Xiaomi Screen Split: How to Enable and Use Multi-Window Mode

Xiaomi’s split-screen feature allows two apps to be used simultaneously, such as watching YouTube videos and chatting to Telegram without constantly switching. Despite the obvious benefits, many users do not know how to activate this mode or experience errors when using it. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to turn on multi-window devices with the MIUI shell (versions 12-15), including hidden settings and solutions to typical problems.

It’s important to understand that split screen capabilities depend on the smartphone model and firmware version. For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ flagships, the function is more stable than on budget POCO M5. Some applications (such as games or banking services) can block mode due to security limitations, and we will show you how to get around these restrictions and maximize the use of multitasking.

What is Screen Sharing and Why You Need It

Split screen mode (or split screen) is a feature that divides the smartphone display into two independent areas, each of which can run a separate application, which is convenient for:

• 📝 Multitasking: copying text from the browser to the messenger without switching.
• 🎥 Viewing content: YouTube videos + social-media.
• 📊 Documentation: table comparison or text editing using reference materials.
• 🎮 Gaming streams: Twitch chat + The game itself (on supported devices).

On Xiaomi, this feature is implemented through the system menu of the multi-window, but its work depends on the version of MIUI:

Note that on some models (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO C50), the function may be disabled by the manufacturer due to weak iron, in which case only manual activation via ADB will help (we will discuss this below).

Method 1: Standard Gesture Initiation (MIUI 13-15)

Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi added a handy gesture to quickly launch a split screen.

1. Open the first app you want to secure (like Chrome).
2. Click on the “Recent Apps” button (square at the bottom of the screen or swipe up with a delay).
3. At the top of the app card, you'll see a "Separate Screen" icon (two rectangles) and you'll tap it.
4. Select the second app from the list of "Recent" or through All Apps.

If the split screen icon does not appear, check:

• 🔧 Is the mode enabled in the Settings → Special facilities → Screen splitting.
• 📱 Does your model support this feature (it may not be available on budget devices).
• 🔄 Is the firmware updated to the latest version (in older versions) MIUI gesture).

Update the firmware to MIUI 13+

Clean the list of "Recent Apps" from unnecessary

Check for the "Separate Screen" icon in the application card

Disable the energy saving mode (may block the function)-->

On Xiaomi 14 Ultra and other flagships of 2026, it became possible to change the proportions of the split screen – to do this, pull the separation line left / right.

Method 2: Including through the developer settings

If the standard gesture doesn’t work, try activating the function through the developer mode, which is suitable for MIUI 12-15, but requires caution – incorrect settings can lead to failures.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to Allow Screen Sharing (or Force Resize Activities) and turn it on.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 8A, POCO M3) Turning this option on can lead to graphic artifacts in games. If you notice bugs, turn off the feature and use alternative methods.

Once activated, try to re-start splitting the screen through the menu of recent apps. If the feature still doesn't work, move on to the next method.

Method 3: Manually enable via ADB (for power users)

If your smartphone does not support splitting the screen out of the box, you can force the function to activate via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for MIUI 12-14, but requires a connection to a PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone: Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the adb.exe folder.
4. Enter the command: adb shell settings put global force_resizeable_activities 1
5. Reset the device.

Then try splitting the screen by holding the app icon in the recent menu for a long time. If you have the option to open in a split window, the function is activated.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 12.5 Enhanced for Redmi Note 10 Pro) this command can cause camera malfunctions. Before using, back up your data! ADB Make sure that Xiaomi drivers are installed (download from the official website). USB-Cable (original). Enable the "Allow debugging (factory mode)" option in the developer settings. Method 4: Use third-party applications If system methods don't work, you can use third-party multi-window utilities. Best options for Xiaomi: 🔹 Split Screen Launcher -- creates a shortcut to quickly launch a split screen. MIUI 13+ rootless. 🔹 Floating Apps – Emulates floating windows (suitable for older models like the Redmi 7). 🔹 Taskbar – adds taskbar as on PC, with multi-window support. 💡If after installing a third-party multi-window app, the screen starts to twitch, add it to the battery optimization exceptions: → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Find the utility. → Disable Disable Disable Disabled Constraints and Problems When Using Split Screen Even if you managed to enable multi-window, you may encounter typical problems: Problem Possible Reason Solution Application does not open in split mode Block by developer (e.g, VK Use the browser version or enable Force activities to be resizeable in ADB Screen "twitches" when scrolling Conflict with energy saving mode Disable optimization for both applications in battery settings No sound in one of the windows Restriction MIUI Simultaneous playback Use Bluetooth headphones or turn on Double Sound in the sound settings Example of Split Screen Launcher setup: Install the app from Google Play. Open it and grant permissions for Special Features. Add a shortcut to the home screen. Launch a shortcut, open a multi-window app selection menu. Some applications (such as TikTok or Wildberries) may not display properly in split mode, and third-party utilities may conflict with energy-saving mode. MIUI. A common problem is that the multi-window automatically closes when the screen is locked. → Lock screen. Turn off the option to Close background apps when blocked. Add both apps to Secure apps (in battery settings). 💡On Xiaomi MIUI 14 and later, the splitting of the screen automatically turns off when you call. This is a system restriction that cannot be circumvented without root rights. How to optimize multi-window operation To split the screen as efficiently as possible, follow these tips: 🔋 Turn off power saving for both applications: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select applications → No restrictions. 📶 Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile Internet – this will reduce the load on the processor. 🔄 Close background applications before running multi-window (via Settings) → Annexes → Clean up). 🎯 Set up gestures for quick switching between windows (in Settings) → Additionally. → On the devices with the gestures. AMOLED-screen (for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite or Redmi) K60) You can save battery power by turning on a dark theme for both apps. For this: Activate dark mode in the display settings. In each application (e.g. Chrome or Telegram), enable dark theme in its settings. If you use multi-windows to work with documents, consider connecting a Bluetooth keyboard. MIUI 14+ supports a hot combination of Ctrl + N to create a new window (similar to a PC). FAQ: Frequent questions about splitting the screen on Xiaomi Can I use splitting screen in games? On most models of Xiaomi games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact) block multi-window mode due to high load on the processor. However, on flagships (Xiaomi 14, Black Sharkmi 5) you can run the game in one window, and in another - for example, the second screen is not available for the game: you can use the Discord section 20-3 for the game. Redmi Note models 8/8T and older devices on MIUI 11 And below, you don't support multi-window software. MIUI 12.5+ (If available for your model, use third-party applications like Floating Apps. Activate the function via ADB (see method 3 If nothing helps, it's a hardware constraint (weak Snapdragon processor). 665 How do you resize the windows in split mode? MIUI 14+ You can adjust the proportions of the windows by pulling the separation line left/right (MIUI 12–13) fixed-size (50/50). Install Split Screen Launcher. Select Custom split ratio in its settings. Set the desired proportions (for example, set the desired proportions, 60/40). On the Xiaomi Pad. 6 Xiaomi and other tablets available flexible change the size of windows without third-party utilities. Can you use horizontal splitting? Yes, but with reservations: On Xiaomi smartphones, the default multi-window only works in vertical orientation. To activate horizontal mode, turn the device before the split screen starts. On tablets (Xiaomi Pad). 5/6) horizontal separation is stable. If the screen does not rotate automatically, check the autorotation settings in Settings → Screen. → Turn it around. How do you turn it off if it's stuck? If the multi-window stops responding to touch: Press and hold the Home button (or swipe up late) it will close both windows. If it doesn't work, hold the power button. 10 - Seconds for forced reset. MIUI 15 You can swipe the dividing line down, and it will close the multi-window. If freeze occurs frequently, clear the system cache in Settings → Memory → Clean.