How to Enable Screen in Screen (PiP) Mode on Xiaomi Phones: The Complete Guide

The Picture-in-Picture (Pip) feature on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to view video in a miniature window on top of other applications. This is convenient when you need to simultaneously monitor the broadcast and chat in messengers, check email or work with documents. However, not all users know how to activate this mode correctly, especially on devices with a custom shell MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances from basic settings to solving typical problems.

On Xiaomi, PiP mode doesn’t work in all apps — it depends on the service itself (e.g. YouTube Premium, Google Maps, VLC) and the Android version. Owners of devices running MIUI 12/13/14 may face firmware restrictions. But even if your app doesn’t support PiP out of the box, there are workarounds — we’ll talk about them below.

Before you go to the settings, make sure your smartphone meets the minimum requirements:

• 📱 Android Version: 8.0 Oreo or newer (on Xiaomi it is the same) MIUI 9 and above).
• 🔄 Updates: Latest Security Patch (check in Settings) → The phone).
• 🎯 Application: Must support PiP (list of compatible services below).

If your device is older than the Redmi Note 8 (2019), there may be performance problems in picture-in-picture mode. On weak chipsets (such as the Snapdragon 6xx or Helio Pxx), PiP video can slow down.

1.What Xiaomi apps support PiP?

Screen-in-screen mode doesn't work in all programs, depending on the developer's policy, and here's a list of officially supported services on Xiaomi:

• 🎥 YouTube – Premium users only (free version blocks PiP).
• 🗺️ Google Maps – when navigating, you can roll the map into a mini-window.
• 📺 VLC, MX Player – Playing local videos.
• 💬 Telegram, WhatsApp – for video calls (not for all versions).
• 🎮 Twitch, Trovo – streams in a miniature window.

There are also informal ways to enable PiPs in non-so-optimized applications (e.g., through ADB or modified versions of APK), but such methods may violate the rules of the services (e.g., YouTube blocks accounts for using PiPs without Premium).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) PiP mode may work unstable due to RAM restrictions. If the video in the mini window twitches, close the background applications.

2. How to enable PiP on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Activation of screen-in-screen mode depends on the version of MIUI and the application. Consider the universal method for most models:

1. Open a supported app (like YouTube Premium or Google Maps).
2. Start playing the video or route.
3. Press the Home button on the navigation bar. The video should automatically roll up into a mini window.

Xiaomi with MIUI 13/14 may require additional customization:

Update the application to the latest version

Check Premium Subscription (for YouTube)

Close background programs for stable work

Enable mode in settings MIUI (if required)-->

If the PiP doesn’t work after these actions, the problem may be manufacturer limitations, such as some POCO models, which are disabled by default due to battery optimization.

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On Xiaomi with Android 12+, you can resize the PiP window by pulling corners. Double tapping the window will turn it back to the full screen.

3. Why isn't the PiP working on my Xiaomi?

If the screen-in-screen mode is not activated, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🚫 Outdated firmware: On MIUI 11 and below, the PiP is unstable. Update the system to Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI.
• 🔒 Application restrictions: YouTube without Premium, Netflix or Disney+ block.
• ⚙️ Disabled permissions: Check if the mode is allowed in Settings → Annexes → Special access → PiP.
• 📱 Weak iron: On devices with 2-3 GB of RAM (e.g. Redmi) 8A) The PiP may not be launched.

On some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi A2 or Mi A3 with pure Android One), the PiP mode is enabled via standard Android settings, not MIUI.

1. Open Settings → Applications and notifications → Additional → Special Access → Picture in picture.
2. Enable permission for the desired application.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with HyperOS (new firmware instead of HyperOS) MIUI) The path to the PiP settings may be different.Look for the Settings section → Screen. → Picture-in-picture mode.

4.How to set up a PiP for YouTube without Premium?

YouTube officially allows only Premium users to use the screen in the screen, but there are workarounds:

1. Through the browser: Open YouTube in Google Chrome or Firefox. Launch the video, then click ⋯ → Desktop site (PC version) Return to mobile view (⋯ → Mobile site) and turn the browser with the Home button.
2. Through modified APKs: Install YouTube Vanced or ReVanced (root or patching required via ReVanced Manager). In the app settings, activate the Background play option.

⚠️ Note: Using modified versions of YouTube violates service rules: account can be blocked for "atypical activity».

Another way to do this is to use VLC to play YouTube videos:

1. Copy the link to the video.
2. Open the VLC, click the Network and paste the link.
3. After launch, roll the player with the Home button - the video will remain in the PiP.

5. Additional PiP settings on Xiaomi

Picture-in-picture mode on Xiaomi supports several useful options:

• 🔄 Resize windows: Pull around the corners of the mini player to enlarge or shrink it.
• 🔇 Turn off the sound: Touch the PiP window and tap the speaker icon.
• 📍 Moving around the screen: Clip the window and drag to any corner.
• ❌ Closing: Swipe the window down or press ×.

MIUI 14 has a feature that automatically curtails video to PiP when you exit the app, to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Picture-in-Picture Mode.
2. Turn off the option “Automatically Crowd Video”**.

For Google Maps, additional gestures are available in PiP mode:

• Double tapping the window will turn the map to the whole screen.
• Swipe left/right switches between route and street view.

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On Xiaomi with Android 13+, you can pin the PiP window on the screen so that it does not close when swiping. To do this, hold the window and select “Stick”.

6. Solving PiP problems on Xiaomi

If the screen isn’t working properly, try the following steps:

If the problem persists, try resetting the app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → [Program name] → Storage.
2. Click on “Clear Cache” and “Reset Settings”.

On root-right devices, you can force PiP to be enabled for any application via ADB:

adb shell settings put global multi_window_mode_enabled true

After completing the command, restart the smartphone.

7. PiP Alternatives on Xiaomi: Split screen and floating windows

If the “screen in-screen” doesn’t work, consider other options for multitasking:

• 📱 Split screen (split screen): Open the first app. Press the square button (Overview) and hold the app icon. Select "Share the screen"** and add the second app.

Floating windows (MIUI 12+):

• Activate in Settings → Special Options → Floating Windows.
• Open the app, swipe down from the top edge and select Make Floating.**

DeX Mode (for flagships):

On Xiaomi Mi 11/12/13, desktop mode is available (Settings → Connected Devices → Xiaomi DeX). Connect your phone to the monitor and multitask like on a PC.

Comparison of regimes:

FAQ: Frequent questions about PiP on Xiaomi