Xiaomi Multitasking: How to Run Two Apps on the Same Screen

The split screen on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a handy feature, but a real productivity tool. Imagine if you are simultaneously texting in the messenger and checking information in the browser, or copying data from one document to another without switching between windows. The multi-window feature (aka Split Screen) is available on most devices running MIUI since version 8, but many users do not even know it exists.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can activate a split screen, from a standard gesture in the menu of recent apps to hidden settings for older models, and focus on the black screen problem in one of the windows that often occurs when you try to open two resource-intensive programs (such as a game and a social network), and you’ll also learn which apps block the multi-window by default and how to get around it.

Important: instructions below are tested on Xiaomi 13 Pro (MIUI 14), Redmi Note 12 (MIUI 13) and POCO F5 (MIUI 14 for POCO). If your model is older than 2019, check out the "Features for legacy devices" section - there we have collected solutions for MIUI 10-12.

1. Standard method: through the menu of recent applications

The simplest method works on all modern Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and newer. You don’t need to dig into the settings – everything is done in literally two touches.

Open the first app you want to pin to the top of the screen.

1. Swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger for 0.5 seconds to open the menu of recent apps.
2. Find the icon of the second application in the list, which you need to open at the bottom of the screen.
3. Click on the icon and in the drop-down menu, select Split screen (or Split screen in English firmware).

Now you can adjust the boundary between windows by pulling the dividing line up or down. Note that some apps (like TikTok or Netflix) can automatically unfold to the full screen — that's a limitation of the programs themselves, not the systems.

Is the first app open to the full screen?

Is there a second app on the recent menu?

Does your device support MIUI 12+?

Is the “Children’s” mode disabled in the settings?

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⚠️ Warning: If nothing happens after selecting Split Screen, check if you have One Hand mode in the settings (Settings) → Special facilities → These two functions are in conflict with each other.

2. Alternative method: through the notification panel

Not everyone knows, but some Xiaomi models (mostly the flagships of the Mi series and POCO F) have a hidden button for quickly launching the multi-window. It is hidden in the notification bar, but is disabled by default.

To activate it:

1. Deploy the notification bar with two fingers (or swipe twice from top to bottom).
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ Edit (or Add).
3. Find the Divided Screen in the list of inactive buttons and drag it to the active area.

Now, with an open app, just pull the notification bar down and tap the new button, and the system automatically prompts you to choose a second multi-window app, which is convenient if you use split screens a lot and want to save time.

Through the recent app menu |Through the notification bar |Gest (if supported) |Not using the multi-window-->

3. split screen gesture (only for MIUI 14)

In the latest firmware versions, Xiaomi has added a hidden gesture to quickly launch the multiwindow.It doesn’t work on all models, but if your smartphone supports MIUI 14, try:

1. Open the first appendix.
2. Swipe your finger from the lower right or left corner of the screen to the center (as if you are trying to “grab” the corner).
3. Without letting go of your finger, pull up - the menu of the second application will open.

This gesture is like calling the Google Assistant, so if you have the voice assistant activated, you may have to turn off its gestures in the settings (Settings → Apps → Google Assistant → Gestures).

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi) 10C) This gesture conflicts with the Google Discover menu, and if you swipe the news feed from the corner, the multi-window function is disabled by the gesture.

4. Solving the problem with a black screen in one of the windows

A common complaint is that when you try to open two apps, one of the windows is black, due to the limitations of the programs themselves (for example, Instagram or banking apps block multi-window work for security reasons), or due to a lack of RAM.

Here's what we can do:

• 🔄 Restart the app: Close it in the recent menu and open it again in split mode.
• 📱 Clear the cache: go to Settings → Annexes → Choose a problem → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Enable Forced: This will require activating Developer Mode (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — tap 7 times) and enable Forced Multi-Window Resolution in the developer settings.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI: In older versions of the firmware (up to) MIUI 12) there were window display bugs.

If the problem occurs with a specific application (such as VK or Telegram), check its settings: some messengers have the option “Allow multi-window” in the Privacy section.

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If the black screen only appears in landscape mode, try turning the device back into portrait orientation – some apps (like YouTube) block the multi-window in a horizontal form.

5. Multi-window on older models (MIUI 10-12)

If your smartphone is released before 2020 (like the Redmi Note 8 or Mi 9), the standard way through the recent menu may not work.

Method 1: Through system settings

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Functions Lab.
2. Find the split screen option and activate it.
3. Return to the menu of recent apps – now there should appear a multi-window button.

Method 2: Use the Overview button

Some devices (such as the Mi A2 with pure Android) need to:

1. Open the first appendix.
2. Press the Overview button (square at the bottom of the screen).
3. Click the icon of the second application and drag it to the top of the screen.

If none of the methods worked, check if the feature in Developer Settings is disabled (Switch off Multiwindow) and on very old models (before 2018), split screen may not be supported at the hardware level.

6. Applications that block multi-window

Not all programs allow split mode, but here is a list of the most popular apps that most often refuse to open in multi-window:

• 🎮 Games: PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile (blocked due to performance requirements).
• 💰 Banking applications: SberBank Online, Tinkoff, VTB Online (security restriction).
• 📺 Streaming services: Netflix, OKKO, Amediateka (Content Protection).
• 📸 Social networks with video: TikTok, Likee (block screen recording and multi-window).

These limitations can be overcome by:

• 🔧 Enabling Developer Mode and Forced Multi-Window Authorization (see Section 4).
• 📱 Use alternative clients (e.g. Telegram X instead of regular Telegram).
• 🔄 Switch to the web version of the service via a browser (for example, Instagram in Chrome often works in a multi-window).

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If the application blocks the multi-window because of DRM-protection (e.g. Netflix), this restriction cannot be circumvented – this is a requirement of the copyright holders of content.

7. Customize the multi-window to your needs

The split screen on Xiaomi supports a few useful options that many people don’t know about.

1. Change in the proportions of windows

By default, windows are split in half (50/50), but you can move the dividing line up or down so that one window takes 70% and the other 30%. Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra) even support 80/20 separation.

2. Quick application switching

If you need to swap the top and bottom windows, just tap the dividing line twice, and they swap places. This works on MIUI 13 and later.

3. Window fixing

To avoid accidentally closing one of the windows, hold the header for 2 seconds, the pin icon will appear. Once secured, the window will not close when swipeing in the recent menu.

4. Multi-window in landscape mode

Not all apps support horizontal split screen, but if you rotate your phone, some (like Google Maps + Telegram) will work in this mode. To force landscape mode on, go to Settings → Screen → Autoturn and activate it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about multi-window on Xiaomi