Dividing the screen on Xiaomi 9S: all the ways and secrets of the function

The Xiaomi 9S split screen feature allows you to work with two apps at the same time — for example, chatting in the messenger and watching videos, or copying text from the browser into notes. Despite the obvious benefits, many users do not know how to activate this mode correctly or face the limitations of MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods for enabling multi-windows, the nuances of working with different versions of firmware and solving typical problems.

It is important to understand that the screen split on Xiaomi 9S depends on the version of MIUI and installed updates. In older builds (before MIUI 12), the feature may be missing or unstable, while in new versions (MIUI 13-14) it has become more flexible.

If you've tried splitting the screen before, but it didn't work out, don't be quick to blame the smartphone. You may have missed a key step in settings or used an incompatible app. Next, you'll find step-by-step guides for different scenarios, including hidden MIUI chips that aren't written about in the official documentation.

1. Standard way to split the screen through multitasking

The easiest way to activate a multi-window is to use the recent app dashboard, which works on all versions of MIUI starting with 11, but can vary visually depending on the shell.

1. Open the first app you want to use in split mode (like YouTube).
2. Click on the Recent button (square at the bottom of the screen) or swipe up with a 1 second delay.
3. In the multitasking panel, find the app card and hold it with your finger for 1-2 seconds.
4. In the menu that appears, select the option "Share the screen" (or an icon with two rectangles).
5. Select the second app from the list or return to the home screen to launch it.

After that, the screen will split into two parts, and between the applications will appear a dividing bar, which can be dragged up/down to change the proportions of the windows (for example, make one window wider than the other), to exit the mode, pull the dividing line to the edge of the screen or press the button Close (cross) in the center of the strip.

Make sure that both apps support multi-windows.

Close unnecessary programs in the background

Check that the function is not blocked in the MIUI settings

Connect the charger (long-term operation in the multi-window consumes the battery)

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⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 9S s MIUI 12 and below, some system applications (such as Settings or Camera) may not support split screen, and the feature is not available in Game Turbo mode or when active Energy Saving is available.

2. Alternative method through gestures (for MIUI 13-14)

Newer versions of Xiaomi firmware have added a convenient way to activate the multi-window through gestures, which is faster but requires pre-tuning.

Go to Settings → Special Features → Gestures and Movements → Split screen and activate the switch. Now you can:

• 👆 Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger to open the multitasking bar, then drag the app to the top of the screen.
• 🔄 Use the three-finger swipe down (if the option is enabled in the gesture settings) to instantly split the current window.
• 📱 On some versions MIUI It is enough to hold the app icon in the notification panel and select Open in a split window.

This is especially useful for quickly switching between the messenger and the browser, for example, you can read a message on Telegram and immediately respond without closing the video on YouTube.

Through the multitasking panel

Gestures (swipe up)

Badge in the notification panel

I don't use multi-windows.

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⚠️ Note: If gestures don’t work, check if they conflict with other features (such as Smart Assistant or Google Assistant). → Additionally. → Gestures.

3. Screen splitting for specific applications (forced mode)

Some apps (like Instagram or TikTok) block multiwindow mode by default, but MIUI has a hidden forced separation feature that allows you to bypass this limitation.

1. Turn on Developer Mode by going to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and pressing 7 times in a row.
2. Return to Settings → More → For developers and find Force Resize Activities (or Force Resize Activities in English).
3. Activate the switch and restart the smartphone.

Now, even apps that didn't previously support multi-windows will open in split mode, but note that some programs may not work properly (e.g., display a black screen or crash).

⚠️ Note: Forced mode can cause some applications to run unstable, especially if they are optimized for full-screen display.

4.Setting up split screen via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not work, you can try to activate the multi-window through the ADB-This is a way for power users to connect the smartphone to the computer:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC.
2. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone (Settings → Developers).
3. Connect Xiaomi 9S Enter the command line: adb shell settings put global force_resizeable_activities 1
4. Reset the device.

This command enforces split-screen support for all applications, including those that block it, but beware: improper use of ADB can cause system failures.

⚠️ Attention: After application ADB-Some system applications (e.g., Security or Software Update) may be bugged. To get it back, type in:

adb shell settings put global force_resizeable_activities 0

5. Solving the split screen issues on Xiaomi 9S

If the multi-window doesn't work or doesn't work properly, the causes can range from firmware bugs to conflicts with other functions. Here are the most common problems and solutions:

• 🔄 Grey feature on the menu: Check if Power Saving or Game Turbo is on. Turn them off in the notification bar.
• 📱 The app doesn't open in multi-window: Try first to run it in normal mode, then go multitasking and split the screen.
• 🔋 Smartphone overheats: Splitting screen increases the load on the processor.Close background apps and reduce screen brightness.
• 🔒 Error "Function disabled by administrator": This means that the device has a work profile (for example, via Microsoft Intune.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting MIUI to factory settings, saving the data beforehand. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting and select Resetting MIUI (not to be confused with a full reset!).

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If you need to split the screen often, add a feature shortcut to the home screen. To do this, hold your finger in the free space of the screen → Widgets → find the Screen Split and drag it to a convenient place.

6. Optimization of multi-window operation

To make the screen splitting on Xiaomi 9S work as efficiently as possible, follow these tips:

• 🔋 Charging: Connect the smartphone to the charger - the multi-window consumes the battery on the battery 30-40% faster.
• 📶 Network: Turn off mobile internet in one of the windows if you don’t need it (for example, in Notes or Calendar).
• 🔊 Sound: In the sound settings (Settings) → Sound) Select which application will play audio (by default - top window).
• 📱 Gestures: Set up Double Touch to Wake Up (Settings) → Lock screen to quickly return to multi-window.

It’s also good to know that MIUI 14 has a feature called “Floating Windows,” which are miniature versions of apps that can be moved over other windows. To enable it, go to Settings → Special Features → Floating Windows and add the apps you want to add to the list.

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On Xiaomi 9S, you can open up to 2 apps in split mode and up to 3 in floating windows at the same time (with sufficient RAM).

7. Comparison with other Xiaomi smartphones

The screen split function on Xiaomi 9S is implemented similarly to other models of the line, but there are nuances:

On flagship models (such as the Xiaomi 13), the feature is more advanced: it supports horizontal separation (for tablet mode) and quick switching between swipe windows. On the Xiaomi 9S, these options are not available due to hardware limitations.

Frequently asked questions