Modern smartphones have processing power that allows you to perform several tasks simultaneously, turning the gadget into a full-fledged mobile office. Xiaomi Redmi 9A, despite its affordable cost and basic equipment, supports split-screen function, which significantly increases the efficiency of the device. Users can watch YouTube videos, while simultaneously texting in messengers, or copy text from one application to another without constantly folding windows.
Activating multitasking mode on the MIUI shell requires certain sequences of actions that may not be obvious to beginners. Standard navigation hides additional features available through gestures or special combinations of buttons. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to activate, configure and eliminate possible errors when working with a split interface on your device.
Not all installed programs support the background or the smaller window, system restrictions may prevent some heavy games or specialized banking applications from running in split mode, but for most standard tasks such as browser, social networks and media players, the functionality is stable and provides a comfortable experience.
Preparation of the device and compatibility check
Before you start setting up the interface, you need to make sure that the operating system of the device is updated to the current version. Xiaomi regularly releases security patches and improvements for the MIUI shell, which may contain bug fixes associated with multitasking. You can check for updates in the settings menu by going to the About phone section and clicking on the system version.
The second important step is to check the compatibility of the specific applications you plan to use. Some programs, especially older versions or specific software, may not display correctly at the bottom or top of the display, in which case the interface may be cut off, or the application will be forced to close when you try to separate.
- 📱 Make sure that the device is free at least 1 GB of RAM for stable operation of two applications.
- 🔄 Update all system apps through the GetApps store or Google Play.
- 🔍 Check if a particular application supports split mode by running it in normal mode.
- 🧹 Clear the system cache if the device is running slowly before setting up.
⚠️ Note: With simultaneous operation of two resource-intensive applications, the Redmi battery 9A It can discharge faster than usual. It is recommended to have a charger at hand when working in multitasking mode for long periods of time.
The screen's physical characteristics are also important to consider: Diagonal and resolution of the matrix affect how easy it will be to read text in smaller windows. On the Redmi 9A, with its 6.53 inch diagonal, the space is fairly comfortable, but the font in some applications can become small.
How to activate through the menu of recent applications
The most common and versatile method for enabling split screen on Xiaomi smartphones is to use the task menu, which works regardless of the type of navigation, whether it is a classic three buttons or gesture control. To start, open the desired application that should be located at the top of the screen, such as a browser or YouTube.
Then you go to the recent app menu. If you use buttons, click the square button in the navigation bar. If gesture control is enabled, swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger in the center of the screen. In the list that opens, find the card of the running application. In the upper right corner of the card (or if you press it long, depending on the version of MIUI), an icon will appear that allows you to control the window.
Click on this icon and in the drop-down list, select the "Share screen" option (sometimes indicated by the icon of two rectangles). After that, the selected application will occupy the top half of the display, and the menu of the second program will open at the bottom. Select the second application from the list or search for it.
☑️ Algorithm for enabling screen splitting
Once you run both apps successfully, you'll see a dividing line in the middle of the screen, and if you move it up or down, you can change the proportions of the windows to prioritize one of the processes you're running, which is especially useful when you need to focus on reading a document, leaving the chat room in a minimal amount of space.
Using the sidebar for quick access
The MIUI shell offers an alternative and faster way to run the second application, through the Toolbar Sidebar, which allows you to display any compatible application in a floating window or immediately in split mode without interrupting current activity.
To turn on the panel, go to Settings → Special Features → Sidebar. You need to activate the switch and select the applications that will be displayed in the quick access list, this can be a calculator, notes, messengers or voice recorder.
When you're working, when one app is open to the full screen, swipe from the edge of the screen (left or right, depending on the settings) to the center, you'll see a translucent bar with icons, click on the icon of the second app and hold it until you see the action menu where you want to select the split screen.
| Parameter | Task menu | Sidebar. |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of access | Medium (required access to the menu) | High (swipe at any moment) |
| Choice of applications | Any runaways | Only selected in the settings |
| Convenience | Requires context switching | Does not interrupt the current task |
| Flexibility | Standard 50/50 division | Possibility of a floating window |
The use of a sidebar is especially important for those who often use the same tools, such as a calculator when working with tables or a translator when reading foreign text, which saves time and eliminates the need to constantly search for the desired program in the common list.
Secret Sidebar Settings
Setting up navigation and hot keys
The effectiveness of split-screen operation depends on the chosen way of navigation. Xiaomi has two main options: classic buttons and gestures. Each user can choose the most convenient method for themselves in the Settings menu → Additional settings → System navigation.
When using buttons, splitting screens is intuitively controlled: a Menu button (square) calls up a task list where mode selection occurs. However, using gestures can be more productive, as it frees up the part of the screen previously occupied by the navigation bar. A swipe from the bottom up is used to move between windows in gesture mode.
There is also the option of using special commands or shortcuts if supported by installed launchers, but the standard MIUI means the fastest way is to combine actions in the menu of recent applications.
- 🖱️ To move the dividing line, touch it and drag it to the desired position.
- 🔙 The back button works independently for each of the open windows.
- 🏠 The Home button will roll both apps or return to the home screen depending on the firmware version.
- 📱 Screen rotation can change the orientation of both windows at the same time if autorotation is enabled.
Some users prefer to adjust the touch sensitivity so that random touches to the partition boundary do not change the size of the windows. This can be done in the Advanced Settings section, but on Redmi 9A such deep settings may be limited to the Android version.
⚠️ Attention: When changing the orientation of the screen (turning the device), some applications may be forced to close if they do not support landscape mode in a split screen.
Solving Typical Problems and Errors
Despite the stability of the system, users may encounter situations where the split screen function is not activated or is not working correctly, most often due to a lack of RAM, which on budget models may not be enough for two "heavy" applications, in which case the system can automatically close one of the windows.
Another common problem is that there is no partition button in the task menu, which may mean that the application does not support this mode, and software developers can block this feature for security (as in banking applications) or to keep the interface working properly.
If you encounter an interface freeze when trying to split the screen, try the following:
- Close all background applications.
- Reset the device.
- Clear the cache of problematic applications.
- Check for system updates.
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If the application often crashes in split mode, try running it in a floating window through the sidebar.floating windows consume less system resources and work more stable on devices with 2-3 GB of RAM.
In rare cases, the system process itself can cause a failure. If the problem is massive and affects all applications, it makes sense to reset the settings to the factory, saving important data beforehand.
Features of working with multimedia and browser
The most popular scenario for using split screen on Xiaomi Redmi 9A is to watch video in parallel with other actions.YouTube, VK Video and other platforms allow you to watch content in the top window while you browse through the social network feed or respond to messages at the bottom.
Browsers like Chrome or the built-in MI Browser also adapt perfectly to split mode. You can copy text from an article at the top and paste it into notes or a messenger at the bottom, using a system clipboard that stores the last copied snippet.
However, it is important to consider the limitations. DRM-Some streaming services may block split-mode output or black one of the windows if the content is copyrighted, leaving only audio or full screen.
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The Redmi 9A split screen is a powerful productivity tool that turns a budget smartphone into a multitasking device, allowing you to consume content and communicate at the same time.
In addition, the browser can open two different tabs in two different windows, which is convenient for comparing products in online stores or reading correspondence in the web version of the messenger in parallel with the main application.