Xiaomi Tabs: A Complete Guide to Functionality and Setup

If you own a TV, you own a Mi TV. TV or Xiaomi smartphone with a branded shell MIUI, You may have heard of tabs, but you don't always know what they are or why they're needed, and they're actually one of the key interface elements that makes it easier to multitask and access content. In this article, we will analyze in detail what are the tabs in the Xiaomi ecosystem, where they hide, how to open, close and customize them to your needs.

Xiaomi’s tab concept is different from standard Android or iOS, and it’s closely integrated with branded services from Mi Home to PatchWall, for example, on TVs, tabs allow you to quickly switch between apps, games and even signal sources (HDMI, USB), And on smartphones, they help you manage open windows in your browser or partitions in your browser. MIUI. But there are nuances: not all models support the same functionality, and some tabs are hidden by default.

We have gathered all the relevant information on 2026 year, including changes since the last updates MIUI 14/15 PatchWall 5.0. You'll find out how:

What are tabs in the Xiaomi ecosystem

The term tabs in Xiaomi devices refers to virtual windows or sessions that allow the user to quickly switch between different tasks without losing data.

• 📺 On Mi TVs. TV/Redmi Smart TV: tabs work like “desktops” – you can open Netflix in one tab, YouTube in the second, and the game in the third, switching between them with a button on the remote.
• 📱 On smartphones. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO: tabs appear in the Mi Browser browser, file manager and some system applications (for example, in Settings). → Annexes).
• 🏠 In the Mi Home app, tabs are used to control different smart devices (lighting, climate, security) in one window.

The main difference from standard "windows" in Android - Xiaomi tabs often remain state even after rebooting the device. TV in the tab and turned off the TV, the next time the session is turned on, the session will be restored from the same moment.

However, there are limitations:

• 🔋 On TVs, the number of simultaneously open tabs depends on the amount of RAM (on models with 1 GB of RAM - up to 3 tabs, with 2).+ Up to 5 GB).
• 🔄 On smartphones, tabs in the browser automatically close after 3 days without activity (setting changes in Mi Browser). → Settings → Additionally).

Where to find tabs on Xiaomi TVs

On Xiaomi TVs, tabs are implemented through the Multitasking feature, which is available on all PatchWall models (starting with Mi). TV 4A 2018) To open the tab list:

1. Press the Home button on the remote (home).
2. Hold the Back button for 2 seconds and a panel with open tabs will appear.
3. Or press Menu. → Multitasking (some remotes have a separate button with an icon of two squares).

In the window that opens, you will see:

• 📌 Fixed tabs (if configured) – remain even after rebooting.
• 🖥️ Active apps – Netflix, Prime Video, games, etc.
• 🔌 Signal sources — HDMI, USB, TV-tune (if used).

To switch between tabs, use buttons. ←/→ on the remote and select the desired key OK. You can close the tab by highlighting it and clicking Back (or Menu). → Close it).

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If the Multitasking button doesn't work, upgrade the TV firmware to the latest version. TV 3S) This function may not be available.

How to use tabs on Xiaomi smartphones

On Xiaomi smartphones, tabs appear in three main scenarios:

1. In the Mi Browser: work like Chrome - swipe down on any page opens a list of tabs. The maximum number is up to 99 pieces (but if you exceed 20, lags begin).

To manage tabs in Mi Browser:

• 🔍 Open a new tab: tap on the icon "+" top-right.
• 🔄 Switch: swipe left/right on the address bar or tap on the square with a number (number of open tabs).
• 🗑️ Close everything: in the tab menu click "⋮" → "Close all tabs".

On smartphones with MIUI 14+ The function of grouping tabs by topic (for example, "Work", "Personal") was created:

Settings → Additional settings → Laboratory → Tab grouping

Hidden Tab Functions You Didn't Know About

Tabs in Xiaomi devices have several non-obvious features that are rarely mentioned in official instructions:

One of the most useful hidden features is the prioritization of tabs. TV Q2/Q1E You can give applications priority so that they don't close when there's a memory shortage:

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → Memory management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube).
3. Activate the "Protect from Closing" option.

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On Xiaomi TVs, video tabs (Netflix, YouTube) consume up to 30% less resources in the background than when closed and reopened.

Frequent tab problems and how to solve them

Despite the convenience, users often encounter tabbed bugs, and here are the most common errors and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Warning: If tabs on Xiaomi TV suddenly disappear after the update, reset PatchWall cache via Settings → Annexes → PatchWall → Warehouse → Clear the cache. It'll bring back standard behavior without losing data.

Problem 1: Tabs in the Mi Browser browser spontaneously close.

• 🔧 Solution: Disable Browser Battery Optimization in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Find Mi Browser and select "No Limitations".

Problem 2: The multitasking panel does not open on the TV.

• 🔧 Solution 1: Check if the Back button on the remote is broken (try another remote).
• 🔧 Solution 2: Update the firmware through Settings → On TV. → Updating the system.
• 🔧 Solution 3: Reset the remote settings: pinch Home + Back to 10 seconds.

Problem 3: Mi Home tabs are not updated (e.g., smart lamp status).

• 🔧 Solution: Reconnect the device to the application: Profile → Settings → Devices → Select a lamp → ⋮ → Delete, then add again.

Check firmware updates

Clear the app's cache

Reset the device

Check free memory (minimum 500 MB)

Reset the remote settings (for TV)-->

How to set tabs for yourself: advanced tips

The standard tab settings in Xiaomi are limited, but there are ways to customize their behavior:

1. Change in the number of simultaneously open tabs:

• 📱 On your smartphone: Use ADB-Mi Browser: Adb shell settings put global browser_max_tabs 50 (default — 20).
• 📺 On TV: Install Developer Options app via Settings → On TV. → Build number (tap 7 times), then in Settings → For developers, enable "Do not limit background processes".

2. Frequently used tabs are fixed:

• On TV: Open the Multitasking Panel → highlight → press Menu → Secure.
• In Mi Browser: Open the tab → Slip on the pin icon in the upper right corner.

3. synchronization of tabs between devices:

To make tabs from the TV appear on the smartphone (and vice versa):

1. Make sure that both devices are linked to the same Mi Account.
2. On TV: Settings → Account. → Synchronization of data → Turn on.
3. On a smartphone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Synchronization → Tabs.

⚠️ Note: Tab sync only works for branded apps (Mi Browser, Mi Video). For third-party apps (e.g. Chrome), use the built-in features of those apps.

Comparison of Xiaomi tabs with analogues from other brands

Xiaomi’s tab functionality has both advantages and disadvantages compared to its competitors, and here are the key differences:

Xiaomi’s unique feature is tab support in the Mi Home app for managing a smart home. neither Samsung SmartThings nor Samsung SmartThings. LG ThinQ doesn’t offer a similar tab-sized interface by room or device type.

However, Xiaomi has some weaknesses:

• 🐢 Slow switching between tabs on TVs with 1GB of RAM.
• 🔒 Lack of support for third-party browsers (e.g. Chrome) in the synchronization system.
• 📵 On smartphones, tabs in the file manager often "forget" file sorting.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions