How to turn on multi-window on Xiaomi: launch 2 applications at the same time

Running two apps simultaneously on the same Xiaomi screen is a feature that saves time and makes multitasking easier. But many users don’t even realize that their MIUI smartphone supports split-screen. In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to activate the multi-window, including hidden chips for old and new versions of firmware, and solve typical problems when the feature doesn’t work.

It's important to understand that the ability to display two applications simultaneously depends on the MIUI version and the device model. For example, on the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13, the on-board algorithm differs from POCO F5 on MIUI 14. We tested all methods on current firmware (2023-2026) and collected working solutions from standard to alternative.

If you switch between messengers and browsers often, or you want to watch videos while reading comments, this guide is for you. And if the feature suddenly disappeared after an update, there is a section at the end of the article with a recovery.

1. Standard method: gestures and navigation buttons

The easiest method to activate a multi-window is through the recent app bar.It works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark. The main condition is that you must have navigation buttons (triangle/square/circle) or MIUI gestures (not to be confused with Android gestures!).

Step instructions:

1. Open the first app you want to pin to the top of the screen (like YouTube).
2. Swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger on the screen to open the recent apps bar.
3. Click on the app icon (not the preview!) and select Split screen (or Multiwindow on some firmware) from the menu that appears.
4. Select the second app from the recent list or through the main menu.

If you have MIUI gestures (no navigation buttons), the algorithm is slightly different:

• 📱 Open the first app and swipe from the bottom up, but not to the end – hold your finger in the middle of the screen.
• 🔄 In the recent app bar, tap the app icon and select Split screen.
• 🔍 If the option does not appear, check the gesture settings in Settings → Display. → Full screen mode.

An important nuance: some apps (such as TikTok or Netflix) block split-mode work due to security policies, in which case alternative methods will have to be used (see section 4).

2. Alternative method: through system settings

If the standard method didn’t work, try enabling multi-windows through special features, which is relevant for MIUI 13-14 and helps when the function is hidden or disabled by default.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Functions Lab.
2. Find the Multi-Window (or Split Screen) option and activate the slider.
3. Return to Settings → Display → Full-screen mode and make sure that the gesture or button mode is selected (not buttonless).
4. Reset the device (required!).

After the reboot, try to open the multi-window again through the recent app bar. If the option never appears, check if it is disabled in the developer settings:

Settings → About the phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times)


Settings → Additional → For developers → Multi-window (include)

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On some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T), the multi-window option only appears after connecting to Wi-Fi. This is a firmware bug that is fixed by an update.

3. Multi-window on older versions of MIUI (up to 12th)

If you have a smartphone on MIUI 11 or older (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro), the standard way may not work, and in such cases, a hidden feature that the manufacturer does not advertise will help.

The algorithm for MIUI 9-11:

1. Open the first app (like Chrome).
2. Click on the “Recent” button (square) and hold the app icon at the top of the screen.
3. After 2-3 seconds, a menu with the option of split screen will appear.
4. Select the second app from the list.

If this method doesn’t work, try another trick:

• 🔧 Install a launcher from Xiaomi (if you use a third-party one).
• 📲 Enable the Developer Mode (7 taps according to version) MIUI).
• 🔄 In the developer settings, find Enable the free form of the multi-window and activate.

Critical information for owners of the POCO F1 and Mi A2: these models do not initially support multi-window on stock firmware, the solution is the installation of custom recovery (TWRP) and the firmware MIUI EU or Pixel Experience.

4.Applications for forced screen splitting

If the system methods didn't work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue, and we tested 5 popular applications and selected the two most stable ones:

Instructions for setting up Split Screen Launcher:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and allow the display to be displayed over other windows (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Display on top).
3. Enable the special features service for the application.
4. Run the multi-window through the notification panel or gesture (configurable in the application).

Warning: Some banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online) block split-mode operations due to security requirements, and you will have to use picture-in-picture (PiP) mode instead of a full-fledged multi-window.

5. Problem Solving: Multi-windows Are Not Working

If you followed the instructions but the split screen mode never started, check out these points:

• ⚙️ Update. MIUI until the last version. MIUI 14.0.5+ Multi-window bugs for Redmi Note 11 and POCO X4 Pro.
• 🔄 Reset the launcher settings: clamping the empty space on the home screen → Home screen settings → Drop it.
• 📵 Turn off the power saving mode: it can block background processes required for a multi-window.
• 🛠️ Check system integrity through Settings → The phone. → System verification.

If the problem remains, reset to factory settings, but pre-do backup:

Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Resetting settings

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On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and MIX Fold 2, the multi-window only works in landscape orientation. If the screen does not rotate automatically, check the auto-turn settings in the notification curtain.

Attention: ⚠️ On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global Stable for Redmi 9A) Multi-window is blocked regionally, so you can change the region to India or Europe through Settings. → Additionally. → Region (resetting will be required).

6. Optimization of work in multi-window

To ensure that the two apps work consistently, follow these tips:

• 🔋 Close background processes before activating the multi-window (swipe up in the recent panel).
• 📶 Disable mobile data for one of the applications if it is actively using the Internet (saving traffic and battery).
• 🔊 Customize the sound: in a multi-window, the default sound comes only from the top app. To hear both, use Bluetooth headphones.
• 🔄 Change the proportions of the screen: pull the dividing line up/down to increase the area for one of the applications.

For games and heavy-duty applications (e.g. Genshin Impact + Discord):

1. Enable the performance mode in Settings → Battery → Performance modes.
2. Turn off window animation in the developer settings (Window animation scale → No animation).
3. Use the turbo mode (available on POCO and Black Shark).

Attention: ⚠️ On the Xiaomi Pad. 5/6 Multi-window works differently – it is supported by 4-x applications simultaneously (Multi-tasking mode in the notification curtain) but to do this, you need to turn off child mode and restrictions on background processes.

7. Comparison of multi-window on Xiaomi and other brands

The split-screen function is different for manufacturers, and here's how the competition is doing:

Xiaomi lags behind Samsung in multi-window stability, but benefits from Huawei through simpler activation. The main disadvantage of MIUI is that not all applications are supported (especially games and banking services), but on Xiaomi Pad tablets, implementation is better than many competitors.

If multitasking is critical to you, consider alternatives:

• 📱 Samsung Galaxy Tab S – the best multi-window support + DeX.
• 💻 Windows tablets (such as Surface Pro) – full multitasking.
• 🖥️ Miracast mode – screen duplication on TV with support for multiple windows.

FAQ: Frequent questions about multi-window on Xiaomi