Multitasking is a key feature of modern smartphones, allowing users to significantly improve the efficiency of the device. Owners of budget but productive models such as the Xiaomi Redmi 9 often wonder how to run two applications at once. This is really possible thanks to the Split Screen feature built into the MIUI shell on which the Android operating system runs.
Splitting the display into two independent areas opens up new possibilities for content consumption and communication. You can chat in the messenger while watching a YouTube video, or compare products in the online store with a budget calculator open.
However, the process of activating split-screen mode may not be obvious to beginners, since it is hidden in special navigation menus. There are several ways to run applications in the window, and each of them has its own usage characteristics. In this guide, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from standard gestures to the use of special scripts to expand the functionality.
System preparation and compatibility check
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your smartphone software is up to date. The split screen function works stably on the shells of MIUI 11, 12 and more, which are preinstalled on Redmi 9. If you have not updated the system for a long time, it is recommended to go to the settings and check for new service packs, as older versions may contain errors in the window mode.
It's important to understand that not all applications support split-screen work. Software developers determine whether their product can be run in this format. Social networks, instant messengers, browsers, and video players are usually fully compatible, while some games or specific utilities can be forced to open to the full screen.
The navigation needs to be configured to work properly, depending on your preferences, you can use the classic three buttons at the bottom of the screen or modern gestures. Both methods allow you to activate split mode, but the sequence of actions will differ. Make sure you have free space in RAM, since the simultaneous operation of two applications requires more CPU resources.
Screen splitting method through recent app menu
The most common and versatile way to run two apps simultaneously on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 is to use the task menu, which works regardless of which type of navigation you choose in the system settings, whether it is buttons or gestures. The algorithm is simple, but requires a certain sequence that you need to remember for quick access.
First, run the first app you plan to use. This can be any compatible software product, like a browser or gallery. Once the app opens without closing it, go to the recent task menu. If you have buttons on, press the square key at the bottom of the screen. If you use gestures, swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger in the middle of the screen until the window list appears.
In the list of running programs that opens, find the application window you want. At the top of the application card (or to the right of the name, depending on the version of MIUI), you will see an icon that resembles two horizontal lines or a rectangle divided in half. Clicking on this symbol will instantly divide the screen: the selected application will occupy the top half of the display, and at the bottom there will be a menu for selecting the second application.
☑️ Screen split algorithm
Once you select the second program, the screen will be divided by a horizontal line, so you can change the size of the windows by dragging the dividing line up or down to give priority to one of the applications. Note that the minimum window size is limited by system parameters, and you can't compress the application to a very small strip.
Use of gestures and fast commands
For users who prefer buttonless controls, Xiaomi has introduced special gesture combinations that allow faster switching between display modes, but it is worth noting that these gestures can work differently on different versions of firmware, so it is important to know the alternative activation options.
One effective way is to use the floating windows feature, which is often confused with split screen, but has its advantages: To activate a floating window, launch an application, then click on the program name and select the appropriate mode on the recent task menu, which allows you to move the window around the screen, which is sometimes more convenient than static splitting.
There is also a hidden feature to trigger split-screen by long-pressing. In some versions of MIUI, if you keep your finger on the app card for a long time in the menu of recent tasks, a context menu with split option may appear, a method less predictable, but worth trying if the standard icons don't show up.
Why doesn’t the icon of separation appear?
Advanced settings through the engineering menu
For advanced users who want to gain full control of multitasking, there is the option of activating forced split screen, which allows you to run in Split Screen even those applications that do not officially support this option, this is especially true for games or specific utilities on Redmi 9.
To access these settings, you need to activate the developer menu. Go to Settings. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI". After you have become a developer, go back to the main settings menu and go to the “Additional” or “Extended Settings” section, where you will find the “Developers For” item".
In the developer's list of options, you need to scroll down to the multitasking section, find an option called Force Resize Activities, which allows the system to ignore the developers' prohibitions and run them in a split screen, and be careful: some applications may not work stable or fly out in this mode.
| Parameter | Standard regimen | Developer mode |
|---|---|---|
| Support for applications | Only optimized | All compatible with Android |
| Stability of work | Tall. | Medium (departures possible) |
| Difficulty setting up | Low. | High (requires access to the menu) |
| Impact on the battery | Standard. | Increased expenditure |
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If after enabling the forced mode, the application stopped running, just turn off this option in the developer menu or restart the smartphone in safe mode to reset the window settings.
Side Bar function for quick access
The MIUI shell offers another handy tool for working with multiple windows, the Sidebar, which allows you to run applications in floating windows or split-screen mode in just one touch, ideal for those who often switch between the same programs.
To activate the sidebar, go to Settings → Special Options → Sidebar. Turn on the activation switch and select the applications that should be displayed in the Quick Access List. Once set up, if you use any application, you can swipe this panel from the edge of the screen where the indicator bar is located.
When you click on the app icon in the sidebar, the system will suggest you choose the opening format: floating window or split screen. If you choose split, the current app will move, making room for the second one. This is significantly faster than climbing into the menu of recent tasks each time, especially if you use your smartphone with one hand.
⚠️ Attention: The sidebar may overlap interface elements in some games or applications with non-standard aspect ratio. If you notice that the panel interferes with viewing, temporarily turn it off in the special features settings.
Solving Typical Problems and Errors
Despite the stability of the Xiaomi Redmi 9, users can face various problems when trying to split the screen. One of the common mistakes is to automatically close one of the applications when the second one starts. This is usually due to a lack of RAM, as budget processors can not cope with heavy tasks in the background.
Another common problem is that you can't resize the windows, and the separation can be fixed in a certain position, which happens if one of the applications has a very strict minimum resolution requirement, and then the system blocks the change in the geometry of the window to keep the text readable and the buttons functional.
If splitting the screen isn’t working properly, try clearing the cache of a system or a particular application, and rebooting the device that resets temporary files and frees up resources can help, and in rare cases, conflict with a third-party launcher replaced by a user instead of a standard one can be the cause.
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The most common reason for the failure of the split screen function is the incompatibility of one of the selected applications or a critical lack of free RAM at the time of launch.