How to run 2 apps on one Xiaomi screen at the same time: all the ways

Multitasking on Xiaomi smartphones is no longer a luxury, a necessity for those who are used to working with several tasks at once. Split screen (or multi-window) mode allows you to run two applications in parallel: for example, watch videos on YouTube and chat to Telegram at the same time, or copy data from one document to another, but not all users know how to properly activate this feature on their devices.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to turn on multi-window on Xiaomi, Redmi, Poco and Black Shark smartphones running MIUI 12, 13 and 14. You will learn which models support this feature, how to configure the display of applications and what to do if split-screen mode does not work, and secret chips that are not written in the official instructions.

What Xiaomi smartphones support multi-window mode

The split screen feature is available on most modern Xiaomi devices, but there are nuances. First, it depends on the version of the MIUI firmware: in older versions (below 12), multi-windows may be missing or unstable. Second, on low-cost models with low RAM (2 GB or 3 GB), the mode can be limited or disabled by default.

Here is a list of the lines where the function works:

• 📱 Flagship series: Xiaomi 12/13/14, Mi 11, Mix 4/Fold
• 🔥 Gaming smartphones: Black Shark 5/6, Poco F4/F5 GT
• 💰 Mid-segment: Redmi Note 11/12 Pro, Poco X5/X6, Xiaomi Civi
• ⚠️ Budget models: Redmi 10A/12C — here, the multi-window may be missing or require manual activation through the developer.

If your model is not on this list, don’t be too upset. In the next section, we’ll show you how to check for support for a feature on your device — even if it’s hidden in your settings.

How to check if your Xiaomi supports split screen mode

Before you try to turn on a multi-window, make sure your device supports it, and you can do this in two ways:

1. Through system settings, go to Settings → Special Options → Split screen mode. If no point, the function is either disabled or not supported.
2. Through gestures: Open any app, then swipe from the bottom up and hold it, a menu of recent apps should appear "🞃" (Two squares – multi-window supported.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 Global), the function may be hidden, in which case activation via developer mode will help:

Tap 7 times on the build number in Settings → About phone |

Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers |

Find the item Enable the free form of the multi-window and activate it |

Reset the device-->

Important: on some models (for example, Redmi 9A or Poco M3), even after activation of the developer mode, the multiwindow may not appear due to hardware limitations, in which case only a firmware update or the use of third-party launchers (we will talk about them later) remains.

Method 1: Standardly turn on a multi-window through gestures

This is the simplest and most versatile method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later.

1. Open the first app you want to use in a multi-window (like Chrome).
2. Swipe your finger from the bottom up and hold it to open the menu of recent apps.
3. Click on the application icon (not the preview, but the icon itself) – the context menu will appear.
4. Select the option "Separate screen" (or "Open in multi-window" on some firmware).
5. The app will shrink to the top of the screen. Now select the second app from the recent list.

Now, both apps are running simultaneously. To change their position, pull the dividing line up or down, and to close the multi-window, just draw the dividing line to the edge of the screen.

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If the split screen icon doesn't appear, try opening the second app first, and then go back to the first app and repeat the steps. On some firmware, order is important!

Method 2: Activate via settings (for MIUI 13/14)

In the new firmware versions, Xiaomi has added a separate section to customize the multi-window.

1. Go to Settings → Display.
2. Scroll down and select Split Screen Mode (on some devices, the item may be called Multiwindow).
3. Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
4. You can set it up here: 🔄 Automatic rotation – does the screen allow you to rotate in a multi-window. 📱 The size of the windows is fixed or variable. 🔒 Orientation Blocking – Prohibition of Screen Rotation in Split Mode.

Once activated, you can use the multi-window through gestures (as in the first method) or through the notification panel. On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), a quick button appears in the notification curtain to turn on the split screen.

Method 3: Use of the Toolbar (for MIUI 14)

In the latest firmware, Xiaomi has added a new feature, a multi-window toolbar, which allows you to quickly switch between applications and manage their sizes. Here's how to use it:

1. Activate the multi-window in any of the above methods.
2. In the center of the dividing line will appear a small dot or strip — tap on it.
3. Opening a panel with options: 🔄 Change places – changes the top/bottom applications. 📱 Fix – fixes one of the windows so that it is not accidentally closed. ✕ Close both – completes both applications. 🔳 Turn – folds the multi-window into a floating window (does not work on all models).

This panel is particularly handy on larger screens (like the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 or Black Shark 6 Pro), where it’s not always convenient to control two gesture apps.

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The multi-window toolbar is only available in MIUI 14. It is not available on older firmware versions, but you can update through Settings → System Update.

Table: Comparison of methods of inclusion of multi-window on Xiaomi

What to do if the multi-window does not work: 5 ways to solve the problem

Sometimes split-screen mode refuses to turn on even on supported devices, and here are the most common reasons and solutions:

⚠️ Note: If you are using Power Saving Mode or Game Turbo Mode, the multi-window can be automatically turned off. → Battery.

• 🔄 Reboot device: Banal but often helps. Hold the power button and select Reboot.
• 📱 Update MIUI: Go to Settings. → Update the system and check for updates.
• 🛠️ Reset launcher settings: Clip the empty space on the home screen → Home screen settings → Resetting settings.
• 🔧 Cleaning the system cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Show system-based → Launcher → Clear the cache.
• 📦 Removing conflicting applications: Some programs (such as SEOs or antiviruses) may block multi-windows.

If nothing works, check if the feature is disabled at the firmware level.

1. Activate the Developer Mode (as described above).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the option to turn off the multi-window and make sure it is turned off.

Secret multi-window chips on Xiaomi, which you did not know

Xiaomi’s split-screen mode has more than it first appears, and here are a few life hacks that will make multitasking easier:

• 📲 Floating windows: Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro) can turn one of the apps in the multi-window into a floating window.
• 🔊 Separate sound: B MIUI 14 can be configured to play sound from only one window, such as listening to music on Spotify and watching YouTube videos at the same time without sound.
• 🔒 Orientation Blocking: If one of the apps doesn't support horizontal mode, lock it vertically and deploy the other. This works with, for example, Instagram and Google Maps.
• 🎮 Games + On gaming smartphones (Black Shark, Poco) F5 GT) You can run a game in one window and a chat (Discord, Telegram) in another.

Unique feature for Xiaomi Mix Fold 3: on this smartphone, multi-windows can be deployed to the entire internal screen (8 inches), turning it into a mini-tablet. To do this, deploy the device, activate the multi-window, and then pull the dividing line to the edges of the screen.

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If you need to use the same pairs of apps often (like Word + Excel), create a multi-window shortcut on the home screen. To do this, open both apps in split mode, then click and hold the dividing line → select Save as shortcut (available in MIUI 14).

FAQ: Frequent questions about multi-window on Xiaomi