Multitasking is one of the key advantages of modern mobile operating systems, and Xiaomi’s MIUI shell is no exception to this issue.Share sharing allows you to run two applications simultaneously, occupying the top and bottom of the display, which greatly improves the efficiency of working with the device. Users can watch videos in one part of the screen and chat in the messenger in another, making the gadget a more versatile tool for solving everyday tasks.
However, despite the popularity of this option, not all smartphone owners know how to activate it correctly, as the methods may vary depending on the firmware version. In some cases, standard gestures do not work, and you need to activate a hidden switch in the developer menu. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current ways to make a separate screen on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, so that you can use your smartphone 100%.
Android system limitations and MIUI optimization features sometimes make adjustments to the interface setup process. It's important to understand that not all applications support Split Screen mode, and software developers can block this ability to correctly display content. We'll look not only at the inclusion process, but also at ways to circumvent the restrictions for programs that don't officially support separation.
Standard ways to activate through the menu of recent applications
The most common and easy way to run two apps at once is to use the running program menu. In most versions of the MIUI shell, you need to open a list of recent applications by swiping from the bottom up and holding your finger in the center of the screen or pressing the navigation button. Once you have a list of running programs, you need to press and hold your finger on the preview of the application you want to place at the top of the screen.
In the context menu that appears, select "Separate" or click on a special icon that resembles two rectangles. If this option is not available, then the selected application does not support split screen mode or the function is disabled in the system settings. After selecting the action, the selected interface will move to the top of the display, and at the bottom of the menu will open the selection of the second application from the list of recently used.
It's worth noting that you can change the size of the windows by dragging the dividing line up or down, and this allows you to tailor the space for specific tasks, for example, leaving more space for watching videos or typing, and the boundary between the windows is clearly marked, and the system automatically adjusts the resolution of each running process for optimal display.
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If the split screen icon doesn’t appear with a long press, try to launch the app first, then open the menu of recent tasks and repeat the action.
- 📱 Open the menu of recent apps with a swipe or button.
- 👆 Press and hold your finger to the preview of the desired program.
- 🔲 Select the "Separate" icon in the menu that appears.
- 📲 Select the second app for the bottom of the screen.
Using gestures to quickly divide
For users who prefer gesture control without navigation buttons, there is an alternative and faster way to activate. Xiaomi system settings often provide the ability to start a split screen with a special gesture. Usually a three-finger swipe across the screen anywhere that instantly divides the display into two active zones. This method requires pre-tuning and calibrating the sensitivity of the sensor.
To activate this mode, you need to go to the settings menu, select "Advanced settings" or "Additional", and then find "Share split" and then turn on the "Share Separation" switch and select the activation method, such as "Three finger swipe", and then the system will track the three fingers' touches at the same time, and if you successfully recognize the gesture, the screen will split.
It is important to consider that accidentally performing a gesture with three fingers can interrupt current actions, so this method is not suitable for all users. If you often use cases with thick edges or protective glasses with low sensitivity7, the gesture may not work the first time, in which case it is better to return to the classic method through the menu of recent applications or use a sidebar.
Setting up the sidebar for easy access
The sidebar is one of the most convenient tools in the MIUI arsenal, allowing you to quickly switch between running applications and start them in split mode. To activate this feature, you need to go to the settings, select "Special features" or "Advanced settings", and find "Floating windows" or "Sidebar". After switching on the side faces of the screen, semi-transparent markers will appear.
When you activate the sidebar, you get access to a list of favorite apps that you can drag and drop onto the screen. To create a separate screen, launch the first app in normal mode, then call the sidebar and drag the second app from the list to the free part of the display. The system automatically recognizes the action and divides the space equally or in the proportion given by the last use.
You can add not only apps to the sidebar, but also tools like a calculator, voice recorder or notes, which makes multitasking even more efficient. You can customize the list of apps in the panel itself by removing the ones you use most, and this is especially true for owners of large-screen devices where space allows you to comfortably place multiple windows.
☑️ Setting up the sidebar
Activation through the Developer Menu
In some versions of MIUI firmware, especially in global builds or older device models, standard methods may be hidden or not work properly. In such cases, a developer menu comes to the rescue, where you can force split-screen support for all applications. To log in to this menu, you need to click several times on the build number in the About Phone section until you notice that you have become a developer.
Once the developer mode is activated, a new section will appear in the settings menu, "Forcing Resize Activities," and it will search for and activate the "Force Resize Activities" section, which forces the system to ignore the constraints set by the app developers and lets it run in split screen mode even if they don't officially support it.
Using this option can cause some programs to work in a messy way because their interface is not adapted to work in a smaller window. Buttons can overlap, text becomes unreadable, and some functions may stop responding. However, for many utilities and simple applications, this method is the only way to achieve the desired multitasking.
⚠️ Warning: Forced window resize can cause system or individual applications to crash, and use this feature only if you understand the risks and know how to roll back changes.
| Parameter | Standard regimen | Developer mode |
|---|---|---|
| Support for applications | Only optimized | All applications |
| Stability of work | Tall. | Medium/Low |
| Interface display | Correct. | Possible distortions |
| Requires root rights | No. | No. |
Solving problems with incompatible applications
Often users are faced with a situation where a popular application, such as Instagram or a bank client, refuses to run in split-screen mode.This is due to the fact that developers mark their products as not supporting scalability to avoid layout errors. This limitation can be circumvented with third-party utilities or special commands, but the safest method is to use Android built-in tools through ADB.
For advanced users, there is the ability to change system flags via computer and debugging via USB. Connecting your smartphone to your PC and installing the Android Debug Bridge platform, you can enter a command that removes the restrictions from a particular package. However, this method requires a computer, drivers and basic command line knowledge, which can be difficult for the average user.
A simpler, but less reliable way is to use shell apps from the Google Play store that create a virtual space to run programs, which emulate an environment in which an app “thinks” it’s running on a tablet or full screen, allowing it to be shared with another window, and the effectiveness of these methods depends on the Android version and the particular smartphone model.
Why can’t some apps be separated?
Features of work on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
The interface and logic of multitasking vary greatly from version to version. In older versions of MIUI 10-11, the split screen was hidden in the menu of recent tasks and required a long press. MIUI 12-13 introduced a sidebar and improved floating windows. The new HyperOS operating system, replacing MIUI, further integrates Windows, making their behavior similar to desktop operating systems.
With HyperOS, window management has become more intuitive: not only can you split the screen in half, but you can also create floating windows of arbitrary size that can be moved around the entire display. This opens up new possibilities for multitasking, allowing you to keep three or more applications open at once.
Owners of Redmi and POCO devices should note that budget models may limit the number of processes running simultaneously to save battery life. In such cases, the system can automatically close the background application in a split screen if there are not enough resources. For stable operation, it is recommended to close unused tabs and applications before activating the split mode.
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The new HyperOS shell offers more flexible window management, allowing you to create floating windows of arbitrary size, as opposed to the strict halving in older versions of MIUI.