Multitasking in modern smartphones has become a necessity for comfortable use of the gadget. Picture-in-Picture (or PiP) allows you to watch videos, communicate via video link or monitor navigation while working with other applications. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often find that this option is disabled by default in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS, which requires manual intervention.
Enabling this mode does not require superuser rights or complex device flashing. Just activate a hidden system switch in the developer menu or use third-party utilities to control windows. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for activating the function, how it works in various applications and how to solve typical problems with the stability of a floating window.
Control of the size and position of the window may vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the modification of the MIUI interface. Understanding the principles of this tool will allow you to significantly improve the productivity of using a smartphone, turning it into a full-fledged working tool.
What is a PiP Mode and Why You Need It
Picture-in-Picture is the system’s ability to display Android content in a small floating window on top of other active programs. It’s not just a smaller copy of the screen, but a full-fledged interactive element that can play video, display video stream of a video call or display a navigation map. On Xiaomi devices, the implementation of this feature has its own peculiarities due to the deep customization of the interface.
The main advantage of the mode is that it can run tasks in parallel, so you can watch a training video while you are texting in the messenger, or follow the route map while checking your email. It is important to note that PiP system support has been built into Android since version 8.0, but manufacturers often block its activation for third-party applications in order to save resources.
The use of a floating window is especially important for owners of devices with large screens, where space allows you to comfortably accommodate several windows at once. However, even on compact models of Redmi or POCO, this feature is indispensable for quickly checking information without leaving the main stream of tasks.
- 📺 The ability to watch videos from YouTube, Twitch or online cinemas in the background.
- 🗺️ Using the navigator simultaneously with searching for information in the browser or notes.
- 💬 Video calls on WhatsApp, Telegram or Zoom while working with documents.
- ⚙️ Monitoring system processes or broadcasts from surveillance cameras in real time.
⚠️ Note: When using the PiP mode actively, the battery consumption can increase by 15-20% Due to the simultaneous operation of several active processes and the constant use of the screen.
Compatibility check and system version
Before you start activating hidden features, you need to make sure that your device is technically capable of supporting picture-in-picture mode. The basic requirement is the presence of an Android operating system 8.0 or higher. All modern Xiaomi smartphones released in recent years meet this criterion, but the software limitations of the MIUI shell may hide this possibility.
To check the version, go to the settings menu and find the About Phone section, which shows not only the MIUI or HyperOS version, but also the Android version. If you have a version below 8.0, standard methods to turn on the PiP will not work without flashing the device to a more up-to-date build. Owners of older models should consider installing custom firmware.
Also, some apps may not support this mode even if the system is configured correctly. Software developers decide whether to implement PiP support in their code. Popular services like YouTube, Google Maps, VLC and most instant messengers have full support, while older versions of programs can ignore system commands.
The stability of floating windows depends on the amount of free RAM. If a device runs a lot of heavy applications, the system can force the background processes, including PiP. It is recommended to close unnecessary tabs and applications before activating the mode to ensure smooth operation.
Activation through the Developer Menu
The most reliable and safe way to include a picture in the picture on Xiaomi is to use a hidden menu of engineering settings. This method does not require the installation of additional software and works on most current versions of firmware.
To do this, open the standard Settings app, go to About Phone and find the MIUI Version (or OS Version) bar. You need to quickly click on this line 7-10 times in a row until you notice that you have become a developer.
Inside the developer menu, you scroll down to the App section, and there's a switch called Always Activate PiP (or Force enable picture-in-picture) that forces all supported applications to use floating windows, ignoring some of the system's limitations.
☑️ Checklist of PiP activation
Once the switch is turned on, the changes take effect immediately. Reboot the device is not required, but to work properly, it is recommended to completely close and reopen the applications in which you plan to use the mode. If the switch is missing, perhaps your version of the MIUI shell has a changed menu structure, and then you should use alternative methods.
Use of third-party applications to manage windows
If the system settings don’t work, or the developer menu interface is too complicated, you can use specialized utilities from Google Play. Assistant apps like Floating Apps or PiPifier create an additional layer of window management, allowing you to run any video stream or web page in floating mode. These programs often have more flexible window size and transparency settings.
The way these tools work is by creating an overlay layer on top of the main interface, so you copy a link to a video or you select an application inside the utility, and it forms a separate window, which is especially useful for browsers that don't support native PiP, or for sites with video players that don't have backdoor protection.
But it’s worth keeping in mind that security is important: by allowing an application to display on top of other windows, you give it a high level of access to the system. Only use proven programs with a lot of positive feedback and open source. Regularly check the permissions given to such utilities in Xiaomi’s security settings.
- 📲 The ability to run in a floating window any web pages with video.
- 🎨 Flexible configuration of transparency, frames and position of the window on the screen.
- ⏹️ The function of folding the window into a mini-player to save space.
- 🔄 Multi-touch support inside a floating window for content management.
⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party launchers or window managers may conflict with system optimization of the battery MIUI, This will lead to faster battery discharge.
Configure specific applications (YouTube, Browsers)
Even with the system mode enabled, each application requires customization. In Google Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers, the function often works automatically when you fold the tab from the video. If this does not happen, check the site settings: sometimes you need to click on the full-screen button and then turn the browser to activate the PiP.
In the case of YouTube, the situation is more complicated: the official app often blocks background playback and picture mode for users without a Premium subscription. You can circumvent this restriction using a Firefox or Brave browser with installed ad blockers that can force PiPs on YouTube video player. Alternative clients such as YouTube ReVanced also have built-in support for this feature.
For instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, it’s usually enough to simply roll the app up during a video call. If the window doesn’t appear, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find the right messenger, select Additional, and make sure there’s a switch for picture mode in the picture. On some versions of MIUI, it can be disabled by default.
The secret of the work of PiP in the browser
It is important to keep an eye on app updates. Developers often change the logic of video players, and a feature that worked yesterday may require new settings today. Regular software updates via Google Play or GetApps ensure that the latest compatibility patches are received.
Problem solving and troubleshooting
Xiaomi users often face a situation where the PiP mode is turned on or the window immediately closes. The most common reason is the aggressive MIUI energy saving system, which “kills” background processes. To fix this, find the application in the list of running, click on the lock to lock in memory or in the battery settings select No restrictions mode.
Another problem is that there is no fold button or window display is incorrect (black screen, no sound). This may be due to a permission conflict. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Other permissions and make sure that the desired application activates Picture Mode in Picture. Without this permission, the system blocks the creation of a floating window.
If the problem persists after all the settings, try clearing the cache of a particular application or resetting it to factory settings. Sometimes the themes or system fonts that are changed by the user can cause conflict.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision-making |
|---|---|---|
| The window doesn't appear. | Disabled from the developer menu | Enable "Always activate the PiP" |
| Black screen in the window | Hardware acceleration | Disable acceleration in the application settings |
| Appendix is closing | MIUI Energy Conservation | Put "No Limits" in the Battery |
| No sound in the background. | Android sound settings | Check the mixer of the volume of applications |
💡
If the phone’s interface is slower after the PiP is turned on, try reducing the video quality to 720p or 480p to reduce the CPU load.
Optimization of work and useful tips
To make the picture mode in the picture mode comfortable on Xiaomi devices, it is recommended to adjust the control gestures. Learn to quickly change the size of the window with a double tap and move it to the corners of the screen in one move. This allows you to instantly free up the workspace for other tasks without having to stop playing.
Also worth paying attention to is the orientation of the screen. In portrait mode, the PiP window is usually fixed in size and position, whereas in landscape (horizontal) mode it may behave differently, taking up less usable area. Experiment with turning the device to find the most convenient format for your current task.
Keep in mind that multiple heavy applications can heat up your smartphone body at the same time. If you notice a high temperature rise, close out unnecessary background processes. PiP mode is a great tool, but it requires a smart approach to managing device resources.
💡
The main secret of stable operation of PiP on Xiaomi is a comprehensive setup: inclusion in the developer menu, removing battery restrictions and the correct permissions for each application.