Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 have powerful enough processors and large displays to be used efficiently to work with multiple tasks at once. Imagine that you can watch YouTube videos and chat in a messenger at the same time, or compare products in an online store with a calculator open. The split screen is one of the most useful features of the Android operating system and the MIUI shell, which turns a smartphone into a powerful tool for multitasking.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the ways you can activate split screen mode on your device. We will look not only at standard methods through the menu of recent apps, but also at more advanced options for using floating windows and hidden developer settings. Understanding these nuances will allow you to manage the workspace on your gadget’s display as efficiently as possible.
Many users don't even realize that their phone is capable of so many interface manipulations. On the Redmi Note 9 with the MIUI 12 shell and later, up to three active windows are available simultaneously when using the floating window function. Let's go from theory to practice and learn how to manage windows like a professional.
System preparation and application compatibility check
Before you try to run two apps side by side, make sure your software is updated to the current version. Xiaomi regularly releases security updates and functional improvements for the Redmi Note 9, which may affect the operation of the interface. Check the MIUI version in the settings to eliminate possible bugs that interfere with the correct operation of multiwindow mode.
Note that not all installed programs support split-screen work. For example, some banking or horizontally oriented games may block this feature for security or interface reasons. Compatibility is determined by the software developer, and the system automatically restricts the launch of incompatible programs in split mode.
For comfortable work, it is also recommended to clear RAM before starting heavy tasks. If there are a dozen applications running in the background, the system can forcibly close one of the windows in split mode to free up resources. Redmi Note 9 does a good job of multitasking, but it does not need to work extra load.
☑️ Checking readiness for split screen
Make sure that the screen is set to automatic mode or the exact position (usually portrait) you plan to work in, and while horizontal mode is also supported, it may not be the same as the usual vertical interface.
Classic Activation Method via Recent Apps Menu
The most common and intuitive way to run two apps simultaneously on Xiaomi is to use the task menu, which works on all versions of MIUI without having to include additional settings. To start, open the first app you want to see on the screen, such as a browser.
Then, call the recent app menu. Depending on the type of navigation you choose (buttons or gestures), this is done either by pressing a square button at the bottom of the screen or swiping from the bottom up with a finger held.
On the app card, note the icon, usually on the top or right, which can look like two horizontal bars or a symbol "≡". Click on this icon and in the context menu that appears, select the option Split screen (or Split screen). After that, the screen will split in half: the top part will remain occupied by the selected application, and the bottom will open the choice of the second one.
⚠️ Note: If the split screen icon is not on the application card, then the specific program does not support this mode of operation on the current version of the firmware.
Once activated, the system will suggest selecting a second application from a list of frequently used programs or from a full list of installed programs. Choose the desired program, and it will occupy the bottom of the display. Now you can fully work with both windows, scrolling through tapes or typing.
Using the Floating Windows function for maximum flexibility
The MIUI shell offers a more advanced option of multitasking, floating windows. Unlike rigidly splitting the screen in half, this method allows you to place random-sized windows in any part of the display. This is especially convenient on the Redmi Note 9 large screen, where standard separation can make the font too small.
To activate a floating window, also go to the menu of recent apps. Click on the window control icon (two bars) and select the floating window option. The app will fold into a small rectangle that you can drag around the screen, resize it, fold into a sidebar, or unfold to the full screen.
The Redmi Note 9 and newer models feature support for multiple floating windows, which you can run multiple floating windows at the same time, creating your own desktop on top of the main interface, ideal for viewing broadcasts, using a calculator or taking notes while working with a main document.
The secret of the sidebar
Floating windows can be controlled through a special menu that appears when you press a strip at the top of the thumbnail, which provides features to fix the window (so that it remains on top of others even when you fold), change transparency and close, which gives the user Xiaomi unparalleled control over the workspace.
Set up hot keys and hidden opportunities
For those who use split-screen mode frequently, standard menu actions may seem too long. There are additional options in the MIUI settings to speed up this process. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Keyboard shortcuts (the path may vary slightly between firmware versions).
You can set up the action by long-pressing the "Recent Apps" button or other combinations here, but the most effective method for power users is to use gestures. In some design themes or using third-party launchers, you can configure swipes with three fingers to activate split mode, although in stock MIUI this feature is often hidden or requires activation through an engineering menu.
Also worth mentioning is the Sidebar feature. If it's enabled in settings (Settings → Special Features → Sidebar), you can pull out a menu of apps at any time and drag any one of them onto the screen, instantly creating a split window, which is probably the fastest way to switch context.
| Activation method | Difficulty | Size flexibility | Number of windows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu of recent challenges | Low. | 50% screen | 2 |
| Floating windows | Medium | Arbitrary | Up to 5-7. |
| Sidebar. | Low. | Arbitrary | Depends on the type. |
| Gestures (if tuned) | Tall. | 50% screen | 2 |
Adjusting the size of windows and interface management
Once you run two applications in split-screen mode, you can adjust the proportions of the space you occupy, and there's a special dividing strip between the windows (usually a grey or black line), and by pressing it and moving your finger up or down, you can change the size of the active window.
But Android has a limit on the minimum window size, and you can't shrink the app down to a single line of text, because it makes the interface unreadable and disrupts the controls, and if you try to squeeze the window too hard, the system will either stop moving or suggest you roll the app into a floating window.
An important feature is to keep applications state: When you switch between windows or resize them, programs don’t restart, but continue to run in the background, which means that the video will not be interrupted, and an underloaded browser page will not start loading again if the device has enough RAM.
⚠️ Note: When a device is changed (screen rotating) in split-screen mode, one application may temporarily curl up or zoom in. Behavior depends on whether the particular application supports forced landscape mode.
To exit split-screen mode, drag the dividing strip to the top or bottom of the screen, and you can simply close one of the applications in the standard way, and the second automatically takes up the entire display.
Solving typical work problems and errors
Despite the system’s fine-tuning, Redmi Note 9 users may experience situations where split screens are not working or are not working properly. One of the common problems is the spontaneous closing of one of the windows, often due to the aggressive battery optimization characteristic of MIUI.
To avoid this, set exceptions for important applications. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Selection (or through the Security Menu) and set No Limits mode for programs you plan to use in split mode. This will prevent the system from killing their processes.
Another common problem is a black screen or interface freeze when trying to split the screen, which helps to clear the system cache or reboot the device, and it is also worth checking whether the mode is not on "Memory Saving" or "Ultra Battery Saver", which often block multitasking functions to extend the time.
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If apps are constantly crashing in a split screen, try reducing the animation quality in the developer settings, which will reduce the GPU load and can stabilize the interface.
In rare cases, the problem may be a conflict of themes. Third-party themes downloaded from MIUI Themes store can incorrectly scale the interface elements in split-screen mode. If you encounter bugs, try temporarily switching to a standard theme.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I run three apps simultaneously in a split screen?
Why is there no split screen button on my Redmi Note 9?
Does split screen affect battery consumption?
Does copying text work between two windows?
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Split screen and floating windows are standard MIUI features that do not require Root rights or third-party software installation, but require proper battery exception settings for stable operation.