Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have processors and large displays so powerful that it’s a waste of time to use them for just one app at a time. The split-screen feature, also known as Split Screen, turns your gadget into a full-fledged working tool, allowing you to text in a messenger while you watch videos, or copy text from your browser directly into notes. Owners of devices with a shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS often do not know how many hidden possibilities the standard Android system holds.
Activating this mode opens up access to a professional level of window management. Multitasking becomes not just a convenient option, but a necessity for those who are used to saving time. In this article, we will examine in detail all the existing ways to activate dual display, from standard gestures to hidden engineering menus that may be necessary in complex cases.
It’s worth noting that the interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. However, the basic principles of operation remain unchanged for most models, whether it’s the flagship Xiaomi 14 or the budget Redmi Note. Ready to experiment with the system settings will allow you to squeeze the maximum out of the capabilities of your device.
Standard Method 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 95 percent of the company's devices and doesn't require a deep dive into the technical settings. First, open the app, then roll it up and run the second, then move to window management.
To activate the mode, you need to click on the menu button (square or three bars depending on the type of navigation) or swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger if gesture control is enabled. In the list of working programs, find the window you want. On some versions of the MIUI shell, it is enough to just click on the application preview for a pop-up menu to appear.
In the context menu that appears, select an icon that resembles two rectangles above each other or a symbol"≡". After pressing the top half of the screen will be active to select the second application.
- 📱 Press and hold your finger on the preview of the open application in the task menu.
- 🔲 Select the split screen icon in the pop-up window.
- 📲 Click on the second app from the proposed list to fill in the bottom part.
- 🔄 Adjust the size of the windows by dragging the dividing line with your finger.
⚠️ Note: Not all applications support split mode. If the program does not appear in the list of available for the second window or the screen flashes when you try to start, then the developer has not optimized the software for multitasking.
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If the standard menu doesn’t appear with a long press, try swiping up from the application preview to the task menu – in some versions of MIUI, this activates the mode faster.
Use of hot keys and gestures
For those who appreciate speed, there are faster ways to activate the feature, and smartphone owners with a physical or touch button can triple-press it, which requires pre-tuning in the system menu, but saves precious seconds in the future.
Go to Settings, then go to Additional and select Screen Partition, and you activate the switch that allows you to start the function by triple pressing the menu button, and then anywhere in the system, even on the desktop, three quick taps will call the selection menu of applications to split.
Users who prefer gesture control can use swipes. Newer versions of HyperOS sometimes feature a feature that allows a second application to swipe from the edge of the screen and then lock, but this method is less stable and depends on the specific device model.
It is important to understand that hotkeys can conflict with other system commands. If triple tap stops working, check if you have accidentally activated other accessibility features, such as zoom in or assistant.
Setting up the control panel and quick actions
Another effective method that not all users are aware of is to add a split-screen widget to the control center, which is especially convenient on Xiaomi Pad tablets or large-diagonal smartphones where one-handed control is difficult.
To implement this, lower the notification curtain down. Find the pencil icon or the Quick Settings panel edit button. In the list of available buttons, find the Screen Split element and drag it to the active zone. Now it takes one tap to start the function.
Once you add a button, the action algorithm becomes trivial. Click on the added icon, and the system automatically prompts you to choose the first and second application, which eliminates the need to remember complex key combinations or search for the desired menu in the depth of settings.
| Activation method | Speed of access | Difficulty setting up | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long tap on the task menu | Medium | Low. | All models. |
| Triple push of the button | Tall. | Medium | Activation required |
| Widget in the curtain | Tall. | Low. | Depends on the MIUI version. |
| ADB teams | Instant. | Tall. | For the advanced. |
Using a control panel is especially relevant when you need to change app pairs frequently throughout the day, not getting attached to a specific scenario, but getting a flexible tool for any task.
Advanced customization through the engineering menu and ADB
In some cases, standard methods can be blocked by the manufacturer for certain applications, such as banking programs or specific games, and deeper customization methods that require caution come to the rescue. Using USB debugging allows you to force the mode on any windows.
To start, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI or HyperOS seven times. Then, in the advanced settings, turn on USB Debugging. Connect your smartphone to a computer with Android SDK Platform Tools installed.
Using the command line, you can send a special code that will force the system to run the application in split mode, which is a universal way that works even on devices where the function was software limited, but it is worth remembering the risks of interfering with system processes.
adb shell am start -n com.android.systemui/.SplitScreenServiceRisks of using ADB teams
There is also a hidden menu available through a set of special code in the "bell ringer." Entering the code ##6484## opens the engineering menu, where some versions of firmware can find testing of the display and multi-touch, which indirectly affects the operation of windows.
⚠️ Note: Interference with system services through ADB This method can lead to breach of warranty obligations. Use these methods only if you fully understand the consequences and have a backup copy of the data.
The solution: Why separation doesn’t work
Often, users are faced with a situation where the function seems to be on, but does not work correctly: the screen may blink, applications will fly out, or the second window simply does not open. In most cases, the problem lies in the incompatibility of application versions or crowded RAM.
The first thing to do is check for updates for both apps, developers are constantly optimizing the software to meet the new Android standards, and if the app is updated but the problem persists, try clearing its cache through the app management menu.
Another reason could be the power saving mode on, which is when the system limits background activity and processor resources, making it impossible for two heavy applications to work at the same time.
- 🔋 Turn off the "Battery Savings" mode in the notification curtain.
- 🗑️ Clean up RAM by closing unnecessary background processes.
- 📲 Update the problem app via Google Play or GetApps.
- 🔄 Reboot the device to reset system temporary files.
If nothing helps, your device may have too little RAM to run comfortably in Split Screen mode, in which case the system can lock the function automatically to prevent freezes.
☑️ Diagnostics of screen problems
Features of work in HyperOS and MIUI 14
With the release of the HyperOS shell, Xiaomi has significantly redesigned the logic of working with windows, now splitting the screen is closely integrated with the sidebar and floating windows, creating a single ecosystem of multitasking, where the user can easily switch between modes.
The new system has improved window size management, so you can not just split the screen in half, but you can also set arbitrary proportions, and you can save popular combinations of applications as scenarios, which is especially useful for those who use a smartphone to work with documents.
Also worth noting is the improved work with the clipboard between windows. In HyperOS, copying text or an image in one window and pasting into another is instantaneous and smooth, which previously could cause difficulties on older versions of firmware.
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HyperOS relies on smooth transitions between windows and integration with tablet computers, creating a unified experience of using across devices.
Users who have moved from older versions of MIUI will take some time to get used to the new window-curling animation, but the new system’s functionality far outperforms previous generations by offering the desktop level in a pocket-sized format.