Multitasking is something we love today’s smartphones, but often only use a small fraction of their capabilities. Xiaomi devices with MIUI and HyperOS shells have powerful tools to run multiple applications at the same time. A split screen allows you to watch videos and chat in the messenger or work with documents without switching between tabs.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to activate the two-window mode. You will learn about standard methods, hidden functions for non-optimized applications and setting up floating windows. Share screen mode on Xiaomi runs on Android 10 and higher without the need for root rights. This opens up new horizons for using your gadget in everyday life.
Before you get into the complex settings, you need to understand the basic principle of how the system works: the shell from Xiaomi has several levels of multitasking, from simply splitting the display in half to creating independent floating windows.
The standard method of activating Split Screen through the menu of recent apps
The easiest and most reliable way to run two apps at once is to use the built-in system feature, which is available by default on all current models, including the Redmi Note and Xiaomi Mi series. First, you need to open several apps to show up in the story.
Then go to the recent app menu. Depending on the navigation settings, this is done by swiping bottom-up with a delay or pressing the Square button. Find the card of the first app you want to pin at the top of the screen.
Press and hold your finger on the preview of the application or find an icon of two rectangles (on some versions of MIUI it is hidden in the three-dot menu). Once you select the "Share screen" mode, the program will occupy the upper half, and the list will open from the bottom to select the second application.
⚠️ Note: Not all apps support split screen. If you don't see the icon or it's inactive, then the app developer didn't have the interface adapted to work in Split Screen.
When you run two programs, you'll see a black bar in the middle, and if you pull it, you can change the proportions of the display, giving more space to the video or text, which is especially useful when you're working with Excel spreadsheets or reading long articles.
Using the sidebar for quick access
The sidebar is a unique feature of the shell from Xiaomi, which significantly speeds up the work with multiple windows. It allows you to run applications in floating or split-screen mode literally in one touch, without interrupting the current task.
To activate the function, go to Settings → Special features → Sidebar. You need to turn on the activation switch and select the applications that will be available in the quick menu. You can add messengers, a calculator, a voice recorder or a browser.
When the sidebar is set up, just swipe from the edge of the screen at any time you use your smartphone, and a narrow bar with icons will appear. Click on the desired application, and it will open over the current window or split the screen, depending on your previous actions.
- 📱 Allows you to instantly open Telegram on top of YouTube or games.
- 🖥️ Supports drag and drop text and images between windows.
- ⚙️ You can adjust the transparency and size of the floating window.
This method is ideal for situations where you need to quickly copy code from your browser into notes or respond to a message without leaving the game, but it is worth remembering that too many active floating windows can increase the amount of RAM.
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If the sidebar does not appear when swiping, check if the "Fullscreen mode" for a particular application is enabled in the display settings, as it can block system gestures.
Floating windows and window mode settings
Unlike a strict 50/50 split screen, floating windows give you more freedom. You can run a third or fourth app over the main interface, and this is especially true for the larger screens of Redmi Note Pros and Pad tablets.
To convert an application that has already been launched in split-screen mode to floating, click on the strip between the windows. In the menu that appears, select the option "Floating window." The program will fold into a small rectangle that can be moved around the display.
There is also a hidden method of running window mode for applications that don't officially support multitasking, which requires developer settings, and find Force activities to be resizable and activate it.
Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (7 times) → Settings → Advanced Settings → For developers → Forced Activity ModeOnce you turn on this feature, reboot your device. Now, if you try to split the screen, the system will force you to scale the interface even to applications that weren't originally designed for this, but the appearance can be distorted.
| Type of regime | Maximum windows | Ease of input | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split screen | 2 | High (full keyboard) | Average. |
| Floating window | Up to 5-7. | Low (small size) | High. |
| Sidebar. | Depends on RAM. | Average. | Average. |
☑️ Testing readiness for multitasking
Forced Launch of Incompatible Applications
Often, users are faced with a situation where the desired application refuses to work in the second window. The system says "the application does not support split screen", This problem can be solved through the hidden engineering settings of Android.
As mentioned earlier, the key element here is to activate the developer mode. Tap 7 times on the build number in the About Phone menu. Then, in the advanced settings, find the Developer section.
In the list of parameters, look for Force activities to be resizable, which causes the system to consider all installed programs as adapted for multitasking.
⚠️ Attention: Forced scaling can lead to incorrect display of interface elements, application crashes or shifting control buttons. Use with caution in banking applications.
Once you have set up, try to run Split Screen again. If the app opens but looks stretched or compressed, you can try changing its proportions manually by pulling outside the window. Some games may require horizontal orientation to work normally in this mode.
What if after turning on the function, the phone began to brake?
Work with documents and text in two windows
One of the most useful two-screen scenarios is text documents and spreadsheets. You can open Google Docs or you can use it. MS Word in one window, and in the second hold the browser with the source data or PDF-file.
On Xiaomi devices with stylus support (or a regular finger), drag and drop function is available. Select text in one application, click Copy or just drag the highlighted snippet to the area of the second application. This does not work in all programs, but in standard office suites the function is usually active.
It is also convenient to use the "Parallel Apps" mode (not to be confused with cloning) which allows you to run two different accounts of the same messenger at the same time. This is implemented through Settings → Applications → Applications → Cloning.
For professional work, it is important to allocate space correctly; vertical separation (one above the other) is better for reading and watching videos; horizontal separation (one beside the other), available on tablets and in landscape mode of phones, is ideal for typing and comparing data.
- 📝 Use a voice recorder in a floating window while typing.
- 📊 Compare the exchange rates in the browser and enter the data in the table.
- 🎨 Copy images from the gallery directly to the chat messenger.
Solving and optimizing productivity
Using two active applications simultaneously puts an increased strain on the processor and RAM of the device. On models with 4 GB of RAM and a less background application can be periodically unloaded from memory to free up resources for the active window.
To minimize problems, go to the battery settings and find autostart control. Make sure the apps you plan to use in Split Screen mode have permission to run in the background and are not limited by the power saving system.
If you notice one of the windows constantly "extinguishing" or rebooting when switching, try to close other heavy processes, and cleaning the system cache through the built-in Security app also helps.
⚠️ Warning: Long-term dual-screen operation, especially with a bright display and on GPS, can lead to significant heating of the case and rapid discharge of the battery.
With newer versions of HyperOS, memory allocation algorithms are more efficient, so the latest Xiaomi 13, 14 and Redmi Note 13 models are less likely to have problems with application departures, but older devices should use memory saving mode in the developer settings, if available.
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For stable operation of two screens on weak devices, be sure to turn off animations in the "Developers" menu and close the background heavy applications.