How to make a screen split on Xiaomi 10: the complete guide

Multitasking is a key feature of modern Android smartphones, and the flagship Xiaomi Mi 10 is no exception. Owners of the device often face the need to use several applications simultaneously, whether it is correspondence in the messenger while watching a video or searching for information in the browser in parallel with working in notes. Split Screen allows you to effectively use a large space of 6.67-inch AMOLED-display, turning the smartphone into a mini-tablet.

In the MIUI operating system, which is the basis of the Xiaomi interface, implementation of this feature has its nuances. Unlike “pure” Android, there are several ways to activate the mode, including standard gestures, menu buttons and even hidden system commands, Understanding these mechanisms will help you customize the gadget to your individual needs and improve productivity.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at all available methods for activating Split Screen on Xiaomi Mi 10, consider possible limitations and offer solutions to common problems. You will learn not only to run applications side by side, but also to manage their priority, as well as fix the desired programs in memory for instant access.

The standard way to activate through the menu of recent applications

The most obvious and frequently used method of enabling split screen on Xiaomi 10 is hidden in the menu of running applications.This method does not require setting additional parameters and works out of the box on any version of MIUI. However, many users simply do not notice the desired interface element, as it can be hidden behind additional clicks.

To start, open a few apps you plan to use to stay in the background. Then swipe from the bottom up (or click the appropriate navigation button) to the Recent Apps menu. Find the card of the first app you want to pin at the top of the screen.

The app card usually displays its name and preview. In the upper right corner of this card (or sometimes on the left, depending on the shell version), there is a small icon that resembles a square with lines inside or just three dots, clicking on this element will reveal the context menu.

⚠️ Note: If you don’t see the split screen icon on the app card, it could mean that the program doesn’t support Split Screen mode or the feature is limited to the system to maintain performance.

In the menu that opens, select Divide screen (or an icon with two rectangles). The screen will split in half instantly: the selected application will occupy the top part, and the menu will open at the bottom of the selection of the second application. Select the desired program from the list, and the multitasking mode will be activated.

Use of side panel and floating windows

An alternative to classic splitting is the use of Sidebar or floating windows, which is especially convenient on the Xiaomi Mi 10 because of its high resolution, allowing you to leave the main part of the display free for content and auxiliary for tools.

The sidebar is a narrow bar that can be located at any edge of the screen. It contains shortcuts for frequently used applications. To activate the split mode through the panel, you first need to turn it on in the settings. Go to Settings → Special features → Application sidebar and activate the switch.

When you turn it on, you'll see a translucent marker, and it'll swipe it up, and if you drag it from the list to the free space on the screen, it'll open as a floating window, and if you drag it to the top or bottom edge, it'll suggest Split Screen mode.

• 📱 The floating window can be freely moved around the display without interfering with the main work.
• 📐 The size of the floating window is easily adjustable by pulling a corner, which is convenient for watching videos in a small format.
• 🔄 Quick switching between normal mode and split screen is done by simple drag and drop.

It is important to note that not all apps are properly displayed in floating mode. Some games and heavy media editors may require a full screen, ignoring attempts to run them in the window, in which case the system will automatically roll the window or issue a warning about incompatibility.

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Use a sidebar for a calculator or translator – this will allow you to instantly perform calculations or translate text without interrupting the work in the main application.

Configure hidden functions through the engineering menu

For advanced users who want to gain full control of their Xiaomi 10, there is the option of activating hidden features through special codes. In some versions of MIUI, standard screen splitting may be limited or work incorrectly with certain applications, and system settings come to the rescue.

To access advanced settings, you often use special combinations in the Phone app. One of these commands is to log into the MIUI test menu. Enter ##6484## into the dialer. Although this menu is primarily designed to test hardware, it confirms the integrity of the system partitions.

More useful for our theme is accessing the debugging menu via ADB or special launcher apps, but the safest way to change window behavior is to use Developer Settings. To enable them, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on MIUI Version.

Settings → Additional settings → For developers → Enable Forced Activities Authorization

In the developer menu, find the window-related section, and there may be Forced Activities to be Resizable, which activates the setting to trigger split-screen applications that don't officially support this feature.

Using features for developers requires caution: Changing zoom parameters can lead to incorrect display of fonts or buttons in some applications, it is recommended to make changes gradually and check the stability of the system.

Windows management and configuration preservation

Once you've split the screen in two, it raises the question of how to effectively manage that space. On the Xiaomi Mi 10, the boundary between the apps is not static. You can move the dividing line up or down, changing the proportions of the display. This is especially useful when you need more space for keyboard or video content.

There's often a small marker or strip in the middle of the dividing line, and you can drag the border with your finger, give priority to the top or bottom app, and some versions of MIUI also have a control menu that allows you to swap apps with a single touch.

To exit split-screen mode, you just drag the separation line completely up or down, all the way up, and you can use the standard swipe to close applications in the menu of recent tasks, and the system will automatically return to the full-screen mode of the last active application.

• 🔒 Windows Fixing: Some launchers allow you to “fix” one of the applications so that an accidental closure does not disrupt your operating configuration.
• 📋 Clipboard: When the screen is actively split, the clipboard works globally, allowing you to copy text in one window and paste it into another.
• 🎮 Game mode: When you start games in the top window, notifications can be blocked so as not to distract from the process if the "Do Not Disturb" mode is enabled".

The clipboard is a special feature. Unlike older versions of Android, modern Xiaomi shells have no restrictions on data exchange between windows. You can copy the link from the browser in the bottom window and immediately paste it into the messenger in the top window.

Solving problems with incompatible applications

Despite the powerful hardware of the Xiaomi Mi 10, users may find that splitting the screen doesn’t work for specific applications, most often due to optimizing the software itself for mobile devices, and developers can block Split Screen to ensure that the interface is displayed correctly.

If the app doesn’t run in split mode, try updating it through Google Play Market or GetApps. Multitasking support is often added in new versions. The problem may also be in screen orientation: some apps only work in split mode in portrait orientation, others only in landscape.

⚠️ Note: Applications that require constant notifications or background work (navigators, fitness trackers) may not work properly in a rolled-up window because the system limits their access to resources to save battery life.

There is also a category of applications that technically support separation but do so incorrectly — for example, the keyboard covers the entire screen or the video stops when you lose focus. → Annexes → Application management.

If standard methods don’t work, you can use third-party utilities from the app store that force the Split Screen mode, but it’s worth remembering that such programs require special permissions and can reduce the overall stability of the system.

Optimizing Performance with Multitasking

The use of two active applications simultaneously creates an increased load on the Snapdragon 865 processor and the Xiaomi Mi 10 RAM. Although the device has a power reserve, prolonged work in split-screen mode can lead to increased battery consumption and heating of the case.

MIUI automatically manages resources by prioritizing the active window, but the background app also consumes memory. If you notice a slowdown, it is recommended to close unused tabs in the browser or heavy games before starting Split Screen mode.

To extend battery life with active multitasking, you can reduce the refresh rate of the screen. Xiaomi Mi 10 supports 90 Hz, but in split screen mode, where high smoothness of animations is not required (for example, when reading texts), you can temporarily switch to 60 Hz in the display settings.

Also, it’s worth considering that some features, such as Always On Display or live wallpaper, combined with two active apps can significantly speed up the discharge.

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Xiaomi Mi 10 easily copes with splitting the screen thanks to 8 GB (or more) of RAM, but for maximum autonomy, it is worth keeping an eye on background processes and display brightness.