How to enable split screen on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7

Smartphones are no longer just devices for calls, becoming powerful tools for work and entertainment. Owners of the popular Redmi Note 7 model often wonder how to effectively use a large display device to run multiple applications at the same time. The split-screen feature, also known as Split Screen, allows you to watch videos and chat in instant messengers or copy text from the browser directly into notes without unnecessary switching.

Activation of this mode on the MIUI shell may not seem obvious to a beginner, since it is hidden in specific navigation menus. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to start multi-window mode, adjust its behavior and solve typical errors that can occur during operation.

Not all apps support this technology, but most popular services such as YouTube, Telegram or Google Chrome work flawlessly in this mode. Understanding the principles of the window system will help you significantly improve the productivity of your gadget.

System preparation and compatibility check

Before you start setting up, make sure your smartphone software is up to date. Xiaomi developers are constantly improving the MIUI shell by adding new window management features and fixing bugs in older versions. Check for updates in the settings section, as that's where important stability patches often hide.

Itโ€™s important to understand that split-screen functionality requires certain RAM resources.The Redmi Note 7 features a Snapdragon 660 processor that does a great job of multitasking, but closing background apps before running heavy programs will help avoid slowing down.

โš ๏ธ Note: Some system applications, such as Calendar or Recorder, may not support split screen mode due to limitations set by shell developers.

It is also worthwhile to determine in advance which programs you plan to use in a pair, for example, the bundle of โ€œBrowser + Notesโ€ or โ€œVideo Player + Messengerโ€ is the most popular among users, make sure that both of the utilities you need are installed and have the latest versions from the official Google Play store.

The standard way to activate through the menu of recent applications

The most common and quick method of running a split screen on Xiaomi does not require a deep dive into the system settings. All the necessary actions are performed directly in the interface of switching running programs, this method is convenient for its intuitiveness and speed of access to the desired function at any time.

To start, open the app, which should be located at the top of the screen. Then swipe from the bottom up (or press the corresponding navigation button) to call the menu of running tasks. In the list of open windows, find the card of the desired application.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Press and hold your finger on the preview of the app until the pop-up context menu appears.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Select the option "Share split" (Icon with two rectangles).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ The screen will split in half, and at the bottom of the list of frequently used programs for selecting the second window will appear.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Tap the icon of the second app so it takes up the rest of the display.

Once you do this, you'll have two active windows that you can control independently, and you can move the boundary between them by changing the size of the workspace of each application as you want, which is especially useful when you need to focus on content in one window, leaving the second one as small as possible.

โ˜‘๏ธ Check before launching Split Screen

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Alternative methods of launching through settings and gestures

If the standard method doesn't work for you for some reason or you prefer gesture control, MIUI offers alternatives. These may be less obvious, but for power users, they provide faster access to multitasking features without having to climb the task menu every time.

One way is to use a side menu of tools, and by activating this feature in the settings, you get a floating bar from which you can drag and drop apps onto the screen, instantly running them in split mode. This requires pre-tuning, but saves time in the long run.

Another option is to use special gesture combinations if your firmware version supports customization of control, for example, a three-finger bottom-up gesture can be assigned to start the Split Screen function. Check the available options in the "Additional settings" section of your smartphone.

Activation methodDifficultySpeed of accessRequires customization
Task menuLow.MediumNo.
Side menuMediumTall.Yes.
Gestures (3 fingers)Tall.Very high.Yes.
A widget on the desktopMediumTall.Yes.

Each user chooses the most convenient way to interact with the interface, some people are familiar with the classic click, and some people can not imagine life without swipes. Experiment with different methods to find the perfect balance of speed and convenience.

๐Ÿ“Š What is the most convenient way to manage?
Navigation buttons
Gestures (swipes)
Side menu
Voice control

Set up window behavior and split management

Once the screen is split, you have a lot of customization options, and the boundary between the two windows is not static, you can move it up or down, changing the proportions of the content you display, and this is critical when one application requires more space to read or view.

To resize the windows, tap the central dividing strip and drag it in the right direction, you can make one full-screen window by completely hiding the second, or you can give both applications equal space, and the system remembers the last position, but resets it when you close the applications.

At the top of each window are control buttons, which allow you to roll the application into a floating window, close it or swap the windows, and the seat swap button instantly changes the top and bottom of the application, which is convenient for long periods of time.

  • ๐Ÿ”„ The โ€œShareโ€ button changes apps between the top and bottom of the screen.
  • โŒ The โ€œCloseโ€ button completely closes the application in this window.
  • ๐Ÿ”ฝ The โ€œSwipeโ€ button turns the window into a floating widget (if supported).

The keyboard will only appear for the application you are currently typing in, and switching between windows is done by simply touching the desired area, making the typing process quite comfortable.

Advanced opportunities for advanced users

For those who donโ€™t have the standard functionality, the MIUI shell hides a number of additional features, enabling developer mode allows access to more subtle window display settings and forced split-screen start-ups for applications that donโ€™t officially support it.

To activate the developer menu, go to Settings โ†’ About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times. Once the developer status notification appears, a new section will appear in the main settings.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Forced split-screen activation for incompatible applications may result in incorrect display of the interface or program crashes.

Another useful feature is the ability to create shortcuts for pairs of applications. Using third-party launchers or specialized widgets, you can create an icon that will run two selected applications simultaneously in Split Screen mode. This is ideal for working bundles, for example, Calculator + Tables.

ADB's Secret Teams
You can use a computer and USB debugging to make it even more advanced. The adb shell wm size command allows you to change the screen resolution on the fly, which can be useful for testing the layout of applications in split mode. However, this requires caution and basic knowledge of working with the command line.

Typical problems and ways to solve them

Despite the stability of the Redmi Note 7, users may encounter situations where the split screen is not working or is not working correctly, most often the problem lies in the incompatibility of a particular application or overflow of the deviceโ€™s RAM.

If an app closes immediately after trying to split the screen, try clearing its cache. To do this, go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ All apps, find the problem program, and select Clear Cache. This often solves interface freeze problems.

In the case when the dividing band does not appear or move, rebooting the device can help, and check if the Power Saving mode is turned on, which can limit background activity and multitasking to save battery life.

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Turn off the power saving mode to check the function.
  • ๐Ÿงน Clean up RAM through the built-in optimizer.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Make sure that both apps are updated to the latest version.

If none of the above has worked, a particular firmware version may contain a bug, so you should wait for the system update or consider installing a more stable version of MIUI through the official recovery menu.

๐Ÿ’ก

Use horizontal screen orientation to make it more comfortable with two windows if the applications support landscape mode, which is especially true for watching videos and working with documents.

Optimization of work in multi-window mode

Effective use of split-screen requires discipline and habit. Don't try to run too many processes at once, as this can lead to a decrease in overall responsiveness. Redmi Note 7 is powerful, but a reasonable allocation of resources will prolong its life.

Try to close applications that you no longer need in the background. This will not only free up RAM, but also reduce battery consumption. Regular cleaning of the list of running tasks will be a good habit for any smartphone owner.

Also, remember to heat the case with prolonged active operation of two applications, if you notice that the device is very hot, take a break or close heavy programs, this will help to avoid trotting the processor and performance drops at the most inopportune time.

๐Ÿ’ก

Competent management of background processes is the key to stable operation of the split screen mode on any Xiaomi devices.

Why canโ€™t all apps be shared?
App developers decide whether to support Split Screen. Some programs, especially banking or games, block this feature for security reasons or because of the interface, and you can only get around this limitation through the developer mode, but this does not guarantee stable operation.
Can I run three apps at the same time?
With standard MIUI on the Redmi Note 7, you can only split the screen into two parts, but using the Freeform feature, you can run a third application on top of a split screen, which creates the effect of three running programs, although technically two of them will be in split mode and the third will be on top.
How to get out of the split screen mode?
To exit the mode, it is enough to drag the dividing strip to the end in either direction, completely closing one of the windows. Alternatively, you can press the Home button or swipe to return to the desktop, which will close both applications or fold them depending on the navigation settings.
Does splitting the screen affect the battery?
Yes, two active applications simultaneously consume more power than one, the screen is fully functional, and the processor processes the data of the two programs, and it is recommended to monitor the level of charge when you are actively using multiwindow mode.