking
If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t seem functional enough, the Google Play store offers a variety of apps that extend the sharing of screen options, often providing more flexible settings, such as running more than two apps at once or creating complex job profiles.
One popular solution is Split Screen Launcher, or something like Floatify, which creates widgets on the desktop or in the notification curtain that instantly launch a pair of selected apps in split mode, eliminating the need to do a sequence of actions each time through the menu of recent tasks.
Another category of applications allows you to create floating windows that can be moved around the screen on top of other programs, simulating the operation of a computer with multiple windows. On a large and high-quality screen Xiaomi 11 Lite it looks very spectacular and really convenient for working with documents or tables.
- 🚀 Startup speed: widgets allow you to open pairs of applications in one touch.
- 🔧 Customization: the ability to adjust the default window sizes for different pairs of programs.
- 📂 Grouping: creating profiles "Work", "Learning" or "Entertainment" with a sleep set of windows.
When installing third-party software, pay attention to the permissions requested. Applications often require access to other software surfaces to manage windows, which is a security sensitive point. Only download utilities from trusted sources and read feedback from other users.
Windows management and solving common problems
Effective use of split-screen mode requires understanding window management. In MIUI, you can not only resize areas, but also change them. To do this, touch the central dividing strip and drag it in the opposite direction, or use special control buttons that appear when you press the divider.
A common problem is when one application closes when switching to another, due to a lack of RAM. Xiaomi 11 Lite has enough RAM, but heavy games or unoptimized applications can force each other out of memory. To minimize this effect, close the unnecessary background processes before starting the Split-screen.
Also, users often find that the keyboard overlaps the contents of the bottom window, and this is where temporary window size changes help: make the bottom app smaller to make room for text input, or use the floating keyboard mode if supported, sometimes turning off animations in the developer menu.
⚠️ Warning: When working with financial applications or messengers in split-screen mode, be careful: the top application may block important notifications or input fields of the bottom application, which can lead to erroneous actions.
If the split screen isn’t working properly (black screen, freezes), try clearing the Security app cache or resetting the display settings. In rare cases, the problem lies in a specific MIUI update, and waiting for a patch from the developers is the only solution.
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Memory optimization is a key factor in the stable operation of two applications at the same time; close heavy games before using Split-screen.
The effect of split screen mode on the battery
Using two active applications simultaneously inevitably leads to increased power consumption: the Xiaomi 11 Lite display, despite its energy efficiency, when operating in Split-screen mode, should handle more graphics elements, and the processor loads more, which is important to consider if you are working without recharging.
Combinations of geolocation, data and graphics are particularly costly, such as simultaneous navigation and video, which can quickly land the battery, and in such situations, the system can automatically reduce the brightness or refresh rate of the screen to save energy, which can affect the comfort of use.
To extend battery life with active multitasking, it is recommended to reduce the brightness of the screen to a comfortable minimum and turn off background synchronization for services not currently in use. You can also activate the power saving mode, although it can limit the performance of the processor, which will make the work in two windows less smooth.
Yet the technology AMOLED, The new model used in Xiaomi 11 Lite saves energy if one of the apps has a dark theme.In dark interfaces, the black pixels simply turn off, which significantly reduces energy consumption compared to the previous model. LCD-Use dark themes wherever possible to optimize battery consumption.