Screen splitting on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: How to open two applications at the same time

Xiaomi Redmi 9A โ€” One of the most popular budget smartphones, but many users do not even suspect that it supports split screen (multi-window) mode. This feature allows you to work with two applications simultaneously โ€” for example, watch YouTube videos and chat in instant messengers, or copy text from the browser into notes. In this article, we will discuss all ways to activate a split screen on Redmi. 9A, nuances of setting up and solving typical problems.

Itโ€™s important to understand that the multi-window capabilities on Xiaomiโ€™s budget models are limited by hardware specs. 9A Powered by MediaTek Helio processor G25 It has only 2-3 GB of RAM, so some applications can automatically close when you try to split the screen. However, the function works consistently with most standard programs โ€“ browser, instant messengers, gallery and office applications.

If you have never used a split screen, donโ€™t worry. MIUI It's as simple as possible, and the key is to know where to look for the settings and what gestures to use, and then we'll look at all the methods available, including hidden chips that are not written about in the official documentation.

1. Ways to enable split screen on Redmi 9A

At Xiaomi Redmi. 9A There are three main ways to activate multi-window mode. MIUI And your preferences. Let's look at each of them in detail.

Method 1: Through the recent app dashboard (the easiest)

  1. Open the first app you want to use in a multi-window (like YouTube).
  2. Click on the recent apps button (square in the bottom navigation bar).
  3. In the list of open programs, find the application card and hold it with your finger for 1-2 seconds.
  4. A menu will appear with the option to split the screen (or the icon of two rectangles) - click on it.
  5. Select the second app from the recent list or on the home screen.

Method 2: By swipe up with two fingers

This method works for MIUI 12 and newer, but you need to activate it in settings first:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Special Features โ†’ Screen split gestures.
  2. Turn the swipe switch up with two fingers.
  3. Now in any application, swipe two fingers from the bottom up the screen - a selection panel for the second application will appear.

Method 3: Through the notification panel (hidden function)

Few people know, but in MIUI Quick access to the multi-window through the notification curtain:

  1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
  2. Find the Screen Split Tile (if not, click on the tiles edit pencil and add it).
  3. Slip on the tile โ€“ the screen will split and you can choose the second app.
๐Ÿ“Š What is the best way to split the screen for you?
Through the panel of recent
Two-finger gesture
Through the notification panel
I haven't used it before.

2. Which applications support split screen?

Not all programs on Redmi. 9A They can be multi-windowed, depending on the developer's policy and the optimization of the system. MIUI. Here is a list of app categories that are guaranteed to support screen splitting:

  • ๐ŸŒ Browsers: Google Chrome, MIUI Browser, Firefox.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber (except video calls).
  • ๐Ÿ“ Office: Google Docs, WPS Office, Microsoft Word (mobile version).
  • ๐ŸŽต Media: YouTube (only view, no comments), Google Play Music.
  • ๐Ÿ“ System: Gallery, Files, Notes.

Here are the apps that most often refuse to work in multi-window:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Games: almost all 3D-games, for example, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire block screen splitting.
  • ๐Ÿ“ท Camera: The camera system application does not support multi-window.
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Banking: Sberbank Online, Tinkoff and others for security reasons.
  • ๐Ÿ“บ Streaming: Netflix, Twitch (because of the DRM-defense).

Important: On Redmi 9A With 2GB of RAM, some applications can automatically close when they try to split the screen, due to a lack of RAM, and the solution is to close all background processes before activating the multi-window.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the app doesnโ€™t support split screen, try opening it in the web version via a browser, such as the web version of Telegram or VKontakte works perfectly in a multi-window.

3. Screen split setting: changing window size

Once you activate the multi-window, you can change the proportions of the windows by dragging the dividing line. Here's how it works:

  1. When the screen is split, a gray divider will appear in the center with a dot in the middle.
  2. Press this point with your finger and move left/right to change the window ratio (e.g., window ratio, 70/30 or 50/50).
  3. If the divider is gone, swipe from the top or bottom edge of the screen to the center to return it.

On the Redmi. 9A Three fixed proportion regimes are available:

Regime.RatioWhen to use
Balanced50/50For equivalent tasks (e.g. correspondence) + browser)
Basic/secondary70/30 or 30/70When one app is more important (e.g. video) + note-book)
Mini-window90/10For background viewing (for example, music) + messenger)

If the dividing line is stuck or not moving:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reboot your smartphone โ€“ sometimes it helps to reset interface glitches.
  • ๐Ÿงน Clear the system cache: Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Application management โ†’ Three points. โ†’ Clear the cache.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Check if left-handed mode is enabled in gesture settings โ€“ it can interfere with drag and drop.
Why on Redmi? 9A You canโ€™t open the window to the full screen?
In the multiwindow MIUI prevents you from deploying one of the windows to full screen to avoid accidentally leaving the mode.If you need to return the normal display, just drag the dividing line to the top or bottom edge of the screen before clicking.

4.Divide screen problems and their solutions

Even on the official Redmi firmware 9A And these are the most common problems and the ways to fix them:

โš ๏ธ Warning: If one of the apps spontaneously closes after splitting the screen, check for free RAM. 9A 2 GB of RAM for stable operation of the multi-window should be at least 500 MB free RAM. Close all background processes through Settings โ†’ Battery and productivity โ†’ Cleaning up memory.

Problem 1: The โ€œSeparate Screenโ€ button doesnโ€™t appear in the menu of recent apps

Possible causes and solutions:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Disabled function in settings: Go to Settings โ†’ Additionally. โ†’ Functions Lab and enable Screen Sharing.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ An outdated version MIUI: Update the firmware through Settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Updating the system.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Application blocked: Some programs (such as games) intentionally disable multi-window support.

Problem 2: The screen is split, but the second app wonโ€™t open

This is most often due to:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Interface Glut: Restart your phone or force the app to restart via Settings โ†’ Annexes.
  • ๐Ÿ“ต Memory Lacks: Close all background processes and try again.
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Developer restrictions: Some applications (e.g. banking) block multi-window work.

Problem 3: Screen split only works in horizontal orientation

On the Redmi. 9A The default multi-window is activated in landscape mode to make it work in portrait mode:

  1. Turn on Autoturn in the notification panel.
  2. Turn the screen horizontally, activate the multi-window, and then return the phone to the vertical position.
  3. If it doesnโ€™t work, try another way to turn it on (for example, by making a two-finger gesture).

Check the free RAM.

Update MIUI to the latest version

Reboot your smartphone

Clear the system cache

Try another way to activate the multi-window-->

5. Hidden multi-window chips on MIUI

V MIUI There are some non-obvious features that even experienced users don't know about:

1. Quickly switching applications in a multi-window

If you need to change one of the open applications, you do not need to leave the mode:

  1. Swipe your finger up or down the dividing line (depending on the location of the window).
  2. A list of recent apps will appear โ€“ select a new one.

2. fixing the window over others

You can make one of the windows "floating" (as on Samsung DeX):

  1. In multi-window mode, press the three-point in the corner of the window.
  2. Select the Free Window, it will be small and can be moved around the screen.

3. Multi-window key combinations

If the keyboard is connected via Bluetooth, you can use hot keys:

  • Win + Left/right arrow โ€“ move the window to half the screen.
  • Win + Arrow up - expand the window to the full screen (exit from the multi-window).

4. Multi-window in games (bypassing restrictions)

Some games (such as Brawl Stars or Clash Royale) can be run in split screen via developer mode:

  1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in your phone settings).
  2. Go to Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ For developers.
  3. Find the option Do not limit background processes and turn it on.
  4. Now try to open the game in the multi-window with a two-finger gesture.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Forced multi-window switching on for games can lead to departures or overheating of the smartphone. on Redmi 9A with its budget Helio processor G25 This is especially important โ€“ watch the temperature of the body!

6. Alternative ways to multitask on Redmi 9A

If split screen doesnโ€™t work or work for you, there are other options for multitasking:

1. Picture in Picture Mode (PiP)

Supported in YouTube Premium, Google Maps and some messengers:

  • ๐ŸŽฅ Open the video on YouTube.
  • Click Home and the video will be compressed into a small player.
  • You can now use other apps without interrupting your viewing.

2. Quick switching between applications

On the Redmi. 9A Double pressing gesture on the button is currently working:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Twice tap the square in the bottom panel โ€“ instantly switch to the previous app.

3.Widgets on the main screen

Some tasks can be solved without multi-window:

  • ๐Ÿ“ Add Notes or Calendar widget to the home screen for quick access.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Widget Quick Answers in Telegram allows you to respond to messages without opening the messenger.

External monitor (via USB-C)

If you need to work with multiple windows, connect Redmi. 9A monitor-to-monitor adapter USB-C โ†’ HDMI:

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ In Desktop mode (included in the settings when connecting to the monitor) you can open windows in a free format.
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ You'll need it. OTG-Adapter and external keyboard/mouse.

๐Ÿ’ก

On the Redmi. 9A Multi-window is a trade-off between convenience and performance. If your smartphone starts to slow down, try alternative multitasking methods or close the background apps.

7. Comparison with other Xiaomi smartphones

The split screen feature is in all modern Xiaomi smartphones, but its implementation differs depending on the model and version. MIUI. Here's a comparison table:

ModelMulti-window supportMax. Number of windowsFeatures
Redmi 9AYes (MIUI 12+)2Restrictions on games, no free window
Redmi Note 10 ProYes (MIUI 12.5+)2 (3 in the lab)Support for free windows, gestures
POCO X3 ProYes.2Quick switching between windows
Mi 11Yes.3 (c) MIUI 13)Keyboard and mouse support

As you can see, Redmi. 9A The main difference is that the flagships are inferior in the flexibility of the multi-window, but for a budget smartphone its capabilities are more than enough. MIUI 13 and later) and limitations on resource-intensive applications.

If multitasking is critical, consider the 4-model+ GB of RAM (for example, Redmi Note 9 or POCO M3). They are much more stable with multi-windows, especially when working with heavy applications like Photoshop Express or Lightroom Mobile.

FAQ: Frequent questions about split screen on Redmi 9A

Can I get a Redmi? 9A share the screen with the game and messenger?
Technically yes, but most games (for example, the game, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty locks the multi-window. A workaround: Turn on Developer Mode and turn off background limiting. Try running the game in the window through a two-finger gesture. 9A This often leads to departures or heavy lags due to a weak processor.
Why did the MIUI update lose the split screen mode?
This is a typical problem after major updates: ๐Ÿ”„ Restart your smartphone โ€“ sometimes the function returns after a reboot. ๐Ÿ”ง Check the settings: Settings โ†’ Additionally. โ†’ Functions laboratory โ†’ Screen splitting. ๐Ÿ“ฅ If it doesnโ€™t work, go back to the previous version. MIUI via Fastboot (requires an unlocked bootloader).
How to take a screenshot of only one window in a multi-window?
In split screen mode, the standard combination Volume Down + The power takes a screenshot of the entire screen. To take a picture of only one window: Tap the app icon at the top of the window. From the menu, select Screenshot, and only the active window will be captured.
Can you copy text from one window to another?
Yes, this is one of the main features of the mode. Algorithm: Highlight the text in the first window (for example, in the browser). Click Copy. Go to the second window (for example, in Notes) and paste the text with a long tap. 9A The clipboard works between windows without restrictions.
Why does the battery go down quickly when the screen is split?
Multi-window increases the load on the processor and screen, resulting in increased charge consumption.Redmi 9A With its 5,000 mAh battery, this is particularly noticeable: ๐Ÿ”‹ In multi-window mode, the battery consumption grows by 20โ€“30% compared to conventional use. ๐ŸŒก๏ธ Helio processor G25 It gets hotter, which also affects autonomy. Tip: Use the multi-window only when you're connected to a charge or with the Power Saving Mode on.