Dividing the screen on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: official and hidden methods

Introduction: Why you need a split screen on a smartphone

Multitasking has become an integral part of the modern digital experience. On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, split-screen functionality allows you to work with two applications simultaneously – for example, chatting in a messenger and browsing the web, or comparing documents without constantly switching between windows – This feature is especially relevant for owners of devices with large displays (in the case of the Note 8 Pro – 6.53 inches), where screen space can be used as efficiently as possible.

However, not all users know that MIUI (branded shell Xiaomi) implemented several ways to activate separate mode. the official method through the settings of the system is not available in all versions of the firmware, and alternative options (for example, through gestures or third-party utilities) require additional manipulation. In this article, we will discuss all working methods, including hidden chips, which are not written even in the official documentation.

It is important to note that the functionality may vary depending on the version of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 12 and MIUI 14 have different activation algorithms), and we will specify the features for each version, and provide solutions for cases where the standard method does not work.

Official method: Including through system settings

The most reliable method is to activate the split screen through the settings menu, which works on most versions of MIUI, including MIUI 11-14, but may not be available in some regional firmware (e.g. Europe or India).

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the Special Features section (some versions call it Additional or Advanced Settings).
3. Select Separate Screen (or Multiwindow) if not, see the next section.
4. Activate the switch in the upper right corner. Now the function is ready to use.

To start the mode:

1. Open the first app (like Chrome).
2. Click on the square button (the menu of recent apps) and hold the app icon for a few seconds.
3. In the menu that appears, select Separate Screen (or Open at the top/bottom).
4. Select the second app from the recent list or through search.

Make sure both apps support multi-window mode

Close background processes to save RAM

Turn off the energy saving mode (may block the function)

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If the separate screen is not in the settings, this can mean:

• 📱 Your version. MIUI Does not support the function (relevant for firmware below) MIUI 10).
• 🌍 Regional restrictions (e.g., in the European version of the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the feature is sometimes disabled by default).
• 🔧 The function is hidden by the developers (solved through the developer mode – see the next section).

Activation through Developer Mode (Hidden Method)

In some versions of MIUI, the split screen option is hidden and requires activation through the developer settings, which works even if the option is not in the standard settings.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI Version. You will be notified of becoming a developer!.
2. Return to the main settings menu and open a new Developer section (usually at the bottom of the list).
3. Scroll down and find the Allow Split Screen (or Force Split-screen in English). Activate it.
4. Restart the device to apply the changes.

After that, the standard method (holding the icon in the menu of recent ones) should work. If not, check for firmware updates or try alternative methods.

⚠️ Attention: Enabling the developer mode and changing hidden settings can lead to unstable system operation. Do not activate unknown options unnecessarily. For example, the item Do not turn off the screen in this menu will quickly drain the battery.

Screen splitting with gestures (for MIUI 12 and later)

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has added split screen support through control gestures, a way that is more convenient than the classic one, since it doesn’t require you to switch to the menu of recent apps.

1. Open the first app (like YouTube).
2. Make a swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger on the app icon (as for drag and drop).
3. Keep your finger on, drag the icon to the top or bottom of the screen, and you'll see the separation zone backlit.
4. Let go of your finger, the app takes up half the screen, and select the second app from the list.

To swap apps, pull the dividing line up or down, and to close the mode, draw a line to the top or bottom of the screen.

If the gestures don't work:

• 🔄 Make sure that in the settings → Display. → Navigation buttons enabled Gesture mode (not classic buttons).
• 📱 Check if your app supports multi-window mode (like Instagram and some games block it).
• 🔧 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version – in old builds gestures may not work properly.

Through the menu of recent apps

Gestures (swipe and hold)

Through system settings

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Third-party split-screen applications

If standard methods don't work (e.g. custom firmware or regional MIUI), third-party utilities can be used, not only adding a split screen feature, but also extending it to support more than two windows, free resizing, and template preservation.

Top.-3 tested applications:

• 📱 Split Screen Launcher – creates shortcuts for fast launch of pairs of applications in separate mode. Supports Redmi Note 8 Pro on Android 9-11.
• 🔧 Floating Apps – allows you to open applications in floating windows (not only split into two parts). ADB full-time.
• 🌐 Multi Window – a simple tool with gesture support and saving frequently used pairs of apps.

Instructions for setting up Split Screen Launcher:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and grant permissions to access Special Features (in your phone settings).
3. Choose a couple of apps from the list or create your own combination.
4. Click Create a shortcut – an icon will appear on the home screen to quickly launch a separate mode.

⚠️ Note: Third-party applications for multiwindow mode may conflict with MIUI, Especially if you have Data Protection or Battery Optimization activated. To avoid crashes, add the utility to the exceptions in the Battery settings and performance. → Optimizing the battery.

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with firmware below MIUI 12 some applications (e.g., Floating Apps) require activation via ADB-team:

adb shell pm grant com.likando.floatingapps android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

This command gives the application the right to change the system settings, and only use it if you are sure of the source of the utility.

Limitations and problems of split screen on Redmi Note 8 Pro

Despite the convenience, the split screen feature on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro has a number of limitations, which are important to consider to avoid disappointment:

• 🎮 Games and heavy applications (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact automatically blocks multiwindow mode, which is associated with performance optimization – the system prevents overheating and falling. FPS.
• 📸 Some camera apps (such as Snapchat or TikTok) refuse to work in separate mode due to security restrictions.
• 🔒 Banking applications (such as SberBank Online or Tinkoff) can be closed when you try to split the screen – this is a measure of protection against screenshots and screen recordings.
• 🔋 The mode increases the load on the processor (MediaTek Helio) G90T Note 8 Pro, which results in accelerated battery discharge (15-20% faster than normal).

Common mistakes and their solutions:

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If you need a separate screen to work with documents, use applications with built-in multi-window support, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs. These are optimized for this task and are less likely to cause crashes.

Alternative solutions: floating windows and Second Space

If the standard split screen doesn’t fit, consider the alternative multitasking options on the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

1. Floating Windows (Floating Windows)

Some apps (like Facebook Messenger or Telegram) support floating windows to activate it:

1. Open the app.
2. Click on the app icon in the recent menu and select Floating window (if the option is available).
3. The window will shrink and float on top of other applications, and it can be moved and resized.

2. Second Space (Second Desktop)

The MIUI Second Space feature allows you to create a second independent user profile with your own apps and settings, which will not replace a separate screen, but will help you separate work and personal tasks:

1. Go to Settings. → Second Space.
2. Set up a second profile (you can copy applications from the main one).
3. Switch between swipe profiles via the lock button or through the notification panel.

3. Desktop Mode (MIUI Desktop Mode)

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you can activate desktop mode, which converts the interface to a Windows-like window.

1. Connect your phone to the monitor via USB-C → HDMI adapter.
2. In the connection settings, select Desktop Mode.
3. Now applications will open in separate windows, like on a PC.

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Second Space is the only official way to split the screen for applications that do not support multi-window mode (such as games or banking services).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screen splitting