How to split your screen into two windows on Xiaomi: a guide to multitasking

Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which are powered by MIUI and HyperOS shells, have powerful hardware that allows multiple tasks to be performed simultaneously. However, many users still don’t know that their device supports the native partitioning function of the display, turning the phone into a pocketable tablet. A split screen is not just a convenience, but a real productivity tool that allows you to text in a messenger while watching videos or working with documents.

Activating this mode can dramatically change your experience with your gadget. Instead of constantly switching between running applications, you get a full multitasking interface. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to activate split screen, customize windows and solve the typical problems faced by owners of Redmi and POCO.

It’s worth noting that the functionality may vary slightly depending on the version of the Android operating system and the specific firmware modification. However, the basic principles remain the same throughout the brand ecosystem. Understanding these nuances will allow you to maximize the use of resources of your device without the need to install third-party software.

What is a split screen mode and why is it needed?

Split Screen mode, often called Split Screen, allows the contents of two different apps to be displayed simultaneously on the same display plane.This is a fundamental feature of Android, which in the shells from Xiaomi has received additional improvements and flexible settings. The user can occupy the upper half of the screen with the browser, and the lower half with the keyboard or messenger.

The main purpose of this technology is to optimize time and attention, so you no longer have to turn the game down to respond to an urgent message, or shut down YouTube to find information in a search engine, and it creates the illusion of working on a full-fledged computer, where each window is independent and functional, and this is especially true for devices with a screen diagonal of 6.5 inches and above.

And it also allows you to manage resources flexibly, so you can adjust the size of each window, so you can have more space for video content and less for chat, or vice versa, and this adaptability makes it more comfortable to use your smartphone in any scenario, whether it's spreadsheet or entertainment.

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support split-screen operation. Some programs, especially banking or requiring constant focus (e.g., full-immersion games), may force full-screen deployment or close when you try to activate a split.

It's important to understand that running two active applications simultaneously consumes more RAM and battery power. If your device has a lot of background processes running, the system can automatically unload one of the windows to stabilize operation, so optimizing memory before starting heavy tasks will not be superfluous.

How to activate split screen through the menu of recent apps

The most common and intuitive way to run two windows at once is to use the recent app menu, which works on most Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO models regardless of the interface version, and you need to open the first app you plan to use, such as a browser or video player.

Once the application is running, swipe from the bottom up (or click the navigation button) to go to the menu of running tasks. Here you will see the cards of all open programs, find the card of the desired application and pay attention to the icon or name at the top of the card.

Press and hold your finger on the app name or on a special icon (often looks like two horizontal bars or a square with a split). You will see a context menu where you can choose the option Split screen or Split screen.

On the bottom half of the screen, you'll see a list of frequently used programs or a desktop. Select the second app that should be displayed at the bottom. The system will automatically distribute space, and you'll get two active windows. The boundary between them is usually equipped with a slider that allows you to change the proportions of the display.

If you use gesture navigation, the process may vary slightly depending on the system settings. Some versions of MIUI require you to swipe up from the bottom edge and hold your finger in the center of the screen to see the window control menu. Experiment with the duration of the tap to find a rhythm that is convenient for you.

Using sidebar and floating windows for quick navigation

HyperOS shell and modern versions of MIUI offer an alternative, more advanced way to work with multiple windows — through a sidebar or floating windows. This method is often faster, because it does not require access to the task menu.

To activate this tool, go to the system settings on the Settings path → Additional settings → Floating windows. You need to turn on the sidebar display here. You can configure which apps will be displayed in this panel by default, adding the most important tools to you.

When the panel is activated, just swipe from the edge of the screen at any time you use your smartphone. In the list that opens, select the app you want to use. It will run as a floating window over the current one. To turn this window into a second split screen, drag it to the top or bottom edge of the display before the appropriate system prompt appears.

• 📱 The floating window can be moved freely around the screen without interrupting the main application.
• 🔄 When dragging to the edge of the screen, the floating window automatically transforms into split screen mode.
• ⚙️ The size of the floating window is easily changed by stretching around corner markers.
• 🗑️ To close the window, it is enough to drag it to the bottom of the screen, where the removal zone will appear.

This approach is particularly convenient for short-term tasks: quickly respond to a message, check the exchange rate or like without leaving the main workflow.

⚠️ Note: On some models with narrow screens or low resolution, the sidebar function may be limited or work unstable with heavy graphics applications.

Set up proportions and control windows in MIUI and HyperOS

One of the key features of multitasking on Xiaomi smartphones is the flexibility to adjust the proportions. Unlike many competitors, where the screen is strictly divided by 50 by 50, here the user gets full control of the space, this is achieved thanks to a special slider-separator located between two active windows.

So what you do is you resize the windows, you tap the black or gray bar that separates the apps, and you move it up or down, and you can allocate 70 percent of the screen for video conferencing and you can leave 30 percent for the notebook, or you can make the windows equal, and you can remember the last proportions you used for each pair of applications, which speeds up subsequent launches.

In addition to manual control, you can find additional options in the interface settings, for example, in the Settings → Screen → Split screen mode (the path may vary), you can find window behavior parameters, and you can ask whether windows should close when you turn the device or fold one of them.

Control also includes the ability to swap applications, often by dragging one window across the dividing line to the place of another, although in recent versions of HyperOS this feature is implemented through the context menu with a long press on the window header, which allows you to quickly change priorities without closing programs.

One app is on the left side of the screen, the other is on the right side, and the proportions are adjustable, too, which is convenient when viewing documents or working with spreadsheets on a large monitor or tablet on the Xiaomi Pad.

Table of compatibility of functions on different versions of shells

Shared screen functionality has evolved with software updates, and here is a table showing the differences in how this feature is implemented across the Xiaomi ecosystem, which will help you understand what you can expect from your device.

As you can see from the table, with the release of HyperOS, the focus has shifted to integration with other devices. Now you can drag and drop windows between your phone and tablet if they are connected through a Xiaomi account. This opens up new horizons for those who use multiple gadgets of the brand at the same time.

Older versions of MIUI don’t need to be discouraged; the basic split-screen functionality remains unchanged and stable, and the main difference between the new versions is the ease of access and additional use cases, such as dragging text or images between windows, which may not work correctly on older versions.

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For the smoothest possible split screen on older smartphones, it is recommended to turn off window animation in the developer settings, which will speed up the system response when switching between applications.

Solution: Why Screen Split Doesn't Work

Despite the system's fine-tuning, users may encounter situations where the function is not activated or not working properly. Most often, the problem lies in the limitations of the application itself. Software developers decide whether to keep their product running in multi-window mode. If the application is not optimized, the system blocks separation to avoid display errors.

Another common reason is a lack of RAM: If there are many heavy processes in the background, Android can force one of the split screen windows to close, in which case it will help to clear the memory before starting the mode or close unused tabs in the browser.

It's also worth checking the special features settings. Sometimes disabled features or third-party launchers may conflict with system window management. Try temporarily disabling third-party shells or running your smartphone in safe mode for diagnosis.

• 🚫 The app does not support mode (frequent issue with banking apps and games).
• 📉 Lack of free RAM to run the second heavy process.
• ⚙️ Conflict with established design themes or third-party fonts.
• 🔄 Error in the system process "Recent", solved by restarting.

If none of these methods work, it is recommended to check for system updates. Xiaomi engineers regularly release patches that fix interface bugs. Go to Settings → About the phone and click on the system version to check the relevance of the software.

⚠️ Note: Using modified firmware versions or obtaining superuser rights (Root) may disrupt the normal split-screen functions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The split screen on Xiaomi is a powerful tool that turns a smartphone into a device for serious work, allowing you to combine any compatible applications into a single work environment.