The mini-screen (or “small display”) on Xiaomi smartphones is a feature that reduces the screen’s workspace for easy one-way control, especially on larger devices with a 6.5-inch diagonal, where reaching the top of the interface with one hand can be difficult, but not all users know that this option is hidden in the depths of MIUI and requires proper activation.
In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to turn on the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark miniscreen, including models with MIUI 12-MIUI 15. You will learn how to adjust the size of the reduced display, what gestures are supported, and why the feature may not work on some firmware, and at the end, answers to frequent questions and solutions to typical problems.
What is a miniscreen and why do you need it?
The Mini-screen (originally called the One-handed mode) narrows the active area of the display to 3.5-4.5 inches, shifting it to the lower left or right corner.
- 👆 Manage your smartphone with one hand without stretching fingers
- 🎯 More precisely, click on small interface elements
- ⚡ Switch between applications in reduced mode faster
- 🔄 Use navigation gestures even on large screens
The feature is especially relevant for flagships Xiaomi 13 Ultra (6.73), Redmi K60 Pro (6.67), or POCO F5 Pro (6.67), where the top notification panel is physically inaccessible when holding the device in one hand, while the mini-screen does not just zoom in on the image, but redistributes the interface elements, keeping them readable.
Important: on some models (Black Shark 5, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the feature may be called "One-Hand Mode" or "Small Screen." The essence remains the same, but the path to settings may differ.
Method 1: Standard activation via MIUI settings
The easiest method is to use built-in system options. It works on most devices with MIUI 12 and later, but may not be available on budget models (Redmi A1, POCO C50).
- Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
- Go to the section Physical capabilities → One-hand mode.
- Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
- Select the size of the mini screen (generally available options 3.5" and 4").
- Press Ready and test the function by swiping your finger on the bottom edge of the screen to the left or right.
If One-Hand Mode is not available in Special Options, check Settings → Additional → Functions Lab. On some firmware, the option is hidden there under the name "Mini Screen".
Update. MIUI last-minute|Check the vacant space (minimum 2 GB)|Turn off the energy saving for the system|Reboot your smartphone-->
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), the path to settings may be different. If you use unofficial software, check the version first MIUI In Settings → The phone.
Method 2: A gesture for quick activation
If the standard method didn’t work, try activating the mini-screen through a hidden gesture, which works even on models where the feature is disabled in the default settings (for example, POCO X5 Pro or Redmi Note 11 Pro+).
Instructions:
- Open any application (such as Settings).
- Swipe your finger diagonally from the bottom corner of the screen to the center (left to right for right-handers, right to left for left-handers).
- If the gesture works, the screen will shrink to 3.5-4 inches. To return normal mode, touch the empty area outside the mini screen.
If the gesture doesn't work, it's turned off at the firmware level, and then the third way will help.
Through settings MIUI|Diagonally gesture|With help. ADB-team|Didn't use the function.-->
| Xiaomi model | Mini-screen support | Required version of MIUI | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/13 Pro | ✅ Yes. | MIUI 14+ | The gesture works by default |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | ✅ Yes. | MIUI 13.5+ | You need to include functions in the Laboratory |
| POCO F5/F5 Pro | ✅ Yes. | MIUI 14 (Global) | Supports 3 size mini-screens |
| Black Shark 5/5 Pro | ❌ No. | — | Replaced with Game Mode |
| Redmi A1/A2 | ❌ No. | — | Budget models without function |
Method 3: Activate through ADB (for power users)
If the mini-screen is absent in the settings and the gesture does not work, you can forcibly turn on the function through ADB-This method requires a computer and basic knowledge of working with Android Debug Bridge.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
- Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB Tools, and execute the command: adb shell settings put global. force_one_handed_mode 1
- Reset the device. Once turned on, make a diagonal gesture, and the mini-screen should appear.
To disable the function, use the command:
adb shell settings put global force_one_handed_mode 0⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Before executing commands, back up your data via Mi Cloud or locally. On some firmware (Xiaomi.eu) after ADB-commands require resetting of settings.
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If so, ADB-Mini screen commands don't appear, try adb shell settings put global first force_one_handed_mode 0, Reboot and then re-energize. This will reset the possible configuration conflicts.
Method 4: Using third-party applications
If the built-in methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities.
- 📱 One Hand Operation + (Play Market – supports setting the size and position of the mini-screen, works without root.
- 🔧 Easy One Hand Mode – allows you to assign your own gestures to activate.
- 🛠️ Tasker (for advanced) – creates automatic rules for enabling the mini-mode according to the conditions (for example, when you start messengers).
Example of One Hand Operation +:
- Install an app from the Play Market.
- Give permission to Overlay over other windows (in security settings).
- Select the size of the mini screen (from 3 to 5).
- Assign an activation gesture (for example, double tap on the back button).
The advantage of third-party applications is that they work even on models without built-in mini-screen support (Redmi 9A, POCO M4 Pro). However, note that such utilities can conflict with MIUI system gestures.
Method 5: Alternatives to the Xiaomi Mini Screen
If your model doesn’t support a miniscreen, consider alternative solutions:
- 🔄 Navigation gestures: Include in Settings → System system → Gestures and use swipes instead of buttons.
- 📱 One-hand mode in apps: Some programs (like Google Maps or Telegram) have their own settings for one-way control.
- 🔍 Reduce the scale of the interface: C Settings → Screen. → Text and display size reduce element size to 80%.
- 🎯 Floating window: In Settings → Special facilities → Floating windows turn on multi-window mode.
Xiaomi also has a MIUI 14+ Light Screen mode (Settings → Screen → Light Screen) that simplifies the interface for older users, but does not reduce the physical size of the workspace.
How to check the support of the mini-screen on your model?
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after successful mini-screen activation, users are faced with typical errors.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The mini-screen does not turn on the gesture | Conflict with other gestures (e.g., double tapping to wake up) | Turn off conflicting gestures in Settings → Screen → Gestures |
| The screen is shrinking but does not respond to touch. | Sensor failure after MIUI update | Restart your phone or reset your sensor settings in Settings → Reset settings → Reset your input settings |
| The function disappeared after the update | Xiaomi has removed support for your model in the new version of MIUI | Reverse to the previous firmware or use it ADB-team |
| The mini-screen only works in portrait orientation. | Restriction of firmware for some models | Try third-party applications (e.g. One Hand Operation+) |
If after all the manipulations the mini-screen has not worked, check:
- 📱 Version MIUI (Upgrade to the last stable assembly).
- 🔧 Root rights (magisk may be required on custom firmware).
- 🛠️ Conflicts with other system modifications (e.g. Xposed or LSPosed).
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On Xiaomi models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Pro) the mini-screen can automatically shut down when the battery is low (less than 15%) to save energy.