Dividing the screen on Xiaomi Redmi 9: how to turn on and use the multi-window

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with support for split-screen (split-screen), which allows you to use two applications at the same time. However, many users face difficulties when trying to activate this mode: the multi-window button does not appear, the applications do not support the function, or the system simply ignores commands. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to enable a split screen on Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T models), and also consider typical errors and their solutions.

The multi-window feature in MIUI doesn't work as clearly as it does on pure Android. The manufacturer often hides it behind additional gestures or settings, and in some firmware versions (MIUI 12.5 and later), the activation algorithm has changed. We tested all methods on Redmi 9 with MIUI 13.0.6 and Android 10/11 - below are only proven instructions, including workarounds for stubborn applications.

What is a split screen mode and why is it needed?

Multi-window (or split-screen) mode allows you to divide your smartphone screen into two independent areas, each with a separate app.

• 📝 Chat on Telegram and browse YouTube at the same time – without having to switch between windows.
• 🎮 Play a mobile game (such as Free Fire or Free Fire) PUBG Mobile) and watch the YouTube guide in parallel.
• 📊 Copy data from one document (Google Sheets) into another without losing context.
• 📱 Use the navigator (for example, Yandex.Maps) and view the messenger for coordination with fellow travelers.

On Redmi 9, the function is implemented at the system level, but its operation depends on three key factors:

1. MIUI version: In old firmware (MIUI 11 and below), multi-windows were enabled through the “Recent” menu, and in new ones – through gestures.
2. App support: Not all programs are optimized for split screen (for example, Instagram or TikTok can block mode).
3. Developer settings: Some parameters (such as the Minimum Window Width) affect the stability of the function.

It is important to understand that on Redmi 9, multi-windows only work in landscape orientation of the screen – in portrait mode, the system automatically disables the function, and some applications (for example, banking or high security requirements) can be forced to close when you try to split.

Method 1: Standard incorporation through "Recent Annexes"

This is the simplest and most official method that works on most versions of MIUI (12 to 14).

1. Open the first app you want to use in a multi-window (like YouTube).
2. Swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger on the screen to open the Recent Apps menu.
3. Click on the app icon (at the top of the card) and select Split Screen (or Multiwindow).
4. Select the second app from the list of "Recent" or through the main menu.

If the split screen item is not in the context menu, it means:

• 🔄 Your version. MIUI uses another activation method (see Method 2).
• 🚫 The app doesn’t support multi-window (try another, like Chrome or Google Maps).
• ⚙️ The function is disabled in the settings (check the section "Special features").

First appendix opens|The screen is turned into an album orientation|"Recent Apps" mode is enabled (swipe up)|Multi-window support for selected programs-->

On Redmi 9 with MIUI 13+, a split-screen strip with a dot in the middle will appear after activation, and by dragging it up or down, you can change the proportions of windows (for example, make one window wider than another) to close the mode, pull the stripe to the edge of the screen or swipe down the divider.

Method 2: Enable by gesture (for MIUI 12.5 and later)

In MIUI 12.5 and higher, Xiaomi has made it easier to access the multi-window by adding gesture controls, which works even if the recent menu doesn’t have the option “Share screen”:

1. Open the first app (like WhatsApp).
2. Swipe from the bottom up and hold to open "Recent."
3. Holding your finger on the app icon, drag it to the top or bottom of the screen.
4. Release your finger – the screen will split and you can select the second app.

If the gesture doesn't work:

• ✋ Make sure you use a three-finger swipe (in some versions) MIUI It's what's needed).
• 🔧 Check if navigation gestures are included in Settings → Display. → Navigation through the system.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes the system “forgets” gesture handlers.

💡

If the multi-window is turned on but the second application does not open, try to start it in normal mode first and then repeat the gesture, VK) require pre-loading into memory.

On Redmi 9 with Android 11 and MIUI 13, the multi-window gesture is more stable than the recent menu, but users have noticed a bug: if you switch between windows quickly, one of them can spontaneously close, the solution is to reduce the gesture speed in the screen sensitivity settings.

Method 3: Activation through "Special Opportunities"

If standard methods don't work, check if the system-level function is disabled.

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Usability.
2. Find the split screen (or multiwindow) and make sure the switch is active.
3. If there is no item, go back to the main menu "Special features" and turn on Mini-applications (sometimes multi-window hidden there).

On some versions of MIUI (e.g. 12.0.3 for Redmi 9), the option is hidden deeper:

Settings → Additional → Functions Laboratory → Multi-window

If you didn’t find the item in the settings, it could mean:

Method 4: Forced Enablement via ADB (for power users)

If system methods fail, you can force the multiwindow to be activated via the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Enable Developer Mode on Redmi 9: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) Enter: adb shell settings put global force_resizable_activities 1
4. Reset the device.

This command forces the system to ignore application restrictions on the multi-window, but can cause:

• 🐌 Slowing down some programs (such as games).
• 🔄 Incorrect display of the interface in split mode.
• ⚠️ Automatically shut down applications when trying to split the screen (if they block a function at the code level).

💡

Team team. force_resizable_activities It doesn't guarantee multi-window performance for all applications, but it increases the odds. 0 instead 1.

After you use the command, try to turn the multi-window back on through gesture control. If the application still does not support mode, you only need to use alternative launchers (for example, Nova Launcher) with built-in split-screen functionality.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after successful multi-window switching on, Redmi 9 users are plagued by bugs.

⚠️ Attention: If one of the windows spontaneously closes when splitting the screen, check if the battery optimizer blocks it. Add the app to exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select applications.

Problem 1: The split screen button is not in the recent menu.

• 🔍 Check if it is hidden behind a long press on the app icon (hold on). 2-3 seconds).
• 📱 Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI.
• 🔧 Reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Problem 2: The app does not support multi-windows (such as Instagram or Banking programs).

• 🔄 Try running it in a window over others (via Settings) → Special facilities → A window over the others).
• 🌐 Use the web version of the service in your browser (for example, Instagram via Chrome).
• 📱 Install an alternative launcher with Forced Multi-Window Support (e.g. Microsoft Launcher).

Problem 3: The dividing strip does not appear or move.

• 🔄 Restart your smartphone – sometimes the system interface “hangs".
• 📱 Check if one hand mode is activated (Settings) → Display. → One-hand mode).
• ⚙️ Reset gesture settings: Settings → Display. → Navigation through the system → Reset.

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If the multi-window is unstable, try turning off window animation in the developer settings (Settings → For developers → Windows animation scale → No animations).

Alternative ways to multitask on Redmi 9

If standard screen splitting is not satisfactory, consider alternatives:

• 🖥️ Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode: works for video (YouTube, Netflix) and some instant messengers. To activate, swipe down the video and it will shrink into a small window.
• 📱 Floating windows: Some apps (like Facebook Messenger) support display in a small window on top of other programs.
• 🔄 Quick Switch: Use the double swipe gesture on the navigation lane to instantly return to the previous app.
• 🎮 Game mode: in MIUI There is a function of the Game Space (Settings) → Special facilities → Playing space that allows you to run games in the window.

For advanced users, there is another option – install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), where the multi-window is implemented at the level of “pure” Android.

If you need to work with more than two apps at once, consider connecting Redmi 9 to an external monitor via a USB-C → HDMI adapter, in which case you can use up to 3 windows on a large screen (with support for MIUI Desktop Mode).

FAQ: Frequent questions about splitting the screen on Redmi 9