How to remove screen split on Android Xiaomi: all working methods

The multi-window mode (multi-window) on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones is a useful feature for multitasking, but sometimes it works accidentally or starts to malfunction. Users often face a situation where the screen “wilts” in a split form, and returning to standard display becomes a problem. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to turn off the multi-window on devices with the shell of MIUI (version 12-14) and pure Android (11-14), including solutions for hung interfaces and models with non-standard firmware.

Complicating the problem, the path to multi-window settings has changed in different versions of MIUI, and some users have encountered a bug where the split screen does not close even after the reboot. We have tested all methods on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12, Poco F5 and other popular models — below only proven solutions, including hidden commands for the engineering menu, which are not described in the official documentation.

Why the screen splits and doesn’t return to normal

The reasons for activating the multi-window on Xiaomi can be divided into two categories: user actions and system failures.

• 👆 Click on the “Recent Apps” button (square) with the application icon holding and the choice Open in a split window.
• 🔄 Automatically when connecting the device to an external monitor (on some models with support) MIUI+).
• 🎮 Floating window games (such as Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings).

System failures are manifested differently:

• 🐞 Freezing of the interface after updating MIUI (This is especially true for transitions between versions 13.→14).
• 📱 Conflict with shells from third-party manufacturers (for example, after installing the launcher Nova Launcher).
• 🔋 Incorrect gestures (for example, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen is perceived as a command for a multi-window).

⚠️ Note: If the split screen appeared after a phone drop or moisture, the problem may be due to damage to the display module, in which case the software methods will not help - you need a diagnosis at the service center.

On Xiaomi models with Android 12 and later (e.g. Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50), the multi-window can be activated via Settings → Special features → Gesture Control → Screen splitting. If this path is missing, then the function is controlled at the MIUI shell level and its settings are hidden deeper.

Method 1: Standard shutdown via control panel

The simplest method works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14. If the split screen is active, but the system responds to touch:

1. Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the screen split icon (two rectangular frames) and tap it.
3. If there is no icon, expand the panel completely (swipe down twice) and find it in the extended menu.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 11), the icon may be called Multiwindow or Split screen. If nothing happens after pressing, try holding the icon for 2-3 seconds - sometimes this works as an alternative way to shut down.

Make sure the screen responds to touch |

Close all floating windows (swipe down the dividing line)|

Try rebooting your phone if the icon is inactive.-->

If the notification bar doesn’t open, move on to the next way: On Android 11 and older devices (like the Poco X3 Pro), you may need to close one of the windows in multimode first — swipe the dividing line up or down to swerve one of the apps.

Method 2: Disconnecting through MIUI settings

If the standard method didn't work, try deactivating the function manually through the settings menu.The path may vary depending on the version of MIUI:

In the multi-window menu, turn off the slider Allow Screen Split or Enable Multi-Window. If the option is gray and inactive, then the function is controlled at the Android level, not MIUI - go to method 4.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI For the global market (e.g. Xiaomi 11 Lite) NE) The path to settings may be called Special features instead of Special Modes. Use the Settings search (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner) to find the Split screen.

Once the function is disabled, be sure to restart the device, which will reset the system cache and apply changes. If the split screen reappears after the reboot, the problem may be associated with corrupting the configuration files (the solution is to reset the settings in the next section).

Method 3: Forced closing through gestures

If the screen is split but the notification bar doesn’t open, try using the control gestures. Xiaomi devices with MIUI 13/14 work with the following method:

1. Swipe your finger up from the dividing line between the windows until one of them curls.
2. If the line does not respond, hold it for 2-3 seconds and pull it up or down.
3. On some models (for example, Redmi K40) you need to swipe two fingers from the center of the line to the edges of the screen.

For Android 12+ devices (e.g., Xiaomi 12, Poco F4), an alternative gesture works:

• 👉 Swipe from left to right along the dividing line with retention.
• 🔄 Double touching on the line at intervals of 1 second.

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If the gestures don’t work, try connecting your phone to charge – sometimes the system will unlock additional control options when powered from the mains.

On models with physical navigation buttons (like Redmi 8), try:

1. Press and hold the "Recent" button (square) for 3-5 seconds.
2. If a menu appears, select Close Multi-Window or Leave the Separation.

Method 4: Reset the launcher settings (without data loss)

If the multi-window does not turn off through standard methods, the problem may be related to the failure of the MIUI launcher (the shell responsible for the main screen), in which case resetting its settings will help:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type Launcher (or Launcher for global firmware).
3. Select MIUI Launcher → Storage → Clear Data.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

This method does not delete your apps, photos or files, but it will reset:

• 📱 Location of icons on the main screen.
• 🎨 Themes and Wallpapers (return to standard).
• 🔄 Launcher gesture settings.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and Android 13+ After resetting the launcher, you may need to re-authorize in some applications (such as Google Play or Mi Account.

If the launcher reset didn’t help, the problem lies deeper in the system files, in which case resetting all settings (described in the next section) or manually editing configurations through ADB (method 6) will help.

Standard shutdown via panel |

Settings MIUI|

Control gestures |

Launcher reset |

Nothing helped.-->

Method 5: Completely reset (if nothing helps)

If the multi-window remains active even after the launcher is restarted and reset, the last option is to reset to factory settings, which will delete all data from the device, so first:

• 📲 Create a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup.
• 🔐 Make sure you know the username and password from Mi Account (required to unlock after resetting).
• 📧 Keep your contacts and SMS (For example, through Google Contacts or Mi Cloud).

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Delete All Data (or Factory Reset).
3. Enter the password from the lock screen (if installed).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After the reset, the device will restart in factory condition, and it is important that on models with MIUI 13/14 and Android 12+, after the reset, you may need to:

• 🔓 Entering Mi Account data linked to the device (if Find Device protection has been activated).
• 📶 Connecting to Wi-Fi to activate Google services.

Resetting is a last resort, but it is guaranteed to solve the problem if it is not related to hardware damage. If the multi-window appeared after the MIUI update, consider rolling back on the previous firmware version (the instructions are available on the Xiaomi Community website).

Method 6: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If you're familiar with USB debugging, you can turn off the multi-window via ADB commands, which works even if the screen doesn't respond to touch, but requires a computer and enabled debugging.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
3. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put global multi_window_mode_off true


adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.CLOSE_SYSTEM_DIALOGS

If the first command fails, try the alternative:

adb shell settings delete global multi_window_mode

Once you've done the commands, restart the device. This method turns off the Android-level multiwindow, so it works even if the MIUI settings aren't available.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB You may be in conflict with some firmware (for example, custom LineageOS or Pixel Experience).If after they run, there are errors in the interface, reset via adb shell pm clear com.miui.home.

For devices with MIUI 14 and Android 13+, you may need an additional command:

adb shell cmd device_config put display_split_screen_enabled false

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ADB-commands are the only way to turn off the multi-window if the screen does not respond fully to touch, but USB-debugging was included in advance.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)