How to split the screen on Xiaomi Mi 9: all the ways and secrets of multitasking

The Xiaomi Mi 9, launched in 2019, is still a popular choice among users who value performance and functionality, and one of the most sought-after features of modern smartphones is split screen (or multi-window) that allows you to work with two applications at the same time, but not everyone knows how to properly activate and use this feature on the Mi 9, especially after the MIUI updates.

In this article, we’ll look at all the different ways you can split your screen, including hidden settings, explain the limitations of your function, and give you tips on how to optimize your experience, how to run two instant messengers at once, watch videos and chat, or compare documents without constantly switching between windows, and what to do if the feature suddenly stops working after you upgrade.

What is a split screen and why you need it on Xiaomi Mi 9

Multi-window mode (or split-screen) is a feature that divides the smartphone display into two independent areas, in each of which you can open a separate application. On the Xiaomi Mi 9 with the MIUI shell, this feature is implemented at the system level, but its operation depends on the firmware version and performance settings.

Main use cases:

• 📱 Multitasking: correspondence in Telegram or WhatsApp in parallel with browsing the web.
• 🎵 Media: Listening to music on Spotify or YouTube Music while reading comments on social media.
• 📊 Work: Comparing tables in Google Sheets or editing documents in Word with parallel viewing of reference materials.
• 🎮 Games and streams: Watching Twitch chat while playing (although not recommended for heavy gaming).

It is important to understand that not all applications support multi-window mode. For example, some games or banking applications may block split screen work for security or performance reasons. Also, on the Mi 9 with 6 GB of RAM, no more than two applications in split screen can run simultaneously, unlike flagships with 8+ GB.

⚠️ Note: When activating the screen split Xiaomi Mi 9 automatically reduces the maximum brightness of the display 10-15% This is normal system behavior, not related to a malfunction.

Method 1: Split screen through the panel of recent applications

The simplest and most versatile method is to use the recent task menu, which works on all versions of MIUI (10 to 14) and does not require additional adjustments.

1. Open the first application you want to use in multi-window mode.
2. Press the square navigation button (or swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger for 1 second if you use gesture control).
3. In the recent app bar, find the app icon you want to share and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds.
4. A menu will appear with the option to split the screen (or open in split form) - select it.
5. The screen will split into two parts, and at the bottom you will see a panel with other open applications. Select the second application for multi-window.

If the option to split screen does not appear, check:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (in old firmware, the function could be disabled).
• 📱 Make sure the app supports multi-window (some, for example) VK Or TikTok, can block this mode).
• 🔧 Enable the function manually in the settings (more on this in the next section).

Update MIUI to current version | Check application compatibility |Activate function in settings |Close background processes to save RAM

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Once activated, you can adjust the window size by dragging the central divider up or down. To close the multi-window mode, pull the divider to the edge of the screen or click on the Close button in the center.

Method 2: Enabling the function in system settings

If the split-screen option doesn’t appear in the recent app dashboard, it can be manually activated through system settings, a technique that is especially useful after resetting the phone to factory settings or updating the firmware when some features are reset.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Select Windows Management (in some versions of MIUI it may be called Multi-Window or Split screen).
3. Activate the screen split switch.
4. Return to Settings → Additional → Full-screen display and make sure the feature is not locked for specific applications.

If the Windows Management section is missing, try an alternative path:

Settings → Applications → All Applications → Settings (three dots in the upper right corner) → Special Access → Multi-window

In some firmware (e.g. MIUI 12.5 and later), the function may be hidden under the option "Function Lab" to find it:

• Open the Settings. → The phone.
• Click on the MIUI version several times until you become a developer!
• Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Functions Lab.
• Find and activate Screen Split.

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If the split screen function has disappeared after the MIUI update, try resetting the Functions Lab settings to standard ones.

Method 3: Using gestures to quickly separate

On the Xiaomi Mi 9 with gesture control (no classic navigation buttons), splitting the screen can be triggered with a hidden gesture. This method does not work on all versions of MIUI, but if supported, it significantly speeds up the process.

How to do this:

1. Activate gesture control in Settings → Display → Full-screen display.
2. Open the first appendix.
3. Swipe your finger from the bottom up of the screen and hold your finger for 1 second (as in calling the recent taskbar), but don’t let go.
4. Swipe left or right in the thumbnail of the application - the option to split the screen will appear.
5. Select the second app from the recent list.

If the gesture doesn't work, check:

• 🔧 Is the Multi-Window Gesture option included in Settings? → Special facilities → Window management.
• 📱 Does the gesture conflict with other functions (e.g., double tapping to wake up).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes gestures are reset after a long run without restarting.

Through recent apps |Through system settings |Gest control |Not using multi-window |Another way-->

Gesture control is convenient, but it requires addiction. If you can’t get it the first time, try practicing on an unnecessary application (for example, the Calculator).

Limitations and problems when splitting the screen on the Mi 9

Despite the convenience, the Xiaomi Mi 9’s split screen feature has a number of limitations that are important to know about:

On the Xiaomi Mi 9 with MIUI 13+ firmware, the split screen feature may conflict with Game Turbo mode. If you notice that the multi-window does not work after the game is launched, turn off Game Turbo in the settings or add the app to exceptions.

Another common problem is that there's a black screen in one of the windows, and this happens when the application is not optimized for multi-window mode.

• Try swapping apps in places (drop the top window down and vice versa).
• Update the app to the latest version.
• Use the web version of the service via a browser (for example, Telegram Web instead of a mobile application).

⚠️ Note: If after activation of the multi-window smartphone begins to warm up strongly, this may indicate overload of the processor (especially when working with heavy applications like Photoshop Express or Photoshop Express). PUBG In this case, it is recommended to close the background processes or reduce the load by switching to lighter applications.

Additional chips: how to improve the work in the multi-window

The split-screen feature on the Xiaomi Mi 9 is even more useful if you know a few hidden features and life hacks.

1. Quick switching between windows

In multi-window mode, you can quickly change applications in places:

• 🔄 Twice touch the central divider – the windows will change places.
• 📱 Hold the app icon in the top bar and drag it to another window.

2.Use of a floating window

In addition to the classic separation, MIUI also has a picture-in-picture mode, which allows you to open a small window on top of the main screen, for example, you can watch YouTube videos and use another app at the same time.

How to turn on:

1. Open the video to YouTube or another supported app.
2. Click on the Home icon (or swipe up to return to the home screen).
3. The video will compress into a small window that can be moved around the screen.

3. Configure the transparency and size of windows

In some versions of MIUI (e.g. 12.5+), you can adjust the transparency of the floating window.

• Open the floating window.
• Touch the icons ⚙️ Settings in the corner of the window.
• Adjust the transparency and size.

Another useful trick is to combine a multi-window with a split keyboard, so if you need to type in two apps at the same time (like texting to Telegram and Viber), activate the floating keyboard:

1. Open any field to enter text.
2. Click on the icon. ⌨️ top-right corner of the keyboard.
3. Select the Floating Keyboard.
4. You can now drag the keyboard between the windows.

What to do if the screen split doesn’t work

If you followed the instructions but the feature is still not activated, try the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Check out MIUI version: On some older versions (e.g. MIUI 10), the feature may have been disabled by default. Update the firmware via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
2. Reset the launcher settings: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher and click Reset. This will return standard desktop settings, including multi-window.
3. Clear the system cache: Settings → Memory → Cleanup → Cache system Sometimes accumulated temporary files interfere with the correct operation of functions.
4. Check the developer settings: If you have previously changed settings in Settings → For developers, some options may conflict with the multi-window. Turn off the developer mode and restart the phone.
5. Install a third-party launcher: If the problem doesn't work out, try a multi-window launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. These often offer more flexible split-screen settings.

If none of the methods worked, the problem may be hardware limitations: On Xiaomi Mi 9 with a damaged display or faulty memory, the multi-window function may not work properly, in which case you should contact the service center.

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Before you reset your phone to factory settings, make sure to back up the data. Screen splitting is a system function, and resetting it can affect other settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about splitting the screen on Xiaomi Mi 9