How to make a split screen on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: a complete guide with nuances

The split-screen (or multi-window) feature on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 allows you to use two apps at the same time — for example, watching YouTube videos and chatting to Telegram. This feature appeared in MIUI 9, but many users still do not know how to activate it or why it does not work. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to enable, restrict the system and solve typical problems.

It’s important to understand that not all apps support multi-windows, such as games, some banking programs, and instant messengers (like WhatsApp) may block this feature for security or optimization reasons. Also, there is a restriction on the MIUI versions on the Redmi Note 7: older firmware (below MIUI 10) split screens differently or completely.

If you've tried to turn on the multi-window, but it didn't work out, don't be quick to blame the smartphone. You may have missed one of the key steps or encountered a software limitation. Next, we'll go through all the nuances, including hidden settings and workarounds.

1. How to enable screen splitting via the "Recent" button

The easiest way to activate a multi-window is to use the latest application menu, which works on all versions of MIUI 10 to 14, but may vary visually depending on the shell.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the first app you want to use in a multi-window (like Chrome).
2. Click on the “Recent” button (square in the bottom navigation bar or swipe up with a delay on gesture control).
3. In the list of open apps, find the app icon (not preview!) and hold it for 1-2 seconds.
4. A menu will appear with the option to split screen (or Multiwindow) - select it.
5. The screen will split into two parts, and the bottom half will be the current app, and the top half will open a list of compatible programs — select the second.

If the option to split screen does not appear, check:

• 🔄 Did you update? MIUI Up to the latest version (older versions may not have a function).
• 📱 Whether you use gesture control – in this case, swipe up should be with pause, not fast.
• 🔒 Is the application blocked by the system (for example, banking programs often refuse to work in a multi-window).

Whether the first application is launched |

Pressed the "Recent" button (square or swipe)|

Whether the app icon is pinched (not preview!)|

Selected option "Separate screen"-->

2. Alternative method: through system settings

If the button in the recent menu doesn't work, you can turn on the multi-window through hidden settings, which is useful if the standard method doesn't work due to customized firmware or bugs.

Follow the instructions:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Special features → Screen split.
2. Activate the switch Enable screen splitting (if any).
3. Return to the “Recent” menu and try to clamping the app icon again.

In some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 12.5), the path may differ:

Settings → Applications → Screen splitting

If you don't find this item, your firmware version doesn't support manual activation, so try updating your MIUI or using gesture control (we'll talk about it later).

3. Screen splitting by gestures (for MIUI 12 and later)

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has added support for multi-window gesture controls, which are more convenient than the classic one, but require getting used to.

How it works:

1. Open the first app (like Google Maps).
2. Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger until the docking station (application panel) appears.
3. Without letting go of your finger, drag the icon of the second app to the top or bottom of the screen.
4. Release – the screen will split and the selected application will open in the second half.

If the gestures don't work:

• 👆 Check if they are included in the settings. → Display. → Gestures.
• 🔧 Make sure that in the multi-window settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Screen splitting) no restrictions.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes gestures will “hang” after prolonged use.

Important: on the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 10, the multi-window gesture control is unstable - it is better to use the classic method through the "Recent" button.

Through the "Recent" button"|Through system settings|Gesture management|I don't use multi-windows.-->

4. List of applications that support multi-window

Not all programs can work in split-screen mode, with Xiaomi and Google imposing restrictions on some categories of apps:

If the app doesn’t support multi-window, when you try splitting the screen, you’ll see a notification saying, This app doesn’t support split screen. You can only get around this restriction with root rights or special modules for Magisk (like AppOps), but this is risky for security.

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To check if the app supports multi-window, open it in the recent menu and try to pinch the icon. If the split screen option is not active, the app is locked.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you did everything right, splitting the screen might not work.-5 causes and ways of eliminating them:

Problem 1: No “Share the Screen” option in the “Recent” menu

Decision:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (in old firmware, the function can be disabled).
• 🔧 Check if the gestures are turned off in the display settings.
• 📱 Reset the launcher settings: clamping the empty space on the home screen → Home screen settings → Reset the settings.

Problem 2: The app doesn’t open in the second half of the screen

Decision:

• 🔒 Check if the application is blocked in the security settings (Settings) → Confidentiality → Special access → Screen splitting).
• 🗑️ Clear the app's cache: Settings → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes helps with the “hang” of the multi-window.

Problem 3: The screen is splitting, but one of the apps doesn't respond to touch

Decision:

• 👆 Try swapping apps in places (drop the problem to the bottom of the app).
• 🔧 Turn off battery optimization for this app: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → [Annex] → No restrictions.
• 📱 Check if the mode is on for one hand – it can conflict with the multi-window.

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If none of these methods worked, try rolling back the MIUI update or resetting to factory settings (don’t forget to back up!).

6. How to change the size of windows in a multi-window

By default, the screen is split in half, but you can change the proportions of the windows.

1. Activate the multi-window (by any of the methods described).
2. In the center of the screen will appear a dividing strip with a dot.
3. Press this point and drag it up or down to change the ratio (e.g. 70%/30%).
4. Release your finger and the windows will be fixed in a new size.

Please note:

• 📏 Minimum window size – 30% of the screen (cannot be made smaller).
• 🔒 Some apps (like Google Maps) can automatically return the standard ratio. 50/50.
• 🔄 If after changing the size one of the windows “hangs”, restart it (swipe down in its part of the screen).

If the dividing band doesn't appear, then your version of MIUI doesn't support the change in proportions, in which case only the standard 50/50 division remains.

7. How to exit split screen mode

To close the multi-window, there are three ways:

1. Close one of the windows: Swipe down the window you want to close (as in the recent menu) and the remaining app will automatically turn around to the full screen.
2. Return to the Recents menu: Click on the Recents button (square). Press the icon of any of the open applications and select Exit from split screen.
3. Use the dividing strip: Press the dividing strip and drag it to the top or bottom edge of the screen.

If the screen is “hang” in multi-window mode and does not respond to actions:

⚠️ Attention: Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to force the smartphone to restart.This is safe and will not damage the data, but do not abuse the method - frequent forced reboots can affect battery life.

8.Hidden multi-window chips on the Redmi Note 7

In addition to the basic functionality, MIUI has several hidden features that few people know about:

• 📱 Quick application switching: in multi-window mode, tap twice on the dividing strip - the windows will change places.
• 🔊 Separate volume control: in some applications (e.g. YouTube) + Telegram can independently adjust the sound for each window through the volume buttons.
• 📋 Copy between windows: highlight text in one application, hold it and drag it to another window (not working in all programs).
• 🔒 Orientation Blocking: If one of the apps turns the screen (like a video), press the dividing bar and select Secure Orientation.

These features may not be available in older versions of MIUI or custom firmware, and if something doesn’t work, check the relevance of your shell.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions