Multitasking is one of the key advantages of modern smartphones, allowing users to perform multiple actions simultaneously without the need to constantly switch between applications. Owners of budget devices such as the Xiaomi Redmi 9C often question the availability of this feature, believing that it is reserved exclusively for flagship models. However, the MIUI shell installed on this gadget provides ample opportunities for customization of the workspace, including split-screen mode.
Split Screen activation on Redmi 9C can be done in several ways, depending on the chosen navigation method and version of the Android operating system. Understanding the nuances of this feature allows you to significantly improve productivity when watching videos, chatting in messengers or working with documents. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available activation methods, as well as eliminate common errors that users encounter.
Using the split screen mode on the Redmi 9C opens up new horizons for interaction with the device, allowing you to simultaneously view content in the browser and conduct active correspondence. This feature is especially relevant for those who value their time and strive to optimize workflows on a mobile device. Although the screen diagonal of 6.53 inches is not the largest on the market, competent allocation of space makes the work comfortable.
Not all apps support Split Screen, as software developers can limit the functionality of their programs. Android and MIUI have certain compatibility requirements that you need to consider when trying to run two windows at once. Below we will look at how to circumvent some of the limitations and make even those applications that do not officially support this feature work.
To successfully configure the split screen on your Xiaomi Redmi 9C, you don’t need root rights or third-party software. All the necessary tools are already built into the system and hidden in the special features menu or gesture settings. Proper configuration of these options will ensure stable interface operation and prevent possible failures in the future.
Device preparation and application compatibility check
Before you start actively configuring display modes, you need to make sure that your device is working correctly and has the current version of the firmware. MIUI is constantly updated, and new versions may change the algorithms for multitasking. It is recommended to go to the Settings → About phone menu and check for system updates, as this can eliminate bugs that prevent Split Screen from working normally.
It is important to understand that not every application can work in split mode, as it depends on the optimization of the code by the developer. Video hosting, navigators and some games often block the possibility of splitting the screen to ensure maximum performance or protect copyright. The user should know in advance which programs are guaranteed to work in pairs and which can cause the forced closure of one of the windows.
Which apps work exactly in split-screen mode?
There is also a memory limitation that can affect the stability of two heavy applications at once.The Redmi 9C is equipped with a MediaTek Helio G35 processor, which is energy efficient but not the most powerful in its class.Running two resource-intensive programs can lead to a slowdown or automatic unloading of background processes, so it is worth wisely approaching the choice of software combinations.
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For better split-screen performance, close out unnecessary background apps through the recent task menu before launching Split Screen.
Activate through the menu of recent tasks
The most common and intuitive way to enable split screen on the Xiaomi Redmi 9C is to use the recent task menu, which does not require deep immersion in the system settings and is available immediately after unpacking the device. The algorithm is simple, but has its own peculiarities depending on the type of navigation you use, buttons or gestures.
If you use classic navigation with three buttons at the bottom of the screen, you need to open the first application to activate the function, which will be located at the top of the screen. Then you should click the menu button for recent tasks (usually a square or three bars) and find the card of the running application in the list.
- 🔲 Select the option Split Screen from the context menu that appears.
When using gesture navigation, the process may be slightly different, because the context menu is called by a swipe, you open the application, swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger in the center of the screen to get into the menu of recent tasks, and then the actions are similar: the split icon on the application card and activate it.
☑️ Checking for Split Screen activation
Keep in mind that the split-screen proportions can be changed by dragging the dividing line between two windows, which allows you to make one application a priority, giving it most of the Redmi 9C display. However, the minimum window size is limited by the system, and compressing the application to a narrow strip will not work, as this will violate its functionality.
Using a sidebar for quick multitasking
The MIUI shell offers an alternative and more modern way to work with multiple windows through the sidebar (Sidebar), which allows you to run applications in a floating window or in split-screen mode literally in one touch, which greatly speeds up work. For owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 9C, this can become the main method of multitasking after addiction.
To take advantage of this feature, you first need to activate the panel itself in the settings. The path to settings can vary depending on the version of MIUI, but most often it is in the Settings → Special Features → Sidebar. Once the activation slider is turned on, a barely noticeable bar will appear on the side faces of the screen (left or right) calling the application menu.
⚠️ Attention: The sidebar may not be displayed in some applications, such as full-screen games or video players, to avoid interfering with immersion in content.
Once you activate the panel, you can add frequently used apps to it. When you are in any application, call the sidebar and click on the icon of the second application. The system will suggest you choose the display mode: floating window or split screen. The second option will automatically divide the Redmi 9C display into two equal or proportional parts.
The advantage of the sidebar is that you can quickly change app combinations without having to go back to the task menu every time you want. You can keep the chat, calculator and browser open, switching between them at the bottom of the panel, making the Redmi 9C a much more convenient tool for working with information.
Set up special features for extended management
For users who prefer the classic approach or have difficulty with gestures, MIUI provides a feature called Screen Split in the special features menu, which allows you to pin the mode switch button directly on the screen or activate the function with a combination of buttons, which may be more convenient in certain use cases.
To enable this option, follow the Settings → Additional Settings → Special Features → Screen Split. Here you will be asked to choose the activation method: through the side button, long pressing of the menu button or through the floating button on the screen. For Redmi 9C, the most optimal option is often to use a side button or key combination.
| Activation method | Description of action | Convenience |
|---|---|---|
| Side button | Single press of the power button (if configured) | High. |
| Long press. | Holding the button "Menu" or "Home" | Average. |
| Three fingers. | Swipe three fingers down the screen | High. |
| Floating button | Pressing the virtual button on the screen | Low (closes content) |
Using special features gives you more control over how exactly Split Screen starts, for example, you can set up a swipe three fingers down, the screen automatically splits into two parts with the last app used, which requires some muscle memory training, but greatly speeds up workflow.
If you notice that the screen is dividing on its own, check the sensitivity settings or turn off the extra triggers in the Xiaomi special features menu.
Controlling windows and changing proportions
Once you have successfully split the screen on Redmi 9C, you have to effectively manage the two active windows, and the central control is a dividing strip that can be horizontal (in portrait mode) or vertical (in landscape mode), and dragging that strip changes the area allocated to each application.
There are often additional control buttons at the top or bottom of the dividing strip (depending on orientation), one of which allows you to fold one of the applications into a floating window, and the other one allows you to completely close the separation and return to full-screen mode. There is also a seat exchange button available, which applies to me the upper and lower windows in places.
⚠️ Note: When changing the orientation of the device (turning the screen), applications may not scale correctly if they do not support automatic rotation.
Some users prefer to use the floating window mode instead of a strict split screen, in which case the second application opens in a small window over the first one, which can be moved throughout the Redmi 9C display. This is convenient when you only need to look at the information without interrupting the main process.
To exit the split screen mode, drag the separation line to the very edge of the screen or press the Home button. The system will automatically close one of the applications or roll them into the background, freeing up the resources of the Helio G35 processor for the current task.
Solution and troubleshooting
Despite the convenience of the feature, users of Xiaomi Redmi 9C can face a number of problems when using Split Screen. One of the frequent problems is the spontaneous closure of one of the applications.
Another common problem is that you can't activate split screens for a particular application, and as mentioned earlier, it's a developer-side limitation, but there's a hidden forced-on method available through the developer menu, although it doesn't guarantee stable performance.
- 🔍 App closes: Close unnecessary background processes and free up memory.
- 🚫 Inactive: The app does not support Split Screen or is blocked by system restrictions.
- 📉 Interface brakes: Reduce the number of widgets and animations in the developer settings.
If the split screen stopped working after the MIUI update, try resetting the launcher settings or clearing the system interface cache. Sometimes newer versions of the firmware may contain bugs that are patched in subsequent security patches.
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The stability of Split Screen on Redmi 9C depends on free RAM and optimization of the applications themselves.