Multitasking is a key feature of modern smartphones, allowing you to significantly improve productivity without the need to constantly switch between applications. On Xiaomi devices, including the brands Redmi and POCO, this feature is implemented through a split-screen mode, which in English documentation is often called Split-screen. Users can simultaneously watch YouTube videos and chat in the messenger or read an article while taking notes in the calendar.
However, despite the popularity of the feature, many new model owners do not know how to activate two windows, as the management methods in the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS may differ. The standard interface is not always obvious to beginners, and hidden gestures require a certain skill. In this guide, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to activate split screen, from classic navigation buttons to advanced control gestures.
It is worth noting that not all applications support split-screen operation, which is a limitation of the Android operating system itself. Social networks, browsers and office suites usually work stably, while some games or specialized software can be forcibly deployed to the full screen. Understanding these nuances will help to avoid confusion and quickly adjust the smartphone to your needs for comfortable work.
Basic requirements and system compatibility
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your device technically supports split-screen. Virtually all Xiaomi smartphones released in the last 5-6 years have built-in Split-screen support at the operating system level. However, the function depends on the version of the installed shell MIUI or HyperOS, as well as the amount of RAM of the device.
For stable operation of two active windows, a minimum of 3-4 GB of free RAM is recommended. If a device runs many heavy background processes, the system can automatically close one of the windows or brake when switching, it is also important that both applications used are updated to the latest versions through the Google Play store or GetApps.
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For maximum performance in two windows, close the extra background apps through the “Recent” menu before starting split screen.
There are certain limitations to applications that developers may not have optimized for horizontal or split mode, in which case the system may issue a notification that the application does not support split screen, not a smartphone error, but rather a limitation of a particular software.
Activate through the menu of recent apps
The most common and versatile way to run two windows at once on Xiaomi is to use the menu of recent apps.This method works regardless of the type of navigation, whether it is a classic three-button or full-screen gestures, although the visual display of elements may differ slightly.
First, open the first app you plan to use, such as a browser or YouTube. Then go to the menu of recent tasks: swipe from the bottom up (when gestures) or press a square button (when buttons). In the list that opens, find the card of the running application. At the top of the card or next to the name of the application, a special icon will appear that indicates the separation mode.
☑️ Split-screen Launch Algorithm
Once you click on the icon, the screen splits in half, with the first app at the top, and the system at the bottom prompting you to select the second app, select the program you want from the list, or run it through the recent task menu, and now both apps are active and interacting with each other, so you can drag and drop text or images between windows if that supports a particular app.
⚠️ Attention: When using split-screen mode, battery consumption increases significantly, as the processor and screen work with increased load.
Using the sidebar for quick access
The MIUI and HyperOS shell offers a more advanced multitasking tool, the Sidebar, which allows applications to run in a floating window or in split-screen mode with one touch, without interrupting current work, which is especially useful when you need to quickly respond to a message or check your email without closing the main content.
To activate the sidebar, you need to first enable it in the settings. Go to Settings, then select Additional Features and find the Sidebar menu. Activate the switch and select the applications that will appear in this menu. Once set up, the panel will be available by swiping from the edge of the screen in any application or desktop.
The mechanics are simple: open the main application, call the sidebar swipe, and drag the icon of the second application onto the screen. The system automatically offers options for placement: top, bottom or floating window. By choosing the option "top" or "bottom", you activate the two-window mode. This allows you to instantly scale the windows, changing their proportions by moving your finger along the dividing strip.
Sidebar secrets
Customization of gestures and navigation buttons
The control of splitting the screen depends on the chosen way of navigation in the system. Xiaomi has two main types: classic three buttons and full-screen gestures. Switching between them occurs in the Settings menu → Additional → Full-screen menu (or Navigation).
When using three navigation buttons (Back, Home, Menu), activation occurs via the Menu button (square). Once you have entered a list of recent apps, click and hold the menu button on the app card, or click on the split icon that appears above the preview. This is the most common method for those who are used to a physical or on-screen keyboard.
In full-screen gesture mode, the logic changes. There's no separate menu button, so the system uses a long-press on the app card in the list of recent tasks or a swipe up with retention. Some versions of MIUI require you to swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold your finger to open the recent menu, and then click on the icon above the app window. Adapting to gestures takes time, but speeds up the work in the long run.
| Parameter | Three buttons. | Full-screen gestures |
|---|---|---|
| The recent challenge | Pressing the square button | Swipe bottom up with a delay |
| Activation of Split | Pressing the icon above the window | Long press on preview |
| Speed of access | High (mechanical action) | Medium (requires accuracy) |
| Screen area | Busy with navigation lane | Maximum (without frames) |
Compatibility issues and vertical mode
One of the common problems when trying to run two windows is that the app fails to work in this mode. This often happens with applications that were originally designed only for portrait (vertical) orientation, but do not have an adaptive interface for splitting the screen. Android blocks the launch of such programs in Split-screen to preserve the readability of text and the functionality of the buttons.
There is a way to force an application to run in split mode, even if the system warns of incompatibility. However, this requires going to the hidden developer menu. You need to click on the MIUI version number several times in the About Phone section to activate the developer menu. Then in the Additional → For developers, you need to find Forced scaling or Force activities to be resizable.
Enabling this option ignores application limitations, but can lead to incorrect display of the interface: buttons can overlap text and images can stretch. Use this method only in extreme cases when standard separation is impossible and the need for it is high.
⚠️ Warning: Forced separation mode activation for incompatible applications may cause system failures or application closure immediately after startup.
Window management and completion
When two windows are already active, a wide range of actions are available to the user to control them. The central dividing band allows you to change the proportions of the screen: drag and drop, you can give priority to one of the applications, making it 70% or even 80% of the space, which is useful when you need to focus on reading, but keep a chat or timer in view.
To exit split-screen mode, drag the dividing strip to the edge of the screen (up or down), at which point one of the applications will close and the other will occupy the entire screen, and you can also close one of the windows by pressing the cross in the corner or using the Home button to fold the active window into the background.
It's important to remember the drag and drop function. In supported applications (gallery, notes, file manager), you can squeeze an image or text into one window and drag it into another. This implements a full-fledged Drag-and-Drop, similar to desktop computers, which makes working on a Xiaomi smartphone really efficient.
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The dividing strip is the main control tool: a short tap changes applications in places, and drag and drop regulates the size of windows.