How to turn on a mini-screen (PiP) on Xiaomi: instructions for TVs and smartphones

The miniscreen (or Picture-in-Picture, PiP) on Xiaomi devices allows you to watch videos and work with other applications simultaneously, a feature that is especially useful for multitasking: You can follow the sports broadcast without interrupting the correspondence in the messenger, or keep a recipe on hand while cooking. TV/Redmi Smart TV squirrel-driven MIUI.

In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can turn on your miniscreen, including hidden settings and workarounds for models where the function is disabled by default. You'll also learn which apps support PiP, how to resize the window and why the mode may not work on some devices.

What is a Mini Screen (PiP) and Why You Need It

Picture-in-Picture mode allows video to be displayed in a small floating window on top of other applications, a technology that has long been used in TVs, but has been introduced relatively recently on smartphones and smart TV sets. On Xiaomi PiP devices, it works differently depending on the model and firmware version.

The main advantages of the mini-screen:

• 📺 Multitasking: Watch YouTube or streams while checking email or social media.
• 🎮 Game mode: on some TVs you can display gameplay in a small window, and on the main screen to open the guide.
• 📱 Smartphone Convenience: You don’t have to constantly switch between apps.
• 🔄 Flexible setting: changing window size, moving around the screen, adjusting transparency.

However, there are limitations, for example, not all applications support PiP (especially for streaming services from the Internet). DRM-protections such as Netflix or Disney+). In addition, on budget models of Redmi TVs, the function can be disabled at the firmware level.

How to turn on the mini-screen on Xiaomi TVs (Mi) TV / Redmi Smart TV)

On Xiaomi TVs, the PiP mode is activated via system settings or remote hotkeys. The algorithm depends on the PatchWall version (shells for Smart). TV from Xiaomi, let's look at both options.

Method 1: Through the settings menu

This method works on most models, including the Mi. TV 4A/4S/5X Redmi Smart TV X:

1. Open the app you want to run the video on (like YouTube or Prime Video).
2. Start playing the content.
3. Press the Menu button on the remote.
4. Select Picture-in-Picture (or Mini Screen in newer versions).
5. The video will automatically roll up into a small window that can be moved around the screen.

If Picture-in-Picture is not on the menu, then your model is not firmware-level PiP, so try alternatives.

Method 2: Hot keys of the remote

On some Xiaomi TVs, the mini screen is turned on with a combination of buttons:

• 🔘 Press and hold the home (home) + Volume Down (Loudness decrease) for 3 seconds.
• 🔘 On older remotes (without a microphone) try Menu + OK.

If the combination does not work, check the PatchWall version in the settings of the TV (Settings). → The PiP requires a version at least 2.0.150.

Check PatchWall version (not lower than 2.0.150)

Update the firmware through Settings → Software Update

Make sure that the video is running in a supported app (YouTube, MX Player)

Use the original remote (not universal)

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Method 3: Through ADB (for advanced users)

If your Xiaomi TV doesn’t officially support PiP, you can try enabling the feature through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires connecting the TV to your computer and knowing the command line.

Instructions:

1. Turn on the debugging. USB on TV: Settings → On TV. → Software version (click 7 times on the line with the version to activate developer mode). → Additionally. → For developers and enable debugging.
2. Connect the TV to the PC via USB-cable.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(device must be displayed)

adb shell settings put global pip_enabled 1

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.PIP_MODE_CHANGED --ez enabled true

After you've done the commands, restart the TV, and if you've done well, you'll see a Picture-in-Picture item on the menu.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause a TV to crash. Before experimenting, back up your settings through Settings. → Backup.

How to set up a mini-screen on Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI)

On Xiaomi smartphones, the PiP mode works differently than on TVs. Here it is integrated into the system. MIUI It depends on the version of Android. MIUI 12/13/14 (Android-based 10+) The function is available by default, but it must be activated correctly.

Method 1: Standard PiP mode in MIUI

Instructions for smartphones Redmi Note 10/11/12, Xiaomi 11/12/13 and other models with MIUI 12+:

1. Open a supported app (e.g. YouTube Premium, Google Maps, VLC).
2. Run the video playback.
3. Press the Home button (or swipe up if you use gestures).
4. The video will automatically roll up into a small window.

If the window does not appear, check the settings:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Picture-in-picture mode.
• 🔧 Make sure the slider is on.
• 🔧 In the list of applications, mark those for which you want to allow PiP (for example, Chrome or Google). MX Player).

Method 2: Forced PiP Enabling Through Developer Settings

If the standard method doesn’t work, try activating the mode through the developer’s settings:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find Enable Picture-in-Picture and activate it.
4. Also enable Forced PiP for all applications (if any).

Then try to roll the video back up with the Home button, and the window should appear even in unsupported apps (like TikTok or Twitch).

⚠️ Warning: Forced PiP activation may cause crashes in some applications (e.g., video will play without sound or with artifacts).If you encounter a problem, disable the feature in the developer settings.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If the built-in PiP is not satisfied, you can install alternative applications from Google Play:

• 📱 Floating Apps – creates floating windows for any application.
• 🎥 PiP Tool – Expands the capabilities of the standard PiP.
• 🔄 Split Screen & PiP – combines split screen and picture-in-picture.

Example of Floating Apps setup:

1. Install the application and give it Overlay rights over other applications.
2. Select the app you want to open in a floating window (like YouTube).
3. Customize the size and transparency of the window through the Floating Apps control panel.

Disadvantages of third-party solutions – they can consume more battery and sometimes conflict with the battery. MIUI.

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If the mini-screen on Xiaomi doesn’t appear when you fold a video, try switching to another app first (like opening the Calculator) and then returning to the video – sometimes it works.

Why the miniscreen may not work: common problems

If you followed the instructions but the PiP never worked, the reasons may be:

Another frequent problem — DRM-Services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video block PiPs because of licensing restrictions, in which case only official firmware updates or the use of alternative players (for example, the use of a new software) will help, MX Player with uploaded content).

On Xiaomi TVs, sometimes it helps to reset settings to factory (Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting), but this is an extreme measure - save important data before resetting.

Additional settings of the mini-screen

Once you turn on the PiP, you can customize it to your needs. Let's look at the basic customization options.

On Xiaomi TVs

• 🔄 Change the size of the window: press OK on the remote, then use the arrows to zoom in.
• 🔊 Sound adjustment: The volume of the mini screen is adjusted separately from the main sound via Settings → Sound. → PiP balance sheet.
• 📍 Locking the window: hold on OK on the remote to fix the window in the corner of the screen.
• 🎨 Transparency: In some firmware, you can change the transparency of the background through Settings → Screen. → PiP settings.

On Xiaomi smartphones

• 📐 Window Size: Pull around the corners of the PiP window to change its size.
• 🔕 Turn off the sound: touch the window and click on the speaker icon.
• 📍 Move: Clip the window and drag to any corner of the screen.
• ❌ Closing: Swipe the window down or click on the cross.

Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro) have an automatic folding feature: if you open another video, the previous one automatically goes into PiP mode.

Comparison of the mini-screen on Xiaomi and other brands

The PiP function is implemented differently from different manufacturers, and for clarity, compare Xiaomi with competitors:

A unique feature of Xiaomi is the ability to force the PiP to be enabled through the ADB It's not even on the unsupported models, which most of the competitors don't have. LG implementation is more stable, especially on premium TVs.

Xiaomi PiP performs worse on smartphones than Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy due to restrictions MIUI. For example, on Pixel, any video can be rolled out the window, and on Redmi, manual adjustment is often required.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the mini-screen on Xiaomi

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If your Xiaomi device doesn’t officially support PiP, try updating your firmware or using it. ADB. On smartphones with MIUI 12+ The feature is more stable than on TVs with an outdated version of PatchWall.