Xiaomi Multitasking: How to Run Two Apps at the Same Time

Xiaomi’s current MIUI-based smartphones support split-screen mode, which allows two apps to be used simultaneously, a feature that is especially useful for comparing information, chatting with instant messengers, or watching videos with simultaneous surfing in the browser, but many users do not know how to properly activate the multi-window, or experience errors when using it.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the ways to run split screen on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices (including the 2023-2026 models), as well as cover hidden settings and typical issues, learn which apps support multi-window mode, how to resize windows, and why the feature may not work on your device.

Important: the instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions), and on older versions (MIUI 11 and below), the algorithm may differ, as we will also mention in the corresponding section.

1. Main method: Activation through the panel of recent applications

The fastest way to run a split screen is to use the menu of recent apps, which works on most Xiaomi devices without any additional settings.

Open the first app you want to use in the multi-window, like YouTube or Chrome, and then follow these steps:

• 📱 Click on the “Recent Apps” button** (the square icon in the bottom navigation bar or swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger for 1 second).
• 🔍 In the list of open applications, find the card of the desired application (for example, Telegram) and hold it with your finger for 1-2 seconds.
• 🖥️ In the menu that appears, select Split Screen (or Split Screen in English firmware).
• 🔄 The top of the screen will be fixed, and the bottom will open a list of applications – select the second application for multi-window.

If you don't have a split screen option on the menu, you're not using the feature in your system settings. How to turn it on, see the next section.

Note: On some models (e.g. POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), instead of holding, swipe up the app icon in the recent panel.

2. Enable the function in the MIUI settings (if it is not in the menu)

On some firmware, split-screen mode is hidden by default. To activate it, go to:

Settings → Special features → Split screen mode

Or alternative path (depending on MIUI version):

Settings → Additional → Functions Laboratory → Multi-window

Turn on the Allow split screen switch, and then the feature will be available in the recent app dashboard, as described in the first section.

Important: The route to settings may be different on Chinese firmware (China ROM), and try to find the item (which translates as “multi-horse mode”) through a search in the settings.

Make sure that both apps are updated to the latest version.

Close unnecessary background processes (for smooth operation)

Turn off energy saving mode for applications

Check if the app supports split screen mode (list below)

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3.What applications support split screen mode

Not all programs are multi-window compatible, but here are the key categories of apps that are guaranteed to run in split mode on Xiaomi:

Applications that do not normally support split screen:

• 🎮 Games (e.g., games, PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact)
• 📷 Some cameras (like Google Camera)
• 🔒 Banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online)
• 📊 Applications with protected content (e.g. Netflix in the HD)

Exception: on devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), some games support multi-window mode in a limited form - with reduced performance.

4. How to resize windows and manage multi-window

Once you activate the split screen, you can adjust the proportions of the windows to your tasks. Here are the basic gestures and commands:

• 🔄 Size change: Pull the dividing strip (the grey line between the windows) up or down. on some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K60) Swipe left/right is supported to change applications in one of the windows.
• 🔁 Exchange seats: Twice tap the dividing strip - windows will change places.
• 🗑️ Closing window: Drag the dividing strip to the top or bottom edge of the screen.
• 📱 Return to full screen: Press the Home button or swipe up from the bottom edge.

On devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) when changing the size of the windows automatically adjusts the color temperature to reduce the load on the eyes.

Secret Lifehack: If you need to quickly copy text from one window to another, press the text in the first app, then drag the highlight outside the window - the content will automatically be inserted into the input field of the second application (works in Chrome, Telegram and WPS Office).

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On models with a high refresh rate of the screen (120/144 Hz), the multi-window may not work stable. To fix this, temporarily switch to 60 Hz in the display settings (Settings → Screen → Update Frequency).

Typical problems and their solutions

If the split screen is not working, check the following points:

⚠️ Note: On devices with less than 4GB of RAM (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) Multi-window function may be disabled by default due to performance limitations. Try freeing up memory before activating.

If the problem persists, try resetting MIUI to factory settings (but don’t forget to back up the data!). On devices with HyperOS (new firmware for Xiaomi 14 and newer), the multi-window activation algorithm may differ – we’ll write a separate instruction after the official release.

6. Alternative ways to multitask on Xiaomi

If split screen isn’t right for you, consider other options for multitasking:

• 🖼️ Floating windows: Some apps (like Telegram or Calculy) support Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode. Launch a video on YouTube, then click Home - the video will remain in a small window on top of other apps.
• 🔄 Quick switch: Enable the gesture Double tap on the "Recent" button in Settings → Buttons and gestures → Button gestures, which will allow you to instantly switch between the last two apps.
• 📲 Second space: Xiaomi can create a parallel space with a separate set of applications, which is useful if you need to use two accounts of the same messenger at the same time. → Annexes → Second space.

For advanced users: With ADB, you can force multi-windows on any application, even if it is not supported by default.

adb shell settings put global force_resizeable_activities 1

After the device is restarted, most applications will become split-screen compatible. Careful: this may cause some programs to run in an unstable way!

7. Multi-window on Xiaomi tablets (Pad 6, Pad 5, etc.)

On Xiaomi tablets, split-screen mode works differently than on smartphones, and additional features are available here:

• 🖥️ Three windows at once: On the Xiaomi Pad 6 and later, you can split the screen into three parts. To do this, activate the multi-window in the standard way, then pull on the right edge of one of the windows.
• 📝 Notes over windows: In multi-window mode, you can open Xiaomi Notes in a floating window on top of other applications.
• 🔄 Horizontal mode: Tablets support vertical splitting of the screen (left/right window), not just horizontally, as on smartphones.

To activate the multi-window on the tablet:

1. Open the first appendix.
2. Swipe your finger from the bottom edge of the screen up and hold your finger (call the recent panel).
3. Drag the icon of the second app to the left or right edge of the screen.
4. Release your finger and the windows will split automatically.

Note: On Xiaomi Pad 5 and older, you can use a stylus in a multi-window, for example, you can draw in Xiaomi Notes in one window and watch a YouTube tutorial at the same time in another.

FAQ: Frequent questions about split screen on Xiaomi