Modern smartphones have enough performance to perform several tasks at once, but users often face interface limitations. Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi 8 model often wonder how to activate the mode that allows you to work with two applications at once. The split screen function (Split Screen) significantly increases productivity, allowing, for example, to chat in the messenger and watch a video or read an article at the same time.
Unfortunately, the standard MIUI menu doesn’t always have an obvious button to switch to this mode, which causes confusion. Android’s MIUI shell-based system has its own multitasking implementation features that differ from pure Android. In this article, we’ll go into detail about all the available ways to activate the separation of the display, including hidden settings and third-party utilities.
Not all installed programs support smaller windows, and some app developers force this feature to keep their interfaces intact, and understanding these limitations will help you avoid unnecessary actions and adjust your smartphone’s workspace.
The standard way to activate through the menu of recent applications
The most common method of enabling split-screen mode on Xiaomi Redmi 8 does not require installing additional software or obtaining superuser rights. It is built into the management system of running programs, but requires a certain algorithm of actions. First, you need to open the application that you want to place at the top of the display, and let it fully boot.
Then, go to the recent task menu by swiping from bottom to top and holding your finger in the center of the screen (or clicking the navigation button "Menu" if it's on). Find the icon of the desired application in the list and click on it to pop up the context menu. This is where the desired option is hidden, which may not be immediately noticeable to the inattentive user.
- 📱 Click on the app icon in the recent task menu.
- 🔲 Select "Separate screen" (the icon with two rectangles).
- 👆 Tap the second app you want to open at the bottom.
- ↔️ Adjust the size of the windows by dragging the dividing line.
⚠️ Note: If there is no split-screen option in the context menu, then the selected application does not support this mode of operation at the system level.
Once you activate the mode, you'll see that the screen has split into two independent zones. 50-60% You can swap them around, drag them down, or you can close one of the windows with a cross, and that's a basic level of multitasking that every device owner can use.
📊 Do you use a split screen on your smartphone?
I work in two windows all the time.
Sometimes for convenience.
I just tried it once.
I don't use it at all.
Using the Floating Windows function as an alternative
The MIUI shell on Redmi 8 has a more flexible tool than the classic split screen, which allows applications to run on top of other programs in a small movable rectangle, which is often more convenient because it doesn't divide the screen in half, but allows you to maneuver.
The recent task menu is also used to activate the floating window, but the action is slightly different. Instead of choosing a split screen, you need to find a four-square or arrow icon (depending on the MIUI version) next to the application name. Pressing on this element turns the program into a getting stuck widget that can be moved around the entire display.
Settings → Advanced settings → Floating windows → Enable
This is especially useful when you're watching YouTube or VK, when you're chatting in parallel, and you can roll the window to the edge of the screen, turn it into a thin strip, and turn it back at any time, and it creates the effect of a real multi-window mode, which is typical of desktop operating systems.
How to fix a floating window?
To keep the window from disappearing when you switch tasks, click on the top of the floating window and select the pin or lock icon. This will lock the application on top of all other interfaces, including the desktop.> However, it is worth remembering that several active applications simultaneously consume more CPU and RAM resources. On Xiaomi Redmi 8, which is equipped with 2 or 3 GB of RAM in various modifications, this can lead to the background closure of heavy programs. The system will automatically unload unused processes to ensure stability. Application compatibility problem and its solution One of the most common reasons why Xiaomi does not divide the application screen from the developers of the 8, it is the Redmi. Social media, banking clients and some games often block split-screen work, considering it a potential security threat or simply not optimizing the interface. In such cases, standard methods will not work, and the system will simply not offer you the appropriate option. But there is a way to force an application to work in a split mode by changing the settings in the developer menu, a method that requires caution, but is effective for most incompatible programs, and you first need to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to the Settings. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI". After a successful activation message appears, go back to the main settings menu and find a new section called Advanced Settings or Additional". 🛠 Find the "Developers" item in the settings menu. 📜 Scroll down the list to the "Applications" section". ✅ Activate the switch "Forced to allow resizing". 🔄 Reset the device to apply the changes. Parameter Standard Value Changed Value Impact on the system Auto window size Forced High Stability UI Normal Failures Average Compatibility Limited Total Low Consumption RAM Optimized Increased High ⚠️ Attention: Forced resizing can cause the application interface to display incorrectly, shift buttons, or program crashes. Use this feature only when absolutely necessary. Once you have enabled this option, try running the app again through the recent task menu, and it will likely now allow you to split the screen, even if it was previously marked as incompatible. However, the interface inside the window may look stretched or compressed, since the layout is not designed for such proportions. ☑️ Check before turning on the developer mode Make a backup of data Remember the initial settings Make sure the battery charge is more 30%Understand the risks of unstable work: 0 / 4 Third-party split-screen applications If embedded tools MIUI If you're not happy or you're not working properly, you can use specialized software from the Google Play Store, and there are many tools that create a virtual shell to run applications in split mode, bypassing system constraints. One popular solution is the Split Screen Launcher app, or similar ones, which work as launchers or overlays, running two selected applications in separate containers. This allows you to use even those programs that categorically refuse to work in the mode of separation of native means. Installing such programs requires broad permissions, including access over other windows and screen control. Without these rights, the utility will not be able to technically implement display separation. So, when you first start, carefully read security requests and confirm access. The main disadvantage of using third-party software is increased energy consumption. Additional processes necessary to maintain the "crutches" load the Redmi 8 processor. In addition, advertising in free versions of such applications can irritate and block the usable screen area. Gesture setting and window control For comfortable use of third-party software, it is more important to manage the screen size in order to operate the Redmi 8, so you can use them more conveniently to operate the windows. You can drag the boundary between apps up and down, changing the proportions of the display, and if you pull the dividing line all the way to the edge of the screen, one of the apps will close and the other will take up the entire display, and that's a quick way to get out of multitasking mode without going to the menu. Also worth mentioning is the "Sidebar" feature (if available in your version). MIUI). It lets you display a list of favorite apps from the side of the screen. When you pull the app out of this panel, you can instantly open it in a floating window or in split mode, which greatly speeds up workflow. → Additional settings → Sidebar. → In some versions of the firmware, the application "Access" function is available. If you lock the application in split-screen mode, it will remain active even when you restart the device or restart the interface. This is convenient for constant tasks such as monitoring currency rates or video communication. 💡Optimizing gesture management and using the sidebar make the Xiaomi Redmi 8 a powerful tool for multitasking, despite the device's budget segment (FAQ) Why doesn't my Redmi 8 have a split-screen button? This could be for three reasons: the app doesn't support split-screen mode, you didn't have a developer mode to force it on, or your version of the app doesn't support split-screen mode. MIUI It has a bug. Try updating the system or checking the settings in the developer menu. Does split screen affect the speed of the phone? Yes, running two active applications simultaneously increases the load on the processor and RAM. On Redmi 8 with 2 GB RAM This can cause slowing of the interface or automatic closing of the background tabs of the browser. Is it possible to play games in split screen? Technically possible, but extremely inconvenient and often impossible due to blockages by game developers. Most games require full screen mode to properly operate touch control and prevent cheating. How do you exit split-screen mode? To exit, drag the center dividing line up or down so that one of the apps takes up the entire screen. Or just close one of the windows through the menu of recent tasks. Does the split-screen work horizontally? In the horizontal position, the screen is divided vertically (left and right), but support for this mode depends on the specific application and version of the shell. MIUI. Not all programs are correctly rotated and scaled in landscape split-screen mode.