Modern smartphones have long since ceased to be just devices for calls, becoming powerful tools for work and entertainment. Xiaomi Redmi 9T has a sufficiently large screen and processor that allows you to comfortably perform several tasks at once. However, the standard shell MIUI installed on the device does not always offer obvious ways to activate the Split Screen feature, known as split screen.
Many users have difficulty running two apps side by side, as familiar gestures or buttons may not work without first setting up. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate split screen on your gadget, using both built-in system capabilities and special tools to expand the functionality.
You’ll learn about the nuances of MIUI 12 and newer versions, and why some apps may not support this mode. Competent multitasking settings will allow you to significantly improve productivity by watching videos while chatting or copying data from one source to another without constantly switching.
Preparation of the device and compatibility check
Before you start activating the feature, you need to make sure that your software is updated to the current version. Xiaomi developers are constantly changing the logic of the system, and the old methods may stop working after another update. Check for updates in the Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
It’s important to understand that not all apps installed support split-screen operation. Social media, messengers, and browsers usually work correctly, whereas some games or specific utilities can be forced to run on the entire display. This limitation is due to the optimization of the interface by the software developers, not the malfunction of your Redmi 9T.
For comfortable Split Screen mode, it is recommended to set a high refresh rate if this option is available in your firmware version, this will make the animations smooth and reduce eye strain when using two windows for a long time at the same time. Also make sure that there is enough free space in the device memory to properly caching the data of both running applications.
☑️ Pre-launch checks
Activation through the Multitasking Menu
The most common way to run two apps simultaneously on Xiaomi Redmi 9T is to use the recent task menu, which doesn’t require you to turn on hidden settings and works out of the box on most versions of the shell. First, open the first app you plan to use, such as a browser or YouTube.
Then swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger to go to the open app menu. Find the card of the running application and click on the icon at the top of the card (usually a two-square icon or three-dot icon). In the context menu that appears, select Split screen or Split screen.
Once you select the mode, the screen splits in half, and at the bottom of the screen you will see a list of recently used programs. Select the second app that should be displayed at the same time as the first. If you don't see the program you want in the list, click on the search icon or three dots to find it in the general list of installed applications.
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For quick switching between split windows, swipe on the central dividing line – this allows you to change applications in the upper or lower window without leaving multitasking mode.
Use of the sidebar of tools
The MIUI shell offers a more advanced multitasking tool, the sidebar. This widget allows you to run applications in a floating window or immediately in split-screen mode without interrupting current activity. To activate, go to Settings → Additional Features → Sidebar and turn on the switch.
You can add shortcuts to the sidebar menu for frequently used applications, and when the panel is activated, a transparent bar appears on the edge of the screen, and swipe opens the list of programs on it, and if you drag an application from that list to the desktop, it will start in Split Screen mode, taking up half the display.
The advantage of this method is that you can quickly change a set of split-screen apps, so you can set up separate lists for different use cases, like Work or Entertainment, which is especially true for Redmi 9T owners who use their smartphone for different tasks throughout the day.
Configure hidden functions through Special Features
In some regions and firmware versions, standard methods may be limited, and in this case, hidden MIUI settings can be accessed through a special menu. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Special features.
You should find the option for window management or split screen. The interface may vary depending on the Android version, but the logic remains the same. Activation of the switch in this menu forcibly includes support for Split Screen for more applications, even those that are not officially optimized.
⚠️ Warning: Forced split-screen activation for incompatible applications can lead to incorrect display of the interface, program crashes or system freeze.
After making changes to the hidden settings, it is recommended to restart the device, which will allow the MIUI system to correctly apply the new parameters and reallocate the CPU resources to ensure stable multitasking. If the function does not work after the reboot, try clearing the cache of the system application "Security".
Comparison of activation methods for Split Screen
The different ways to enable split screen have their own advantages and disadvantages that are worth considering when choosing the best option for your use case. Below is a table comparing the main activation methods on the Xiaomi Redmi 9T.
| Activation method | Speed of access | Flexibility of setting | Stability of work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multitasking menu | Medium | Low. | Tall. |
| Sidebar. | Tall. | Medium | Tall. |
| Hidden settings | Low. | Tall. | Medium |
| Third-party annexes | Medium | Tall. | Low. |
As you can see from the table, the sidebar is the most balanced solution for everyday use, providing quick access and high stability without requiring complex manipulation of system files, and the method of hidden settings is best used only in extreme cases when standard tools do not give the desired result.
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MIUI Sidebar is the most effective tool for everyday multitasking, combining speed and stability.
Decision and possible errors
Despite the simplicity of the function, users may encounter a number of problems: it often happens that after choosing the second application, the first one simply closes or the screen flashes and returns to its original state, which may indicate a lack of RAM at the time of launching a heavy application.
Another common problem is that you can't resize windows. In the standard MIUI implementation on Redmi 9T, the separation is often fixed (50 by 50 percent). To change the proportions, you sometimes need to activate the developer mode or use third-party utilities, although this can reduce the overall stability of the system.
- 📱 App crashes: try updating it through Google Play Market or Mi Store.
- 📱 Screen not divided: make sure the orientation of the screen is not locked in the vertical position.
- 📱 Interface Brake: Close background processes and clear memory before starting Split Screen.
If neither method works, it may be a firmware bug that can be the problem, so check Xiaomi support forums for similar complaints from other users of your model, and security updates often correct these errors.
What to do if the split-screen button is missing?
Optimizing work in multitasking mode
To ensure that split screen use does not lead to a fast battery drain, you should monitor the background activity of applications. When two applications are running simultaneously, the Snapdragon processor resource consumption increases. It is recommended to turn off auto-update applications in the background during active operation.
Also worth paying attention to the brightness of the screen. Since Split Screen mode often uses textual information or video, high brightness can be excessive. Using automatic brightness adjustment will help save the battery power of the Redmi 9T and prolong battery life.
⚠️ Warning: Long-term split-screen operation with a bright display can overheat the smartphone body. Take breaks or reduce the load on the device in hot conditions.
Regularly cleaning the cache and removing unused applications will also have a positive impact on performance. The less junk in the system, the faster MIUI switches between tasks and the smoother the split-screen function works. Keep an eye on the free storage space so that the system can use virtual memory efficiently.
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Use Do Not Disturb mode when working with important documents in a split screen so that incoming notifications do not block the contents of windows and do not confuse the focus of attention.