How to divide the screen into 2 parts on Xiaomi devices: smartphones and Smart TV

Why share the screen on Xiaomi and which devices support this feature

Split-screen feature on Xiaomi devices allows you to use two applications simultaneously – for example, watch videos on YouTube and chat in Telegram, or compare prices in the browser and shopping cart. This feature is available on both smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Mi) and Mi TVs with Android TV or Google TV.

However, not all models support split display. On smartphones, the function depends on the version of MIUI (works with MIUI 9 and later) and specifications: budget devices with 2-3 GB of RAM may not be able to multitask. On Xiaomi TVs, splitting screen is only available on models with PatchWall (for example, Mi TV 4S, Mi TV Q1) and requires manual activation in settings.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways of splitting the screen, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features for advanced users, and explain why some devices may not have the option and how to fix it.

Method 1: Standard screen splitting on Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI 14/15)

The easiest method is to use the built-in Split Screen feature in the MIUI shell. It works on most modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 13.

1. Open the first app you want to pin to half the screen (like Chrome).
2. Click on the square button “Recent Apps” (swipe up with a delay on older versions of MIUI).
3. At the top of the screen will appear the icon of the application – tap it and select “Share the screen” (or Split screen in English firmware).
4. The screen will split into two parts. At the bottom, you'll see a panel with other open applications, choose the second.

To change the window size, pull the dividing line up or down. To exit, press and hold the separator, then select Close.

Update your firmware to MIUI 14/15|Close unnecessary apps in the background |Use only compatible programs (not all games are supported)|Check your multitasking settings in Settings → Special features → System settings

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⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) The function is disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings. → Additionally. → Functions Laboratory and enable "Shared Screen Mode».

Method 2: Split screen through gestures (for MIUI 12 and later)

If your Xiaomi smartphone runs on MIUI 12+ and supports gesture control, you can split the screen without the recent button, which is more convenient for devices with a bezelless display (for example, Mi 11 Ultra or POCO F4).

Instructions:

1. Open the first appendix.
2. Swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger on the screen to open the Recent menu.
3. Without letting go of your finger, pull the app icon upwards – the screen will split automatically.
4. Select the second application from the bottom panel.

If the gestures don't work, check their settings in Settings → Display → Full-screen → Gestures. Make sure the "Swipe up for split-screen" option is enabled.

Standard (via "Recent") |Gesters |Hot Keys |I Do not use split screen-->

Method 3: Separate screen on Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV)

On Xiaomi TVs, the split-screen feature is called “Picture-in-Picture” (PiP) or “Multi-tasking” and works differently than on smartphones. It allows you to watch a movie and see an image from the video intercom camera at the same time. However, only PatchWall models based on Android TV 10+ support full-fledged split-screen (two equal windows).

How to turn on:

1. Open the first app (like YouTube).
2. Press the Home button on the remote to roll it into a small window.
3. Start a second app (like Netflix).
4. Press and hold the “Back” button on the remote – a menu with the option “Separate screen” will appear.

On Xiaomi TVs with Google TV (such as the Mi TV Q2 2023), the split screen function may not be available due to manufacturer limitations, in which case use external devices, such as the Mi Box S with PiP support.

⚠️ Note: When splitting the screen on a Xiaomi TV, the frame rate can drop to 30 Hz to save resources.If the image starts to “slow down”, try turning off the mode or reduce the resolution in the display settings.

Problems and Solutions: Why Screen Sharing Doesn't Work

If Split Screen is not activated, the reasons may be:

• 📱 Outdated firmware: Update MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔧 Disabled function: Check settings in Settings → Special facilities → System settings → Screen split mode.
• 🎮 Incompatible App: Some programs (such as TikTok or banking apps) block multitasking.
• 🔋 Lack of resources: On devices with 2 GB of RAM (Redmi) 8A, POCO C31) mode may not be triggered.

For TVs Xiaomi problems:

• 📺 No PatchWall: The feature only works on firmware with a branded shell Xiaomi.
• 🔌 Insufficient power: On models with an Amlogic processor S905 (Like Mi. TV 4A) PiP can laggg.

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If the Xiaomi smartphone does not work split screen, try resetting gesture settings: go to Settings → Display → Full-screen mode → Gestures → Reset.

Alternative methods: third-party applications and ADB

If built-in tools don’t fit, you can use third-party solutions, for example, Split Screen Launcher (available on Google Play) allows you to adjust window sizes flexibly, but requires ADB permissions.

For advanced users, there is a way to enable a hidden feature through ADB:

adb shell settings put global multi_window_mode_enabled true

After this command, restart the device. Please note that this method does not work on all models and may cause MIUI to malfunction.

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Third-party split-screen apps may violate Xiaomi’s security policies, and use them at your own risk, especially if payment data is stored on the device.

Comparison with other brands: how things are at Samsung and Google

For context, compare the implementation of Split Screen on Xiaomi with competitors:

• 📱 Samsung (One UI): Screen splitting works more stable, supports up to 3 windows at a time (on flagships).
• 🤖 Google (Pixel): The feature is built into Android 12+, less flexible – you can not change the proportions of the windows.
• 🍎 Apple (iOS): iPhone does not have a full Split Screen, only Slide Over on iPad.

Xiaomi is in the middle: there is a feature, but its implementation depends on the model and version of MIUI. For example, on the POCO F5 mode works better than on the Redmi 10A, due to the difference in hardware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about splitting the screen on Xiaomi