How to Open Two Apps on One Xiaomi Screen: A Complete Multi-Window Guide

Have you ever tried chatting on WhatsApp and watching YouTube videos at the same time, switching between apps? Xiaomi smartphones have a built-in split-screen (multi-window) feature that allows you to use two apps in parallel - without a constant swipe between them. This feature is available on all shell devices MIUI (12 and later, including Redmi models, POCO and Black Shark.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to activate a multi-window, from a standard gesture to hidden settings, and tell you which apps support mode and which don’t. You’ll learn how to resize windows, switch between pairs of apps, and even run multi-windows with voice (on supported models). If your Xiaomi suddenly stopped opening two apps at the same time, there’s a section at the end of the article that solves this problem.

1. How to Enable Split Screen Mode on Xiaomi: 3 Ways

Multi-window function on Xiaomi works differently depending on the version MIUI Below are the universal methods that will work for most devices (tested on the Redmi Note 12 Pro).+, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13 Ultra).

Method 1: Multitasking gesture (the fastest)

This is the standard method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12+:

1. Open the first app (like Chrome).
2. Swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger on the screen to open the multitasking menu.
3. Click on the app icon (not the preview!) and select the option “Share screen” (or “Multiwindow”).
4. Select the second app from the list or tap it in multitasking.

Now both apps will work simultaneously, and to get back to full-screen mode, pull the dividing line up or down to the end.

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If the option "Share the screen" does not appear, check if the function in the settings is disabled (see section 3).

Method 2: Through the notification panel (for MIUI 13/14)

On the new versions of the shell appeared an alternative method:

1. Open the first appendix.
2. Swipe down to open the notification panel.
3. Find the Multiwindow tile (if it is not, click Edit and add).
4. Slip on the tile – the screen will split and you can choose the second app.

This method is handy if you use multi-windows frequently and want to switch between modes quickly.

Method 3: Voice assistant (on supported models)

If Xiaomi supports Google Assistant or Xiao AI, You can activate a multi-window voice:

• 🗣️ Say: OK Google, turn on split screen (for Google Assistant).
• 🤖 Or: Little A, open the multi-window (for Xiao) AI Chinese-made).

After that, the assistant will prompt you to select applications. Restriction: it does not work on all models and requires voice control in the settings.

2.What applications support split screen mode?

Not all Xiaomi programs can run in a multi-window.

• ✅ Supported: All standard apps (Gallery, Camera, Notes), instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), browsers (Chrome, Mi Browser), YouTube, Google Maps and most games (except for those requiring full-screen mode).
• ❌ Not supported: Screenshot-protected apps (banking, some secret chat messengers), games with high graphics requirements (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile in the "Ultra" settings HD"), programs that explicitly block multi-windows in their settings (for example, Netflix when viewing content).
• ⚠️ Restricted: Some apps (like Instagram) allow you to split the screen but block scrolling or playing videos.

How do you check compatibility? Try opening the application in a multi-window -- if the screen blinks for a second and returns to normal mode, then the program does not support the function.

3. Multi-window settings: how to resize and manage windows

Once you activate the split screen, you can adjust the location and size of the windows. Here's what you can do:

• 🔄 Switch apps: Tap the dividing line and select Change places (or drag the app icon to the other side).
• 📏 Change the proportions: Pull the dividing line left/right: 50/50, 60/40 or 70/30 (model).
• 🔒 Lock the window: Click on the app icon in the multi-window and select Secure so it doesn’t close when swipes.
• ❌ Close one window: Tap on the dividing line and select Close [application name].

Hidden function: On some models (Xiaomi 13 series, POCO F4 GT) You can save a couple of apps in the multi-window as your favorite:

1. Open two apps in a split screen.
2. Slip along the dividing line and select Save a pair.
3. Now this combination can be quickly opened from the multitasking menu (long tap on the app icon). → Chosen couples).

✅ Function enabled in system settings

✅ Applications compatible with the regime

✅ The dividing line responds to touch

✅ There are no active restrictions on MIUI (for example, energy saving regime)-->

If the dividing line does not move or the windows do not change size, check:

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global Stable for Redmi Note 11) The proportions change function is disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings → Special facilities → Multi-window → Allow resizing.

4.Why Xiaomi’s split screen doesn’t work: 5 reasons and solutions

If the multi-window suddenly stopped opening or malfunctions, the reasons may be as follows:

The most common problem is the feature in the settings that is disabled.

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Multi-window (on some firmwares, the path may differ: Settings) → System system → Multitasking).
2. Activate the split screen switch.
3. If necessary, enable the split screen gesture option.

If the Multi-window item is missing from the settings, then your version MIUI It does not support the function (relevant to very old models, such as Redmi). 4A). In this case, only firmware updates or third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher with Taskbar plugin) will help).

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On smartphones with a Snapdragon processor 8 Gen 1/2 (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, POCO F5) Multi-window is more stable thanks to optimization MIUI flagship-chip.

5. Alternative ways to multitask on Xiaomi

If a standard multi-window doesn’t suit you (for example, due to application limitations), consider these options:

1. Floating windows (PIP-regime)

Many apps (e.g. YouTube Premium, Google Maps) support Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode to activate it:

1. Open the video or navigation.
2. Swipe down to fold the app – it will turn into a small window.
3. Move the window to any corner of the screen and use the other app in parallel.

Restriction: Works only with supported applications (usually multimedia).

2. Second user (for complete isolation)

If you need to separate your work and personal accounts, create a second user:

1. Go to Settings → System → Multiplayer mode.
2. Click Add User and follow the instructions.
3. After switching between users, you can run the same apps on different accounts (like two WhatsApp accounts).

Cons: Reboot is required when changing the user.

3. Third-party launchers with multi-window support

Launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher allow you to configure multitasking more flexible than standard MIUI. For example, with the Taskbar plugin, you can:

• 🖥️ Open applications in freely scalable windows (like on a PC).
• 🔄 Quickly switch between the latest pairs of apps.
• 📱 Use gestures to control windows.

For installation:

1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Install the Taskbar plugin (Nova Launcher Prime is required for full functionality).
3. Set up gestures and hotkeys in the launcher settings.

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Nana POCO F4 GT And Black Shark 5 has a hidden feature called Game Space, which allows you to run games in a floating window. → Special facilities → Play space and enable the option of Floating Games.

6. Multi-window on Xiaomi tablets: features

On Xiaomi tablets (for example, Xiaomi Pad) 5/6) The split-screen function works differently than on smartphones. Here are the key differences:

• 📱 Horizontal and vertical modes: On tablets, you can divide the screen both vertically and horizontally (on phones - only vertically).
• 🔄 Three windows at the same time MIUI For Pad supports Three Windows (available in multi-window settings).
• 🖥️ DeX mode support: When connecting to the monitor HDMI You can use up to 4 windows at a time (like a PC).
• ⚠️ Limitations for games: Even on tablets, most games do not support multi-window due to optimization for full-screen mode.

How to turn on three windows on Xiaomi Pad:

1. Open the first appendix.
2. Swipe from the bottom up and hold to open multitasking.
3. Drag the second app to the right or left side of the screen (as in a regular multi-window).
4. Slip the dividing line and select Add a third window.
5. Select the third app from the list.

To remove the third window, pull it down behind the top panel.

And on tablets, you can also use the "Parking Windows" feature, which is a temporary folding of one of the windows into a sidebar, to use this:

1. Open two applications in the multi-window.
2. Slip on the icon of the application you want to fold.
3. Select Curl in the panel.
4. To return the window, pull the side bookmark.

7. Multiwindow and performance: how to avoid brakes

A split screen loads the processor and RAM, especially if both applications are resource-intensive (e.g., a game). + A browser with a dozen tabs. Here's how to minimize the lags:

• 🧹 Close background apps: Clean before starting multi-window RAM through settings → Annexes → Cleanup.
• ⚡ Turn off energy saving: Go to Settings → Battery → Performance mode and select High Performance.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI: Newer versions of the shell optimize multitasking (e.g., in the MIUI 14 Added Dynamic function RAM Expansion, which temporarily increases the amount of RAM).
• 📉 Reduce the load: In games, reduce graphical settings, and in the browser close unnecessary tabs.

Performance Test: To see how much your smartphone handles a multi-window, run:

1. Two heavy applications (e.g. Genshin Impact) + Chrome with video in 4K).
2. Open the Settings. → The phone. → System status and look at the load on CPU/RAM.
3. If the CPU load exceeds 80% or applications start to slow down, reduce the load.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with 4 GB of RAM (for example, Redmi) 9A) Multi-window may not work smoothly, in which case it is recommended to use only light applications (e.g. Telegram). + Notes).

On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO F5 Pro multi-window optimized for work with artificial intelligence: the system automatically allocates resources between windows if the mode is turned on AI Performance Boost (available in Settings) → Additionally. → Laboratory).

8. Hidden Multi-Window Chips on Xiaomi

Few people know, but in MIUI There are several hidden options for working with a split screen:

• 🔍 Multi-window search: In split-screen mode swipe down the dividing line – a search bar will appear where you can quickly find and open another application.
• 📋 Copy between windows: Highlight text or image in one window, then tap the dividing line and select Insert into another window.
• 🔊 Separate sound: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mix Fold 2) can configure audio output from different applications to different devices (e.g. music to the speaker and video to headphones). → Sound. → Multimedia. → Separate audio output.
• 🖼️ Screenshot of both windows: In the multi-window swipe three fingers down - a screenshot of two applications will be taken at once (works on the computer). MIUI 14).

How to enable experimental multi-window functions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the Multi-Oct (Experimental Functions) item and turn it on.
4. Reboot the phone.

After that, additional options will appear in the multi-window settings, for example:

• 🔄 Automatically save the last pair of applications.
• 📱 Support for floating windows for any application (even those that don’t officially support PiP).
• 🎯 Transparency of the dividing line.

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Experimental functions can cause unstable operation of the system. Before they are turned on, back up the data!

FAQ: Frequent questions about multi-window on Xiaomi