How to make a split screen on Xiaomi Redmi 8: full instructions with secrets

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, which is still actively used for its reliability and functionality. However, not all owners know that the device supports split-screen (multi-window) mode, which allows you to work with two applications at the same time. This feature is especially useful for multitasking: you can text in the messenger and watch videos, compare prices in the browser and app store, or copy text from one document to another.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how to activate split screen on Redmi 8 in every possible way, from standard gestures to hidden MIUI settings. You’ll also learn which apps support multi-window, how to resize windows and what to do if the feature doesn’t work. And at the end, you’ll find an FAQ with answers to the most common questions.

Important: the instruction is relevant for Xiaomi Redmi 8 based on MIUI 10-14 (inclusive). on newer versions of the firmware, the interface may differ slightly, but the logic remains the same. If you have custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the multi-window mode may be missing or require additional manipulation.

What is Screen Sharing and Why You Need It

Split-screen is an Android feature that allows two apps to be used simultaneously on the same screen. On Redmi 8, it is implemented through the proprietary MIUI shell, which adds its own chips on top of the standard mechanism.

The main advantages of multi-window:

• 📱 Multitasking without switching: no need to constantly open/close apps – both are always at hand.
• 📝 Usability: copying text between windows, comparing information, simultaneous viewing and chat.
• 🎮 Games + Guides: You can play and watch YouTube in one window (although not all games support this mode).
• 🔄 Rapid drag and drop: in MIUI You can easily change windows in places or close them with a gesture.

However, there are limitations:

• ❌ Not all apps support multi-windows (especially games and some banking programs).
• ❌ Redmi 8 with its modest 4GB of RAM simultaneously running two “heavy” applications (e.g. Chrome) + Instagram may cause a slowdown.
• ❌ In horizontal orientation, some applications are displayed incorrectly (stretched or cropped).

Method 1: Standard gesture for enabling multi-window

The easiest way to activate the Redmi 8 split screen is to use a gesture from the latest apps menu, which works on all versions of MIUI and requires no additional settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the first app you want to use in a multi-window (e.g. YouTube).
2. Click on the Last Apps button (square at the bottom of the screen) or swipe up and hold your finger for a second.
3. At the top of the screen, an app icon will appear – tap it and hold it until it becomes active.
4. Without letting go of your finger, drag the icon to the top or bottom of the screen (a translucent area will appear).
5. Release your finger – the first window will be fixed, and the second half of the screen will show the menu of the latest applications.
6. Select a second app (like Telegram) and it will open in the free part of the screen.

Now you can interact with both applications at the same time, so to resize the windows, pull the dividing line up or down.

⚠️ Warning: If the application icon is not activated when dragging, check if the function is disabled in the system settings.

Method 2: Enable via MIUI settings

If the gesture doesn't work, it's possible split-screen mode is turned off in the settings. On Redmi 8, this option is hidden deep enough, but it's easy to find if you know the way.

How to turn on multi-window through settings:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Special features.
2. Scroll down and find the Multiwindow section (or the Split Screen in older versions of MIUI).
3. Activate the switch Enable the multi-window.
4. Below you can customize: 🔄 Automatic rotation – if you want the windows to turn when changing orientation. 📱 Activation gesture – the choice between swipe or hold the icon. 🔒 Blocking the ratio - fixing the size of the windows.

Once activated, try using the gesture again from the first method, and if the multi-window still doesn't work, check if the power saving mode or the battery optimizer is blocking it (see "Problem Solving").

Method 3: Use the "Last Appendices" button (alternative method)

If you have MIUI 12 or newer, there's another way to activate split screens, through the context menu in the list of recent apps, a technique less well-known, but sometimes more stable than gestures.

Instructions:

1. Open the first app (like Google Chrome).
2. Click the Last Apps button (square) or swipe up with a delay.
3. Find the icon of the desired application in the list and swipe it up (without holding!).
4. A menu will appear with the option Split screen – tap it.
5. Select the second app from the list of the latest or through All apps.

Problem Solving: Multi-windows are not working or glitching

If the Redmi 8 splitting screen refuses to turn on or is not working smoothly, check the following points:

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI Multi-window function conflicts with power saving mode. → Battery and productivity → Energy saving regime.

If none of these methods worked, try:

1. Reboot your smartphone (sometimes helps to reset the temporary MIUI glitches).
2. Clear the system cache: Settings → Applications → Application management → Three points → Clear the cache.
3. Reset the interface settings: Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Reset interface settings (data will not be deleted!).
4. If the problem has occurred after the MIUI update, rolling back to the previous version may help (but it’s risky – wait for the patch).

💡

On Redmi 8 with custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience), the multi-window can work differently – use the standard Android mechanism: hold the app icon in the menu of the latter and select “Share screen”.

FAQ: Frequent questions about splitting the screen on Redmi 8