How to split the screen on a Xiaomi phone: a complete guide to multi-window

Why you need a split screen on Xiaomi and what it gives

The split screen (or multi-window) mode on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to work with two apps simultaneously on the same display. For example, you can chat in the messenger and watch videos on YouTube in parallel, without switching between windows, a feature that is especially useful for devices with large screens (6.5" or more), where both windows remain readable.

Unlike the standard Android Split Screen mode, the MIUI shell offers advanced settings: changing the proportions of windows, quickly launching pairs of applications and even supporting floating windows (for individual models), but not all applications support multi-windows – for example, games and some banking programs can block this mode.

In this article you will find:

• 🔧 Step-by-step instructions for MIUI 14/15 (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark)
• 📱 List of models where the function works with limitations
• ⚙️ Hidden settings for advanced users
• ❌ Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

What Xiaomi models support split screen

Multi-window feature is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with the shell MIUI 12 and newer, but there are nuances:

On Android 13 and MIUI 14+ devices, the feature is more stable than on older versions. For example, on Redmi Note 8 (MIUI 12.5), the multiwindow can slow down when you run heavy apps at the same time (for example, Chrome + Instagram).

⚠️ Note: On foldable smartphones (Xiaomi Mix Fold), split screen mode automatically adapts to internal and external displays. Only vertical separation is available on the external screen.

Method 1: Standard Inclusion through Multitasking

This is the most universal method, working on all supported models:

1. Open the first app (e.g. Telegram).
2. Click the Recent Apps button (square at the bottom of the screen or swipe up with a delay).
3. At the top of the screen will appear the app icon – tap it and select the split screen.
4. Select the second app from the list or from the home screen.

Now, both apps are running in parallel. To change the proportions of the windows, pull the dividing strip in the center of the screen.

Make sure both apps support mode (not games/banks)

Close background processes to save RAM

Connect charging - the mode increases battery consumption

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On MIUI 15, you can save a pair of apps for quick launch.

1. Activate the multi-window as described above.
2. Press the Three Dots in the Separation Strip.
3. Choose Save a couple.

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If the "Share Screen" icon doesn't appear, check your gesture settings in Settings → Display → Full-screen mode. Custom gestures sometimes conflict.

Method 2: Through system settings (for advanced)

If the standard method does not work, you can turn on the multi-window through the hidden developer settings:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the option to Enable the free form of the multi-window and activate it.

After that:

• 🔄 Horizontal screen splitting will be available (useful for watching videos) + chat).
• 🖥️ You will be able to fold windows into floating panels (like on Samsung DeX).
• ⚙️ In multi-window settings (Settings) → Special facilities → Multi-windows will open additional parameters of transparency and window size.

⚠️ Attention: POCO F4 GT and Black Shark 5 Pro, enabling developer mode can reset performance settings. Once activated, the multi-window is recommended to restart the device.

Problems and Errors: Why the split screen doesn't work

If the multi-window is not activated, check these points:

On the Redmi 9C and other budget models with 2-3 GB of RAM, the multi-window can automatically shut down when under high load.

• 🛠️ Turn off animation in Settings → The phone. → Developer parameters → Scale of animation (off.).
• 🗑️ Clear the cache through Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔋 Connect charging – this increases the resource consumption limit.

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On Qualcomm Snapdragon 4xx devices (e.g. Redmi 10A), multi-window only works with lightweight apps (messengers, notes).

Hidden multi-window chips on Xiaomi

Few people know, but MIUI has additional options for working with a split screen:

• 📲 Quick start of pairs: Hold the app icon on the home screen → Multi-window → Select the second program. The pair will open automatically.
• 🔄 Windows Exchange: In multi-window mode swipe down the dividing strip to swap apps in places.
• 🖼️ Floating windows: On MIUI 15 You can turn any window into a floating panel (hold the window header). → Turn into a floating).
• 🔊 Audio in the background: In the multi-window video from YouTube or TikTok will play with sound even when the window is rolled up.

On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Mix Fold 3, the “Advanced Multiscreen” feature is available, allowing:

• 🖥️ Connect your phone to a monitor via Miracast and use multi-window on a large screen.
• 🎮 Run the game in one window and stream it in another (for example, in Twitch).
• 📊 Work with Excel and Word at the same time (useful for Xiaomi Pad 6 tablets).

To activate the extended mode:

1. Connect the device to the monitor via USB-C → HDMI.
2. In the notification panel, select Desktop Mode.
3. Press the button Recent applications → Advanced multiscreen.

Alternatives to the built-in multi-window

If the standard feature doesn’t suit you, consider these apps from Google Play:

For the POCO X3 Pro and other devices with MIUI 12.5, Split Screen Shortcut will work, adding a multi-window button to the notification panel. However, beware: some alternative launchers (such as Nova Launcher) may conflict with the built-in Xiaomi multi-window.

⚠️ Note: Multi-window applications from third-party sources (not Google Play) may contain malicious code. Before installing, check the reviews and permissions the program requests.

FAQ: Frequent questions about split screen on Xiaomi