How to turn on a split screen on Xiaomi: a complete guide with pictures and videos

Multitasking on Xiaomi smartphones is made even more convenient by the split-screen feature, which allows you to work with two applications simultaneously, a feature that is especially useful for comparing information, chatting with simultaneous web browsing or using the navigator in parallel with music, but many users are not even aware of its existence or have difficulty activating it.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the available dual screen options on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices, from standard methods to hidden MIUI chips. You’ll learn how to turn on mode on new 2026 models (including Xiaomi 14 and Redmi Note 13), which apps support the feature, and how to circumvent system limitations. And we’ll also explain why on some devices the option can be disabled by default and how to return it.

1. Standard method: gestures and navigation buttons

The easiest method to activate a split screen is through the recent app bar, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, including the latest versions of MIUI 15 (2026).

1. Open the first app you want to pin to the top of the screen.
2. Click on the square (the button of recent apps) or swipe up and hold your finger to call the multitasking menu.
3. Tap the app icon at the top of the card and select "Split Screen" (or "Split Screen" in English firmware).
4. Select the second app from the recent list or return to the home screen to launch it.

If you have gesture navigation, the algorithm is slightly different:

• 👆 Swipe up from the bottom edge and hold your finger to open recent apps.
• 📱 Click on the app icon and select "Share up screen".
• 🔄 Drag the dividing line up/down to change the proportions of the windows (not available on all models).

Update MIUI to the latest version

Close unnecessary background applications

Make sure that both apps support the mode.

Turn off energy saving for selected programs-->

An important nuance: on some models (for example, the Poco X5 Pro or Redmi K60), after activating the split screen, the notification panel may disappear. To return it, swipe from the top edge twice - first to the middle of the screen, then to the end.

2. Hidden function: bifurcation through developer settings

On devices with MIUI 13/14, some users experience split-screen options disappearing from the menu of recent apps after the update, due to system optimizations, but the feature can be returned through the developer settings:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and press 7 times in a row.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option "Enable freeform windows" and activate it.
4. Reset the device.

After that, the menu of recent apps will be an additional option “Free window”, which allows you not only to split the screen, but also to open applications in floating windows (like on Samsung DeX).

If the feature still doesn’t appear after the developer mode is turned on, check if it is disabled at the firmware level. On some Xiaomi for the European Region (EEA), the option can be blocked – in this case, only changing the firmware region will help (see section 5).

3. Alternative method: use of third-party launchers

For owners of devices with older versions of MIUI (for example, Redmi Note 9 on MIUI 11) or those who lack standard features, there is a solution - split-screen launchers.

To activate the split through Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher and make it the main one.
2. Download the Nova Launcher TeslaUnread plugin.
3. In the launcher settings, find “Gestures and inputs → Swipe gesture up” and assign the action “Share up screen”.

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If the split is unstable after installing the launcher, try turning off battery optimization for it in the MIUI settings (Settings → Applications → Battery Management → Applications Selection).

Warning: Third-party launchers may conflict with Xiaomi's branded features, such as "Game Turbo" or "Second Space."If you notice lags or overheating after installation, go back to the standard launcher.

4. Screen split on Xiaomi tablets (Pad 6/5)

On the Xiaomi Pad 6 and Xiaomi Pad 5, the split-screen function is implemented differently than on smartphones, and a full multi-window mode similar to the iPadOS or Samsung DeX is available here.

• 🖥️ Open the first app and swipe your finger from the right side of the screen to the center (call gesture sidebar).
• 📄 In the menu that appears, select the second app and it will open next to the first.
• 🔄 Drag the dividing line to change the proportions (options available) 50/50, 70/30 and 30/70).
• 🗂️ To add a third window, swipe from the left side of the screen.

The tablet also operates the "floating windows" mode:

1. Open the app and click on its icon in the taskbar.
2. Select "Open in a floating window".
3. Change the size of the window by pulling the corners.

Split screen (2 annexes)

Floating windows

Sidebar (on tablets)

I don't use multitasking.-->

Important: on the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro with MIUI 14 and later, the "Paralle Apps" feature is available - it allows you to duplicate messengers (for example, two WhatsApp accounts) and use them simultaneously in bifurcation.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. Select the messenger and click "Create".
3. Both accounts can now be opened in a split screen.

5. If the split screen does not work: causes and solutions

Sometimes split screen function may be missing or malfunctioning, and here are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:

Especially often problems arise on Xiaomi with global firmware (Global ROM). If you live in Russia or Europe, try switching to EEA ROM (European Economic Area) - in which the function usually works more stable.

1. Download EEA ROM for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Select Service Pack".
4. Specify the path to the downloaded file and wait for the installation.

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On devices with an unlocked bootloader, you can install custom Recovery (such as TWRP) and flash modified firmware with advanced multitasking features. However, this voids the warranty and can lead to locking the device!

If none of the methods worked, check if the kernel level function is disabled.

1. Install the Termux app from Google Play.
2. Enter the command: su settings get global multi_window_mode
3. If the answer is "null" or "0", So the function is system-activated, and you can turn it on by settings put global. multi_window_mode 1 (rooting).

6. Optimization of the work in the bifurcation mode

To make split screen work as efficiently as possible, follow these tips:

• 🔋 Turn off power saving for both applications in Settings → Battery → Selecting applications to prevent windows from suddenly closing.
• 📶 Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile internet – some apps (like YouTube) can slow down when splitting on a slow connection.
• 🎮 For games, activate Game Turbo in the settings, but note that this may limit the functionality of the second window.
• 🔄 Quick switch: Twice tap the dividing line to swap apps.

Newer models (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12) offer Smart Split, which automatically selects app pairings, for example, if you often use Google Maps and Spotify at the same time, the system will prompt you to open them in forked mode with one tap to enable it:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Smart features.
2. Activate the option "Divided Screen Recommendations".
3. Add frequently used app pairs to your favorites.

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If you need to copy text from one window to another, use the MIUI clipboard: highlight text, click Copy, then go to the second window and hold your finger in the input field - a pop-up with the latest copied data will appear.

Attention: on devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi) K50 Ultra) Long-term use of split mode can cause pixel burnout. To avoid this, periodically change the location of windows or use dark themes in applications.

7. Comparison with other brands: which is better?

The split screen feature on Xiaomi is inferior in flexibility to solutions from Samsung (DeX) or Huawei (Multi-Window), but has its advantages:

Xiaomi’s main advantage is the speed of switching between windows. Thanks to MIUI optimization, split screens open almost instantly, while Samsung sometimes has delays, but for professional tasks (such as working with documents and spreadsheets), Huawei or Samsung DeX will be better suited.

If you often use a forked screen for learning or work, consider buying the Xiaomi Pad 6, which is as convenient as possible, with support for a stylus and keyboard. On smartphones, multitasking works best on flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi K60 Pro) thanks to its powerful processor and large amount of RAM.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions