How to Open Two Apps on Xiaomi: Split Screen Mode

Xiaomi smartphones are so powerful in performance that it seems wasteful to use them for just one task at a time. Device owners often face the need to text in a messenger while watching a video or copy data from one source, pasting it into another document. Multitasking in the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS is implemented at a high level, allowing you to turn the screen into a full-fledged workbar.

However, the standard interface is not always obvious to beginners, and many users do not even suspect that their phone can split the screen into parts or run windows on top of other applications. Xiaomi offers several ways to implement this feature, each of which is suitable for different use cases. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from classic split screen to advanced floating windows.

By understanding the finer points of customization, you can be more productive, you don't have to constantly switch between tabs, you lose context, and a split screen is not just a convenience, it's a necessity for people who are actively using their smartphones for work or study.

Preparation of the device and compatibility check

Before you start activating multitasking functions, you need to make sure that your device is technically ready for this load. Most modern models of Redmi, POCO and Mi support splitting the screen out of the box, but there are nuances. First of all, this concerns the amount of RAM: for comfortable operation of two active applications, it is desirable to have at least 4 GB of RAM.

It is also important to update the operating system to the current version. Older MIUI builds may have window mode implementation bugs or may not support some features at all. Check for updates in the settings menu to rule out software errors.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications and banking programs may block split-screen operation for security reasons. This is normal behavior and cannot be circumvented by standard means.

On models with a compact display (less than 6 inches), using two applications at the same time can be inconvenient due to the small print and buttons, in which case the system can forcefully restrict functionality or offer alternative interface options.

Classic split screen mode via recent app menu

The most common and intuitive way to run two apps at once is to use the menu of the latest programs running. This method works on most versions of the MIUI shell and does not require additional settings. First, open the application that should be at the top of the screen.

Once you download the program, swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger in the center of the screen (or press the Menu button if you have classic navigation) to go to the list of recent apps. Find the card of the window you want. In the upper right corner of the card (or if you press it for a long time in new versions), an icon that resembles two rectangles or the word "More" will appear.

Click on this icon and select "Split screen." The screen blinks and the active app moves to the top half. At the bottom of the display, the second app's selection menu opens. Just select it from the list and the split will be activated.

You can move the boundary between windows. You can tap the black bar in the middle of the screen and drag it up or down to change the proportions, which is especially useful if you're typing in one window and reading in another, and you need more space for the keyboard.

Using Floating Windows for Maximum Flexibility

Unlike rigidly splitting the screen in half, floating Windows offers much more freedom: you can run a video in a small window over a correspondence or open a calculator on top of the browser, a feature that is especially relevant for owners of smartphones with large diagonals.

To activate a floating window, also go to the menu of recent apps. Click on the window control icon (two rectangles) and select the option "Floating window." The app will open in a small mobile format that you can drag around the entire screen and change its size. In new versions of HyperOS, it is enough to just swipe the angle of the open application to put it into this mode.

The advantage of floating windows is that you can run more than two programs at once, and you can have one full-screen app, a second one as a floating window, and a third one as a mini window (Mini Window), which only appears as an icon in the corner, ready for rapid deployment.

To control the floating window, use the upper bar: a short press will roll the window into the sidebar, a long one will close it. The side panel of floating windows can be called by swipe from the corner of the screen, if this function is enabled in the settings.

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Use the sidebar for quick access to frequently used floating windows without closing the main app.

Setting up the sidebar and quick access

To make multitasking easier to access, MIUI has a sidebar that allows applications to run in floating or split-screen mode in a single touch, without closing the current task, a key tool for efficient operation.

To set up the panel, go to Settings → Special Features → Application Sidebar. Here you can activate the function and choose which apps it will display in. It is recommended to enable display in all applications for maximum flexibility.

Inside the sidebar menu, you can add shortcuts to frequently used programs. When you open the sidebar while using another application, just drag the icon of the desired program to the screen. The system automatically prompts you to run it in a floating window or split the screen.

⚠️ Attention: Activated sidebar may consume additional battery power, as it constantly monitors running processes.If autonomy is a priority for you, turn off the panel when it is not needed.

You can also change the transparency and position of the sidebar in the settings so that it does not interfere with the viewing of games or when watching videos. Flexibility of settings allows you to adapt the interface to the personal preferences of each user.

Solving problems with incompatible applications

Despite the wide range of features, some applications may not work in split-screen mode, most often for bank customers, some anti-cheat games or specific enterprise programs, and the system blocks their launch in the second window for security reasons or due to lack of interface optimization.

There is a way to force an application to run in split mode, even if it doesn't officially support this function. → The phone. → Press 7 times on "Version" MIUI», activate the developer menu.

Settings → Additional → For developers → Forced activity in multiwindow mode

Turn on the Force Activities to be Resizable switch. After you reboot your device, try running the problem app again through the recent task menu, but keep in mind that the interface may not display correctly, with distortions or unreadable text.

Features of work in HyperOS and new versions of MIUI

With the release of the HyperOS shell, the logic of working with windows has become even more sophisticated, with the introduction of Portable Windows, which combines the management of floating and split screens, and now the transition between modes is more smooth and intuitive.

The new versions add the ability to save usage scenarios, so you can set up a group of apps you use together often (e.g., mail, calendar, and instant messenger) and run them in one action, which makes the start of the day much faster.

It also improves the clipboard between windows, so you can copy text or images in one window and paste them in another, instantly, without delay or conflict, and optimize memory to keep more heavy applications in the background without unloading them.

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HyperOS focuses on smooth transitions between window modes, removing the extra customization steps that were in early versions of MIUI.

The Impact of Multitasking on Performance and Battery

Running two or more apps at the same time inevitably increases the load on the processor and RAM. If you use “heavy” programs such as a navigator and a game, or two video players, the smartphone may start to heat up. Trottling (reducing the processor frequency) can lead to a slowdown of the interface.

The battery consumption in split-screen mode increases in proportion to the number of active processes. Two screens running mean that the GPU and CPU are constantly processing graphics and data for both applications. If you plan to work long hours in this mode, you better have a powerbank or charger on hand.

To minimize the negative impact on the system, close the background applications that you do not need right now. Do not keep 10 browser tabs and 5 games open if you work with only two windows. Regularly cleaning memory through the built-in optimizer will help maintain a stable speed.