How to open two applications on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all ways + hidden chips MIUI

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 with a shell MIUI supports multitasking, but not all users know how to effectively use this feature. Working with two applications at the same time saves time — for example, when you need to text in the messenger and check the information in the browser, or compare prices in different stores. However, the standard split screen on the Redmi Note 9 does not work as clearly as on “pure” Android, and some methods are hidden in the settings.

In this article — 5 Proven ways to run two apps in parallel, including little-known chips MIUI 12/13/14. We will not only analyze the basic split-screen mode, but also floating windows, gestures for quick switching, and bypassing restrictions for applications that “don’t want” to multitask. Special attention will be paid to the problem with the black screen in split mode – this is a common error on the Redmi Note. 9 firmware MIUI 13.5.

1. Standard split screen via multitasking menu

The most obvious way is to use the built-in split-screen feature, which works on all versions of MIUI for the Redmi Note 9, but the launch algorithm differs depending on the shell version.

1. Open the first application you want to use in split mode.
2. Click on the Recent Apps button (square in the bottom navigation bar) and hold the app icon for a few seconds.
3. In the menu that appears, select Split Screen (or Split Screen in English firmware).
4. Select the second app from the recent list or through the main menu.

If you don't have a split screen, you've disabled the function in the settings to activate it.

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Split screen.
2. Turn on the switch Enable the split screen.
3. Optionally: activate the Gesture for split screen (allows you to start swipe mode from the edge of the screen).

Make sure both apps support multitasking

Check the MIUI version (not lower than 12.0.3 for stable operation)

Turn off power saving for applications in battery settings

Close background processes that may interfere-->

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not all apps support split mode (such as some games or banking programs).
• 🔄 Nana MIUI 12 and below, a black screen bug may occur when you turn the device.
• 📱 Screen split only works in landscape orientation.

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If the split screen doesn't start, try opening both apps in normal mode first, then repeating the steps. Sometimes MIUI blocks multitasking to "cold" the applications start.

2.Floating Windows (Mini Windows) - Hidden MIUI chip

Few people know, but MIUI has a floating window mode that allows you to open applications in small resizeable windows on top of the main interface, which is more convenient than a split screen if you need to quickly check notifications or correspondence without interrupting the main application.

How to turn on floating windows:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Floating windows.
2. Turn on the switch to turn on the floating windows.
3. Select the applications you want to allow this mode for (only system utilities are available by default).

How to use:

• 📱 Open the application in normal mode.
• 👆 Swipe down from the top edge of the screen (as for notifications), but hold your finger on the app icon.
• 🖼️ Select Open in a floating window.

Important nuances:

• 🔧 Window size changes by dragging corners, but not all apps scale properly.
• 🚫 Some messengers (such as WhatsApp) can block text input in floating mode.
• 🔄 Nana MIUI 14 floating windows are more stable than on the MIUI 12.

Split screen (split screen)

Floating windows

Gestures for quick switching

I don't multitask.-->

3.Gesturals for quick launch of two applications

MIUI has hidden gestures that speed up the transition between applications or their simultaneous launch, for example, you can configure a swipe from the edge of the screen to open the second application on top of the current one.

How to set up gestures:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Gestures and movements → Launch gestures.
2. Choose Double Touch to Wake Up or Swipe up for split screen (not available on all firmware).
3. Assign applications for quick launch (for example, swipe left – Telegram, swipe right – Google Maps).

Alternative method (for MIUI 13+):

• 👆 Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger – a menu of recent apps will open.
• 📱 Click on the icon of the first application and drag it up - split mode is activated.
• 🔍 Select the second app from the list.

Challenges and solutions:

• 🚫 Gestures don't work in some games - that's a limitation MIUI full-screen.
• 🔄 If the gesture conflicts with navigation, turn off full-screen gestures in screen settings.

4. Forced launch in split mode via ADB (for advanced)

Some apps (such as Instagram or TikTok) block split-screen work, and you can bypass this restriction via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) by changing the resizeable Activity flag for the target application.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 taps).
2. Connect the Redmi Note 9 to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell am compat enable 123 com.package.name

Where com.package.name is the application identifier (e.g. com.instagram.android).

After that, the application will support split mode. Attention: this method can cause malfunctions in the application!

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Changing flags via ADB is the only way to get applications that explicitly block multitasking to work in split mode (e.g., banking or streaming services).

List of popular packages:

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause an application or system function to crash.Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

5 Third-party launchers with multitasking support

If the built-in MIUI features don’t suit you, you can install an alternative launcher with advanced multitasking support, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which allows you to customize gestures to quickly launch pairs of applications.

Top.-3 launcher for Redmi Note 9:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – supports gestures to open two apps at the same time (set up in Nova Settings) → Gestures & Inputs).
• 🪟 Microsoft Launcher – has a built-in “Double Window” mode for split screen.
• 📱 Action Launcher – allows you to create widgets with quick access to pairs of applications.

How to set up Nova Launcher for multitasking:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play and make it the default launcher.
2. Go to Nova Settings → Gestures & Inputs → Double tap.
3. Assign an Open App Drawer or Launch Shortcut action to quickly access a pair of apps.

The advantages of third-party launchers:

• ✅ More flexibility in multitasking settings.
• ✅ Support for gestures that are not in the standard MIUI.
• ✅ Ability to create “paired” shortcuts for commonly used application combinations.

⚠️ Note: Some launchers may conflict with branded features MIUI, For example, with navigation gestures or always active display (Always-on Display.

6. Problem Solving: Black screen, lags and locks

When you multitask on the Redmi Note 9, you can experience typical errors. Here's how to fix them:

Problem 1: Black screen in split mode

• 🔄 Solution: Reboot your phone. If the problem recurs, update it. MIUI to the latest version or to roll back to the MIUI 12.5 (split mode is more stable on it).
• 📱 Alternative: Use floating windows instead of split screen.

Problem 2: The app doesn’t support multitasking

• 🔧 Solution: Try the method with ADB (section 4) or use the web version of the application in the browser.
• 🌐 For Instagram or TikTok, you can open the web version in Chrome and add it to the home screen as PWA.

Issue 3: Lags and slowdowns

• 🔋 Solution: Close background applications through Settings → Annexes → Clean up.
• ⚡ Optimization: Turn off animation in the developer settings (Settings) → For developers → The scale of window animation → Animation disabled).

Problem 4: Gestures don't work

• 👆 Solution: Check if they conflict with the settings Full-screen gestures in Settings → Screen. → Full-screen display.
• 🔄 Reset: Reset gesture settings in Settings → Additionally. → Gestures and movements → Reset.

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If split mode is constantly failing, try turning off Smart Resource Allocation in battery settings. Sometimes it limits performance for background applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about multitasking on Redmi Note 9