Introduction: why you need multitasking mode on the tablet
The Xiaomi Pad 5 tablet, with its 11-inch 2.5K display and 120Hz refresh rate, is ideal for multitasking. Splitting the screen allows you to work with two applications simultaneously — for example, chat in the messenger and view documents, or watch videos and take notes. But how to activate this mode if standard MIUI gestures do not work?
In this article you will find 3 Proven ways to split the screen on Xiaomi Pad 5 (including Pad models 5 Pro and Pad 5 Pro 5G), And also, you know, solving typical problems like why apps don't support mode, how to resize windows, and what to do if a split screen suddenly closes. MIUI 14/15 Android-based 13/14.
⚠️ Important: Not all applications support multitasking, for example, games and some system utilities (such as Settings) cannot work in a split window. FAQ.
Method 1: Splitting the screen with a gesture (the fastest method)
The most intuitive way is to use the multitasking gesture that works out of the box on all Xiaomi Pad 5 tablets.
- Open the first app (like Chrome) that will be on the left side of the screen.
- Swipe your finger up and hold your finger for 1 second to open the recent app bar.
- Find the second app (like Google Keep) and drag its icon up to the caption Open in a split window.
- Release your finger, the screen will split into two, and there will be a dividing strip between the windows that you can move to change the proportions.
💡 Secret trick: If the gesture doesn't work, check if the feature is enabled in the settings: Settings → Special facilities → System settings → Allow screen splitting.
First appendix opens
Recent Apps Panel Activated
The second app supports multitasking
Function allowed in special features settings-->
Method 2: Through the notification panel (alternative to MIUI 14+)
The latest versions of MIUI 14 and 15 offer an alternative way to activate a split screen through the Quick Settings panel, which is convenient if the gestures are unstable.
- 📱 Open the first app (for example, YouTube).
- 👆 Swipe your finger down to open the notification bar.
- 🔄 Find the split screen icon (two rectangular icons) and click on it.
- 📌 Select the second app from the recent list or through All apps.
⚠️ Note: If the split screen icon is not in the panel, it must be added manually: Settings → Notification panel → Edit badges → Drag the "Share-Screen" into the active area.
What if the icon disappeared after the update?
Method 3: Forced separation for any application (for advanced applications)
Some apps (like Telegram or VK) don’t officially support multitasking, but they can be “forced” to work in a split window using developer mode.
🔧 Instructions:
- Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Tablet → MIUI Version (click 7 times in a row).
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Find the option Forced Screen Partition and turn it on.
- Reboot the tablet.
- Now try splitting the screen in either of the first two ways – even incompatible apps should open.
⚠️ Critical information: Forced mode can cause app malfunctions (such as black screen or sudden closures) and is recommended to be used only for testing and disable after use.
A gesture from the panel of recent|Notification panel|Developer mode|I don't multitask.-->
Table: Compatibility of applications with split screen
Not all programs work properly in multitasking mode. Below is a list of popular apps and their support for split-screen on Xiaomi Pad 5:
| Annex | Support for separation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome | ✅ Yes. | It works stable, but full-screen video closes multitasking |
| YouTube | ✅ Partially. | Video is played only in the window, full screen mode disables separation |
| Telegram | ❌ No (officially) | It works only through a coercive regime (mode 3) |
| Microsoft Word | ✅ Yes. | Supports window size change and horizontal orientation |
| gallery | ✅ Yes. | You can view photos and edit them in another app at the same time. |
📌 Tip: If the app doesn’t support splitting, try using its web version in the Chrome browser – often this solves the problem.
Typical problems and their solutions
Even after setting up properly, splitting the screen can malfunction, and consider the most common errors and ways to fix them:
⚠️ Warning: If one of the apps freezes after splitting the screen, don’t try to close it through Task Manager. Instead, swipe the dividing strip down to the end, this will close both windows without risk to the system.
- 🔄 Screen spontaneously merges: Check if Automatic Unification mode is activated in multitasking settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Split screen. Turn it off.
- 🖥️ The app doesn't open in a split window: Make sure it's updated to the latest version.Some programs (like Instagram) block code-level multitasking.
- 🔋 Tablet overheats when multitasking: This is normal for Xiaomi Pad 5 due to the powerful Snapdragon 860 CPU.If the temperature is above 45°C, reduce screen brightness or close background processes.
💡
If the dividing stripe has disappeared, swipe your finger from the left or right edge of the screen to the center - it will appear again.
Additional chips: horizontal mode and floating windows
In addition to the standard vertical separation, the Xiaomi Pad 5 supports:
- 📱 Horizontal Mode: Turn the tablet into landscape orientation, and the windows will automatically rewire. This is convenient for working with documents or viewing wide tables.
- 🪟 Floating windows: In some versions MIUI You can make one of the windows "floating" (for example, for the Calculator or Notebook). To do this, hold the application icon in the recent panel and select Open in the floating window.
- 🔄 Quick switch: Twice swipe the dividing strip to swap apps.
🎯 Prof Lifehack: The split screen combination + The stylus turns the Xiaomi Pad 5 into a full-fledged workstation, for example, you can draw in Xiaomi Notes and watch a training video on YouTube at the same time.
💡
Horizontal mode and floating windows are only available on MIUI 14 and later. If these features are missing, update your firmware through Settings → System Update.