How to Enable Double Screen on Xiaomi: A Complete Multi-Window Guide

The dual screen (or multi-window) mode on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to work with two apps simultaneously on the same display – the ideal solution for multitasking. For example, you can watch YouTube videos and chat to Telegram at the same time, or copy text from the browser into notes. However, not all users know that this feature is hidden in the MIUI settings and requires the correct activation.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can enable dual screens on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from standard MIUI 12-15 tools to hidden features for older models. You’ll also learn about feature limitations, app compatibility, and alternative split-screen methods. If your smartphone doesn’t support official multi-window mode, we’ll offer workarounds using third-party utilities.

Important: functionality may vary depending on the MIUI version and device model. For example, on flagships like Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5 Pro, the multi-window is more stable than on the budget Redmi Note 10. Before setting up, check the firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

What is a Double Screen and Why You Need It

Split-screen or multi-window is an Android feature that allows you to divide the display into two independent areas, each area displays a separate application that can be controlled in parallel.

• 📱 Social media + Messengers: scroll through Instagram and respond to WhatsApp messages at the same time.
• 🎵 Music. + Navigation: Listen to Spotify and follow the route in Google Maps.
• 📝 Notes + browser: copy information from web pages directly into a notebook or document.
• 🎮 Games + Chat: play Genshin Impact and chat with the team in Discord (not all games are supported!).

On Xiaomi, this mode is implemented through the proprietary shell MIUI, which adds its own settings on top of the standard Android functionality. Unlike “pure” Android, where the multi-window is turned on with a long press on the multitasking button, Xiaomi may need to activate in hidden menus.

Note that not all applications support split-screen operation, for example, many banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff) and some games (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire) block this feature for security or performance reasons.

Official method: inclusion of multi-window in MIUI

The most reliable method of activating the dual screen is through the standard MIUI settings. The instructions are suitable for most modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with the MIUI 12 firmware version and later.

Steps to include:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Scroll down and select Multi-Window Mode (some models may call it Split Screen).
3. Activate the switch Enable multi-window mode.
4. Return to the home screen and open the first app (like Chrome).
5. Click on the multitasking button (square in the bottom navigation bar) and hold the app icon for a few seconds.
6. In the menu that appears, select Divide screen (or Open in multi-window).
7. Select the second app from the list of recently opened or through the app bar.

If Multi-Window Mode is not in the settings, then your model does not support this feature at the firmware level, in which case try the alternative methods described below.

Update MIUI to the latest version

Close all background applications

Check the compatibility of the desired applications with the mode

Connect the charger (dual screen consumes more battery)-->

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) Multi-window mode can be unstable due to memory limitations. If apps start to “fly out” or slow down, try to close all background processes or use lighter programs (for example, Chrome Lite instead of standard Chrome).

Alternative method: gestures for splitting the screen

If you don’t have an explicit point to turn on the multi-window, try activating the gesture mode, which works on most devices with MIUI 13/14 and later, but requires precise execution of the actions.

Instructions:

1. Open the first app (like YouTube).
2. Swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger on the screen to open the multitasking panel.
3. Click on the app icon and hold it for 1-2 seconds.
4. In the context menu that appears, select Divide screen (if there is no such item, then the gesture is turned off in the settings).
5. The screen will split into two parts, and at the bottom you'll see a panel with recently opened apps. Choose the second.

If the gesture does not work, check the settings:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Gestures.
• Make sure that the Gesture for Multi-Window (or Screen Split by Gesture) item is enabled.
• 🔄 If you do not have an option, update the firmware or use the method with ADB (described below).

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T), you can use a three-finger swipe down to split the screen, hold three fingers on the screen and lead them down, and the multi-window menu will appear.

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If the app doesn't support split-screen mode, try opening it in the "floating window." To do this, hold the app icon in the multitasking bar and select Open in the floating window. This will allow you to overlay a small window over another application.

Hidden settings: activation via ADB

If standard methods don’t work, you can force multiwindows to be enabled via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for power users and requires connecting a smartphone to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and utility ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press the version MIUI, Then go back to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and allow debugging over USB.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Execute the command to enable multi-window: adb shell settings put global multi_window_mode_enabled true
5. Reboot your smartphone.

After rebooting, try opening the multi-window again through gestures or the multi-tasking bar. If the feature still doesn't work, try the additional command:

adb shell settings put global force_multi_window_for_all_apps true

⚠️ Note: Change settings through ADB If after the commands the smartphone began to brake or overheat, perform a reset via Settings. → Additionally. → Resetting. Also note that after the update MIUI settings may reset.

Application compatibility: why some programs don’t work in multi-window

Not all applications support split-screen mode, due to developer limitations or software specifics, and here are the main reasons why an application may not open in a multi-window:

To check if the app supports multi-window, open it in the multitasking bar and hold the icon. If there is no split screen option, the app is locked. In some cases, forced activation through ADB helps, but this can lead to crashes.

On devices with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5 Pro), the multiwindow is more stable thanks to the optimization of MIUI for flagship chipsets. On budget models with Snapdragon 4xx or Helio Gxx series processors, braking is possible.

Bypasses: third-party split-screen apps

If your device doesn’t support the official multi-window mode, you can use third-party utilities. Below are proven applications that emulate the split screen on Xiaomi:

• 🔹 Split Screen Launcher creates shortcuts to quickly open a pair of apps in a multi-window. Supports setting the proportions of the screen.
• 🔹 Multi Window — allows you to run multiple windows on top of the main interface, even works on older versions of Android.
• 🔹 Floating Apps creates floating windows for any application, useful if you want to put a small window (like a calculator) on top of another.

Warnings when using third-party utilities:

• 🛡️ Some apps require access rights for special features, which may not be secure.Before installing, check reviews and rankings on Google Play.
• 🔋 Third-party utilities can increase battery consumption and load the processor. on weak devices (for example, Redmi). 8A) It'll put you on the brakes.
• 🔒 Some banking applications block work if they detect third-party overlays (overlaid windows).

If you choose to use a third-party app, test it first in a sandbox, such as with unimportant utilities like a calculator or notebook, and do not enter logins/passwords in floating windows until the program is reliable.

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Third-party multi-window utilities are a temporary solution, and after the MIUI update, they may stop working, and it is better to wait for official support for the feature in the firmware.

Optimizing performance in dual screen mode

Working with two applications simultaneously increases the load on the processor and RAM. To avoid brakes and overheating, follow these tips:

• 🔄 Close background processes: before activating the multi-window, clear the memory through Settings → Annexes → Clean or use the “Close All” button in the multitasking bar.
• 🔋 Connect charging: dual screen consumes the battery 30-50% faster. If you plan to work long hours in a multi-window, connect the device to the network.
• ⚙️ Turn off animation: go to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and install Windows animation, transition animation and Animator Duration on No animation.
• 🌡️ Watch the temperature: if the smartphone starts to warm up, take a break or close one of the apps.Temperatures above 45°C can lead to trottling (automatic performance decline).

On devices with MIUI 14 and later, there is built-in multi-window optimization to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select Performance Mode.
3. Set high performance (temporarily, only while working with multi-window).

If even after optimizing the application is slowed down, try to reduce the screen resolution:

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Select Screen Resolution and set a value below the current one (e.g. HD+ instead of FHD+).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions