How to remove split screen on Xiaomi devices: from smartphones to TV

Why Xiaomi has a split screen and how to fix it

Split screen (or multi-window mode) on Xiaomi devices can be activated randomly, for example, after pressing a button combination, updating the firmware or crashing MIUI. On smartphones, this manifests as two open applications at the same time, and on Mi TVs, as dividing the image into two independent zones, in 80% of cases, the problem is solved software, without resetting.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 proven ways to turn off split screens on different Xiaomi devices:

• 📱 Smartphones with MIUI 12–14 (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark)
• 📺 Mi TVs TV (series A2, P1, Q2 etc.) on Android TV
• 🖥️ Xiaomi Pad tablets with hybrid firmware

We will pay special attention to the hidden settings of the developer, which are often ignored in standard instructions.

Before settings, make sure that the problem is not related to hardware damage (for example, after a device falls).If the screen is physically separated (a crack or strip is visible), this may indicate damage to the matrix, in which case only the service center will help.

Method 1: Hot keys for exiting the multi-window

On Xiaomi smartphones, the split screen is often turned on through a control gesture or a combination of buttons, to quickly return to the standard mode:

1. If the screen is divided horizontally, swipe your finger from the bottom edge up and hold 1-2 seconds – this will close one of the windows.
2. For vertical separation, pull the dividing line to one of the edges of the screen.
3. On older versions of MIUI (up to 12), press and hold the Recent Apps (square) button for 3 seconds.

On Mi TVs, try:

• 🔄 Press Back on the remote twice at intervals of 1 second.
• 🎯 Hold on OK (center button) 5 seconds – this will reset the current display mode.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3 or Redmi Note 11) Multi-window gestures conflict with full-screen settings. If the hotkeys don't work, check Settings section → Display. → Full screen mode and disable the Swipe option for multi-window.

Method 2: Disconnect in MIUI settings

If the split screen is constantly appearing, you can deactivate it in the settings menu.

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Multi-window.
2. Turn off the split screen switch (or multiwindow mode in older versions).
3. For Android 12+, check Settings → Apps → Application Rights → Multi-window and reset permissions for all programs.

For Mi TVs:

• 📺 Open the Settings. → Screen and sound → Screen mode.
• 🔍 Choose the usual one instead of the divided one or PBP (Picture-by-Picture).
• 🔄 If the option is not available, update the firmware through Settings → On TV. → Update of the PO.

Make sure there are no active apps in the “Recent” section.

Close all games and video players

Turn off Bluetooth devices (they can block gestures)

Restart the device after the changes-->

On the Xiaomi Pad 5/6 tablet, the path may be different:

Settings → Display → Multitasking Mode → Disable “Share screen”

Method 3: Reset multi-window settings through developer modes

If standard methods don't work, you'll have to use hidden settings, which is a good way for power users, because it requires developer mode activation.

For smartphones:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to turn off multi-window (or Force disable multi-window) and turn it on.
4. Reset the device.

For Mi TVs:

• 🔧 Enable Developer Mode through Settings → On TV. → Android version TV (press 7 times).
• 🔍 In the developer menu (Settings) → The device → For developers, find Simulate display with cutout and select No cutout.
• 🔄 Turn off Force Multi-window Mode.

Method 4: Forced closure through ADB (for advanced)

If the split screen is getting stuck and does not respond to pressing, you can use it. ADB-This method requires a computer and USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Connect the device to your PC and enable USB Debugging in the developer settings.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
5. Execute the command to reset the multi-window: adb shell settings put global force_multi_window_mode 0
6. Reboot the device: adb reboot

💡

If so, ADB-When you have a split screen back, check for apps that may be forced to include it (e.g. Second Space or Dual Apps in the app). MIUI). Turn them off in Settings. → Annexes.

⚠️ Attention: On Mi TVs TV Android TV 11+ ADB-The commands may not work due to manufacturer restrictions, in which case only a complete reset (with loss of data) will help. → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Cloud.

Method 5: Hardware reset (if nothing helps)

If the software methods fail, you get a hard reset, and this method will delete all the data, so use it as a last resort.

For smartphones:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage by volume buttons, confirm by power button).
4. After reset, select Reboot.

For Mi TVs:

• 🔌 Turn off the TV for 30 seconds.
• 🔄 Press the power button on the body + Loudness down on the remote at the same time.
• 📛 In the Recovery Menu, select Wipe Data/Factory Reset.
• 🔄 Confirm the reset and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

💡

After the hardware reset, the split screen will disappear, but you will have to reconfigure your Wi-Fi, accounts and apps. To avoid this in the future, turn off automatic firmware updates in Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-update.

Prevention: How to Avoid Accidental Split Screen Activity

To avoid recurring problems, follow these guidelines:

• 🚫 Turn off multi-window gestures in Settings → Display. → Gestures.

On Mi TVs:

• 🎮 Turn off the game mode (Settings) → Sound and image → Playing mode, as it sometimes activates PBP.
• 🔌 Don't use it. HDMI-Spinners – they can forcibly include Picture-by-Picture mode.

If you often work with multi-windows as needed (for example, for streaming or multitasking), install a third-party app like Split Screen Launcher from Google Play, which allows you to control a split screen without the risk of accidental activation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about split screen on Xiaomi