Owning a modern Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone offers a lot of opportunities for productivity, and one of the most popular features is the simultaneous use of several programs. Screen splitting allows you to watch videos from YouTube, while simultaneously texting in the messenger, or compare products in the online store, holding a calculator open for calculations. This feature, known as Split Screen, is built into the shell of MIUI and HyperOS, but often hidden from the eyes of an inexperienced user or works incorrectly without the right setting.
Many owners of devices of the Chinese brand do not even suspect that their gadget can turn into a powerful tool for multitasking, comparable to a tablet. The split screen function works on 99% of current Xiaomi models, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Mi and Black Shark. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to activate the two-window mode, learn how to create shortcuts for quick access and solve typical problems when applications refuse to open side by side.
Before we get to the practical steps, it’s worth mentioning that the interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the specific shell modification. However, the logic of the system remains the same for all devices in the ecosystem. Understanding the principles of navigation will help you easily find the right switches even if the menu has been updated by the developers.
Preparation of the device and compatibility check
The first step before multitasking is activated is to check the system requirements of your gadget. The split screen function is demanding on RAM, so on very old or budget models with less than 2 GB of RAM, the system can forcefully block this mode to maintain stability. Make sure that your device is running Android 7.0 Nougat or a newer version, since it was from this release that Google introduced native support for window mode.
It is also important to understand that not all applications support work in a reduced window. Social networks, browsers and video players are usually perfectly adapted, while some games or specialized utilities can be forced to unfold on the full screen or refuse to run at all in the second window.
⚠️ Warning: Forced inclusion of split-screen mode for incompatible applications through the developer menu can lead to unstable system operation, interface freezes or incorrect display of controls.
For comfortable operation, it is recommended to release some RAM before starting heavy tasks. Close background processes that are not in use right now to avoid automatic unloading of one of the windows by the system. This is especially true for devices that run multiple resource-intensive navigation or streaming services simultaneously.
The classic way through the menu of recent apps
The most common and simple method of activating Split Screen on Xiaomi devices is to use the standard menu of running tasks. This method does not require installing additional software and works out of the box on all current versions of MIUI. To begin, open the application you want to place at the top of the screen, such as a browser or video player.
When you start the program, don't fold it, go to the process control menu. Depending on the type of navigation you choose (buttons or gestures), the action will look different. If you use on-screen buttons, click on a square or swipe up and hold your finger. If gesture control is enabled, swipe from the bottom edge of the screen up and stop in the middle.
- 📱 Find the right shortcut in the list of running applications and click on it with your finger to make additional options appear.
- 🔲 In the context menu that appears, select an icon that depicts two rectangles above each other – this is the separation mode.
- 👆 At the bottom half of the screen, the system will suggest selecting a second application from a list of frequently used or a full list of installed programs.
Once you select the second program, the screen will split into two independent regions, so you can change the proportions of the windows by dragging the dividing line up or down, so you can give more space to the video, or you can enlarge the keyboard area for easy typing, and you just drag the dividing line to the very edge of the screen to get out of the mode.
☑️ Checking for Split Screen activation
Use of side panel and floating windows
The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS offer a more advanced multitasking tool, the Sidebar, which allows you to run apps as floating windows over main content or quickly switch between them in split-screen mode, especially when you need to quickly respond to a message without interrupting a movie or game.
To activate this function, you need to go to the system settings. The path usually looks like: Settings → Additional settings → Floating windows (or Sidebar). Here you need to turn on the activation switch and select the applications that will appear in the quick access list, you can add messengers, calculator, voice recorder or notes.
The sidebar is swiped from the edge of the screen (left or right, depending on the settings) with little delay. In the list that opens, select the app you want. It will open in floating mode. If you pull the top corner of the floating window, you can swipe it halfway through the screen, creating the same separation effect that I talked about earlier.
⚠️ Attention: The number of floating windows open simultaneously is limited by the processor's capabilities. 3-4 "Flying" applications can lead to a noticeable decrease in performance and heating of the hull.
The advantage of the sidebar is that you can zoom in, you can make the chat window very small and place it in the corner, leaving almost the entire screen for the main application, and it gives you the flexibility that you wouldn't have in classic split screens, where the proportions are often fixed or vary stepwise.
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Add to the sidebar frequently used tools like "Dictator" or "Calculator" - this will save time to find these applications in the general menu.
Application cloning function: two accounts in one window
Often, when users ask for “two apps,” they don’t mean sharing a screen, but rather the ability to use two different accounts on the same messenger at the same time, such as having two WhatsApp numbers or two Telegram profiles on the same device, and Xiaomi has a built-in Dual Apps feature.
This feature creates a full copy of the installed application with independent data and settings. The cloned program icon will be marked with a special icon (usually yellow or orange) so that you do not confuse the main account with the second one. → Annexes → Cloning of applications.
In the list of supported programs, mark the ones that need to be duplicated. The system will create a copy, and in a few seconds a new icon will appear on the desktop. The process takes only a couple of seconds and does not require rebooting the device. This is the ideal solution for those who lead a separation of work and personal life or use two. SIM-maps.
| Function | Screen splitting (Split Screen) | Cloning of applications |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Simultaneously launching two different programs | Launching two accounts of the same program |
| Example | YouTube + Chrome | WhatsApp (Personal) + WhatsApp (Working) |
| Location. | On the same screen at the same time | Individual icons on the menu |
| Resources | High RAM consumption | Average RAM consumption |
It's worth noting that cloning isn't available for all applications, mostly social networks, messengers, and some gaming platforms, and if the app you want isn't on the list, there are third-party utilities, but they require fine-tuning and access rights.
Customize gestures and hotkeys for quick access
For users who appreciate speed, constantly finding the split button in the task menu can seem slow. There are ways to simplify this process in MIUI, one of which is using special gestures if supported by your firmware version, or adjusting navigation buttons.
Some versions of the shell offer split-screen application launch via long-pressing on the "Recent" button (square), and you can use the voice assistant Google Assistant or Xiao AI (in Chinese versions), saying the command "Split screen" or "Split screen", after which the system will prompt you to select programs.
- 🗣️ Use voice commands to quickly start the mode if your hands are busy.
- ⚙️ Set the Menu button or assigned action to press long-term to call a list of split pairs.
- 🔄 Regularly clean the cache of apps you often use in pairs so they run instantly.
Another life hack is shortcuts. Some launchers allow you to create widgets that open two apps at once in Split Screen mode, which requires installing third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, but gives you maximum control over the workspace.
The secrets of the launchers
Solving the Problem: Why Screen Split Doesn't Work
Despite the convenience, users often encounter situations where the function is not activated or not working correctly, the most common reason is the lack of support from the application itself. Some software developers block the ability to work in a reduced window for security reasons (for example, banking applications) or interface features.
Another common problem is a lack of RAM, where if you have a lot of heavy games or navigation in the background, the system can automatically close one of the windows when you try to split, in which case it helps to clear the memory before starting the mode or restarting the smartphone.
It’s also worth checking the battery settings. Aggressive power saving modes can limit the background activity of applications, which leads to them falling asleep in the second window. Add important apps to the exclusion list or select No Limits mode in the battery settings.
⚠️ Note: If the screen starts flashing or the image gets distorted when you turn on Split Screen, this may indicate a conflict of display drivers.
In rare cases, resetting the interface or updating the system to the latest available version helps. Errors in System UI can block the correct display of windows. If persists is a problem, try running the application in Safe Mode to eliminate the impact of third-party modifications.
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If the application does not support splitting the screen natively, try running it in tablet mode through the developer settings, but be prepared for possible interface bugs.
Optimization of work in the two windows mode
Using two apps simultaneously significantly increases the load on the processor and battery. To make Xiaomi smartphone run fast and not run out in a couple of hours, it is important to adjust the performance parameters correctly. Turn off the animations of the windows in the "Developers" menu, which visually speeds up the switch between tasks.
Watch the temperature of the device. In active multitasking, the heat can be higher than usual, especially if one of the applications uses a GPS or video processor. Remove the dense case during long sessions of operation and avoid direct sunlight on the body.
Update apps regularly through Google Play or GetApps. Developers are constantly optimizing their products to work in multi-window mode, fixing layout bugs and improving compatibility with new versions of Android.