How to Make a Double Screen on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Multitasking has become an integral part of modern smartphones, and Xiaomi devices are no exception. The ability to simultaneously watch YouTube videos and chat in the messenger or compare products in the online store significantly improves the efficiency of the gadget. The split-screen feature, known as Split Screen, is built into the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS, but its activation is not always obvious to beginners.

In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to activate this mode, from standard system settings to using hidden interface capabilities. You will learn how to properly distribute display space between applications and what are the limitations for different versions of the operating system. Understanding these nuances will allow you to turn your smartphone into a powerful tool for work and entertainment.

It is worth noting that the interface may vary slightly depending on the model of the device, whether it is the flagship Xiaomi 14 or the budget Redmi Note. However, the basic principles of working with windows remain the same for the entire ecosystem of the brand.

Standard activation method through the menu of recent applications

The most common and intuitive way to run two apps at once is to use the task menu, which works on most devices with MIUI 12 and later, and HyperOS. First, you need to open the first app you want to see at the top of the screen, like a browser or news feed.

Then you roll the application down and go to the list of running processes. Depending on the type of navigation (buttons or gestures), the action may be slightly different. If you use the classic three buttons at the bottom of the screen, click on the square or swipe up and hold your finger. In the list that opens, find the card of the desired application and click on the icon located in the upper right corner or right on the card, depending on the firmware version.

In the drop-down menu, select Split screen or Split screen. The screen blinks and the app takes up the top half of the display. Now the system will suggest selecting a second application from a list of frequently used programs or from a full list of all installed programs. Click on the second program and it will occupy the remaining space.

• 📱 Click the menu button of recent apps with a swipe or button.
• 👆 Touch the division icon on the first application card.
• 📲 Select the second application from the proposed list for the lower zone.
• 🔄 Change apps in places by dragging the central dividing line.

Controlling the boundary between windows gives the user extra flexibility, so you can drag the dividing line up or down, changing the proportions of the space you occupy, which is especially useful when you want to see more detail in one window and only the overall status of the process in the other.

Use of hot keys and sidebar

For those who appreciate speed, Xiaomi has provided faster ways to activate multitasking. The sidebar, or soaring windows, allows applications to run in split mode with just one touch. This feature must be pre-activated in the system settings, since by default it can be disabled to save resources.

To use this method, open any application and swipe from the edge of the screen inwards (left or right, depending on the settings), a narrow bar with icons of frequently used programs will appear, and if you drag the app icon from this panel to the main screen, it will automatically open in split screen mode or in a floating window.

⚠️ Attention: If the sidebar does not appear when swiping, check the settings. Go to Settings → Special facilities → Sidebar and make sure the switch is activated, and you can set up a list of the apps you're displaying.

Another quick way is to use special gestures if they are supported by your firmware version. Some users prefer to assign split-screen start to a specific action, such as triple tapping on the back cover, although this requires customization through additional utilities or automation scenarios.

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For quick switching between windows, use the central strip: a short press will roll up one of the windows, and a long one will close it completely.

It's important to understand the difference between split-screen mode and floating windows. In the first case, two apps divide the screen equally or in a given proportion, blocking the rest of the space. In the second, the application hangs over the main interface, which is convenient for a calculator or notes, but less effective for full-time content.

Separation settings in MIUI and HyperOS

Deep customization allows you to customize the behavior of windows to your needs. New versions of the shells from Xiaomi and Redmi have additional features that make it easier to work with multiple tasks, for example, the system can remember pairs of applications that you often use together and prompt them to run in split mode automatically.

In the Settings section, additionally → Screen splitting (the path may vary) you can find options to control system behavior, which often hides the ability to lock applications into memory so that they do not unload the system when there is a shortage of RAM, which is critical for heavy games or resource-intensive applications.

Special attention should be paid to zoom settings. Some applications that are not optimized for tablets or large screens may not display correctly when the window is reduced. The system tries to adapt the interface, but sometimes manual intervention or use of compatibility mode is required.

Application compatibility and possible limitations

Not all programs support split-screen work, but this limitation is due to the application developers’ policies and the technical features of the programs themselves, for example, many banking applications, video streaming services like Netflix or games with a full-screen interface may be forced to close or not run in the second window.

If you're trying to split the screen and the system says the app doesn't support this feature, you can get around the restriction, but it requires caution. There are special USB debugging (ADB) commands that force splitting of the screen for any application, but using such methods can lead to unstable operation of the program.

⚠️ Warning: Forced split-screen activation for incompatible applications can cause image distortion, mislaying of interface layers, or application failure. Use such methods only at your own risk.

Most often, problems arise with applications that use specific sensors or require constant focus, such as navigators or cameras, in which the system itself blocks the separation so as not to disrupt the functionality of the main application.

It is also worth considering that the operation of two active applications simultaneously significantly increases energy consumption. the processor and RAM experience increased load, which can lead to faster battery discharge and heating of the device case, especially in the summer or when using cases with poor heat transfer.

Solution: Why Screen Split Doesn't Work

Users often face situations where the function seems to be on but not working properly: Windows may not open, the application may fold immediately after launch, or the interface may freeze. The first step in diagnosis should always be to reboot the device, which is a trivial action that clears the system cache and resets temporary process errors.

If the reboot didn’t work, check for system and application-specific updates. Developers are constantly making changes to the code, and the old version of the program may conflict with new features of the MIUI shell. It’s also worth clearing the cache of the application itself, which is causing problems, through the application management menu.

In some cases, the problem is overflowing RAM. If you have a dozen background processes open, the system may not have the resources to run a second heavy application. Close the extra tabs and try again. Also check if power saving mode is on, which may limit background activity.

• 🔄 Perform a full reboot of the smartphone to reset processes.
• 🛠 Update the problem application and system shell to the latest version.
• 🧹 Clear the app cache through program management settings.
• 🔋 Turn off the power saving mode to check the function.

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90% of split screen problems are solved by simply restarting the device or updating the app to the current version.

Alternative methods and third-party utilities

If standard tools don't work well or you don't like them, you can turn to third-party solutions. There are many apps in the Google Play store that emulate or improve split-screen functionality, and they can add additional features, such as creating floating windows of arbitrary size or fixing video on top of all windows.

One popular solution is to use the Floating Windows feature, which is implemented quite deeply in MIUI. By running an application in a floating window, you can change its size and position regardless of the main content. It's not quite a classic split-screen, but often turns out to be an even more convenient option for watching videos or chats.

For advanced users with root rights or ADBs, scripts are available that change the behavior of the window system at the kernel level, which allow you to run more than two applications at the same time or create complex window layouts. However, such manipulations require deep knowledge and can violate the warranty or stability of the device.

In conclusion, the split-screen feature on Xiaomi smartphones is a powerful productivity tool. Despite possible limitations from some applications, the smart use of standard MIUI and HyperOS tools allows you to effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Experiment with settings to find the perfect balance for your use case.