Splitting the screen on Xiaomi 9C NFC: Complete guide with pictures and life hacks

The split screen (or multi-window) feature on Xiaomi 9C NFC It allows you to work with two applications at the same time — for example, chatting in a messenger and watching videos, or copying text from a browser into notes. Despite the fact that the model was released in 2020, it supports this ability thanks to the shell. MIUI 12+. However, many users face problems: where to look for settings, why a gesture does not work, or how to turn on mode for specific applications.

In this article, you’ll find 3 proven ways to activate split screen, including hidden chips. MIUI, And we also solved the common bugs, from not having a button on the menu to freezing the interface. 9C NFC firmware MIUI 12.5, 13 and 14, so the instructions are relevant for 2026.

If you’ve never used a multi-window on Android, don’t worry: it takes less than a minute to process, and for experienced Xiaomi owners, we’ve prepared advanced settings – for example, how to change the proportions of windows or fix frequently used pairs of applications.

⚠️ Important: on some versions MIUI The function can be disabled by default because of performance optimization, and then you have to manually activate it through the function lab, and we'll show you how to do that without risking the system.

1. Method: Gesture control (fastest)

Modern versions MIUI They allow you to run a split screen with a single finger movement, without going into settings. 9C NFC s MIUI 12.5 and later if navigational gestures are enabled.

Here's how to do it:

1. Open the first app (like YouTube) you want to place at the top of the screen.
2. Swipe your finger from the bottom up and hold your finger for 1 second, and the menu of recent apps will open.
3. Find the second app (e.g. Telegram) and pinch its icon for 2 seconds.
4. Drag the icon to the top or bottom of the screen and a dividing line will appear.
5. Release your finger and the screen will split into two zones.

✅ Pros of the method: does not require additional settings, it works instantly.

❌ Cons: On some firmware, the gesture may conflict with other features (e.g., the Quick Settings Panel).

Gestures included in Settings → Display. → Navigation through the system

The menu of recent applications displays all the necessary programs

There are no locks from the child mode or third-party launchers on the screen.

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If the gesture doesn't work, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Split screen requires 12.5 or higher.
• 👆 Navigation type: gestures only work in the selected mode No buttons (gestures).
• 🔄 System updates: sometimes bugs are fixed in new patches. check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

2. Method: through the menu of recent applications

If gesture control seems inconvenient, you can split the screen through the classic multitasking menu, which is universal and works even on older versions. MIUI (starting MIUI 10).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the first app (like Chrome).
2. Press the square navigation button (or swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger for gestures).
3. In the recent app menu, find a second app (like Google Keep) and click on its icon (not the preview!).
4. In the context menu that appears, select Divide screen (or Open in split form).
5. Confirm the action – the screen will split automatically.

🔹 Tip: If there is no split screen button, then the application does not support multi-window. Try another one (for example, Google Maps or Gallery always work).

⚠️ Warning: If one of the apps has stalled or is unresponsive after splitting the screen, don't try to close it down in the standard way:

1. Swipe your finger up or down the dividing line, and it will roll one of the windows.
2. Or reboot the phone by holding the power button for 10 seconds.

Method 3: Through the Functional Laboratory MIUI

If the first two methods don't work, maybe the split-screen function is disabled at the system level, and then it can be activated through the hidden menu of the lab. MIUI.

Instructions for Xiaomi 9C NFC:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 5 times in a row on the item Version MIUI — A message will appear that you have become a developer!.
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional → Developer options.
4. Scroll down and find the Functions Lab (or Special features in English firmware).
5. Activate the split screen (or multi-window mode) switch.
6. Reboot the phone.

Once this option is enabled, a split-screen button will appear in the menu of recent apps, even for programs that did not previously support it, but beware: changing the developer settings can affect system stability.

💡

If there is no Lab Functions item in the Developer Settings, try updating it. MIUI Up to the latest version or use an alternative method with ADB-teams (described below).

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience) may not have a function lab, so you can only turn on the split screen via the device. ADB-team:

adb shell settings put global force_multi_window true

After completing the command, restart the device.

Gesture management

Menu of recent apps

MIUI Functions Laboratory

Third-party annexes

I don't use multi-windows.-->

4.Shared screen setting: proportions, fixation, hot keys

By default, windows are divided in proportions. 50/50, But you can change them. Here's how to manage separation:

Resize of windows:

• 📏 Drag the dividing line up or down to enlarge one of the windows.
• 🔒 To fix the proportions, hold the line. 2 Seconds – a menu with preliminary options will appear (70/30, 60/40 etc.).

Hot keys:

• 🔄 Change windows: swipe your finger on the dividing line to the left or right.
• 🗑️ Close one window: Swipe the line towards the unnecessary application.
• 📱 Turn both windows: draw the line down to the end.

Save a couple of applications:

If you use the same combination often (e.g. YouTube) + Telegram, it can be fixed:

1. Divide the screen with the desired applications.
2. Press three points in the dividing line (or hold the line for 3 seconds).
3. Choose Save a couple.
4. This combination will now be available in the menu of recent apps as a single unit.

💡

Saved pairs of applications are synchronized with the Xiaomi account – after resetting or flashing them, you can restore them to Settings → Annexes → Saved couples.

5. Problem Solving: Why isn't the split screen working?

If none of these methods worked, check out these points:

Problem 1: The split screen button is not in the menu of recent apps.

• 🔧 Solution: Enable the function in the lab MIUI (see method 3).
• 📱 Alternative: Use the Split Screen Launcher app (available on Google Play).

Problem 2: The screen is splitting, but one of the apps won’t open.

• 🔄 Solution: Restart the application or clear its cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 🛠️ For system applications: execute a command through ADB: adb shell am force-stop com.android.package (replace com.android.package in the name of the application package).

Problem 3: The split screen is lagging or braking.

• 🔋 Solution: Close the background processes in Settings → Battery → Performance mode.
• 🗑️ Radical method: disable animation in developer settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Developer parameters → The scale of window animation = Off.).

⚠️ Note: if the split screen is activated through the laboratory MIUI The phone has started to overheat or discharge quickly, turn off the function and check the device for viruses (for example, through Google Play Protect or Malwarebytes.

6.Alternative methods: third-party applications and ADB

If the standard methods do not suit, you can use alternative solutions, they are suitable for advanced users or owners of Xiaomi. 9C NFC custom-made.

Method 1: Split Screen Launcher

• 📱 Install the app from Google Play.
• 🔧 Run it and select two apps from the list.
• 🎯 Press Open in split screen – the screen will split automatically.

✅ Pros: works on any firmware, supports saving pairs of applications.

❌ Cons: Can conflict with gestures MIUI.

Method 2: ADB-command

If the function lab is not available, try these commands (debugging is required). USB):

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging. USB developer-specific.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) Enter: adb shell settings put global multi_window_mode_enabled true adb shell settings put global force_multi_window true
3. Reset the device.

Method 3: Change the build.prop file (for advanced ones)

⚠️ Attention: this method requires root rights and can lead to unstable operation of the system!

• 📄 Open the file. /system/build.prop In a text editor (for example, through Root Explorer).
• 🔍 Add a line: ro.miui.has_split_screen=true
• 🔄 Save the changes and restart the phone.

7. Comparison with other Xiaomi smartphones

The split screen feature on Xiaomi 9C NFC It is implemented slightly differently than on flagship models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12:

As you can see from the table, Xiaomi 9C NFC inferior to the flagships in the flexibility of settings, but fully supports the basic functionality. The main advantage of the model is the stable operation of multi-windows even on a weak by modern standards processor Snapdragon 632.

💡 Lifehack: If you need more than two windows, try the Floating Window mode (available in the Floating Window mode) MIUI It allows you to open mini windows on top of the main screen:

1. Open the app.
2. In the recent apps menu, click on the icon and select Floating Window.
3. Drag the window to the right place on the screen.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions