How to split the screen Xiaomi Redmi: the full guide

Owners of modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face the need to use several applications at the same time, for example, when you need to text in a messenger while watching a video or copy text from an article for sending to notes, the standard mode of operation with one active window in such situations becomes a limiting factor in reducing productivity.

Split Screen allows two applications to be displayed side by side or on top of each other, effectively using the display space, which is built into the MIUI shell and does not require third-party software installation or superuser rights.

In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can activate multitasking, adjust window sizes, and eliminate common errors, and learn how to manage your device’s workspace as effectively as you would on a tablet or computer.

What is the split screen mode in MIUI?

Split Screen is a system feature of the Android operating system, adapted by Xiaomi developers for their proprietary shell. It divides the display matrix into two independent areas, each of which runs its own application. It is not just a quick switch between tasks, namely their parallel execution.

Technically, the processor allocates resources between two active processes, which can affect the autonomy and heating of the case during heavy use, but for everyday tasks, such as navigation and listening to music or reading news in the background, the load on the system remains within normal limits.

Not all applications are optimized to run in this format, and some programs, especially those that are outdated or designed to be full-screen only, can be forced to deploy to the full area available or shut down when partitioning is attempted.

⚠️ Warning: When you use two heavy applications (such as a navigator and a game), the battery can run out faster than usual.

It's important to understand the difference between split screens and floating windows, and if the first splits the display in half, the second allows you to display small widgets on top of the main interface that you can move around.

Activate through the menu of recent apps

The most common and intuitive way to run two apps at once is to use the task menu, which works on all current versions of MIUI and HyperOS.

To start, open the first app you plan to use. Then swipe from the bottom up (or click the navigation button) to the menu of recent apps. At the top of the app card, you'll see some icons.

Click on an icon that resembles two rectangles or a split line (depending on the firmware version).The screen will automatically split in half, and the system will prompt you to choose a second application from a list of frequently used or a general list.

If the split icon doesn’t appear immediately, try swiping the app card down (when the appropriate gesture setting is enabled) or hold your finger to the window preview.

Use of hot keys and gestures

For those who appreciate speed, Xiaomi has provided the ability to start the mode without accessing the task menu, which is especially convenient when you need to quickly respond to a message without interrupting current activities.

The basic method is to use the Menu button (square) in the navigation button system. Open the first app, press the menu button, then select the second app and press the menu button again. If the function is active, the screen will split.

There's also a drag and drop method. Hold the app card in the recent task menu and drag it to the top or bottom of the screen (depending on the orientation of the device). When the dividing line appears, release your finger.

• 📱 Swipe three fingers down the screen – a universal gesture that you need to activate in the settings.
• 🖱️ Long pressing of the button "Menu" after opening the first application.
• 📋 Drag the card from the task menu to the free area.

The three-finger gesture setting is the most convenient for constant operation, and it allows you to split the screen at any time just by swiping your fingers across the display.

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To make the gesture with three fingers work stably, try to hold them in the center of the screen, avoiding the edges where the system zones are located.

Separation parameters in the system

To make the function work correctly and conveniently, you need to properly configure the settings in the system menu. By default, some options may be disabled or configured not to suit your use style.

Go to Settings → Additional Features → Screen Partition. You can turn on a shortcut in the menu of recent apps and customize gesture behavior, and this section often contains a list of apps that support mode.

In some versions of MIUI, settings can be hidden in the Advanced Settings menu or accessed through a search by settings (enter "Separation").

Note that after the system update, the settings may reset to factory values, so it makes sense to periodically check this section.

Window management and resizing

Once the mode is activated, the user has the ability to manage the space flexibly, and the boundary between the two applications is not static and can be moved.

In the center of the screen, on the dividing line, there's a special manipulator bar, and by pressing and holding it, you can move the boundary up or down, changing the proportions of the area you occupy, which is useful when one application needs more space to display content.

There are also often additional control buttons on the dividing strip, one of which allows you to roll one of the windows into a floating one, and the other allows you to close it, leaving only one active application to the entire screen.

To switch between applications in one of the halves of the screen, simply click on the desired area and select another program from the list of recent tasks, without closing the second half.

⚠️ Note: Not all apps allow you to resize your window, some are fixed resolution and will be displayed with black fields. If you accidentally closed one of the windows, it can be quickly returned through the menu of recent applications, where it will remain as a preview until the memory is completely cleared. If splitting the screen in half seems uncomfortable, Xiaomi offers an alternative in the form of floating windows. This mode allows you to run applications on top of others, taking up only a small part of the display. To activate a floating window, open the recent app menu, click on the settings icon or menu above the app card, and select "Floating Window." The app will open in a small window that you can move around the screen. This mode is ideal for messengers, calculators, or video players, which should remain visible while working with other tasks. You can run multiple floating windows at the same time, creating your own interface. The secret to multitasking is that you can drag a floating window to the corner of the screen so that it curls up into a small icon, continuing to play audio or video. Unlike a split screen, floating windows consume less resources for rendering, because they don't require redesigning the entire interface of the system. Solution and incompatibility Despite the convenience, users can face problems. Most often they don't respond to the specific problems of the message, or they can simply respond to the fact that the system's are not specifically to the problem. If the feature stopped working after the update, try clearing the cache of the system application "Security" or reset the launcher settings. Sometimes it helps to simply restart the device, which frees up RAM. It’s also worth checking if the Power Savings or Games mode is enabled, which can block background processes and split screens to improve performance in games. 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to reset temporary errors. 🔍 Update the problem app via Google Play or GetApps. ⚙️ Check the developer's settings for background limitations. In rare cases, the problem is that system files are corrupted, and then you may need to do more in-depth intervention or reset to factory settings. 💡If the app doesn't support split screen, try running it in a floating window - this often bypasses developer restrictions (FAQ) Can you divide the screen into three parts? MIUI It only supports splitting into two parts, but by combining a split screen and a floating window, you can visually create the effect of three applications working at once. Why is there no sound in one of the applications? Android has restrictions on how many sources can play sound at once. Usually, the first app or media player is given priority. Some apps can block sound when they go into the background. Does splitting the screen affect speed? Yes, because two active processes are running simultaneously, the load on the processor and RAM increases. On older Redmi models with low RAM, this can cause the interface to slow down. How do you get out of split-screen mode? You just drag the separation line to the end towards one of the applications, completely closing the second one, and you can also press the Home button or swipe up to fold both applications.