How to enable split screen on Xiaomi Redmi 10

Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 10 have powerful enough processors and large displays to comfortably use multiple apps at once. Split Screen mode, or Split Screen, turns your gadget into a mini-tablet, allowing you to chat in a messenger while watching videos or copy data from your browser directly into notes. It's not just convenient, but a real way to improve productivity in everyday tasks.

In the MIUI operating system that is installed on Redmi 10, this feature is implemented quite deeply, but by default can be hidden from the eyes of a beginner. Many users do not even suspect that their device can multitask without installing third-party software. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to activate split screen, including hidden interface capabilities.

It's worth noting that working with two windows requires some system resources. While Redmi 10 is doing this with confidence, RAM is consumed more actively than with a single application. Understanding how to manage windows correctly will help you avoid accidental closure of important programs and ensure smooth interface.

Basic methods of activating Split Screen

The most common way to start splitting the screen on Xiaomi Redmi 10 is through the menu of running apps. You need to open the desired application, and then swipe from the bottom up (or click the menu button, depending on the type of navigation) to the list of working programs, which hides the main tool for managing windows.

Find the app card that should be at the top of the screen. A long tap on that card or swipe to the right (depending on the version of the MIUI shell) will open an additional action menu. That's where you choose an icon that resembles two rectangles above each other, or a paragraph called "Windows", after which the system will ask you to select a second app for the bottom of the display.

There is an alternative, faster method that is not available to everyone, but it is worth checking in the settings. If you press the "Recent" button and hold it for a couple of seconds, some versions of the firmware automatically put the active application in split mode. However, on global versions of MIUI for Redmi 10, this gesture is often turned off by default, so the reliance on the recent task menu remains the most reliable option.

⚠️ Note: When activating the second application, the first can automatically curl up or restart if the system lacks free RAM. Close background heavy games before launching Split Screen.

Using the sidebar for quick access

For those who often use multitasking, Xiaomi has implemented a handy tool, the Sidebar, which is a floating menu that is available on top of any application. To activate this feature, go to the settings and search for the “sidebar” or find this item in the Settings → Special features → Sidebar.

Once turned on, you'll see a translucent bar on the side of the screen, and when you click on it, you'll see a list of favorite apps, and the unique thing about this method is that you can drag icons from this panel directly to the open screen, instantly triggering split-screen mode, and this works even when the standard menu of recent tasks is not available for some reason.

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Add to the sidebar only the apps you use most often in pairs: for example, Calculator and Bank, or YouTube and Telegram.

So you can set up the panel to choose which apps it's going to be displayed in, and you can make it available in all programs or just selected ones, and it's a useful feature to save space on the display, because you can hide it when you don't need it by just swiping it over the edge of the screen, and you can intuitively control the windows through the panel, just drag the icon to the center or corner of the screen.

Size setting and control of windows

Once you've run two apps, you'll see a split display, and the boundary between the windows is not static, you can move it around, and in the middle, between the two programs that are running, there's a separate band, and if you pull it up or down, you adjust the proportions, you can give two-thirds of the screen to one application, or you can split the space in half.

Each window is managed independently. You can scroll through the news feed in one app while the video in another is on pause. However, it is worth remembering that only one window at a particular time is considered active (usually the one you are interacting with right now).

To turn one of the windows or close it, look at the control panel in the middle, and there's a closing button and a folding button, and if you fold the app, it turns into a floating window or goes into the background, depending on what you do, and the full closing of both apps is done in the standard way, through the recent task menu.

Application compatibility and system limitations

Not all programs in the Google Play store are optimized for split-screen operation. This is a limitation of the Android operating system itself, not just the MIUI shell. When you try to split-screen and select an application that doesn't support this feature, the system will issue a warning or simply prevent you from opening a second window.

Most often, problems arise with applications that require full screen orientation or use specific sensors, such as some banking clients or horizontal games. In such cases, vertical orientation can be blocked by a software developer. The list of compatible applications is constantly growing, but there is no one-size-fits-all way to make an incompatible program in Split Screen work without root rights.

If the app doesn't want to open in the second window, try running it first. Sometimes the order of launch matters, although this is rare in modern Android versions. Also make sure you have the latest version of the app installed from the store, as developers often add multitasking support in updates.

Solutions and bugs

Redmi 10 users sometimes face a situation where, after activating split screen, one of the applications crashes or freezes. This is often due to a lack of resources or a software glitch in a particular MIUI update. The first thing to try is simply to reboot the smartphone - this trivial action solves 80% of memory problems.

⚠️ Warning: If the app crashes out constantly when you try to split the screen, don't try to run it again right away. 1-2 minutes to clean up the cache of processes.

Another common problem is that the screen is not properly positioned, and one app turns and another stays in portrait mode, making it uncomfortable to use. In the display settings, make sure that auto-orientation is enabled. If the problem persists for a particular application, check its settings — there may be a screen rotation ban.

Also worth mentioning is the bug where the dividing bar disappears or becomes inactive, and in this case, switching the navigation type helps. If you use buttons, try temporarily switching to gestures in the Settings menu → Screen → Navigation. This action often shakes up the system interface and returns the functionality of the separation panel.

Alternatives: Floating windows and screen extension

If the classic split screen doesn't suit you, Xiaomi Redmi 10 offers a floating window feature. This is a mode where the app opens in a small window over the main content. It can be moved around the screen, resized and rolled to the edge. To activate, run the app from the sidebar or through the recent task menu (click on the app icon on top of the card).

Floating windows are ideal for calculator, notes or correspondence, when you need to quickly respond and return to watching videos. Unlike Split Screen, there is no rigid binding to half the display. You can have multiple floating windows open at the same time, creating your own desktop on top of the main interface.

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Floating windows consume less battery life than two full-screen apps, as the background often pauses rendering of complex graphics.

For advanced users, there is the concept of "extended screen", but on standard firmware Redmi 10 this is implemented through a combination of Split Screen and floating windows. Third-party launchers can offer their implementations, but they often conflict with the security system MIUI, so it is better to use the standard tools.

Optimizing work in multitasking mode

Using two apps simultaneously increases the battery load. The screen is the most energy-consuming element of the smartphone, and when it is running at maximum brightness for two active processes, the discharge occurs faster.

Also watch for heating. Redmi 10 has a plastic case that is worse than glass or metal. When you work in multitasking mode (for example, navigation + video calls), the phone can significantly heat up, in which case the system can automatically reduce the frequency of the processor, which will lead to slowdowns.

Regular memory cleaning helps keep the system on track. Close unused heavy applications before running an important multi-window session. This will free up RAM and provide smooth animations for switching between windows. Don't ignore memory shortage notifications if they appear.