How to Open Two Windows on Xiaomi: All Ways to Split the Screen

Multitasking on Xiaomi smartphones is no longer a luxury, a necessity for those who are used to working with multiple applications at once. For example, you can read an article in your browser and take notes in your notebook at the same time, or watch videos on half screen while you respond to messages in the messenger, but not all users know how to properly activate split screen mode on their devices.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to open two windows on Xiaomi, including hidden MIUI 14/15 features, control gestures and solutions for older models. We’ll focus on common bugs that may cause the mode to fail, and give you recommendations for optimizing performance when multitasking. If your smartphone suddenly stopped supporting split screen after the upgrade, here’s the solution.

1. Standard method: through the recent application panel

The easiest and most versatile method is to use the recent task menu, which works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI 12 and later.

1. Open the first application you want to pin to half the screen.

2. Press the square button (or swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger for 1 second) to open the recent taskbar.

3. Find the "Separate Screen" icon (two rectangles) at the top of the screen and tap it.

4. Select the second app from the recent list or return to the home screen to launch it.

If there is no icon, check your gesture settings. On some firmware, the function is hidden behind a long hold on the application icon in the taskbar.

First appendix opens

Recent Tasks Panel activated

The "Separate Screen" icon is visible at the top.

The second application is selected or ready to launch-->

• 📱 It works on: Xiaomi 11/12/13, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5
• ⚡ Required: MIUI 12 or newer (on MIUI 11 may be absent)
• ⚠️ Restriction: Not all apps support mode (e.g. some games)

2. Alternative method: through a long click on the application icon

If the standard method didn’t work, try the alternative via the context menu of the icons, which is especially useful for devices with MIUI 13/14, where the taskbar interface has been changed:

1. Open the first app (e.g. Chrome).

2. Return to the home screen (without closing the app!).

3. Find the icon of this application in the application menu or on the desktop.

4 Hold it with your finger for 1-2 seconds until the context menu appears.

5. Select "Separate Screen" (or "Open in Split Mode").

6.The system will automatically split the screen and prompt you to select the second application.

This often works where you can't see the icon in the taskbar, for example, on the POCO X3 Pro with MIUI 12.5, many users say that this is the only way to activate multiwindow.

Through the recent taskbar

Through a long tap on the icon

Gestures (swipe)

I don't use multi-windows.

Another option-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) This method may not work due to performance limitations, in which case try updating the firmware or using the third method in this article.

3. Separation of the screen by gestures (for MIUI 14/15)

The latest versions of MIUI have the ability to control split screens with gestures, which is convenient if you're used to navigating without buttons.

1. Activate full-screen gestures in the settings: go to Settings → Display → Full-screen mode and select Gestures.

2. Open the first annex.

3. Swipe your finger from the bottom up and hold for 1 second to open the recent taskbar.

4. Hold the app icon and drag it to the top or bottom of the screen.

5. Release your finger - the screen will split and you can select the second app.

This is the most intuitive method, but it requires some skill. If the gesture doesn't work the first time, try swiping your finger a little slower or changing the force of the push.

💡

If the gestures don't work, check the screen sensitivity settings in Settings → Additional → Special features → Touch and hold. Sometimes extending the retention time to 0.7-1 second helps.

Hidden function: "Floating window" mode

In addition to the classic split screen in half, MIUI has a lesser known mode called "Floating Window," which allows you to open applications in small windows on top of others, which is convenient for instant messengers or players.

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Floating Window.

Activate the switch "Enable floating windows".

3. Now, when you open the recent taskbar, hold the app icon and select "Open in a floating window."

4 The window will appear on top of the current screen, and it can be moved, resized and folded into a corner.

Not all apps support this mode (for example, YouTube often blocks playback in a floating window), but it is ideal for Telegram, WhatsApp or Google Keep.

• 🔄 Advantages of a floating window: Does not take up half the screen You can open several windows at the same time Convenient for quick answers in messengers
• ❌ Disadvantages: Not all applications are supported May brake on weak devices No possibility to change window size on all models

5. solution for old models (MIUI 11 and below)

If you have a device on MIUI 11 or older (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Xiaomi Mi A3), the standard methods may not work.

Method 1: Through the Developer's Settings

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and tap it 7 times.

2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers.

3. Find the option "Enable free form for multi-windows" (or "Force resize activities") and activate it.

4.Reboot the device and try the standard split screen method.

Method 2: Third-party launchers

Some launchers (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) have built-in multi-window support. Install them from Google Play and use their split-screen tools.

⚠️ Note: On devices with 2GB of RAM or less (e.g. Redmi) 8A) Multi-windows can be unstable, applications will reboot often, in which case we recommend using the floating window mode only for light applications.

6.Why doesn't splitting the screen on Xiaomi work?

If none of these methods worked, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔧 Disabled function in settings: Check Settings → Additionally. → Laboratory → Multiconference (on some firmware this path may differ).
• 📱 Performance Limits: On budget models (e.g. Redmi) 9C) The function can be disabled by default. Try updating the firmware.
• 🔄 Conflict with other features: Turn off Game Mode or Read Mode – they sometimes block multi-window.
• 🛠️ Damaged system files: If the problem occurs after the update, try resetting to factory settings (be sure to back up your system!).

Also check if your app is blacklisted, and some programs (such as Fortnite or TikTok) intentionally block screen splitting.

💡

If the split screen stopped working after the MIUI update, try clearing the cache of system applications: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three points (menu) → Show system → Find “Launcher” and “System UI” → Clear the cache.

7. Optimizing Performance with Multitasking

Splitting the screen requires more resources, so weak devices can experience braking.

• 🔋 Close background apps: Before activating the mode, close all unnecessary programs through the recent taskbar.
• 📉 Reduce animation: In the developer settings (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers) set "Window animation", "transition animation" and "Duration of animator" on 0.5x Or shut it down completely.
• 🗜️ Use lightweight apps: For example, instead of Chrome, open Chrome Lite or Firefox Focus.
• 🔄 Turn off auto-update: In Settings → Annexes → Auto-Start Turn off background activity for unnecessary programs.

On devices with 4GB of RAM or less, disabling Windows Open/Close Animations in the same developer settings will also help, which will speed up switching between split windows.

If the brakes are critical, try using the performance mode in Settings → Battery and Performance → Performance mode.

FAQ: Frequent questions about split screen on Xiaomi