How to make a split screen on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8

Multitasking in modern smartphones has become a marketing ploy and a real necessity. Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 model often wonder how to effectively use the display space to work with multiple applications at the same time. The ability to run two windows on the same screen significantly accelerates the execution of routine tasks, allowing, for example, to chat in the messenger while watching videos or copy text from the browser directly into notes.

However, the interface of the shell MIUI has its own features that can confuse an inexperienced user. Standard methods that work on other Android devices may not work here without prior adjustment or the use of special gestures. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to activate split screen mode, eliminate typical errors and make work with your gadget as comfortable and productive as possible.

For starters, it’s worth noting that Split Screen is built into the system, but its availability depends on the firmware version and settings of a particular application. Not all programs support this mode of operation, which often leads to unsuccessful startup attempts. Understanding the principles of how Xiaomi shell works will help you avoid disappointments and quickly master window management.

Before you get to the bottom of the game, make sure your device is updated to the latest version of the software. Xiaomi regularly makes changes to the logic of the interface, and the old instructions may not be relevant for new builds MIUI 12 or MIUI 13. We will look at universal methods that work on most configurations, and also touch on the nuances specific to the model Redmi Note 8.

Basic activation via the menu of recent apps

The easiest and most common way to run two apps simultaneously on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is to use the task menu, which requires no additional settings and is available immediately after you purchase the device. First, open the app you want, then go to the menu of recent programs by swiping from the bottom up and holding your finger in the center of the screen (or pressing the corresponding program button if classic navigation is enabled).

In the list of running programs that opens, find the card of the application you want. In the upper right corner of this card, you will see a small icon that resembles two horizontal bars or a split icon. Click on this symbol. The screen will split into two parts: the top and the bottom, in the free area of this card, the systems will be asked to choose a second application to run.

⚠️ Note: If you do not see the split icon on the application card, this means that the selected program does not support Split Screen mode.

Once you select the second program, both apps will open as separate windows, so you can resize them by dragging the central dividing line up or down, which is especially useful when you need to copy information from one source to another, and there's also a full-span feature available, which is to simply run another application from the task menu and it will take the place of the current one.

To exit split-screen mode, you just drag the dividing line to the end of one of the windows, completely closing the second one, or you can simply close both applications through the task menu.

Using gestures for quick access

For those who appreciate speed and don’t like to dig into the menu, Xiaomi offers a more advanced method of activating through gestures. This method requires the inclusion of a special feature in the settings, but in the future saves a lot of time. To activate this option, go to Settings, then select Additional and find the Side Menu Panel (or Floating Windows in new versions).

Turn on the Side menu panel switch and select the apps you plan to run in split mode. After activating on the side of the screen (right or left, depending on the settings), a translucent bar will appear. Swipe from the edge of the screen to the center, you will call the panel with the selected applications. Tap the desired application, and the system will suggest opening it in a floating window or splitting the screen.

The use of gestures is especially important for the Redmi Note 8, which has a screen size of 6.3 inches, and it is important not to override the content with unnecessary controls. Gestures allow you to instantly respond to an incoming message without interrupting the main activity, whether reading an article or watching a social network feed.

It is worth noting that touchscreen sensitivity can affect the accuracy of gestures. If the panel is difficult to call, try to increase the activation area in the settings or calibrate the sensor. Also keep in mind that accidental touches of the edge of the screen can cause unwanted menu appearance, so keep your phone confident.

Configure through special features and buttons

In some versions of the MIUI shell, you can set the split screen to run by long pressing the Home button or through the special features menu. This is true for users who prefer classic navigation with three buttons at the bottom of the screen. To set up, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Special features.

You can find a feature called Special Features Menu that adds a floating icon to the screen, and you can add a "Separate Screen" shortcut to the settings of this menu, and clicking on this shortcut activates the first app selection mode, which is convenient because the button is always at hand and does not require memorizing gestures.

Using additional buttons may not be obvious to beginners, but it greatly expands the functionality of the device. You can set up scenarios where splitting the screen will start automatically when you open certain pairs of applications. This requires a deeper dive into the system settings, but the result is worth it.

⚠️ Warning: Activating too many floating elements or special features could cause the Redmi Note 8 battery to run out faster, as the processor will constantly poll the touch layer.

Working with floating windows and their difference from Split Screen

It is important to distinguish between split screen mode (Split Screen) and floating windows. In the first case, the screen is split in half, and both applications are active simultaneously, occupying fixed areas. In the second case, one application runs on top of the other as a small window that can be moved around the screen. On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, both modes are implemented through a single multitasking system.

Floating windows are ideal for short-term activities: answering a call, looking at the weather forecast, or quickly checking the exchange rate without turning the main game or video.To turn the app into a floating window, run it in split-screen mode, and then tap the central switch between windows (usually looks like two arrows or a window icon).

Floating windows are controlled by dragging and dropping over the top edge, and by changing the size of the window, you can make it minimal, turn it into an icon, or stretch it halfway across the screen. The system allows you to keep multiple floating windows open, although on the Redmi Note 8 screen more than two or three windows can create visual chaos.

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To quickly fold a floating window into an icon, double tap on its header.This will clear the screen, but leave the app running in the background for instant access.

Some users confuse these modes, believing that a floating window is a split screen, but from a technical point of view, they are different processes: a split screen gives priority to the allocation of resources of the GPU, while a floating window can work with a lower frame rate to save energy.

Solving Typical Problems and Application Compatibility

Despite the convenience, Redmi Note 8 users often face a situation where the feature does not work, the most common reason is the lack of support from the application itself. Software developers can block Split Screen mode if their interface is not adapted to work in a narrow format or if this contradicts their security policies (for example, banking applications).

If you're trying to run a game in a split screen, it's likely that the system will reset one of the windows. Mobile games usually require full immersion and all the resources of the Snapdragon 665 processor installed in this model. Forced launch is possible through the developer's settings, but stability is not guaranteed.

Another problem can be sticking to the interface when the separation line does not move or one of the windows does not respond to touch, in which case it helps to restart the device or clean the system cache, and it is also worth checking for updates for the specific application causing the conflict.

⚠️ Note: When using split-screen mode, the media volume is played for only one active audio stream. If you turn on the video in both windows, the sound will only come from the one that was launched last or has priority.

If you have a secure mode to diagnose problems, if the split screen is stable, it means that some third-party application you installed is causing conflict, and if you delete recently installed programs in turn, you can identify the culprit.

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The compatibility of applications with Split Screen mode depends on their developer, not only on the capabilities of the Xiaomi smartphone.

Optimizing work in multitasking mode

Effective split-screen use requires habit and proper organization of the workspace. On the Redmi Note 8 with its Full HD+ display, the font in narrow windows can become small. It is recommended to increase the font size in the display settings in advance if you plan to work with text in two windows often.

Also worth paying attention to is the orientation of the screen, and some apps force the device into landscape mode, which can be uncomfortable when vertically splitting the screen, and you can lock portrait mode into Autoturn settings to make the interface more stable.

Keep in mind the impact of multitasking on autonomy: The simultaneous operation of two active applications, especially if they use an Internet connection and GPS, significantly increases the load on the battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh. If you work in Split Screen mode for a long time, it makes sense to reduce the brightness of the screen or turn off unnecessary communication modules.

In conclusion, mastering the split-screen feature makes your Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 a powerful tool for work and learning: Experiment with app combinations, customize gestures for yourself, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you can complete tasks that used to take twice as long.