MIUI FreeForm on Xiaomi: a complete guide to window mode

Multitasking is one of the key features that transforms a modern smartphone into a full-fledged handheld computer. Xiaomi users often look for a way to run multiple applications at the same time so as not to switch constantly between screens. That’s why MIUI and the new HyperOS have a FreeForm feature that allows you to open programs in floating windows on top of the main interface. It’s not just a picture-in-a-picture, but full-fledged interactive windows that you can control: resize, drag and fold.

However, despite the presence of a feature in the system, many smartphone owners do not know how to activate it, since standard gestures are not always obvious to the beginner. In some versions of the firmware, access to this mode is hidden in the depth of settings or is only available through special combinations of actions. Understanding how the FreeForm mechanism works in your version of MIUI will allow you to significantly speed up your work with the gadget. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of activation, configuration and solving typical floating window problems.

You will learn which models support advanced window management, how to avoid application conflicts and what hidden opportunities this mode opens for gamers and employees. ADB-So let's take a look at how to turn your screen into a desktop with a few active tasks.

What is FreeForm Mode and Why You Need It

FreeForm (or free form) is a technology that displays applications as separate, independently controlled windows. Unlike the standard split screen (Split Screen), where the display is divided exactly in half or in a given proportion, floating windows can be located anywhere on the screen, overlap each other and have an arbitrary size, this is especially true for owners of smartphones with large diagonals, where empty space when using one application can be used more efficiently.

The main purpose of implementing this feature in MIUI was to increase user productivity. Imagine you're watching a training video while chatting in a messenger, or playing strategy while keeping a calculator or browser open to find tips. Multitasking in this format works much more intuitively, because you don't lose the context of the main task by switching to a secondary one. The system allows you to run up to several such windows at the same time, although the performance of the device may limit their number to maintain smoothness.

⚠️ Attention: Active use of multiple floating windows at the same time can significantly increase battery consumption and processor heating, especially on mid-range models.

It’s important to understand the difference between Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode and full-fledged FreeForm. PiP mode is usually only for video players and maps, allowing you to see content in a small window, but not interact with it fully. The FreeForm window is essentially a running application in which you can type, press buttons and perform any actions available in full-screen mode. This feature requires sufficient RAM to work, since each open window consumes system resources.

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Use floating windows for secondary tasks (calculator, notes, music), leaving the main application to the full screen for focusing.

How to activate floating windows with standard methods

In most modern versions of the MIUI 12 shell, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the floating window activation function is built into the system, but may not be obvious. The standard method does not require third-party software installation or superuser rights. All actions are performed through a menu of recent applications or special gestures. However, the interface may vary slightly depending on the regional version of the firmware (Global, China, EEA) and the specific device model.

The first and most common way is to use the menu of running apps. When you swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger (or press the menu button), a list of recently used programs opens. At the top of the app card (or in the corner, depending on the version), a small icon appears, which often looks like two rectangles or the letter “P.” Clicking on it changes the display mode. If there is no such icon, try long-term pressing on the application preview in the list of recent tasks – the context menu that appears often features the option “floating window”.

The second activation method involves using the toolbar sidebar. This feature should be pre-enabled in the settings. Once activated, you can swipe the screenbar from the edge at any time (in games or while watching videos) and drag the icon of the desired application to the desktop. It will automatically open in FreeForm mode. This is the most convenient way for gamers who need to quickly respond to a message without leaving the game. To activate the sidebar, go to Settings → Special features → Sidebar and add the desired applications to the list.

There are also gesture manipulations that don’t work on all models, but it’s worth a try: launch the app, swipe from the bottom corner of the screen up and hold your finger. Some custom launchers or when using a stylus (such as the Xiaomi Smart Pen) have their own unique ways of calling windows, such as drawing a rectangle on a switched-off screen or double tapping.

Customization of control and window sizes

Once an application is running in floating window mode, a wide range of tools are available to the user to control its display. The FreeForm window interface usually has a characteristic control band at the top or floating buttons on the sides. Understanding the logic of how these elements work is critical for comfortable use. Without proper configuration, windows can overlap important interface elements or be too small to read text.

The main window controls include:

• 📐 Size change: Pull the lower right or left corner of the window to change its proportions. The window can be stretched almost to the entire screen or compressed to the size of a widget.
• 🖐 Move: Grab the top of the window (header) and drag it to any free area of the display.
• ➖ Curling: Pressing a special button (often looks like a dash or a down arrow) turns the window into a small floating bubble that can be moved to the edge of the screen so it doesn't interfere.
• ❌ Closing: The closing button is usually in the top corner, and you can also close the window by dragging it to the bottom of the screen where the delete zone will appear.

An important feature is that windows can stick to the edges of the screen. If you drag the FreeForm window to the left or right edge, it can automatically stretch to half the screen, simulating split-screen mode. This allows you to quickly switch between display formats without closing applications. In addition, the system allows you to keep the windows position for some applications, although after a smartphone reboot they most often close.

⚠️ Note: Not all applications are correctly displayed in FreeForm mode. Some programs may require mandatory screen orientation or full screen mode, ignoring the system command.

Application compatibility and system limitations

Despite the declared universality, the FreeForm mode has a number of technical limitations associated with the optimization of applications by developers. MIUI They try to run any application in the window, but the result can be unpredictable. 3D-Games, apps with a unique interface, or those that require constant focus (such as some banking clients or augmented reality apps) can be forced to turn full-screen or close when you try to run in a window.

Running two heavy applications at the same time (for example, the navigator and the game) can lead to interface friezes. The system itself regulates the operation of background processes, but if the amount of free RAM (RAM) is less than 2-3 GB, the stable operation of several FreeForm windows is questionable. On flagships with 8-12 GB of RAM, there are almost no such problems.

Below is a table of compatibility of application types with FreeForm mode:

If the app is not behaving properly in a floating window, try changing its orientation or updating it through the Google Play Store. Developers often add multi-window support in new versions.

Expanded capabilities through third-party utilities

For users who lack standard MIUI functionality, there are third-party solutions that extend window management capabilities. These launcher or helper apps can add features that Xiaomi defaults to hiding or implementing inconveniently.

One popular solution is to use applications like Floatify or custom modules for Magisk (if you have a bootloader unlocked), which allow you to force applications to run in FreeForm mode even if the system thinks they do not support it, and there are launchers that completely replace the standard multitasking menu with a more advanced, desktop-like one.

Another method is the use of ADB-It's a safer way than installing launchers, because it doesn't require changing system files, it just changes configuration settings. USB And you can type in a command that activates Forced Windows for all applications. The example of a command might look like changing the value in secure settings, but the specific commands depend on the version of Android.

It is worth noting that with the release of HyperOS Xiaomi began to more strictly control the operation of third-party overlays, so the effectiveness of such methods may decrease with each security update. MIUI 11-13 This method remains very relevant.

Solution: Windows do not open or disappear

Users often experience a feature that stops working: windows don’t open, shut spontaneously, or the app crashes when trying to roll it, most often because of Xiaomi’s aggressive energy saving system, which can force the background processes, such as the rolled-up FreeForm window, to save battery power.

To fix this, you need to configure exceptions for important applications. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Monitoring application activity. Find the right application (like Telegram or YouTube) and set the “No Limits” mode, which will prevent the system from “killing” the process, even if the window is rolled up into a small bubble.

Another common problem is the Game Turbo conflict, and if you try to run a floating window on top of the game and the Game Turbo blocks this action, check the settings of the game accelerator. Sometimes it helps to clear the cache of a system or a particular application that is not behaving correctly. Also make sure that the device has the option of "Memory Extension" (if available), although in some cases, turning it off, on the contrary, stabilizes the interface.

⚠️ Note: If the feature stopped working after the firmware update, Xiaomi may have temporarily disabled it for your model due to bugs.

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The main reason for the windows to disappear is aggressive energy saving, and setting the "No Limits" status for an application solves 90 percent of the problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)