How to install pop-ups on Xiaomi Redmi: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi Redmi smartphones have a powerful hardware, but the standard MIUI or HyperOS interface sometimes hides really useful features that can significantly improve your productivity. One of these hidden features is the pop-up mode, which allows you to run applications in floating mode on top of the main screen. This is incredibly convenient for those who are used to multitask: watching video while writing a message, or keeping the calculator open while working with spreadsheets. Many users do not even suspect that their device supports Multi Window without installing third-party programs.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to activate this feature, from built-in system settings to advanced methods through ADB. You will learn how to turn your Xiaomi Redmi into a real handheld computer with several active tasks. We will look at the nuances of different versions of the shell, since the algorithms MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the new HyperOS can differ significantly in the location of menu items.

Before you start taking action, it's important to understand that not all applications are optimized to run in window mode. Some programs can simply scale, and others can work fully as separate floating blocks. First, make sure your device is charged at least 50% so that your smartphone doesn't suddenly turn off during the experiment with system settings. It's also worth backing up important data, although standard configuration methods rarely lead to loss of information.

Built-in MIUI and HyperOS capabilities for window mode

To start with, the operating system itself offers: In recent Xiaomi shells, split-screen and floating window functionality is integrated quite deeply, but often hidden behind specific gestures. The standard method of activating a floating window on most Redmi models is swipe three fingers up or down the screen. However, this gesture can be disabled by default or configured to perform other actions, such as creating a screenshot.

To check and configure the basics, you need to go to the settings menu. Find the Additional or Advanced Settings section, where Parallel Windows or Floating Windows usually hides. Here you can activate a switch that will allow you to run apps in picture-in-picture or full-blown floating block. If you use HyperOS, the logic may have changed: look for settings in the Special Features section or search for settings by querying "windows."

⚠️ Note: Some global versions of Xiaomi firmware may have their functionality cut down compared to the Chinese versions. If you don’t find the items below, your region or software version may be limiting these features.

Another important aspect is to manage the windows that are already open. Once activated, you can drag a floating window to any corner of the screen, change its size to grab a corner, or roll it into a narrow strip for quick access. The system allows you to keep up to 9 floating windows open at a time, although you can actively work with only two or three due to the limitation of the display area.

Activation through the engineering menu and special features

If standard methods don’t work well or you want to access more subtle window behavior, you can use advanced developer settings. This method requires caution, as changing system settings can affect the stability of the interface. First, you need to activate the developer mode: go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the line MIUI Version or OS Version.

Once you have been notified that you have become a developer, go back to the main settings menu and select Additional → For Developers. Here we are interested in the section related to forced activation of window mode. Find Forced activities to be resizable. Enabling this option causes the system to run even applications that are not declared by the developer as supporting split screen in a floating window.

There is also a hidden menu available through code in the "ringer", but it does not work on all Redmi models. Try entering the combination ##6484## to log into the engineering menu (CIT). Here you can check the touchscreen and display, but direct switches for windows are rare. More efficient search for "Freeform" in the special features settings. If such a item is found, its activation will add a button to the menu of recent applications to run the selected software in floating mode.

Use of launcher applications and third-party utilities

When built-in tools are scarce, third-party apps specially designed to create a window interface on Android come to the rescue. One of the most popular and proven solutions is the Floating Apps app (or its counterparts like Floaty), which create a virtual layer on top of the system, allowing you to run a browser, calculator, notes and even YouTube in separate floating windows.

To work properly, these slits on Xiaomi need to provide them with advanced permissions. After installing the application, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find the installed utility and select Permissions. You will need to enable access to “Map on top of other applications” and possibly remove restrictions on working in the background so that the system does not “kill” the window process to save energy.

Another interesting option is to use desktop launchers like Sentio Desktop (if you can find a working version) or custom plugins for Tasker. However, for the average user, the most stable solution is dedicated applications from Google Play, which allow you to scale windows, drag and drop them and even create your own widgets, turning the smartphone interface into a Windows or macOS operating system.

Advanced Method: Activation through ADB commands

For users who are not afraid of the command line and want to get maximum control over the system, there is a method of activation through debugging. USB (ADB). This way you can turn on hidden system flags that are not available through the usual settings menu), USB-cable and installed set of Platform Tools (ADB).

The first step is to enable USB debugging in the Developer menu on your Redmi. Connect your phone to your computer and open the command prompt (CMD or Terminal). Make sure your computer sees the device by entering the adb device command. If a window appears on your smartphone screen asking for debugging permission, confirm it. Now you can enter commands to activate the free form.

adb shell settings put global freeform_window_mode 1


adb shell wm size reset




adb shell wm density reset

After the execution of the team freeform_window_mode 1 It's a method that's particularly effective on older versions of Android (8.0 - 10.0), It's a feature that's been embedded, but hidden. 12/13/14 shelled MIUI 14 The command may not work or require root rights, but it's a powerful tool in the advanced user's arsenal.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Incorrect settings can lead to incorrect display of the interface (scatter fonts, incorrect resolution). Always know how to reset the settings. ADB or perform reset to factory settings.

Configuring productivity and energy saving

Running multiple active windows simultaneously puts an increased strain on your Xiaomi Redmi CPU and RAM. If you notice your phone slowing down and the video in the floating window twitching, you need to optimize your performance settings. First, check how many apps are running in the background. Close unnecessary processes through the recent task menu.

The most important step is battery setup. MIUI is known for aggressively closing background applications. To keep your pop-up from disappearing after 5 minutes, you need to set its priority. Go to Settings → Battery → Energy Saving. Find an application that you plan to use in floating mode (such as a browser or messenger), and set the No Limits mode. This will prevent the system from putting it to sleep.

• 🚀 Memory Cleanup: Before starting heavy tasks, close background applications through a built-in cleaner.
• 🔋 Performance mode: In battery settings, turn on Performance or Balanced mode, avoiding Savings mode, which cuts frequencies CPU.
• 🌡️ Temperature control: With prolonged operation with multiple windows, the phone may get heated. remove the case if it is dense, and do not place the device on soft surfaces.

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If the floating window is slowing down, try to reduce its size.Rendering fewer pixels reduces the load on the graphics accelerator.

Solving typical problems and problems

Even when you set it up properly, users can face a number of problems, and the most common is that the app just doesn't float or closes right away, often because the app itself doesn't support the responsive interface, and in these cases, the Forced Resize method, which is the developer menu we talked about earlier, helps.

Another common problem is desynchronization of sound, where when you watch a video in a floating window and another app plays audio, the sounds may overlap or disappear, and that's solved by switching focus: tap the floating window to activate it, and the system will redirect the audio stream. Also check the audio settings in the particular application.

If none of the methods work, and you are sure that your Redmi model is technically capable of multitasking (has at least 4 GB of RAM), it may be a problem in the particular version of the firmware.

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The stability of pop-ups depends not only on settings, but also on the amount of free RAM. Close heavy games before starting multitasking mode.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)