Multitasking in a modern smartphone is no longer just a convenient option, becoming a necessity for many users. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often wonder how to effectively use the space of a large display to work with two applications at the same time. The split screen feature allows you to watch videos and chat in the messenger or copy text from the browser into notes without unnecessary switching.
Despite the popularity of this technology, the interface of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS does not always offer intuitive access to this feature out of the box. Sometimes the desired option is hidden in the depth of the menu, and in some cases, activation through special codes or third-party utilities is required. Understanding how Split Screen works on your model will significantly improve the productivity of your gadget.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to activate the two-window mode. We will look at the standard methods for different versions of firmware, discuss the nuances of working with applications and solve the typical problems that users face when trying to split the screen in half.
Staff activation methods through the menu of recent applications
The most common and logical way to run two applications at once is to use the task menu. In the classic MIUI shell, this process is implemented through swipes, but depending on the version of Android and regional firmware (Global, China, EEA), the algorithm of actions can vary slightly.
To activate the function, you need to open the menu of recent applications, usually swipe from the bottom up with a delay or press of the corresponding navigation button. Find the card of the first application you want to use and pull it down (or up, depending on the navigation settings). If the function is available, you will see an icon resembling two rectangles or the inscription "Share Screen".
⚠️ Note: If nothing happens when swiping on the application card, it is possible that the system settings have disabled support for split-screen gestures or this application is not optimized for Split Screen mode.
After successfully activating the first window, the system will prompt you to select a second application from a list of frequently used programs or a full list of installed programs. The screen resolution will automatically redistribute between the two active windows, allowing them to work in parallel.
It is worth noting that in some versions of HyperOS, the logic of the work has been changed. Now it may take a long time to click on the application icon in the menu or use a special widget on the desktop to run the mode. It is important to check the current settings in the Settings → Additional Features → Split screen.
Use of side panel and floating windows
An alternative to classic splitting is the use of a sidebar of tools, which in the Xiaomi ecosystem is often called the "Sidebar" or "floating windows", which is especially convenient when you need to quickly access a calculator, voice recorder or messenger without interrupting the main lesson.
To use this method, you first need to activate the panel itself in the settings. Go to Settings → Additional features → Sidebar and turn on the switch. Here you can select the applications that will appear in the Quick Access list.
- 📱 Open the application you are working on and call the sidebar swipe from the edge of the screen.
- 📱 Select the second app from the list; it will open as a floating window over the main app.
- 📱 Stretching the floating window over the entire half of the screen if you need a full split mode.
The advantage of this approach is flexibility: you can move a floating window, change its size or fold it into an icon, which is impossible to do in hard Split Screen mode, which makes it ideal for watching videos on YouTube or Netflix in parallel with correspondence.
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Use floating windows for a calculator or translator – this saves time and doesn’t require a full display separation, leaving more space for the main content.
It is important to understand the difference between a floating window and a split screen: in the first case, one application dominates and the second is on top. In the second case, the screen is divided strictly in half (or in the proportion given by the user), and both applications are equal. For some tasks, such as comparing the characteristics of products in different browser tabs, it is preferable to rigid separation.
Hidden settings and codes for activating the function
Sometimes, standard methods to enable split screen fail, especially on older models or in specific regions, and in these cases, hidden customization menus and special codes come to the rescue, which open up access to advanced Android functionality.
One of the most effective ways is to use code to activate forced split screens. To do this, open the Phone app and type the combination ##4636##. In the testing menu that opens, select Usage statistics or Settings, where the Force Activities to be Resizable switch can be located.
What if the code doesn't work?
Also, look for the developer settings. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and quickly click 7-10 times until you say you’ve become a developer. Then, in the extended menu, look for the Developer section.
Inside this section, find Force activities to be resizable, which causes the system to try to run split-screen applications that don't officially support the feature, and it's mandatory to restart the device after making the changes.
Third-party split-screen applications
If the built-in features don’t suit you or don’t work properly, you can always turn to third-party developers. There are many utilities on the Google Play store that emulate or improve the split-screen functionality, adding new gestures and customization capabilities.
One popular solution is Split Screen Shortcut, which creates a desktop widget that allows you to run two selected applications in single-tap split mode, eliminating the need to manually adjust windows every time you go through the recent task menu.
- 🚀 Split Screen Launcher – allows you to create shortcuts for pairs of applications, running them simultaneously in split mode.
- 🚀 Floating Apps is an advanced tool for creating many floating windows, calculators, browsers and notes on top of any interface.
Using third-party software has its own risks: applications require broad permissions, including the right to “over other windows” and access to usage history, and installing applications from unknown sources or dubious builds can lead to personal data leakage or unstable system operation.
In addition, third-party solutions can consume more battery and RAM resources than the native MIUI function. Before installing, read reviews carefully and check the access rights that the program requests.
Interface configuration and window management
After activating the split screen mode, the user is faced with the task of comfortable management of two windows. Xiaomi interface provides several tools to adjust the appearance and behavior of windows, which makes the work more convenient.
There's a dividing strip between the two active windows, and by dragging it, you can change the proportions of the display, make one window bigger than the other, or split the screen exactly in half, and in some versions of the shell, you can save the preferred proportions for certain pairs of applications.
For more fine-tuning, go to Settings → Additional Features → Split screen.
- 🔹 Enable or disable the Quick Start button in the menu of recent apps.
- 🔹 Adjust the behavior when you roll one of the windows.
- 🔹 Manage the list of applications that support this mode.
☑️ Checking the split screen settings
Windows are also controlled through system gestures, such as swiping from the bottom edge of the screen upwards can turn the bottom window, and long pressing on the dividing strip sometimes triggers a menu of additional actions. Experiment with gestures to find the most convenient style of work for you.
Compatibility and support table of functions
Not all apps perform equally well in split-screen mode. Some programs, especially video players and games, can be forced to turn full-screen or shut down when you try to split. Below is a table showing the typical behavior of different categories of applications on Xiaomi devices.
| Category of annex | Split Screen Support | Features of work | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social networks (Telegram, WhatsApp) | Complete. | Stable operation, support for notifications | Perfect for correspondence. |
| Video services (YouTube, Netflix) | Partial | They may be black or require a subscription. | Use a floating window |
| Games (PUBG, CoD Mobile) | Absent. | Forced exit or stretching | Not recommended |
| Browser (Chrome, Mi Browser) | Complete. | Convenient for data comparison | Good for you. |
Support for features depends not only on the category of the app, but also on the version of the app. Developers regularly update their products, adding optimization for large screens and multitasking modes.
⚠️ Note: Bank applications may experience security issues when working with split-screen banking applications, and some banks block their applications if they are not running on the full screen, considering this a potential threat.
Solving Typical Problems and Errors
Despite the system’s debugging, users may encounter various errors when using a separate screen, most often due to a lack of RAM or software conflicts of specific versions of applications.
If the screen flashes, applications fly out or the device starts to work slowly, try to close the background processes. On devices with less than 4 GB of RAM, running two "heavy" applications simultaneously can be difficult for the processor.
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The main reason for the unstable operation of Split Screen is a lack of RAM (RAM). Close unnecessary tabs and background applications before starting the split mode.
If the feature is missing from the menu completely, check for system updates. Often interface bugs are fixed in security patches or minor MIUI updates. You can also try resetting the settings of assistant applications or clearing the system interface cache.
If the problem persists, it makes sense to check whether the “Energy Savings” or “Ultra-Savings” mode is turned on, which often restrict background activity and multitasking to extend battery life.