How to Make Two Screens on Xiaomi Redmi: A Complete Guide to Splitting a Screen on Android

Split-screen feature on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones allows you to work with two applications simultaneously – for example, chat in the messenger and watch videos, or copy text from the browser to the document. Despite the obvious benefits, many users do not know how to activate this mode or face the limitations of MIUI. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to enable a multi-window, the nuances for different versions of the firmware and the Redmi model, and solve typical problems – from the lack of a deployment button to display bugs.

It’s important to understand that splitting the screen depends on three factors: the Android version (starting with 7.0 natively supported), the MIUI shell (the algorithms differ in versions 12–14), and the device model. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13 functions differently than the Redmi 9A with MIUI 12.5. We tested all methods on current firmware from 2023–2026 and highlighted universal solutions.

If you've tried split screen before, but you've failed, don't rush to blame your smartphone. Most often, the problem is with the developer's settings disabled, the limitations of a particular application, or a firmware bug. Below you'll find step-by-step instructions for all scenarios, including a hidden way to activate the multi-window via ADB for devices where the function is blocked by the manufacturer.

1. Standard Way: How to split the screen through multitasking

The simplest method works on most Xiaomi Redmi models with MIUI 12/13/14 and does not require superuser rights. The algorithm is based on the built-in Android feature, but with the shell in mind. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the first app you want to pin to the top of the screen (like YouTube or Google Chrome).
2. Click the “Recent Apps” button (square in the navigation bar or gesture bottom-up with a delay).
3. In the list of open applications, find the card of the desired application and press it with your finger for 1-2 seconds.
4. In the menu that appears, select Divide the screen (or Open at the top of the screen).
5. The bottom of the screen will automatically open the app menu – select the second app for the bottom panel.

If there is no option to split screen in the menu, then the function is disabled in the system settings or blocked for your model.

Update MIUI to the latest version

Make sure that both apps support multi-windows.

Turn off navigation gestures (if it doesn't work)

Check free RAM (minimum 1.5 GB)

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2. Alternative method: through the developer settings

On some Redmi devices (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Redmi 9T), the split screen function is hidden and requires activation through the developer menu.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to unlock the developer menu.
2. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional settings → For developers.
3. Find the option Enable the free form of the multi-window (or Force resize activities) and activate it.
4. Restart the device and try splitting the screen again through multitasking.

If the feature doesn’t appear after these manipulations, check if it is disabled at the firmware level. For example, on the Redmi A1 and other budget models, the manufacturer can block the multi-window to save resources.

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On some MIUI 14 firmware, Force resize activities is called Change Activity Size. If you can't find it, search in the settings.

3. Screen split via ADB (for locked devices)

If standard methods don't work, and the multi-window function is critical, you can force it on through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for power users and requires a computer.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Download and install Platform Tools on PC.
2. Enable debugging by USB on your smartphone: Settings → For developers → debugging by USB.
3. Connect Redmi to your computer and open the command line in the adb.exe folder.
4. Enter the command: adb shell settings put global force_resizeable_activities 1
5. Reset the device.

Then try to split the screen again through multitasking, and if the feature still doesn't work, check if the manufacturer is blocking it at the kernel level, and then only custom firmware will help.

4.Why isn't split screen on Xiaomi Redmi working?

Even after all the manipulations, the function may not start.

Especially often, problems arise on budget models (Redmi 9A, Redmi 8A) due to limited resources. If you have 2 GB of RAM or less, the multi-window may slow down or not start at all.

5. How to change the size of windows in a split screen?

Once you activate the multi-window, you can adjust the proportions of the windows. Here's how to do it:

1. Put your finger on the dividing line between the windows (it looks like a thin gray strip).
2. Hold it and drag it up or down to change the ratio.
3. Release your finger when you reach the right size.

MIUI 14 also offers the option to swap windows, press the header of one of the windows and drag it in the opposite direction, noting that some applications (such as games) can block the resizing.

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On Redmi with MIUI 13+, you can fasten one of the windows so that it does not close when the multi-window collapses. To do this, click on the application icon in the upper corner of the window and select Secure.

6.The best applications to work in a multi-window

Not all programs work properly in split screen, and we tested popular apps and compiled a list of those that are optimized for multi-window on Xiaomi Redmi:

• 🌐 Browsers: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge (properly scaled, support scrolling).
• 📝 Office: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, WPS Office (you can edit documents and view reference materials at the same time).
• 💬 Messengers: Telegram, WhatsApp (convenient to correspond and view media files).
• 🎵 Media: YouTube (Premium only), VLC (Playing video in one window, chatting in another).

Avoid games, screenshot-protected apps (such as banking) and DRM-enabled programs (Netflix, Disney+) that either won’t work in the multi-window or block content.

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If you need to use Instagram and another app at the same time, open the web version of the social network in Chrome - it supports split screen, unlike the official application.

7. How to turn off split screen?

To return to normal, do one of the following:

• 🔄 Drag the dividing line to the top or bottom edge of the screen.
• 🗙 Click on the Close (Cross) button in one of the windows.
• 🏠 Return to the main screen – the multi-window will close automatically.
• 🔙 Use a return gesture (swipe from right to left) if navigation gestures are enabled.

If after closing the multi-window one of the applications continues to work in “floating” mode (a small window on top of the others), press its header and drag it to the bottom edge of the screen to fold.

8.Frequent questions about splitting the screen on Xiaomi Redmi

If your question is not covered in the article – check the relevance of the firmware or contact Xiaomi with the device model and version of MIUI. In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by updating the system or resetting the settings to the factory.