How to bring back classic screen split to Xiaomi instead of floating window: the full guide

After upgrading MIUI to versions 14 or 15, many users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO faced an unpleasant surprise: instead of the usual splitting of the screen into two equal parts, the system now offers only floating windows. This mode, although it looks modern, often interferes with work - windows spontaneously change size, overlap or close when switching between applications. Fortunately, you can return the classic Split Screen in several ways - from hidden settings to manual editing of configuration files.

In this article, we will discuss all the working methods for returning full split screen, including the official settings of MIUI, ADB commands, and even modifying system parameters for advanced users. Separately, we will consider the nuances for different models from the flagship Xiaomi 13 Pro to the budget Redmi Note 12. If you are tired of “floating” windows and want to return a convenient multi-window mode, read on.

Why Xiaomi has replaced the split screen with floating windows?

The change in the approach to multitasking in MIUI is associated with several factors:

• 📱 Android 12 Trends+: Google is actively promoting Picture-in-Picture as a standard way to multitask, and Xiaomi is following this logic.
• 🔄 Simplifying the interface: Developers MIUI Floating windows are more intuitive for beginners than the classic two-half separation.
• 📉 Optimizing resources: On weak devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Two full-screen applications can simultaneously cause lags.
• 🎯 Marketing reasons: New features are easier to present in advertising than old but proven solutions.

For many users, however, floating windows have been less convenient. For example, you can't view a long document and chat at the same time, because the messenger window covers some of the text. Or play Genshin Impact with an open guide - a floating browser window will interfere with gameplay. Fortunately, Xiaomi has left loopholes to return the old mode.

Method 1: Enabling split screen through hidden MIUI settings

The easiest way to return Split Screen is to activate it via the hidden MIUI menu, which works on most MIUI 14/15 devices and does not require root or PC connection permissions.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version line and tap it 7 times in a row until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
3. Return to the main settings menu and open a new Developer section (usually at the bottom of the list).
4. Scroll down and find the option to allow split-screen. Turn it on.
5. Reset the device.

Once you reboot, the classic split screen has to work, so you can activate it.

• 📱 Open recent apps (swipe up with pause).
• 🔄 Click on the app icon and select Divide screen.
• 📲 Select the second app from the list.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro option may be called Force resizeable activities. If it is not, try the method with the ADB (see next section).

Method 2: ADB Activation (for all versions of MIUI)

If there is no hidden setting or it does not work, you can force splitting the screen through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), this method is universal and is suitable even for devices with a locked bootloader.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 🔄 Initiated Debugging Mode USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging (a request will appear on the smartphone screen).
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must display the serial number of your device.
4. Execute the command to activate split screen: adb shell settings put global force_resizeable_activities 1
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After the reboot, check Split Screen through the recent app menu. If it doesn't work, try an alternative command:

adb shell settings put global enable_freeform_support 1

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After the teams ADB Screen splitting does not appear, try first to disable floating windows with the command adb shell settings put global multi_window_mode 0, Then restart the device.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global for Xiaomi 12T) These commands can be reset once the system is updated, and then you have to repeat the procedure.

Method 3: Editing system files (for advanced users)

If previous methods failed, you can manually edit MIUI configuration files, which requires root rights or access to the system partition via TWRP.

Instructions for devices with Magisk:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/usr/keylayout/ Find Generic.kl (or qwerty.kl for some models).
3. Make a backup copy of the file (copy it on the SD-map).
4. Open the file in the text editor and find the line: key 187 MENU Replace her with: key 187 MENU WAKE_DROPPED
5. Save the file, set the rights to 644, and restart the device.

You can also edit the build.prop file (path: /system/build.prop) by adding at the end of the line:

persist.sys.miui_multi_window_mode=1


ro.miui.has_split_screen=true

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop. On devices with a locked bootloader, this method does not work - you need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To choose the best way to return Split Screen, focus on this table:

For most users, the first method (hidden settings) is optimal. If it does not work, try ADB. Editing system files and custom firmware should be left for the last resort, as they require deep knowledge and can be insecure.

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On devices with MIUI EU (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), splitting screen often works out of the box – check your multitasking settings before using complex techniques.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after successful activation of Split Screen, problems can occur. Consider typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

1.Share split is enabled, but applications do not support mode

Some apps (such as Instagram or TikTok) block multi-window work.

• 🔧 Use the team. ADB Adb shell am compat enable: adb shell am compat enable 123 PACKAGE_NAME (substitute PACKAGE_NAME on ID applications such as com.instagram.android).
• 📱 Try alternative clients (e.g. Instand instead of Instagram).
• 🔄 Switch to the web version via the browser.

2.Separation of the screen works, but windows spontaneously close

This problem is typical for devices with MIUI 15 based on Android 13+.

• 📵 Turn off the Battery Optimization feature for the applications used (Settings) → Annexes → Battery management).
• 🔧 Adb shell settings put global settings settings_enable_monitor_phantom_procs false
• 📲 Install Split Screen Launcher from Google Play – it bypasses restrictions MIUI.

3. No split screen option in recent app menu

If the button is missing after the update, try:

• 🔄 Reset the settings MIUI before the factory (Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting settings, without deleting data).
• 📱 Install Lawnchair or another custom launcher – some of them have their own Split Screen implementation.
• 🔧 Check for updates to be made to MIUI — In new versions, the bug can be fixed.

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On some models (e.g. Redmi K50 Gaming), splitting only works in landscape orientation. Try turning the phone if the option is inactive.

Alternative ways to multitask on Xiaomi

If you can’t return the classic screen split, consider alternative options:

1. Floating windows with fixed size

You can configure floating windows to behave almost like Split Screen:

1. Open the application in a floating window.
2. Pull the corner of the window to change the size.
3. Click on the three dots in the window header and select Secure.

Image in Picture Mode (PiP)

Suitable for video and some messengers:

• 🎥 In YouTube Premium or Netflix, swipe down to go to PiP.
• 💬 In Telegram or WhatsApp, open a video call and fold the application.

3. Multi-window applications

Third-party utilities from Google Play:

• 📱 Split Screen Launcher – Emulates Classic Partition.
• 🔄 Floating Apps – creates floating windows for any application.
• 📲 Multi Window – supports up to 4 windows at a time.

⚠️ Note: Multi-window applications may conflict with MIUI Check the reviews for your smartphone model before using it.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions