Dividing the screen on Xiaomi Redmi 8: a complete guide with pictures and tips

Introduction: Why you need a split screen on a smartphone

Multitasking on smartphones has long ceased to be a luxury – a necessity for many users. Xiaomi Redmi 8, despite the budget category, supports a split-screen feature that allows you to work with two applications simultaneously. For example, you can read an article in your browser while taking notes in your notebook, or watch videos on YouTube while simultaneously texting in the messenger.

This feature became especially relevant after upgrading to MIUI 12 and higher, where the multi-window interface has been significantly improved. However, not all users know how to activate this mode correctly and what limitations it has. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to split the screen into Redmi 8, including hidden chips and bypass possible bugs.

It is important to understand that multi-window capabilities depend on the firmware version and the applications installed. Some programs (such as games or banking applications) can block split mode for security reasons. We tested all methods on Redmi 8 with MIUI 13 (Android 10), but the instructions are also relevant for earlier versions with minor changes.

Method 1: Split screen through the panel of recent applications

This is the most standard and versatile method that works on most Xiaomi devices, it requires no additional settings and is available out of the box.

1. Open the first app you want to use in split mode (like Chrome).
2. Click on the square button (or swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger to call the recent app dashboard).
3. At the top of the screen, you'll see the app icon. Click on it and select Split Screen (or Multiwindow depending on the version of MIUI).
4. The screen will split into two parts, and at the bottom you will see a panel with other open applications. Select the second app for the bottom.

If the split screen icon is missing, this may mean that:

• 🔄 The application does not support multi-window (most often these are games or system utilities).
• 📱 You have disabled the function in the system settings (more on this below).
• 🔧 Your version. MIUI outdated (update the firmware through Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).

Update your firmware to the latest version of MIUI|

Close all background applications |

Make sure both apps support multi-window |

Check free RAM (minimum 1.5 GB)

-->

After activating the split mode, you can:

• 🔄 Change applications by dragging the dividing line.
• 📱 Adjust the size of windows by moving the central strip up or down.
• ❌ Close one of the windows without leaving the mode (just swipe the window outside the screen).

💡

If the dividing line has disappeared, swipe your finger from the top or bottom edge of the screen to the center and it will appear again.

Method 2: Using gestures to quickly separate

Starting with MIUI 12, Redmi 8 has the ability to activate split screen with a gesture, which is handy if you use multitasking a lot and want to save time.

1. Open the first app (e.g. Telegram).
2. Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold for 1 second to open the recent apps bar.
3. Without letting go of your finger, pull the app icon up (or down, depending on orientation) and the screen will automatically split.
4. Select the second app from the recent panel.

This method doesn’t work on all versions of MIUI, so if the gesture doesn’t work, check:

• 🔄 Are gestures included in the settings: Settings → Display. → Full-screen display → Gestures.
• 📱 Are there any conflicts with other gestures (for example, from third-party launchers).
• 🔧 Is the split screen function disabled in Settings → Special facilities → Multi-window.

Through the recent app panel |

Gesture |

By third-party annexes |

I don't use multi-windows.

-->

An important feature of Redmi 8 is that if you have an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher), the multi-window gesture control may not work, in which case return the standard MIUI launcher or use the former method.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as WhatsApp or WhatsApp) VK) This is because of messenger security policies, and you can automatically fold it when you try to split the screen.

Method 3: Third-Party Applications for Extended Multi-Window

If you don’t like the standard Redmi 8 features (like wanting more than two windows or vertical separation), you can use third-party utilities.

Before installing third-party applications, consider:

• 🔄 They may conflict with system functions. MIUI.
• 📱 Additional permissions are required (e.g. access to Special Opportunities").
• 🔧 Can drain the battery faster due to background activity.

To install Split Screen Launcher:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. Run it and provide all the permissions you request (including “Overlapping Other Applications”).
3. In the application settings, select Two Windows or Four Windows.
4. Click on the app icon in the notification bar to activate the split screen.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party multi-window launchers, turn off split-screen system mode in Settings → Special facilities → Multi-window to avoid conflict.

Setup and Optimization of the Split Screen

To make the multi-window work as efficiently as possible, we recommend setting several parameters:

1. Turn off animation: this will speed up switching between windows. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to open Developer Settings), then to Developer Settings → Windows Animation Scale and select Animation Disabled.
2. Limit background processes: in Settings → Applications → Background Process Limitation, select Standard Limit to free up RAM.
3. Customize gestures: in Settings → Display → Full-screen display → Gestures turn off unnecessary swipes that may conflict with the multi-window.

It's also useful to know:

• 🔄 To quickly swap applications, swipe your finger on the dividing line to the left or right.
• 📱 To close one window, swipe it outside the screen (up or down).
• 🔧 If the screen isn’t splitting, reboot the phone – it resets temporary crashes MIUI.

💡

On Redmi 8 with 3 GB of RAM, it is recommended to use no more than 2 lightweight applications (for example, browser + notes) at a time. Heavy applications (games, video editors) can cause lags.

If you often work with texts, try this life hack:

1. Open Google Docs in the top window and the browser in the bottom.
2. In the browser, select the text, copy it (Ctrl+C on the connected keyboard or long press → Copy).
3. Insert text into Google Docs (Ctrl+V) without leaving the split mode.

Solving Screen Split Problems

Even Redmi 8 with the latest updates can cause bugs when using multi-windows.

If none of these methods help, reset your settings (without losing data):

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting.
2. Choose Reset all settings (not to be confused with Reset to factory!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After reset, recheck the multi-window, which solves software failures in 90% of cases.

💡

If the problem persists, try rolling back to the previous version of MIUI via Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Select an update pack. Download stable firmware from Xiaomi’s official website.

Comparison of multi-window on Redmi 8 and other Xiaomi models

Redmi 8 is a budget lineup, so its multi-window capabilities are limited compared to flagships (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi Note 11 Pro+).

• 🔄 Number of windows: Redmi 8 – only 2, flagships – up to 4 (using third-party applications).
• 📱 Gestures: new models support swipe separation from the edge of the screen, on Redmi 8 – only through the panel of recent.
• 🔧 Performance: Due to 3 GB of RAM, only lightweight applications can work on Redmi 8 at the same time.

However, for most tasks (messengers + browser, notes + calculator) the Redmi 8 features are quite enough. If you need more, consider upgrading to Redmi Note 10 or higher, where the multi-window is implemented at the system level.

Interesting fact: MIUI 14 (which is unofficially ported to Redmi 8) has a feature called "floating windows" (like the Samsung DeX), but it requires at least 4 GB of RAM to work reliably, so it works with lags on the Redmi 8.

FAQ: Frequent questions about splitting the screen on Redmi 8