Xiaomi Redmi: All ways to enable multi-window in MIUI

Multitasking on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones goes beyond standard switching between applications – modern versions of MIUI support full screen splitting, allowing you to work with two programs simultaneously. For example, you can watch videos on YouTube and chat to Telegram, or compare prices in the browser without closing the calculator. However, many users are not even aware of this feature, since it is hidden in non-obvious settings or requires specific gestures.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to activate split screens on Redmi (including models on MIUI 12, 13 and 14), from standard separation through the menu of recent applications to hidden features for advanced users. We’ll focus on the nuances of how the feature works on different versions of the shell — sometimes called Multiwindow, and sometimes called Split Screen, and it’s not the same thing. You’ll also learn how to circumvent the limitations of MIUI if the desired application refuses to open in split mode.

1. Standard method: splitting through the menu of recent applications

The simplest method that works on most Redmi devices (from Redmi Note 8 to Redmi 12) is to use a standard gesture in the multitasking menu.

1. Open the first app you want to pin to half the screen (like Chrome).
2. Swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger for 1 second to open the menu of recent apps.
3. Find the app icon (its icon) at the top of the screen and tap it.
4. In the context menu that appears, select Split Screen (or Multiwindow in newer versions of MIUI).
5. The screen will split into two parts, and in the bottom will appear a list of applications – choose the second.

If you don't have a split screen on the menu, you've disabled the function in your system settings to activate it.

1. Go to Settings → Special features → System functions.
2. Find the Multi-window switch and turn it on.
3. In some firmware, the path is different: Settings → Additional → Split screen.

Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)

Enable the Multiwindow function in the settings

Close all background applications for stable operation

Use only compatible applications (list below)

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Important: Not all apps support split mode. For example, Instagram and some games (like PUBG Mobile) can block multi-window work. See the full list of restrictions in the next section.

2.What applications support splitting the screen to Redmi?

The MIUI shell imposes strict restrictions on the multi-window mode of applications, and here are the key rules:

• 📱 Supported: All standard apps (Calculator, Notes, Files), Google Chrome, YouTube (Premium only), Telegram, WhatsApp, VK, Google Maps.
• 🚫 Blocked: Instagram, TikTok, most games (except Minecraft and some casual), banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff), Netflix.
• ⚠️ Restricted: Facebook (only web version works), Twitch (no broadcasts), Zoom (only browsing, no management).

If you need to run an incompatible application in split mode, try workarounds:

• 🌐 Use the web version of the service via a browser (for example, instagram.com instead of an application).
• 🔄 Reinstall the app via APKMirror – sometimes older versions support multi-windows.
• 🛠️ Activate Developer Mode and Enable Forced Multi-Window Mode (Instructions in Section 5).

Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)

Social networks (VK, Facebook)

Browser (Chrome, Mi Browser)

Maps (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps)

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Alternative method: gesture for rapid separation

MIUI 13 and 14 have a hidden gesture to activate a split screen that works faster than the standard method.

1. Open the first app (like Google Maps).
2. Swipe from the bottom up and hold to open the menu of recent apps.
3. Without letting go of your finger, pull the app icon up outside the screen.
4. The screen will split automatically, and at the bottom there will be a panel to select the second application.

If the gesture doesn't work, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: function only works on the MIUI 13+.
• ⚙️ Gesture settings: go to Settings → Display. → Full-screen display → Gestures and enable the Multi-Window Gestures option.
• 🔄 Reboot: Sometimes it helps to just restart the smartphone.

This method is easy to access quickly, but has a limitation: it only works with applications that have already been opened in the menu of recent ones. If you want to share a screen with a cold start, use the standard method from section 1.

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If splitting the screen is unstable, try turning off the energy-saving mode in the battery settings – it can limit the background activity of applications.

4.Floating windows: an alternative to split screen

If you don’t need a full-blown splitting of the screen into two equal parts, but just need to hold a small window over the main application (for example, for notes or a calculator), use floating window mode. It is available in MIUI 12 and later.

It's activated like this:

1. Open the application you want to make floating (for example, Calculator).
2. Swipe from the bottom up to open the menu of recent.
3. Slip on the app icon and select the Floating Window.
4. The window will shrink and float on top of other applications, and you can drag and drop and resize it.

Advantages of floating windows:

• 🔄 Works with more apps than split screen (including some games).
• 📱 You can open multiple floating windows at the same time.
• ⚡ Quickly switch between windows through the notification panel.

Limitations:

• 📏 The window size is fixed (cannot be stretched to half the screen).
• 🚫 Some apps (such as Instagram) block the work in floating mode.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption when using multiple windows.

5. Developer Mode: Forced Multi-Window Enablement

If your app doesn't support split screen, but you really need to run it in a multi-window, you can use hidden developer settings, which works on all versions of MIUI, but you need to be careful.

Steps for activation:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option Forced Multi-Window Mode and turn it on.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

Now, any application can be tried to open in split mode via the standard method (Section 1).

⚠️ Attention: Forced mode can cause app malfunctions, especially banking and gaming. Some programs (such as Instagram) will automatically close when you try to separate.

If after turning on this option, the smartphone began to slow down, return the settings to the original state:

1. Turn off the Forced Multi-Window Mode.
2. Clear the app cache in Settings → Apps → Application Management.
3. Reset the device.

Problems and Solutions: Why doesn’t split screen work?

If the split screen refuses to turn on, check the following points:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting (without deleting the data):

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (not "Reset to factory!").
3. After restarting, check the multi-window.

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), split screen function can be disabled at the kernel level. MIUI.

7. Hidden Multi-Window Chips on Redmi

Besides basic screen splitting, there are a few hidden features in MIUI that few people know about:

• 🔄 Quick window switching: In split screen mode, swipe your finger along the dividing line left or right to swap apps in places.
• 📱 Change the proportions: Pull the dividing line up or down to give one application 70% of the screen and another 30%.
• 🔇 Turn off sound in one window: Click on the speaker icon in the top split screen panel to turn off sound in only one app.
• 📎 Window fastening: Hold the app icon in the multi-window to secure it and prevent accidental closing.

Another useful feature is saving a couple of applications for quick launch:

1. Split the screen and open the desired applications.
2. Slip along the dividing line and select Save a pair.
3. Now, this combination can be quickly launched from the menu of recent apps.

The Redmi Note 10 Pro and later also has Picture in Picture mode for video, to activate:

1. Run the video on YouTube or Mi Video.
2. Swipe up to roll into a floating window.
3. Now the video will play on top of other apps.

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The saved pairs of applications in the multi-window are synchronized with the Xiaomi account – after resetting the settings or changing the phone, they can be quickly restored.

FAQ: Frequent questions about splitting the screen on Redmi