Dividing the screen on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: 3 working methods + error solving

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 remains one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment even in 2026, but not all users are aware of the hidden capabilities of its MIUI firmware. The split screen (or multi-window) function allows you to work with two applications simultaneously - for example, chat in the messenger and watch video, or copy text from the browser to the document. However, depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14) and regional firmware, the path to activation of this feature may differ.

In this article, you’ll find three proven ways to enable split screen on the Redmi Note 9, including hidden mode for older versions of MIUI, as well as solving errors like missing a multi-window button or suddenly closing applications. We tested all methods on real devices with MIUI Global 12.5.7, MIUI 13.0.4 and MIUI 14.0.2 firmware, ensuring that it works.

1. Standard method: through the recent application panel

The simplest method of activating multi-window is available on all versions of MIUI starting from 12.0.4.It does not require superuser rights or additional settings, but does not work with all applications (for example, some games and system utilities can block split mode).

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the first app you want to use in a multi-window (like YouTube).
2. Click the “Recent Apps” button (square in the bottom navigation bar) and hold the app icon for 1-2 seconds.
3. In the menu that appears, select “Share the screen”** (or Split screen in English firmware).
4. The screen will split into two parts, and at the bottom you will see a panel with other open applications. Select the second application for multi-window.

If you don't have a "Separate Screen" option on the menu, your version of MIUI is hiding it. Go to the next one.

Make sure both apps support split mode (not all games and system utilities work)

Close background processes if the smartphone slows down

Check that the function is not disabled in the developer settings (see Section 3)

Turn off energy saving mode for applications-->

2. Alternative method: through settings of special features

On some firmware (especially MIUI 12.5 for the European region), the multi-window feature is hidden in the special feature menu, which works even if the buttons in the recent app bar are not present.

Follow the instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Physical Opportunities → Gesture Management.
2. Scroll down and find the "Screen Split" option. Activate the switch.
3. Return to the recent app bar and try to hold the app icon – now the “Separate” item** should appear.

If this item is not there, then your firmware is using a different path. Try the third way.

MIUI 12 (Global/Stable)

MIUI 13 (EEA/Global)

MIUI 14 (Beta/Stable)

Another version or custom firmware-->

3. Hidden mode: activation through developer settings

On older versions of MIUI (e.g. 12.0.3) or some regional builds, the multi-window function can be disabled by default, and to unlock it, you need to turn on the developer mode and change the hidden settings.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and click on it 7 times in a row. You will be notified “You are a developer!”
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers (or additional settings) → Developer options).
3. Find the option “Enable freeform windows” and activate it.
4. Reboot your smartphone. After that, the split screen feature should appear in the recent app dashboard.

Important: on MIUI 14 and later, the Enable freeform windows may not be available. Instead, look for Force resizeable activities, which will also unlock the multi-window.

4. Compatibility table: which applications work in a multi-window

Not all programs support split-screen mode, and the following is the compatibility table for popular apps on the Redmi Note 9 (tested on MIUI 13/14):

If the app doesn’t support split screen, you’ll see a notification saying “This app can’t work in multi-window”**, in which case try using floating windows (about them in the next section).

5.Floating windows as an alternative to multi-window

If standard splitting isn’t suitable (for example, because of app incompatibility), the Redmi Note 9 can use floating windows to open miniature versions of apps on top of the main screen.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Floating Windows.
2. Activate the switch "Enable floating windows"**.
3. Now, when you open the recent app bar, hold the program icon and select Open in a floating window.**

Floating windows are convenient for:

• 📱 Quick response in instant messengers without leaving the game or video.
• 🎵 Music playback management (Spotify, Yandex Music).
• 📝 Copying text between applications.

💡

To change the size of a floating window, pull the corners of the window. To close, swipe the window down or press the cross.

6. Solving common problems

Even after you set up the Redmi Note 9’s multi-window correctly, it can malfunction. Here are the typical errors and their solutions:

Problem 1: The “Separate Screen” button is not on the menu

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Outdated firmware: Update MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings → Updating the system.
• 📱 Regional Restrictions: Set Global ROM instead of Chinese or European assembly.
• 🔧 Disabled function: Check the developer settings (see Section 3).

Issue 2: Applications are closed spontaneously

It's because of memory optimization.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the problem application and turn off the "Energy Saving"**.
3. In the developer settings, disable "Restriction of background processes"**.

💡

If the multi-window is lagging, try to reduce the animation of the interface: in the developer settings, set the "Window Animation Scale" and "Transition Animation Scale" to 0.5x.

Problem 3: A black screen in one of the windows

This error is typical of screenshot-protected applications (banking programs, some messengers).

• 🔒 Switch to another app (e.g. Chrome instead of SberBank Online).
• 📱 Use floating windows instead of full-screen splitting.

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI below 12.5, the "Swipe up for home" gesture may be disabled simultaneously with the multi-window. → Screen. → Navigation buttons and select Gestures again.

7. Additional multi-window chips on the Redmi Note 9

Xiaomi’s split-screen feature supports a few hidden features that few people know about:

• 🔄 Quick window switching: Hold the dividing line between windows and pull left/right to swap apps.
• 📱 Picture-in-Picture Mode: In some apps (like YouTube Premium), you can roll the video into a small window that floats on top of other programs.
• 🔊 Separate sound: B MIUI 14 it is possible to output sound from different applications to different devices (for example, music to the speaker, and notifications to the phone). → Sound. → Separate audio output.

Also, Redmi Note 9 can use a multi-window in horizontal orientation.

1. Turn the split screen into album mode.
2. Hold the dividing line and pull it up or down to change the proportions of the windows.

FAQ: Frequent questions about split screen

If your question is not covered in the FAQ, check the problem solving section or clarify the firmware version in the comments - we will help you figure it out!