FreeForm app on Xiaomi: a full guide to free window mode

Have you ever tried watching YouTube videos and chatting on Telegram at the same time, but the standard split screen on Xiaomi seemed too limited? Then FreeForm is exactly what you need. It's a hidden multitasking mode that allows you to open apps in floating windows of arbitrary size, like on a computer. But unlike the classic Split Screen, there's no rigid bezels: windows can be freely drag and drop and change their size and even fold into the taskbar.

The problem is that FreeForm is hidden by default in the MIUI firmware and requires activation through a developer or third-party utilities. In this article, we will discuss what FreeForm is on Xiaomi, how to enable it on different models (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14), what applications support this mode, and why it can be a real godsend for advanced users.

What is FreeForm on Xiaomi and why is it needed?

FreeForm (or "free form") is an experimental multitasking mode in MIUI that allows you to run applications in separate floating windows. Unlike the standard Split Screen (split screen), where applications occupy fixed halves of the display, here you can:

• 🪟 Resize windows arbitrarily, stretching them over the edges, like on a PC.
• 📍 Move windows to any location on the screen, including corners.
• 🗂️ Convert applications to the taskbar (as in Windows).
• 🔄 Work with multiple windows at the same time (up to 4-5, depending on the model).

It's basically the equivalent of Picture-in-Picture (PiP), but not just for video, but for everything from instant messengers to browsers.

• 📱 Read a Chrome article in one window and take notes in Google Keep in another.

However, there is a caveat: FreeForm is not officially supported by Xiaomi and may not work smoothly on some models, which is because the feature was originally designed for tablets and devices with large screens (such as the Xiaomi Pad 6), but enthusiasts have found a way to activate it on smartphones.

What Xiaomi models support FreeForm?

FreeForm can theoretically run on any Xiaomi smartphone running MIUI 12-14, but the stability depends on the model and firmware version. Below is a compatibility table based on user feedback and tests:

If your model is not on the list, it does not mean that FreeForm will not work, the main condition is the presence of a MIUI 12+ and unlocked bootloader (for some activation methods), however, on budget models (for example, Redmi 10A or POCO M4 Pro), the function can work with serious bugs or not start at all.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with MediaTek processors (e.g., Redmi Note 10S or POCO M3 Pro), FreeForm often causes the system to overheat and slow down. Before activation, check the temperature CPU in Settings → Battery → Battery status.

How to enable FreeForm on Xiaomi: 3 working ways

Since FreeForm is hidden in system settings, one of the following actions will be required to activate it:

1. Using the Activity Launcher app.
2. Editing system files (for experienced ones only).

Let us examine each method in detail.

Method 1: Activation through ADB (recommended)

This method works on most models and does not require root rights.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging on USB on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → Version MIUI → 7 times press to unlock Developer Mode, then enable debugging).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open Command Prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in the ADB folder.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, continue.
3. Execute FreeForm activation command: adb shell settings put global force_resizable_activities 1

After the reboot, the Recent Apps will have the ability to open windows in free mode (click the app icon and select Free Window).

USB debugging enabled

Installed ADB Tools on PC

The smartphone is connected in file transfer mode (MTP).

Battery charge > 50% (in case of failure)-->

Method 2: Activity Launcher App

If ADB seems complicated, you can try to do without a PC:

1. Install the Activity Launcher app from Google Play.
2. Open it and find it in the Settings list.
3. Inside the section, find an activity called.FreeformSettingsActivity and run it.
4. Turn on the Force Resizeable Activities switch.

This method is less reliable than ADB and may not work on newer versions of MIUI 14.

Method 3: Editing system files (for advanced)

If the first two methods fail, you can manually change the system settings through root access or Magisk.

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to boothole (cyclic reboot) or reset settings. Before making changes, back up via TWRP or Xiaomi Cloud.

💡

If, after activating FreeForm, applications open in windows but do not respond to touch, try turning off navigation gestures in Settings → Display → Navigation Bar and switch to buttons.

Which apps work in FreeForm and which don’t?

Not all programs support FreeForm mode, but here are the main categories:

Applications that do not support FreeForm:

• 🎮 Games (due to limitations OpenGL/Vulkan)
• 📷 Camera (system constraint MIUI).
• 🔒 Banking applications (due to security policies)
• 📱 Some system utilities (e.g., Security or Settings)

If the application opens in a window but doesn’t show up correctly (such as a cropped interface), try:

1. Restart it in free mode.
2. Change the window size manually.
3. Clear the app cache in Settings → Apps.

How to use FreeForm: Windows management and hot keys

After activating FreeForm, window management is intuitive, but there are a few nuances:

• 🖱️ Move: Press the top panel of the window and drag it.
• 📐 Size change: Pull over any edge or angle.
• 🗑️ Closing: Swipe down from the top panel (like in iOS).
• 🔄 Cast: Click on the application icon in the taskbar.

Hot keys (not working on all models):

• Double click on the application icon → open in a free window.
• Press the icon in the taskbar → the window control menu.
• Swipe up from the bottom panel → show all open windows.

If the windows start to flicker or close voluntarily, this may be due to:

• Lack of RAM (check in Settings → About Phone → Memory).
• Battery optimization conflict (disable it for problematic applications).
• Bug in MIUI (helps reboot or roll back to the old version of the firmware).

💡

FreeForm consumes 15-30% more RAM than standard mode. If you have less than 6GB of RAM, don’t open more than 2-3 windows at a time to avoid lags.

FreeForm problems and bugs: how to fix them?

Even after successful activation, FreeForm can run insecurely, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

If after activation of FreeForm smartphone began to overheat or discharge faster, follow the following steps:

1. Close all the background windows.
2. Disable the function by command: adb shell settings put global force_resizable_activities 0
3. Check the temperature of the processor in AIDA64.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with MIUI 14 and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Pro), FreeForm may conflict with the hypervisor, resulting in random reboots, in which case roll back to MIUI 13 or wait for the official patch.

FreeForm Alternatives: What to Use if the Function Fails to Work?

If FreeForm doesn’t run on your model or isn’t running smoothly, consider alternative ways to multitask:

• 🤖 Third-party launchers (e.g. Microsoft Launcher): Some launchers support floating windows for individual widgets.

If you are critically important full-fledged multitasking, but FreeForm is not suitable, consider buying a Xiaomi Pad 6 tablet - there the function works out of the box without crutches.

FAQ: Frequent questions about FreeForm on Xiaomi