How to split the screen Xiaomi Redmi 9A: the full guide

Owners of budget smartphones often wonder how to effectively use the display space, especially when the model does not have flagship characteristics. Xiaomi Redmi 9A, despite the affordable price, offers users a number of useful features for multitasking, which are hidden in the depth of system settings or implemented through special gestures. Screen split allows you to simultaneously view video and chat in the messenger, which greatly speeds up interaction with the device in everyday life.

However, unlike the more expensive Redmi Note series, the basic version of the MIUI interface may have some limitations or differ in the way the desired options are activated. Users need to understand the difference between the classic split screen, where two applications occupy 50% of the area, and the floating window mode, which is often a more convenient solution for small diagonals.

It is worth noting that the success of the operation depends not only on the firmware version, but also on the optimization of the applications themselves. Some programs, especially bank clients or heavy games, can block split-screen operation due to security or technical constraints. Redmi 9A system limitation does not allow to run in split-mode applications that require horizontal orientation or full immersion mode. So if the function is not activated, the problem may lie in the chosen software, not in the malfunction of the smartphone.

Technical features of multitasking on Redmi 9A

Redmi Smartphone 9A It is based on the MediaTek Helio processor. G25 and operate under the control of the shell MIUI, The RAM of 2 or 3 GB (depending on the modification) imposes certain limits on the number of processes running simultaneously. When you try to split the screen, the system has to keep two applications active in the outground mode, which increases resource consumption.

It's important to understand that MIUI uses its own window mode implementation, which is different from pure Android. There's no standard split screen button on recent apps like the Pixel or Motorola. Instead, Xiaomi has implemented gestures and special triggers that need to be activated manually or through feature settings, so as not to overload the interface with unnecessary elements on low-resolution screens.

⚠️ Attention: When the screen is actively divided, background processes can be completed by the system faster than usual. If you need an app (like a navigator or music player) to run consistently in the second window, be sure to pin it to memory or turn off the energy savings for that particular app.

The 720×1600 pixel resolution also plays a role in comfort. When splitting the screen in half, each app gets just 360 pixels vertically (in portrait mode), which can make text unreadable in some interfaces. That is why Xiaomi developers often recommend using a floating window mode instead of rigidly splitting in half for this device model.

Classic method of splitting through the menu of recent applications

The most common way to activate split-screen mode on Xiaomi devices is to use the running task menu. However, on Redmi 9A, this method does not always work, as it depends on the version of MIUI and the interface settings. First, you need to open two applications that you plan to use simultaneously and fold them so that they remain in memory.

Then you should call the menu of recent applications. Depending on the type of navigation you choose (buttons or gestures), this is done either by clicking on the square at the bottom of the screen or swiping from the bottom up with a finger retention. In the list that opens, find the card of the first application. In the upper right corner of the card (or when you press it long, depending on the version of the shell), an icon that resembles two rectangles or the letter "P" should appear.

• 📱 Click on the split screen icon in the corner of the app card.
• 📂 Select the second app from the list of recently used apps or find it in the menu.
• ↔️ Adjust the size of the windows by dragging the dividing line down the middle of the screen.
• ❌ To exit the mode, drag the divider completely up or down to the edge of the display.

If the split icon is missing, it means that the application does not support this feature or it is disabled in the global settings of the system, in which case you can try an alternative method through the control panel, which is described below, and it is also worth checking whether the Full-screen application mode is enabled, which can block Windows.

Use of side panel and floating windows

A more flexible tool for Redmi 9A is the Sidebar, which allows you to run applications as floating windows on top of the main content. This method is often more convenient, because it allows you to change the size of the window and move it around the screen without fixing hard boundaries. To activate this feature, you need to go to the settings and find the "floating windows" or "Sidebar".

Once the feature is turned on, a barely visible translucent marker will appear on the side faces of the screen (left or right), and a swipe from this marker will open a panel with selected applications inside the screen, and you can add any programs you plan to use often in multi-window mode, such as a calculator, notes or instant messengers.

To turn a running application into a floating window, open it, then call the sidebar and click on the icon of the same application in the panel list. It will instantly fold into a small movable unit. This trick works with most standard applications and third-party services, giving the user maximum flexibility in managing space.

Set up special features for quick access

There is another powerful tool in MIUI’s arsenal that users often ignore: the feature menu, which allows you to set up quick access to the split-screen function via a floating button or a combination of actions, especially for the Redmi 9A, where on-screen navigation may not be as convenient due to the physical dimensions of the device.

Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Special Features. Search the “Special Features Menu” or “Fast Access” list of available services. Turn on this service and allow the necessary permissions to be displayed on top of other windows. Then a floating button or panel will appear on the screen (usually in the lower corner).

• 🔧 Set up short and long presses on the quick access button.
• 🖱️ Set the action "Separate screen" or "Floating window" on a long press".
• 🚀 Use the button to instantly switch between modes without accessing the task menu.
• 🔒 Hide the button if necessary so it doesn’t interfere with video or gaming.

This approach makes it much faster for workflow, so you don't have to turn apps down every time you look for them on a list of apps that you've launched, and just tapping a floating button instantly puts the active application in the right mode, and it's especially useful for people who are often working with documents or chatting while they're watching content.

Problem Solving and Typical Errors

Despite the simplicity of the theory, in practice, Redmi 9A users may face a number of difficulties. Most often, the problem is that the system simply does not allow the screen to be divided, and the icon remains inactive. This is not always a bug, often it is a feature of the operation of a particular application. For example, Instagram or some banking applications block screenshots and split screens for security reasons.

Another common reason is a lack of free RAM. If there are many heavy processes running in the background, MIUI can block the creation of new window sessions to prevent the system from crashing, in which case it helps to clear the memory before starting the split mode, and it is also worth checking whether the Game or Game Turbo mode is turned on, which often blocks all notifications and window modes to prevent accidental pressing.

⚠️ Warning: If after trying to split the screen, the device starts to get very hot or the interface gets jerky, immediately close one of the applications. G25 may not be able to render two active graphical interfaces simultaneously, leading to trolling and performance loss.

In some cases, resetting display settings helps. Go to Settings → Screen → Element Size and try to zoom in. Sometimes, a return to standard values or, conversely, a change in DPI can "wake up" hidden interface functions if they were blocked by a software configuration failure.

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Useful tip: For stable split-screen operation, turn off the window animations in the Developer menu. Find the "Window animations," "Transition animations" and set the value "No animation" or "0.5x." This will reduce the load on the GPU and make switching between windows more responsive.

Optimization of work in multi-window mode

To avoid the use of two applications at the same time becoming torture for the processor, you need to manage resources correctly. First of all, close all unnecessary tabs in the browser and background applications that are not involved in the current process. Redmi 9A is a budget-class device, and the distribution of its power requires discipline from the user.

It is recommended to turn off live wallpaper and heavy widgets on the desktop if you plan to actively use split screen mode. These elements consume GPU resources even in a rolled-up state if they are in memory. It is also worth reducing the brightness of the screen, since the two active zones of the display can lead to faster battery consumption and heating of the case.

Built-in tools can be used to continuously monitor the system status MIUI. Check the "Security" section regularly" →"Memory cleansing. If you notice that after you leave the split mode, the phone is slow, reboot. This will clear the cache and reset possible memory allocation errors that may have occurred when the windows were running.

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Effective use of split screen mode on Redmi 9A is possible only with proper memory management and closing of background processes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)