How to enable split screen on Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC: 3 working methods + error solving

Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC is a budget smartphone with surprisingly flexible multitasking capabilities, but the multi-window feature often goes unnoticed by users. Many people mistakenly believe that this option is only available on flagships, although in fact it is hidden in the depths of MIUI and requires only a few clicks to activate. In this article, you will learn not only how to enable split screen on your Redmi 9C NFC, but also how to customize it for your tasks – from watching video with simultaneous chat to working with documents and social networks.

It's important to understand that multi-window on Xiaomi works differently than on other brands' smartphones. There's no classic "two-screen split" like Samsung -- instead, it uses a pop-up view and gesture control. We'll go through all three official activation methods, and we'll also explain why some firmware can turn the feature off by default and how to return it without resetting. If you've tried to turn on the mode but it didn't work out, there's a section at the end of the article that addresses typical bugs.

What is the split screen on Xiaomi and why it is necessary

Split Screen Mode (or Split Screen) allows two apps to be used simultaneously on a single display. On the Redmi 9C NFC, this feature is implemented through:

• 🪟 Pop-up view – miniature versions of apps that can be moved around the screen.
• 📱 Gesture splitting – Holding the app icon in the multitasking menu to split the screen in half.
• ⚙️ Hidden settings MIUI — Activation through the Function Lab (not available on all versions).

Main use cases:

• 📺💬 YouTube viewing + chat in Telegram – watch the video and at the same time communicate in the messenger.
• 📄📊 Work with documents – open Google Docs and Excel side by side to compare data.
• 🗺️🚗 Navigation + Music: Google Maps on half screen, Spotify on the other.
• 🎮📱 Game. + guide - pass the level in the game, while reading the passage in the browser.

On Redmi 9C NFC, the feature works steadily, but there are nuances: not all applications support multi-window (for example, some banking programs or games with cheating protection), and firmware below MIUI 12 may require manual activation through Developer Settings.

Method 1: Split screen through gesture in the multitasking menu

This is the simplest and most versatile method that works on all versions of MIUI from 11 to 14. You do not need to dig into the settings - just do a few actions:

1. Open the first app (like YouTube).
2. Swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger for 1 second to open the multitasking menu.
3. Find the second app (e.g. Telegram) and hold the icon for 2-3 seconds.
4. The screen will be divided into two parts: the first application will remain at the top, the second will open at the bottom.

To swap apps, pull the dividing line up or down, and to close the mode, just swipe the divider off the screen.

Make sure both apps support mode (some games and banking programs don’t)

Close unnecessary background processes (multi-window requires more RAM)

Connect charging if the battery level is below 20% (mode consumes energy faster)

Make sure you have a firmware not lower. MIUI 11-->

⚠️ Note: If the application icon is held, the screen is not split, but the context menu is opened, then the function is disabled in the system settings.

Method 2: Enabling through special features settings

If gesture control doesn't work, it's possible that the multi-window mode is disabled in Special Options Settings, a method that works on Redmi 9C NFC with MIUI 12/13/14 firmware:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Usability.
2. Scroll down and find the “floating windows” (or Pop-up view).
3. Activate the switch next to Allow Floating Windows.
4. Return to the multitasking menu and try holding the app icon again.

If you don't have Floating Windows on the menu, your firmware is using a different mechanism, and Method 3 will help.

💡

If the multi-window is unstable after activation (apps fly out or don’t open), try clearing the system cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots (menu) → Clear the cache of all applications.

Method 3: Activation through the function lab (for older firmware)

On the Redmi 9C NFC with MIUI 11 or custom firmware, the multi-window mode can be hidden in the function lab to enable it:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click on MIUI Version 7 times in a row to activate Developer Mode.
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Settings → Additional → Functions Lab.
4. Find the "floating windows" or "multiwindow" and turn it on.
5. Reboot the phone.

If the lab doesn’t have the right item, try updating your firmware to the latest version or use an alternative method with ADB (described in the Advanced Users section).

Solving the Problem: Why Screen Split Doesn't Work

If none of these methods worked, check the following points:

• 🔄 Update the firmware - on versions MIUI below 11 multi-windows may not be available.
• 📱 Check application compatibility – some programs (such as SberBank Online or Wild Rift) block multi-window work.
• 🔧 Reset the launcher settings – clamping the empty space on the home screen → Home screen settings → Reset the settings.
• 🛠️ Clear the system cache - Settings → Memory. → Cleanup → Cash.

If after all the manipulations, the mode still does not turn on, try to force activate it through ADB:

adb shell settings put global force_split_screen true

This command unlocks the multi-window even on unofficial firmware.

1. Install Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Connect your phone via USB with USB debugging enabled.
3. Enter the command at the terminal.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-commands can cause system failures if you enter incorrect settings. Before experiments, back up your data through Settings → System system → Backup.

How to optimize work in multi-window mode

Splitting the screen is convenient, but can slow down a smartphone if you don't optimize settings. Here are some tips for the Redmi 9C NFC:

• ⚡ Turn off animation – Developer settings → The scale of window animation (off.).
• 🗑️ Limit background processes – Settings → Annexes → Application management → Auto-start (disable unnecessary ones).
• 🔋 Activate Performance Mode - Settings → Battery → Performance mode.
• 📶 Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile Internet – multi-windows consume more traffic.

You can also configure the hotkeys to switch between windows quickly:

1. Open Settings → buttons and gestures → Quick actions.
2. Assign a gesture (such as double tapping the screen) to the "Switch floating windows" action.

💡

On Redmi 9C NFC, the multi-window works more stable if the developer settings include the option “Do not unload active applications” (Settings → For developers → Do not unload active applications).

FAQ: Frequent questions about splitting the screen on the Redmi 9C NFC