How to permanently remove floating windows on Xiaomi Redmi 9: from settings to ADB

Floating windows (or floating panels) on Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones are one of the most controversial features of the MIUI shell. On the one hand, they allow you to quickly switch between applications without closing the current one. On the other, constantly popping thumbnails interfere with work, eat up battery resources and create visual chaos on the screen.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn off floating windows on Redmi. 9 — standardized MIUI The hidden parameters of the developer and ADB-It is important to understand that the methods differ depending on the firmware version (for example, in the MIUI 12/13/14 The path to settings may change, so we'll show you the current paths for each version, and you'll also learn how to return windows if you need them.

We warn you beforehand that some methods require developer rights or additional utilities to be installed. If you are a beginner, start with the first two methods (they are the safest). ADB or editing system files.

1. Disable floating windows through standard MIUI settings

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in shell options. In Redmi 9, the path to settings may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the general logic is maintained.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Special Features section (some versions call it Additional Features).
3. Find Floating Windows or Application Windows (in MIUI 14 it can be hidden under Windows Management).
4. Turn off the slider next to the Allow Floating Windows option.
5. Reboot your smartphone so that the changes take effect.

If your MIUI version doesn’t have an explicit “floating windows” option, try an alternative path:

• 🔹 Settings → Annexes → Rights of annexes → Additionally. → Floating window
• 🔹 Settings → Display. → Full screen mode → Floating window

☑️ Checking the switch off of floating windows

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⚠️ Note: In some firmware (for example, MIUI Global for the European market) the option of floating windows can be blocked by the manufacturer. If the slider is inactive or absent, go to the next method.

2. Disconnect via “Developer Mode” (hidden settings)

If the standard method didn’t work, try activating the developer mode and turning off windows through hidden settings, which works on most versions of MIUI, including Redmi 9 with firmware 12.5-14.

First, turn on the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row (you will be notified “You became a developer”).
3. Return to the main settings menu and open a new Developer section (usually at the bottom of the list).

Now turn off the floating windows:

• 🔧 In the section For developers, find the item Allow floating windows (or Force resizeable activities in English firmware).
• 🔧 Turn it off and restart the phone.
• 🔧 If there is no point, try to find it. MIUI Optimization and disabling it (this can reset some limitations).

If nothing happens after 7 clicks on the MIUI version, check:

1. your firmware is not modified (for example, there is no custom TWRP type Recovery).

2. You are clicking on "Version". MIUI", Not on "Device Model" or "Android Version".

3. Try using another finger or stylus, sometimes the sensor doesn't recognize the fast taps.

If the problem persists, update the firmware to the latest version via Settings. → Updating the system.-->

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection MIUI Optimization can cause some functions to function unstable (such as navigation gestures or animations.

3.Use of ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can turn off floating windows via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge, but it works even on locked firmware.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Initiated Debugging Mode USB on the phone (in the settings of the developer).
• 🛠 Utility. ADB Tools (download and unpack in a separate folder).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi 9 to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the phone is recognized, you will see its serial number.
4. Give permission to debug on the smartphone screen (a request will appear).
5. Enter the command to turn off floating windows: adb shell settings put global multi_window_mode 0
6. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

If the windows still appear after the reboot, try an alternative command:

adb shell settings put global force_resizeable_activities 0

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If ADB does not recognize the device, try:

1. Install Xiaomi USB Drivers drivers from the official website.

2. switch the connection mode on the phone from "Charging" to "Transfer of files".

3. Use another USB-cable (cheap cables often do not support data transmission).-->

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not enter commands that you do not know what they are intended for. If other functions (such as split screen) have stopped working after the floating windows have been turned off, return the settings with the command:

adb shell settings put global multi_window_mode 1

4. Disconnection through third-party applications (without root)

If you don’t want to mess with ADB, you can use the specialized utilities from Google Play. They don’t require root rights, but some features may be limited in the latest versions of Android.

The best applications for managing floating windows:

Examples of MIUI Hidden Settings:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Go to the System UI section.
3. Find Floating Windows or Multi-Window.
4. Turn off all associated options and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as App Ops) may conflict with Xiaomi system services. If after using them, the phone begins to brake or overheat, uninstall the utility and reset settings through Settings. → System system → Resetting settings (select Resetting app settings).

5. editing system files (only for hardwired phones)

This method is only suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and a TWRP or Magisk installed. It allows you to permanently remove the floating window function at the system file level, but requires caution - improper actions can lead to a device blink.

You'll need:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 🛠 Established custom Recovery (e.g, TWRP).
• 📁 Backup of a system partition (system or product).
• 💾 File Manager with root access (e.g. Root Explorer or Mixplorer).

Instructions:

1. Create a backup of the current firmware through TWRP (Backup section).
2. Open a file manager with root rights and go along the way: /system/usr/miui_overlay/apk/MiuiMultiWindow
3. Find files with the.apk or.odex extension associated with floating windows (e.g. MiuiFreeForm.apk).
4. Rename them by adding.bak at the end (e.g. MiuiFreeForm.apk.bak).
5. Reboot the phone.

If you have deleted or renamed system files and want to return the function:

1. Restore backup through TWRP.

2. Or rename the files back (remove.bak).

3. If files have been deleted, download the original.apk from the firmware for your Redmi model. 9 And put them back in the folder. /system/usr/miui_overlay/apk/MiuiMultiWindow, legislated 644 (r-w-r--r--).-->

⚠️ Warning: Editing system files without backup can lead to loss of warranty and unstable phone performance.If Redmi 9 stopped loading after changes, try returning original files via Fastboot or reflashing your device.

6. Alternative method: blocking through the "Security Center"

In MIUI 13/14 firmware, floating windows can be disabled through the Security Center, a built-in application from Xiaomi that controls rights and permissions, a method that is often overlooked, although it works more stable than the developer’s settings.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security Center app (the shield icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the section Rights or Permissions.
3. Find the Floating Windows (or Overlay Windows) item.
4. Turn off permission for all applications that use it (e.g. System Interface, Lawnchair, or MIUI Launcher).
5. Reboot the phone.

If there are too many apps on the list, you can filter them by status:

• 🔍 Slip on the filter icon (usually in the upper right corner).
• 🔍 Select Show Only Permitted.
• 🔍 Turn off permission for all displayed applications.

💡

Disabling the floating windows through Security Center does not remove the function completely, but only blocks it for specific applications, which means that windows can reappear after a system update or reset.-->

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the shutdown, the floating windows can reappear, and let's look at typical situations and how to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, it may be the firmware that's the problem, and some custom builds (e.g. xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience) may ignore the floating window settings.

• 🔄 Try updating your firmware to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.
• 🔧 Install another firmware (e.g. official Global instead of China).
• 📱 Reset your phone to factory settings (don’t forget to back up your data!).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions