Dividing the screen on Xiaomi Redmi 7: all the ways and secrets of setting up

Why you need a split screen on Redmi 7

The Split-screen feature on Xiaomi Redmi 7 allows two applications to be used simultaneously — chat and browser, maps and music player, or notes and calculator — which is especially useful for multitasking, where you need to quickly switch between tasks without losing context. However, not everyone knows that Redmi 7 supports this MIUI-based mode, with several activation variations.

In this article, you will find all the working ways to enable a split screen, including hidden MIUI 10/11/12 chips, as well as solutions to typical problems — when the function does not work, applications do not support mode or the screen is divided curve. We tested the instructions on the firmware V10.3.2.0.PFLMIXM (Android 9) and V12.0.3.0.QFLMIXM (Android 10), so we guarantee the relevance for most users.

If you've never used a split screen or encountered bugs, this guide will help you figure it out. And for experienced Redmi 7 owners, we've prepared unique life hacks that are not in the standard instructions (for example, how to secure applications in separate mode or use gestures to quickly switch).

Method 1: Split the screen through the “Recent” button

The most obvious and universal method is to use the recent app dashboard, which works on all versions of MIUI for Redmi 7, but requires the right sequence of steps.

1. Open the first app you want to pin to the top of the screen (like YouTube).
2. Click on the “Recent” button (square in the bottom navigation bar) and hold the app icon for 1-2 seconds.
3. In the menu that appears, select the option "Share the screen" (or "Split screen" in English firmware).
4. The screen will split into two parts, and the bottom panel will display recent apps – select the second app for the bottom zone.

If you have gesture navigation (no buttons), swipe your finger up from the bottom of the screen and hold the app icon. The next steps are similar.

Make sure both apps support split-screen mode|Turn off full screen mode in the application settings|Check that the function is not blocked in the "Special permissions»|Close all background tasks for stable work-->

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Instagram, TikTok, or banking clients) may block separate mode for security or design reasons, in which case the screen will not split, or the top app will be displayed with black boxes.

To change the size of the windows, pull the dividing line up or down. To close the mode, draw the line to the top or bottom of the screen, or press the Home button.

Method 2: Activation through system settings

If the first method didn't work, it might be disabled in the settings. In MIUI for Redmi 7, there's a hidden setting that controls the availability of the split-screen. Here's how to turn it on:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Additional → Separate screen.
2. Activate the switch Enable the separate screen (if it is in your firmware version).
3. In some firmware (MIUI 12), this item may be in Settings → Special Features → Separate Screen.

If there is no such section in the menu, then your firmware uses a simplified control option, and splitting the screen is only available through the recent app bar (Method 1).

Once activated in the settings, try splitting the screen again through the recent panel. If the problem persists, move on to the next method.

Using the "Recent" button |Through system settings |Gests |No split-screen |Another way-->

Method 3: Screen splitting by gestures (for MIUI 11/12)

Starting with MIUI 11, Xiaomi has added gesture control for split screens, which is faster than the classic one, but requires pre-tuning. Here's how to activate it:

1. Open Settings → System and device → Gestures → Navigation gestures.
2. Select MIUI Gestures (if not already activated).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → Separate screen and enable the option of Gestures for split screen.

Now to split the screen:

1. Open the first appendix.
2. Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge and hold the app icon (as when closing).
3. Without letting go of your finger, pull the icon upwards – the screen will split and you will be able to select the second app.

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If the gesture doesn’t work, try swiping your finger from the lower right corner – in some firmware, it’s an alternative split-screen trigger.

This method doesn’t work on MIUI 10 or earlier, and it can conflict with other gestures (like calling Google Assistant), so turn off the interrupting options in your gesture settings if necessary.

Method 4: Forced separation through ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods fail, you can force split-screen on via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for power users and requires a computer.

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi 7: go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put global force_split_screen true

Once you've done the command, restart your phone, and now the split screen function should be available even for applications that previously blocked it.

⚠️ Note: Change system settings through ADB Before executing the command, make a backup of the data and make sure you have the latest Xiaomi drivers installed on your PC.

To reverse the change, follow the command:

adb shell settings put global force_split_screen false

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The ADB method is the only way to make split-screen work in applications that block it (like WhatsApp or VK), but once the firmware update is updated, the settings may reset.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after you set up the screen properly, the Redmi 7's split screen can malfunction, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 Screen not divided: check if the function is enabled in settings (Method 2). If so, restart your phone. Sometimes cleaning the system cache (Settings) helps. → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Clear the cache).
• 📱 The app does not support mode: try to force split-screen to be enabled via ADB (Method 4) or use alternative apps (e.g. Chrome instead of Instagram).
• 🔍 The dividing line disappears: it's a bug MIUI 12.Solution - swipe your finger down the center of the screen from top to bottom to get the line back.
• 🔋 Phone overheats: separate mode loads processor. Close background apps and reduce screen brightness.

If none of the methods worked, it may be the firmware problem. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update. For Redmi 7, current MIUI versions come out every 2-3 months.

Hidden split screen chips on Redmi 7

Beyond the basic functionality, MIUI has a few hidden features that few people know about.

• 📌 App fastening: Separately hold the title of the app window, the option to Secure will appear. After that, the application will not close when you click on Home.
• 🔄 Quick switching: swipe your finger on the dividing line left or right to swap apps.
• 📱 "Floating window" mode: in some firmware (MIUI 12) you can turn one of the windows into a floating window. To do this, hold the window header and select the Free window.
• 🎵 Playing video in the background: Open the video on YouTube or MX Player, split the screen and roll the app with the video – the sound will continue to play.

Another life hack: if you need to copy text from one application to another, split the screen, highlight the text in the top window, then tap the bottom window - the text will automatically be inserted into the input field (does not work in all applications).

For customization enthusiasts, MIUI 12 allows you to change the color of the dividing line, and for this purpose, install a customization theme (such as Dark Mode or Colorful) from the official Xiaomi theme store.

FAQ: Frequent questions about split screen