How to Make Multiple Windows on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Multitasking

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have powerful hardware that allows you to perform many tasks at once, but not all users know how to activate split screen mode. The split screen feature turns your gadget into a miniature desktop where you can chat in the messenger, watch videos and flip through social media at the same time. This is especially true for models with large diagonals, where the display area allows you to comfortably place two applications side by side.

There are several ways to activate multi-window mode in the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, and the choice of the specific method depends on the firmware version and user habits. Some methods require pre-configuration in the Developer menu, while others are available immediately after you purchase the device. Understanding these nuances will help you to get the most out of your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO capabilities.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the options available for opening multiple windows, look at the hidden functions of floating windows and answer frequent questions that arise from owners of Chinese versions of smartphones. You will learn not only to open two applications, but also to manage them with maximum comfort using gestures and special tools of the system.

⚠️ Note: On some global firmware versions, the split screen function may be hidden by default and require activation via special menus or third-party launchers.

Activation of the function through the system settings menu

The first and most reliable way to access multitasking is to check system settings, as in some regions the function may be disabled by the manufacturer. You need to go to the Settings → Additional Features menu and find the item responsible for splitting the screen. If you do not see this section right away, try searching by settings by typing in the query “split” or “split”.

Once the appropriate switch is detected, it needs to be switched to the active position. The system can suggest choosing a method of activation, for example, long pressing the Menu button (square in the navigation bar) or using a special gesture. Activation of the function through settings ensures stable operation without the need for third-party software.

It’s worth noting that newer versions of HyperOS may have different logic than the classic MIUI 12 or 13. In recent updates, Xiaomi is looking to unify the interface, so the path to settings could look like Settings → Special Features → Screen split. If the standard path doesn’t work, maybe your model requires the developer mode to be enabled.

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If you don’t find a choice in the settings, try changing the region in the “Additional → Region” menu to “India” or “Singapore” – this will often unlock hidden shell features.

Use of the menu of running applications

The fastest way to open two windows on the screen is to use the recent app menu, which is called by swipeing from the bottom up with a delay or clicking on the navigation button. This list shows thumbnails of running programs, and that's where the key to multitasking lies. Find the first application you want to run in the top window.

Click on the icon next to the app name or make a long tap in the thumbnail. In the context menu that appears, select the option to split the screen (the icon with two rectangles), then the screen will split in half, and at the bottom there will be a list of other running programs to select the second application.

If you use gesture control, you need to swipe from the bottom up to call the menu of recent apps and hold your finger in the center of the screen for a split second. MIUI is very sensitive to the speed of this gesture, so if the menu doesn't appear, try changing the speed of the swipe. After selecting the second app, you can adjust the size of the windows by dragging the dividing line.

Floating window mode and side panel

In addition to the classic split screen in half, Xiaomi’s shell offers a more flexible tool, floating windows, which allow you to run the application in a small window on top of the main content, which is ideal for watching videos while chatting or using a calculator.

You can activate the sidebar from the Settings menu → Additional Features → Sidebar. Here you can select the applications that will always be available in floating mode. Once turned on, a transparent bar will appear at the edge of the screen, which opens a list of selected programs with a swipe.

Running an app from the sidebar opens it up as a floating window that can be moved around the screen, resized, or rolled to the edge. Unlike a split screen, a floating window doesn't take up half the display all the time, which gives you more freedom. You can run multiple of those windows at once, turning your smartphone into a full-fledged multi-window workstation.

Configure through the “Developers” menu

If standard methods don’t work or your version of MIUI is stripped down by the operator, you can use the hidden developer menu to log in to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the build number seven times (MIUI Version), after which a new section “Developers” will appear in the additional features menu.

Inside this section, find Force activities to be resizable, which allows you to run multi-window applications that are not officially supported by developers, and can be useful for games or specific utilities.

⚠️ Warning: Forced split-screen activation for incompatible applications may result in incorrect display of the interface or program crashes.

Also on the developer menu, you should pay attention to the settings for the minimum screen width (Smallest width), changing this setting (for example, from 360 to 320 dp) will visually reduce the interface elements, which will allow you to comfortably use two windows even on smartphones with a diagonal of less than 6 inches.

Third-party split-screen applications

In cases where Xiaomi's built-in capabilities are limited or unstable, Google Play apps come to the rescue. There are many utilities that emulate the split-screen feature by creating virtual space or using special launchers. One popular solution is the Split Screen Shortcut app.

These programs usually create a widget on the desktop or add a power menu item, and when activated, they force the selected application to run in split-screen mode, which is especially true for older Redmi models or devices that have not received an update to the new version of Android.

However, the use of third-party software has its disadvantages: increased battery consumption, the presence of advertising in free versions and possible conflicts with the system shell. Before installing, be sure to check the reviews and permissions that the application requests. The system implementation of MIUI always works more stable and energy efficient than third-party counterparts.

Solutions and Limitations of Compatibility

Not all applications support split-screen operation, most often video players, navigators and some games that require full immersion and horizontal orientation, and when you try to run such an application in a second window, the system can issue a warning or simply turn it on the full screen by closing the first window.

To circumvent this limitation, you can use Screen Rotation in conjunction with the developer mode mentioned above, and some users use special scripts or modified versions of applications, but this requires root rights, which is not recommended for ordinary users for security reasons.

If one of the windows crashes or freezes, try clearing that particular application's cache through the Settings menu → Apps → All apps. Often the problem isn't with the separation system itself, but with the cache error of the particular service.

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The compatibility of split-screen apps depends primarily on their developers, not on the model of your Xiaomi smartphone.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions