How to turn on 2 screens on Xiaomi: split screen, floating window and secrets MIUI

Have you ever tried watching YouTube videos and chatting on Telegram at the same time, switching between apps? Xiaomi smartphones have built-in split-screen tools that allow you to use two apps in parallel without constantly folding and unfolding. But not all users know that the two-screen mode works not only as a classic split-screen, but also through floating windows, and on some models even supports running one application in two instances.

In this article, we will analyze all available ways to activate multiwindow mode on Redmi, Poco and Black Shark - from the basic functions. MIUI 12-14 You'll learn how to pin two apps to the same screen, what restrictions apply to different versions of the shell, and why some devices can turn off the option by default, and how to get around those restrictions without root rights.

What is a two-screen Xiaomi and why is it necessary?

The split-screen function (or multi-window mode) allows you to work with two apps simultaneously on a single display, and Xiaomi does this in two ways:

• 🔄 Split screen – the screen is divided into two equal or adjustable parts, each of which has its own application.
• 🖼️ Floating windows – one application opens in a small window on top of another (e.g., messenger over the browser).

Main use cases:

• 📝 Working with documents: copying the text from PDF In Word, compare tables.
• 🎮 Games + Guides: Play and watch the passage on YouTube at the same time.
• 💬 Communication: Correspond to Telegram without interrupting the video.
• 🗺️ Navigation: Keep maps open while you search for location information.

On Xiaomi MIUI 12 and newer multiwindow mode works stably, but there are nuances:

• ⚠️ Not all apps support separation (such as some games or banking apps).
• ⚠️ On budget models (Redmi) 9A, Redmi 10A) There may be no floating windows.
• ⚠️ On Poco. F1/F2 and old flagships (Mi) 9) Multi-window interface is different.

Method 1: Classic split screen (split screen in half)

This is the most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi devices with the help of the MIUI Activation algorithm is the same for Redmi Note 11, Poco X4 Pro or Xiaomi 13, but there are minor differences in the location of the buttons.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the first app (like YouTube).
2. Click on the Recent Apps button (square at the bottom of the screen).
3. In the list of open applications, find the card of the desired application and press it with your finger.
4. In the menu that appears, select Divide screen (or the icon "two rectangles").
5. The screen will split into two parts, and the bottom one will be the first app, and the top one will show you a list of other open apps, so choose the second one.

After activation, you can:

• 🔄 Change the size of the windows – pull the dividing line up / down.
• 🔀 Swap apps in places – press the window header and drag.
• ❌ Close the mode – pull the dividing line to the edge of the screen.

First appendix opens

Swipe up to open recent apps

Appendix card pinched

Selected "Separate screen"

Second annex selected-->

Challenges and solutions:

⚠️ Note: If the split screen button does not appear, check if the firmware is updated to the latest version. MIUI. Is the settings not in the settings (Settings) → Special facilities → Screen splitting? whether the application supports multi-window mode (some games and banking applications block this feature).

Method 2: Floating windows (mini-applications over the main screen)

This mode allows you to open apps in small windows on top of the main interface. For example, you can run WhatsApp in a mini window while watching a movie. 8A, Redmi 9C) may be disabled.

How to turn on floating windows:

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → Floating windows.
2. Activate the Floating Windows switch.
3. Select applications that can be opened in mini-windows (by default, instant messengers, browser, calculator are supported).
4. Now that the app is open, swipe down from the top edge of the screen (as for closing), but hold your finger – the Open option will appear in the floating window.

Floating window control:

• 🔄 Moving – Clip the top panel of the window and drag.
• 📐 Change the size – Pull around the corners of the window.
• ❌ Closing – press the cross or swipe the window to the side.

Limitations:

• Not all apps support this mode (for example, Instagram or TikTok can block opening in the mini window).
• On some devices (Poco) M3, Redmi Note 8: Floating windows only work in horizontal orientation.

Method 3: Two instances of one application (cloning)

If you need to run two accounts in the same app (like two WhatsApp or two Telegram), Xiaomi offers dual apps.It's not really split screen, but lets you work with two independent windows of the same service.

How to clone an app:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. Select the app you want to clone (such as Facebook or Facebook). VK).
3. Click Create - a second icon with the Double label will appear on the desktop.
4. Now you can open both instances and use them in split screen.

Features:

• 🔄 Cloned applications work independently (different accounts, notifications).
• 📱 Take up additional space in memory (each clone is a separate sandbox").
• ⚠️ Not all apps support cloning (e.g. Google Pay or SberBank Online).

Hidden Multi-Window Functions on Xiaomi

In addition to the standard methods, in MIUI There are hidden capabilities for working with multiple screens, some of which require activation through developer mode or third-party utilities.

1.Gestural split screen

On Xiaomi MIUI 13+ You can turn on split-screen gesture control:

1. Activate Settings → Additionally. → Gestures.
2. Enable the Gesture option to split the screen.
3. Now swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold it down – the multi-window menu will appear.

2. Forced multi-window mode for all applications

If the application does not support split screen, you can try to force it to turn on through ADB:

adb shell settings put global force_resizeable_activities 1

⚠️ Warning: This may cause some applications to crash! After completing the command, restart the device.

3 Hot keys for floating windows

On devices with MIUI 14 (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) You can assign hot keys to quickly open floating windows:

1. Go to Settings. → Buttons and gestures → Hot keys.
2. Select a combination (e.g. Hold the Home button).
3. Set the action Open a floating window.

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If the floating window is not closed by the swipe, press its header and pull down until the "junk basket" animation appears.

Why Xiaomi’s Screen Split Doesn’t Work and How to Fix It

If your Xiaomi can’t turn on two screens, the reasons may be:

• 🔧 Outdated firmware - update MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📵 Disabled function – check Settings → Special facilities → Screen splitting.
• 🚫 Application restrictions – some apps (e.g. Netflix or VTB Bank) block multi-window mode.
• 🔋 Charge savings – in Ultra-saving or Performance mode, the function can be disabled.

Solutions to specific problems:

On devices with a MediaTek Helio G processor (e.g. Redmi 9, Poco) M2) floating windows may not work properly due to the limitations of the chipset, in which case it is recommended to use only split screens.

Alternative methods: third-party applications for multi-window

If integrated functions MIUI You don't like it, you can use third-party utilities, they offer more flexibility, but they require additional permissions.

Top.-3 split-screen:

• 📱 Split Screen Launcher – creates shortcuts for fast launch of application pairs in split screen.
• 🖥️ Floating Apps – allows you to open any application in floating windows (requires root for some features).
• 🎮 Game Tools – Optimized for gamers (at the same time the game) + chat).

How to install and configure:

1. Download the app from Google Play (like Split Screen Launcher).
2. Grant permissions to Overlay over other applications (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Overlay).
3. Choose a couple of applications to run simultaneously.
4. A shortcut will appear on the desktop - when pressed, a split screen will open.

⚠️ Note: Third-party multi-window applications may conflict with MIUI, Especially on HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14) make a backup of the data before installing!

FAQ: Frequent questions about two screens on Xiaomi

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On devices with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14), multiwindow mode is more stable than on older versions. MIUI, It requires updating all applications to the latest versions.