Dividing the screen on Xiaomi: how to turn on the multi-window on any smartphone with MIUI

The split screen feature on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to work with two applications simultaneously — for example, chatting in the messenger and watching videos, or copying text from the browser into notes. Despite the obvious benefits, many users are not even aware of the existence of this feature or can not find it in the settings. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to activate the multi-window, including gesture commands, button control and hidden MIUI settings.

It's important to understand that the feature is not available on all Xiaomi models, it depends on the firmware version (MIUI 12 and later supports it stably) and hardware capabilities of the device. For example, on low-cost smartphones with low RAM (2/32 GB), the mode can work with lags or not at all. We tested the instructions on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13 Ultra – all screen splitting worked correctly.

What Xiaomi smartphones support screen splitting

Multi-window is officially available on all devices with MIUI 12 and higher, but there are nuances:

• 📱 Flagship models (Xiaomi) 12/13/14, Mix Fold, Black Shark: Support out of the box, no app restrictions.
• 📱 Mid-size segment (Redmi Note) 11/12, POCO X5/F5): function is present, but can slow down when heavy applications are running simultaneously (for example, games). + social media).
• 📱 Budget smartphones (Redmi) 10A, POCO M5): The mode is available, but the list of supported applications is limited (for example, you can not share the screen with Genshin Impact or the screen is not available). PUBG Mobile).
• ❌ Outdated models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1): function is absent or malfunctions due to weak iron.

To check support on your device, open Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If the firmware version is below 12.0.3.0, first update the system through Settings → Software Update. On some models (for example, Redmi 9C), the function is hidden – it can be activated through the developer mode (we will discuss this below).

Method 1: Split screen through gestures (fastest)

If your Xiaomi has gesture control enabled (without the classic navigation buttons), use this method:

1. Open the first app you want to pin to the top of the screen.
2. Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge and hold your finger on the screen until a recent app panel appears.
3. Click on the app icon (not the preview, but the icon at the top) and select Split screen (or Split screen on English firmware).
4. At the bottom of the screen, a list of recent apps will open – select the second for the bottom panel.

You can now adjust the boundary between the windows by pulling the black stripe down the middle, and to get out of mode, swipe from the boundary up or down to the end of the screen.

Make sure both apps support multi-window |

Close background processes (for smooth operation)|

Turn off VPN (some apps block screen splitting)|

Check the battery (the mode consumes energy faster)

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⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 13 Global) Gesture splitting of the screen may conflict with Smooth animation. If the screen is not split, turn off animation in Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Delete the animations.

Method 2: Split through the “Recent” button (for classic navigation)

If you use three navigation buttons (back, home, recent), the algorithm will be different:

1. Open the first appendix.
2. Click on the recent button (square at the bottom of the screen) and hold it for 2-3 seconds.
3. The screen will split into two parts, and at the bottom will appear a panel with recent applications – choose the second.

If the button retention does not work, check the settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Gestures.
2. Select the "Recent" button and enable the option to split the screen.

Method 3: Activate through Developer Mode (for hidden function)

If your Xiaomi doesn’t have a split screen option in the standard settings, you can turn it on through the developer menu, which works on the Redmi 9/10, POCO M3/M4 and other budget models.

First, activate the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click the MIUI version 7 times in a row until you become a developer!

Now turn on the hidden option:

1. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
2. Find the parameter. force_resizeable_activities (Enable free window size change in Russian and activate it.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

After the reboot, the split screen feature will appear in the menu of recent apps, even if it was not previously available. Please note that on some firmware (MIUI 12.5 Enhanced), this option can cause crashes in the camera or banking applications.

Which apps can be divided and which can not

Not all programs support multi-window operation, but here are the key limitations:

• ✅ Supported: YouTube, Chrome, Telegram, WhatsApp, Google Maps, Notes, Gallery, Camera (only view, not shoot).
• ❌ Not supported: most games (PUBG, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty, some banking apps (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff), Netflix (blocks separation due to the fact that the company is not a partitioning company) DRM).
• ⚠️ Restricted: Instagram (you can share, but stories don't scroll), TikTok (video playable without sound in the background window).

If the application does not support partitioning, when you try to open it in the second window, you will see a message This application does not support split screen. You can circumvent this restriction by using forced activation via ADB, but this requires root rights and can disrupt the program.

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To quickly check for multi-window support, open the app in recent tasks and try to hold its icon. If the option to split screen is not active, the app is not compatible.

How to change window size and manage multi-window

After activating the split screen, you can:

• 🔄 Swap windows: swipe the black dividing line up or down.
• 📐 Change the proportions: pull the dividing line left/right. Some models (Xiaomi Mix Fold) support arbitrary resizing, others only fixed proportions (50/50 or 70/30).
• 🔒 Lock the window: Click on the three dots in the top corner of the window and select Secure (the app won't close when swipeing).
• ❌ Close one window: swipe from the edge of the screen or swipe the window down (as in recent tasks).

On smartphones with MIUI 14, the Floating Windows feature is introduced, which allows you to open mini versions of applications on top of the main screen.

1. Open Settings → Special features → Floating windows.
2. Turn on the option and select apps that can be rolled into a small window.
3. Now, when swiping on the application icon, the option to Open in a floating window will appear in recent tasks.

⚠️ Attention: POCO F4 GT And other gaming smartphones, when you activate floating windows, you can automatically turn on the performance mode, which leads to overheating. → Battery → Performance modes.

Frequent problems and their solutions

If the split screen doesn’t work or is malfunctioning, check these points:

If after all the manipulations the function has not worked, try resetting the system settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (without deleting data).
3. After restarting, check the multi-window.

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On Xiaomi with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processors and later, screen splitting works smoother due to hardware optimization. Budget chips (Helio G88, Snapdragon 480) can see slowdowns.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions