How to make floating windows on Xiaomi: full instructions for all models

Floating windows (Picture-in-Picture, PiP) on Xiaomi smartphones are a feature that allows you to view videos or make video calls in a miniature window on top of other applications. Despite the fact that PiP mode is supported by most modern devices based on MIUI, many users do not know how to activate it or face restrictions. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to enable floating windows, including hidden settings and bypassing possible locks.

It’s important to understand that the functionality of the PiP depends on three factors: the version of the MIUI, the smartphone model, and the application you’re trying to run the mode in. For example, YouTube blocks PiP for users without a Premium subscription, and some messengers (like WhatsApp) require additional manipulation. We’ll look at universal methods that work on most devices, from Xiaomi’s flagship 14 Ultra to the budget Redmi Note 12.

What are floating windows (PiPs) and why do you need them?

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode allows you to reduce a video or video call to a small window that stays on top of other applications.

• 📺 Multitasking: Watch streaming on Twitch or YouTube while simultaneously texting in the messenger.
• 📞 Video Calls: Communicate on Zoom or Google Meet while working with documents.
• 🎮 Gaming: follow the guide to the passage of the game, without folding it completely.
• 📊 Learning: view lectures or tutorials by taking notes in a notebook.

On Xiaomi, PiP mode is implemented at the system level (MIUI), but its work depends on the support of a particular application. For example, Netflix allows PiP only at certain rates, and TikTok generally blocks this feature.

Technically, the PiP works through the Android API, but Xiaomi has added customizations to Settings → Special Features → Picture-in-Picture Mode. However, this path is not always obvious: on some firmware, the option is hidden or disabled by default.

How to enable floating windows in standard applications

If you want to use PiP on YouTube, Google Maps or other popular services, first check if the app supports this mode. For example, on YouTube, the PiP is only available for Premium subscribers, but there are workarounds (about them in the next section).

For standard applications such as Gallery or Video Player, the PiP enable algorithm is simple:

1. Open the video in full screen.
2. Press the Home button (or swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen).
3. The video will automatically shrink to a floating window.

If the window does not appear, check the settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Special Access → Picture-in-picture.
2. Make sure the switch is on for the right application.

Check out the MIUI version (should be 12+)

Update the application to the latest version

Enable the permission to "Map on top of other windows" for the application

Reboot the smartphone after the changes-->

On some models (like the Poco X5 Pro), the path to settings may be different. If you don't find Picture-in-Picture, try an alternative route: Settings → Screen → Multitasking Mode.

Bypassing PiP restrictions on YouTube without Premium

On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 14+, there’s a working way to enable PiP on YouTube without a paid subscription, but it requires changing the configuration file.This method doesn’t violate Google’s rules, as it uses standard Android features, but may stop working after app updates.

Instructions for YouTube:

1. Open YouTube and start playing any video.
2. Switch to Full Screen Mode.
3. Click the Home button – the video should be rolled up into a floating window.
4. If the window disappears, do the following: Install AppOps from Google Play, find YouTube and turn on the option. PICTURE_IN_PICTURE. Reboot your smartphone.

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If the PiP stopped working after the YouTube update, clear the app's cache in the MIUI settings.This often helps restore the feature.

Alternative method (for advanced users):

adb shell appops set com.google.android.youtube ALLOW_PICTURE_IN_PICTURE

This command must be executed via ADB on your computer. Read more about setting up ADB for Xiaomi in our separate article.

Floating windows for video calls (Zoom, WhatsApp, Telegram)

PiP video calls are supported by most messengers, but sometimes require additional permissions, such as WhatsApp, which only works if two conditions are met:

• 📱 You have the latest version of the application installed.
• 🔧 In the settings MIUI WhatsApp has enabled permission to display over other windows.

For Zoom and Google Meet, the algorithm is simpler:

1. Start a video call.
2. Turn it on the full screen.
3. Press the Home button and the call will automatically go to PiP mode.

If the window does not appear, check:

Configure floating windows through the developer (for experienced)

If standard methods fail, you can activate the PiP via developer mode, which is suitable for devices running MIUI 13/14/15 and requires caution – incorrect settings can lead to failures.

Steps to include:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on MIUI Version.

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Do not turn off the screen during charging

Annexes

Include free form for PiP

Reset the device.

Then try to re-start the video on YouTube or another app and roll it up with the Home button. If the PiP still doesn't work, check if it's blocked by an antivirus or an optimizer (such as Xiaomi's Security).

WhatsApp

Telegram

Zoom

Google Meet

Other-->

Note that some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global for the European region) may not have the option to Enable Free Form for PiP, in which case changing the firmware region or installing a custom recavator (e.g. TWRP) will help.

Floating Windows Problems and Solutions

Even after setting up the PiP correctly, it can be unstable, and let’s look at the common mistakes and how to fix them:

• ❌ The window disappears after 5 seconds: check if the power saving mode for the application is turned on. → Battery → Select applications and set the desired application mode Without restrictions.
• ❌ PiP doesn’t run on YouTube: clear the app’s cache or install a modified version (e.g. YouTube Vanced or ReVanced).
• ❌ The window does not move: in MIUI 14+ Hold and hold the floating window for 2 seconds – it will be possible to drag and drop.
• ❌ No sound in PiP: check if the sound is turned off in the notification settings for this application.

If floating windows fail after the MIUI update, try resetting the special features settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Resetting Special Opportunities settings.
3. Confirm the action and restart the device.

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On devices with a MediaTek processor (such as the Redmi Note 11), floating windows can slow down due to insufficient driver optimization. Solution: disable animation in the developer settings.

On some models (such as Xiaomi 12T), after upgrading to MIUI 15, a bug occurs when PiP windows are displayed with artifacts, in which case a rollback to a previous firmware version or installing a patch through Xiaomi Community will help.

Alternative ways to multitask on Xiaomi

If floating windows are not suitable for your tasks, consider alternative options:

• 🪟 Separate screen: allows you to use two applications at the same time. Activated by swipe from the bottom edge of the screen with the application icon holding.
• 🖥️ Desktop mode: in MIUI 14+ Free window (similar to Samsung DeX) is available, which turns a smartphone into a PC-like.
• 🔄 Quick switch: swipe down the bottom panel left/right for instant return to the previous app.

To activate the separate screen:

1. Open the first appendix.
2. Swipe up from the bottom edge and hold the icon of the second app.
3. Select a separate screen in the menu that appears.

Free Window Mode is enabled via Settings → Screen → Desktop Mode. It is useful for working with documents or watching videos in a large window, but requires a connection to an external display (via HDMI or Miracast).

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On the Xiaomi Pad 6, floating windows work differently: it supports up to 4 simultaneously open applications in free window mode. To activate it, hold the application icon in the dock.

FAQ: Frequent questions about floating windows on Xiaomi