How to get out of the split screen mode on Xiaomi

Using Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often turns into a multitasking marathon where users simultaneously communicate in messengers and watch videos. However, sometimes the activation of the split screen function happens accidentally or the interface stops responding to standard actions, in which case the user is locked in a narrow display space, unable to return to full control.

There are several proven methods that allow you to forcibly or permanently close an application in Split Screen mode. The choice of the specific method depends on the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, as well as on the current responsiveness of the touch screen. Below we will discuss in detail the algorithms of actions for various scenarios.

Most of the time, a simple swipe will solve the problem, but if the system is stuck, more radical measures will be needed, and it is important to understand the difference between a regular exit and a forced shutdown of processes so that you do not lose unsaved data in other open programs.

Staff exit through the window control menu

The easiest and safest way to get back to the normal interface is to use the built-in split-screen control menu, and when you activate Split Screen in the middle of the screen, splitting the two apps, you have a special bar or bar, which is the key to controlling the windows.

Click on this central dividing line. In the menu that opens, you'll see some icons, including a cross or a "Close" button, and clicking on the cross at the top or bottom (depending on orientation) will close only one app, returning the second to the full screen.

⚠️ Attention: If you click on the "Switch" button, the apps will simply swap positions, but the split screen mode will remain.

An alternative method in newer versions of HyperOS involves a long press on the dividing line, which can cause an additional context menu, where the option “Out of Split Mode” is available, which is especially useful if the control buttons are hidden or small.

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If the buttons on the dividing line don’t press, try first to fold one of the apps into a floating window and then close it.

Once one of the windows is closed, the system will automatically stretch the remaining application over the entire display area. If this does not happen, try to fold the application into the background and open it again from the menu of running tasks.

Use of gestures and navigation panel

Windows control in MIUI is closely related to the navigation system you choose. If you use gestures, the swipe can swipe from the bottom up, but in Split Screen mode, this gesture is often interpreted by the system as a switch command between windows rather than an exit.

To force the closing, try swiping from the bottom edge of the screen upwards and holding your finger at the middle point, which will open the menu of running apps where you can find the "Close All" button or the crosses on the window preview. Removing the preview of one of the applications in split mode often leads to the interface collapse.

• 📱 Swipe from bottom to top with a delay opens the task menu.
• ❌ Clicking the cross preview closes the application.
• ↔️ Swipe sideways down the bottom lane switches apps.
• ⬇️ A swipe down from the top edge can cause notification curtains to overlap the screen.

With the classic navigation bar (three buttons at the bottom), the situation is simplified: the Home button (center) usually folds the active window, and the Menu button (square or three bars) allows you to control running processes. Double pressing the Menu button sometimes forcibly closes the active application.

If standard gestures are ignored, you can try a custom swipe from the corner of the screen to the center. In some MIUI builds, this action causes a sidebar of tools, where you can also control active windows.

Forced closure through Task Manager

When the interface stops responding to touches in the separation area, you need to use the Task Manager, which is a system tool that allows you to control processes at the shell level. To call the task menu, swipe from the bottom up (or press the menu button) and hold your finger.

In the list that opens, find the preview of the app that is in split mode. Usually in Split Screen mode, previews may be displayed outside the box, but they are still present in the list. Click on the cross or swipe the preview to close.

⚠️ Warning: Closing system processes through Task Manager may cause the Launcher interface to reboot. Don't be alarmed if the screen blinks - this is a normal system reaction.

There is also a "memory cleanup" method, and Task Manager often has a "clean" button (usually in the form of a broomstick or cross at the top) that closes all background applications, and if one of them is in split mode, the mode deactivates automatically.

Once the tasks are cleaned, the system will return to the desktop, and if the problem was that the application was hanging, this method is the most effective solution.

Special features settings and font size

Sometimes it is difficult to exit the split-screen mode of Xiaomi due to the display settings. If the font or interface scale is increased, the window control buttons can “go” outside the visible area or overlap with each other, in which case temporary change of display parameters helps.

Go to the Settings menu → Screen. → Text size and display. Try zooming down or choosing a standard font size. This action redraws the interface, and split-screen control buttons can be tapped.

Also worth checking is the settings of special features. In Settings → Advanced Settings → Special features can be activated functions that conflict with window management. For example, Screen zooming or Color Inversion sometimes block touch events in certain areas.

After changing the settings, remember to return them to the original values if you used this method only to exit the freeze mode. Constant operation with the resized scale can lead to incorrect display of other applications.

Rebooting the device as a radical method

If none of the software methods work and the Xiaomi phone continues to be in split-screen mode, ignoring all commands, the last reliable option is to reboot.

For a normal reboot, press the power button on the side of the device. In the menu that appears, select "Switch off" or "Reset." If the screen does not respond to touch, try pressing the power button 10-15 seconds before the vibration and the Mi or Redmi logo appears.

⚠️ Warning: Hard Reset buttons will not delete your data, but any unsaved progress in open applications will be lost.

In the rare cases where the touchscreen doesn't work completely in this mode, you can use a key combination, press the power button and the volume button for 10 seconds at the same time, and this will cause a forced restart of the system.

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Reboot is not a sign of failure, but a regular mechanism for restoring the system’s operability when the interface program fails.

Once turned on, the phone will start as normal, without active splitting of the screen, and all applications will be closed, which guarantees a way out of any freeze state.

Disabling the screen split function in the settings

To avoid accidental activation of split-screen mode in the future, you can change the settings of the function itself. In the MIUI and HyperOS shell, you can adjust the sensitivity or how to activate this option.

Go to Settings → Special Features → Split screen. Here you can see the activation settings. In some versions of the firmware, you can turn off activation by long pressing the menu button or by swiping in the task menu.

• 🚫 Disabling swipe activation prevents accidental start-up.
• ⏱️ Increasing the time of long pressing makes activation more difficult.
• 📲 Limiting the list of applications for Split Screen.
• 🔄 Resetting special features settings to factory.

Also worth paying attention to specific apps. Not all programs support split mode correctly. If the problem only occurs with a particular app (like Instagram or YouTube), try updating it through Google Play or GetApps.

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Use the floating windows feature instead of splitting the screen, which is more flexible and less likely to cause interface freezes on Xiaomi smartphones.

If the problem is systemic and repeats frequently after updates, it may be worth considering resetting the system to factory settings, but this is an extreme measure requiring prior data backup.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)