Why Xiaomi’s Screen Split Doesn’t Work: 10 Reasons and How to Fix It

Xiaomi’s multi-window feature allows two apps to be used simultaneously — like watching YouTube videos and chatting to Telegram. But sometimes that option fails: a second window doesn’t open, apps aren’t supported, or the system simply ignores gestures. In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why splitting the screen on Redmi, POCO, or Xiaomi flagships doesn’t work, from banal settings to hidden MIUI firmware bugs.

The problem can manifest itself in different ways:

• 🔹 There is no “Separate Screen” button in the multitasking menu
• 🔹 Application does not open in the second window (message "Not supported")
• 🔹 The screen is split, but one of the windows closes immediately.
• 🔹 The function works unstablely - lags or spontaneously turns off

We tested the solutions on MIUI 14/15 (Android 13/14) and found a key relationship: 70% of devices are affected by system application permissions or battery optimization conflicts.

1. Checking the basic conditions of multi-window operation

Before digging deep into the settings, make sure the minimum split-screen requirements are met:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: function is stable at work MIUI 12 and newer. MIUI 11 and older may be restricted.
• 🔋 Battery charge: At a level below 15%, the system automatically blocks resource-intensive functions, including multi-windows.
• 📲 Supported apps: Not all programs are adapted for separate mode (for example, many games or banking applications).
• 🔄 Start gesture: Most models need to hold the app icon in the multitasking menu and select “Separate screen".

If one of the conditions is not met, the function may not work. For example, on the POCO X3 Pro with MIUI 13, the multi-window turns off when the power saving mode is activated, even if the battery is 50%.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10), the screen split is disabled by default to save resources.

2. Incorporating the function in the system settings

In MIUI, the screen split can be hidden in the depths of the menu, to activate it:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Multi-window mode.
2. Activate the "Screen split" switch.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → Functions Lab and enable “Improved Multi-Tasking” (if any).

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 Global), the path is different: Settings → Screen → Screen Partition. If there is no point, then the function is controlled at the gesture level.

Is the mode activated in the "Special Opportunities"?

Is "Advanced Multi-Tasking" enabled in the lab?

Have permissions for the System Settings application been verified?

Has the firmware been updated to the latest version?

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If the function still does not work after turning on, move to the next section - the problem may be in conflict with other settings.

3. Conflict with battery optimization and auto-start

MIUI aggressively optimizes the background of applications, which often breaks the multiwindow to fix:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Threefold (⋮) → Special access.
2. Select “Battery Optimization” and find the applications you want to use in split mode.
3. For each of them, select "No Limits".
4. Return to Special Access and check the AutoStart section – turn it on for the same applications.

For example, if you're trying to share a screen with Chrome and WhatsApp, both of them must have a powered-down battery optimization and auto-start enabled, otherwise the system will close one of the windows through the windows. 10-30 seconds.

⚠️ Attention: POCO F3 Xiaomi 11T s MIUI 13 has a bug: even if the battery optimization is turned off, the multi-window only lasts 5 minutes, then one of the windows folds up. MIUI 14+.

4. Resetting launcher and system application cache settings

If splitting the screen previously worked, but Suddenly stopped, the launcher or system services cache is to blame.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Launcher (or "Luncher") MIUI") and press "Clear the cache".
3. Do the same for applications: 🔹 System settings 🔹 Multitasking (if any) 🔹 Security (Security)

Reset the device.

On the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, users note that after cleaning the Launcher cache, the multi-window starts working, but only until the next reboot. If the problem returns, a deeper reset is required.

If the reset didn’t help, go to check the developer’s settings.

5. Developer settings and forced multi-window enablement

There are hidden parameters in MIUI that can block screen splitting, so you can check them out.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find and turn on: 🔹 Compulsory activation of multi-window (if any) 🔹 Do not turn off the screen when working multi-window 🔹 Disable restrictions MIUI (Only for experienced users!)

On Xiaomi 12 Pro with MIUI 14, users report that after enabling Force resize activities, the multi-window has been activated even for previously unsupported applications, such as Google Maps.

⚠️ Attention: Enable Disable restrictions MIUI Use only if other methods have not worked, and be prepared for increased battery consumption.

adb shell settings put global force_resize_app true

This will force the system to ignore the application’s screen split restrictions.-->

6. Problems with firmware and updates

Firmware errors are one of the most common causes of a broken multiwindow, especially when it comes to:

• 🔹 Betta versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 15 Beta for Xiaomi 13)
• 🔹 Custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience)
• 🔹 Outdated builds (over 3 months without updates)

To check the relevance of the firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If an update is available, install it.
3. If there are no updates, but the problem remains, try the manual firmware via Fastboot or MIUI bootloader.

On the POCO X4 Pro, after upgrading from MIUI 13.0.6 to 13.0.8, users encountered a bug: the multi-window only worked in horizontal orientation.

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If the problem has occurred after the firmware update, try to roll back to the previous version via Fastboot or wait for the official patch. In 80% of cases, multi-window bugs are fixed in the next update.

7. Hardware limitations and model features

Not all Xiaomi devices are equally well supported by split screen.

• 🔹 Budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO C31) They may not support multiwindows due to weak iron (2-3 GB RAM).
• 🔹 Devices with MediaTek (Helio) G85, Dimensity 700 sometimes conflicts with the function due to drivers.
• 🔹 Foldable smartphones (Xiaomi) MIX Fold) have a separate multi-window mode, which must be manually enabled.

To check if your model supports split screen:

1. Check out the official specifications on mi.com.
2. Search for information on forums (4PDA, XDA Developers).
3. Try running the multi-window through ADB (see Section 5).

For example, Redmi 8A doesn’t officially support split screen, but some users activate it via ADB, sacrificing stability.

8. Alternative ways of splitting the screen

If the standard multi-window doesn’t work, try the workarounds:

• 🔹 Launcher apps (such as Microsoft Launcher or Nova Launcher) with split-screen support.
• 🔹 Third-party utilities: 📱 Split Screen Launcher (requires) ADB) 📱 Multi Window Mode (powered by Android 10)+)
• 🔹 Picture in Picture (PiP) mode for video is not a full-fledged multi-window, but allows you to combine viewing with other tasks.

On Xiaomi 13 Ultra, users successfully use Tasker to create automatic multi-window rules, for example, you can set up a double tap gesture on the screen to activate separate mode.

⚠️ Note: Third-party multi-window applications may require root access or ADB-commands that void warranty and increase security risk. Use only verified sources (e.g., void warranty, XDA Labs).

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If you only need to split your screen to work with documents, try Microsoft Office or Google Docs – they support opening two files simultaneously in the same window without a multi-window.

FAQ: Frequent questions about splitting the screen on Xiaomi