How to make a dual screen on Xiaomi Pad 5

Modern tablets are no longer just content-consumption devices and have become full-fledged working tools that can compete with laptops. Xiaomi Pad 5 is no exception, offering users powerful hardware and advanced multitasking capabilities. One of the key productivity-enhancing features is split-screen mode, which allows you to work with two applications at the same time.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate and configure a dual screen on your tablet, what hidden features are in the MIUI Pad interface, and how to avoid typical errors when working with windows. Understanding these nuances will allow you to use the potential of the device at full capacity.

Many users mistakenly believe that multiple windows require complex manipulations or third-party software. In fact, the Android operating system in the MIUI shell already has built-in mechanisms for this, which are properly activated. Below we will look at all the available methods.

Activate the split screen mode 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 requires no deep diving into settings and is available immediately after unpacking the device. To get started, open the first application you want to use, such as a browser or text editor.

When you start the program, swipe from the bottom of the screen upwards and hold your finger in the center of the display to go to the Recent Apps menu. At the top of the open app card, you'll see a horizontal toolbar. That's where the function is hidden.

Click on the icon resembling two rectangles located to the right of the application closing button. The screen will instantly split into two parts: one will remain the selected application, and the second will open a list of all installed programs to select the second window.

• 📱 Click on the split icon in the recent task menu to activate the mode.
• 🔄 Select the second app from the list to fill the second half of the screen.
• ↔️ Use the central dividing line to change the proportions of windows.

Not all applications are optimized for window mode, but some programs can be forced to run full-screen or appear as a narrow band in the center, in which case the functionality of Multi-Window is limited to the software developer.

Using the sidebar for quick access

The second method that is often overlooked by beginners is the use of a sidebar of tools, which is a more flexible way to run secondary applications on top of or near the main ones without interrupting the current workflow.

To activate this feature, swipe from the left or right edge of the screen to the center and take a short pause. If you are doing this for the first time, the panel may be empty or not active. You need to pre-configure through the Settings menu → Special features → Sidebar applications.

In the menu that opens, you can add frequently used programs to your favorites list. Once you add, the panel call becomes instant. By dragging the app icon from the panel to the free area of the screen, you create a floating window or split the display in half, depending on the reset zone.

⚠️ Note: If the sidebar does not appear when swiping, make sure that the settings include the option "Always show" and select specific applications for which it will be active. MIUI swipe may be blocked.

The convenience of the sidebar is that you can quickly switch between a set of utilities. For example, you can watch YouTube videos, and in the sidebar, keep the Calculator and Notes open, instantly accessing them as needed.

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Configure the sidebar so that it contains only those applications that you use for the second time (messengers, calculator, voice recorder) so as not to clutter the main desktop.

Setting window sizes and managing space

The dual screen mode on the Xiaomi Pad 5 gives the user complete freedom in the allocation of workspace. The standard 50 to 50 percent division is not suitable for all tasks. Often you need to give priority to one application, leaving the second as a reference.

To change the proportions, find the black or gray stripe between the two windows. Touch it and drag it left or right. You'll notice that one application starts to take up more space and the other starts to shrink. The system automatically adapts the interface to the new dimensions.

There are also fixed presets that can be activated via the window control menu, and by tapping the top of the floating window or using triple taps, you can quickly switch between modes:

• 🔲 Full screen: the selected application takes up 100% of the display.
• ◑ Splitting: Two apps share the screen equally or in a given proportion.
• 🪟 Floating window: App hangs over others in small window.

You can't shrink an application to an unreadable point, and if it doesn't support resizing, it's going to be displayed in a fixed format.

Working with floating windows and multi-window

Besides the classic split screen in half, the Xiaomi Pad 5 supports floating window mode, which is often confused with dual screen, although functionally they are different things.

To turn a split window into a floating one, drag the dividing line to the end, or use the window control menu (three dots or swipe up from the bottom of the window), which allows you to create a configuration where one application runs against the background and the other on top of it.

The maximum number of simultaneous floating windows open can vary depending on the version of MIUI and the amount of RAM, but usually the system keeps 3-4 active windows stable.

Switching between these modes is instantaneous and doesn’t require app reboots, making MIUI for Pad one of the most flexible Android tablets on the market.

Specificity of the application in Split Screen mode

Not all apps behave equally well in split-screen mode: Some developers optimize their products specifically for larger displays, while others leave the mobile version unchanged.

For example, social networks like Instagram or TikTok in vertical orientation can look narrow bars when the tablet is horizontal, in which case rotating the device or using the “Stretch App” feature, if it is available in the display settings, helps.

Office suites like WPS Office or Microsoft Word, on the other hand, are fully adaptable to Split Screen mode, allowing you to edit a document in one window and search for information in a browser in another.

⚠️ Note: There may be security restrictions when working with split-screen banking applications. Some banks block the application if screenshots or split-screens are required, requiring full-screen mode.

If you find that the application is incorrectly displayed or crashes when you activate a dual screen, try updating it through the Google Play Market or the GetApps store. Often problems are solved by the release of new versions of the software.

Solving and optimizing productivity

Despite the optimization, the simultaneous operation of two heavy applications can load the processor and RAM Xiaomi Pad 5. If you notice twitching interface or heating the case, it is worth closing the background processes.

A common problem is sticking the dividing line or not being able to close one of the windows, in which case it helps to reboot the interface or force the problem application to stop through settings, and also make sure that the display has the current refresh rate.

For maximum smoothness of work in multitasking mode, it is recommended:

• 🚀 Close unused tabs in the browser before launching a heavy application.
• 🧹 Regularly clean the system cache through the "Security" menu».
• 🔋 Keep an eye on the charge level as the dual screen consumes the battery faster.

If the problem is systemic in nature and manifests itself after updating the firmware, it makes sense to reset the special features settings or perform a full reset to factory settings, having previously saved data.

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The stability of the dual screen depends on the amount of free RAM. If you have a version with 6 GB of RAM, try not to keep more than 2-3 heavy applications open at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)