How to Open Two Apps on the Same Xiaomi Screen: The Complete 2026 Guide

Multitasking on Xiaomi smartphones has become an integral part of everyday use: checking messages while watching videos, copying data between apps or working with documentation and messenger at the same time. The split-screen feature in MIUI allows you to effectively manage two applications simultaneously, but many users face difficulties in activating it. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to enable multi-window on Redmi, POCO and Black Shark devices, including hidden settings and solutions for cases where the standard method does not work.

It's important to understand that the implementation of the feature depends on the version of the MIUI shell (12 to 15) and the device model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, the algorithm is different from the Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5. We'll look at the universal methods, as well as the nuances for specific firmware versions. If you have previously tried to enable a split screen, but you failed, most likely the problem lies in the disabled system resolutions or features of a particular model.

1. Standard method: gestures and navigation buttons

The most common method of activating a multi-window is using gestures or virtual navigation buttons, which works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later, but requires pre-tuning in system settings.

To open two apps on one screen:

• 📱 Open the first application you want to use in multi-window mode.
• 👆 Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger on the app icon (if you use gestures) or click on the square Recent button (if you have navigation buttons).
• 🔄 In the menu of recent apps, find the Share Screen icon (usually located at the top of the app card) and tap it.
• 📲 Select the second app from the recent list or through the main menu.

If the Sharing screen icon is missing, it means that the function is disabled in the system settings. Go to Settings → Special features → System settings → Split screen and activate the slider. On some devices, the path may be different: Settings → Additional → Split screen.

2. Alternative method: through the notification panel

On devices with MIUI 13/14, a convenient way to activate split screens through the notification panel has appeared, which is especially useful if you have navigation gestures disabled or you use a third-party launcher program.

Instructions:

1. Deploy the notification panel by swiping your finger down from the top edge of the screen.
2. Find the split screen tile (if not, click on the pencil icon to edit the panels and add it to the active ones).
3. Slip on the tile - the screen will split into two parts.
4. At the bottom, select the first application, at the top - the second.

Note: on some POCO models (e.g., the POCO X5 Pro), the tile may be called Multiwindow or Two Window. If the tile is not available, this means that your version of MIUI does not support this method - use the standard method through the menu of recent apps.

Setup of split screen: changing the size of windows

Once you activate the multi-window, you can flexibly control the size of the windows, and by default, the screens are divided in a 50/50 ratio, but this ratio is easy to change. Here's how to do this:

• 🔘 Move the dividing line between the windows up or down, holding it with your finger.
• 🔄 To swap apps in places, hold the window header and drag it in the opposite direction.
• ❌ To close one of the windows, swipe your finger from the dividing line to the edge of the screen (left or right).

On devices with MIUI 14+, a floating window feature has been introduced, which allows you to make one of the applications miniaturized (for example, to watch video on top of another window).

1. In split screen mode, tap on the icon ⋯ window-corner.
2. Choose Make Swimming.
3. Move the mini window to a convenient place on the screen.

4.Problems and Solutions: Why split screen doesn't work

If the multi-window function is not activated, the reasons may be as follows:

On Black Shark devices, the split screen function is disabled by default to optimize performance. To activate it, go to Settings → Additional → Performance Mode and turn off the Game Mode option.

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If after updating MIUI multi-window stopped working, reset the launcher settings: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear data.

5. Hidden Opportunities: Multi-window for three or more applications

Few people know, but Xiaomi with MIUI 14 can open three apps at once - two in a split screen and one in a floating window.

1. Activate the split screen in the standard way.
2. In one of the windows, open an application that supports floating mode (for example, YouTube or Google Maps).
3. Put the badge on. ⋯ In the window header and select the Floating Window.
4. Place a mini window over a split screen.

This is ideal for browsing maps, listening to music and chatting at the same time, but note that not all apps support floating mode, such as WhatsApp and Telegram may block this feature for security reasons.

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Three apps only work on 6+GB of RAM at the same time; on budget models (e.g. Redmi 9A), the system can force background processes to close.

6. Multi-window for specific models: nuances and exceptions

Some Xiaomi devices have unique features of split-screen operation. Consider the most popular models:

• 📱 Xiaomi 13/13 Pro: Supports dynamic window size change with gesture (hold the dividing line and move sideways).
• 📱 POCO F5: Multi-window function is hidden by default – activate it through Settings → System system → Additionally. → Split screen.
• 📱 Redmi Note 12: When splitting the screen, read mode automatically turns on to reduce eye strain.
• 🎮 Black Shark 5: Multi-window shuts down when Shark Space is activated).

On bendable smartphones (such as the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3), the feature works differently: you can split the screen not only vertically, but also horizontally, using the additional display space.

1. Turn the device into "book" mode.
2. Hold the app icon in the recent menu and select Horizontal section.

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On the Xiaomi Pad 6 (tablet), the multi-window supports drag-and-drop: drag and drop files between windows, holding them with your finger.

7.Safety and Performance: What You Need to Know

Using a split screen increases the workload on the processor and RAM. On low-end devices (Redmi 10A, POCO M4), this can lead to:

• ⚠️ Overheating (especially when using heavy applications at the same time).
• ⚠️ Slowing down animation and slowing down the interface.
• ⚠️ Automatically shutting down background processes (for example, music may be interrupted).

To minimize the risks:

⚠️ Warning: Do not use multi-windows while charging the device, this accelerates battery wear due to increased heat generation.°C, close one of the windows right away.

• Close unused background applications through Settings → Apps → Cleanup.
• Turn off animation in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times to activate the developer mode, then go to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Animation and install No Animation).
• Use lighter versions of apps (like Facebook Lite instead of the main client).

8. Alternative solutions: third-party applications

If the built-in multi-window feature is not satisfied, you can use third-party utilities.

⚠️ Note: Third-party multi-window apps may require permission Special access (including display over other windows). Before installing, check reviews and rankings on Google Play - some utilities contain ads or collect data.

For maximum stability, we recommend using built-in MIUI tools. Third-party solutions are relevant only if:

• Your Xiaomi model does not support multi-window (outdated firmware).
• You need more than two windows at the same time.
• Flexible setting of window sizes and positions is required.

Frequently asked questions