Pop-up chats on Xiaomi: how to enable and configure floating message windows

Floating chat windows are one of the most convenient features MIUI, This option allows you to respond to messages without leaving the current app, which is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and other smartphones. POCO under the control of the firmware, starting with MIUI 12 However, many users are unaware of its existence or have difficulty configuring it.

In this article, you will find not only step-by-step instructions for turning pop-up chats on, but also tips for customizing them, lists of supported messengers, and solutions to typical problems. We will understand why windows may not appear, how to add exceptions for individual applications, and what to do if the function disappears after the system update.

We'll pay special attention to the notification settings, which will determine whether chats will open in floating mode, and you'll also learn how the function differs on different versions. MIUI (including global and Chinese firmware and what restrictions apply to specific smartphone models.

If you communicate frequently on WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber, but are tired of constantly switching between windows – this is the guide for you. Once you set up pop-up chats, you will be able to respond to messages directly over the game, video or work document without losing context.

What are pop-up chats on Xiaomi and why do they need them?

Pop-up (or floating) chats are miniature messenger windows that appear on top of any open application, allowing you to quickly read and respond to a message without folding the current task.

📱 Multitasking: Playing Genshin Impact or watching YouTube videos but needing an urgent answer on Telegram.

⚡ Time savings: No need to return to the home screen or open a list of recent apps.

🔒 Privacy: The window can be rolled or closed with a single gesture to hide the contents of the chat from outsiders.

On Xiaomi, this feature is implemented through the Floating Windows mechanism, which is integrated into the notification system. Unlike the standard picture-in-picture (PiP) mode for video, pop-up chats work only with supported messengers and require separate configuration.

It’s important to understand that not all apps support this mode, for example, Facebook Messenger can display differently than WhatsApp, and some messengers (like Signal) do not have any integration with floating windows in the app. MIUI.

What Xiaomi models support pop-up chats

Floating chats are available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, steerable MIUI 12 and newer. There are nuances, though:

✅ Full support (all functions including customization):

• 📱 Xiaomi series 11/12/13/14 (including Pro, Ultra, Lite)
• 📱 Redmi Note 10/11/12 newer
• 📱 POCO F3/F4/F5, POCO X3/X4/X5 Pro
• 📱 Mi 10T, Mi 11 Lite and other models with MIUI 13+

⚠️ Limited support (may require manual activation):

• 📱 Devices on MIUI 12 (e.g. Redmi Note 9, POCO X3 NFC)
• 📱 Smartphones with custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.EU)
• 📱 Models for the Chinese market (requires region switching)

❌ Not supported (or working with errors):

• 📱 Devices on MIUI 11 and older (e.g. Redmi Note 8)
• 📱 Smartphones with Android Go (e.g. Redmi) A1)
• 📱 Some models for the Indian market (due to firmware limitations)

If your model is not on the list, check the version. MIUI in settings: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Activating the function on older devices may require a firmware update or use of workarounds (we will discuss them below).

💡

On smartphones with MIUI 14 and newer floating chats are more stable than on the MIUI 12.If you have an older version, consider updating through Settings. → Updating the system

Step-by-step: how to turn on pop-up chats

The process of activating floating windows consists of two steps: enabling the function in the system settings and setting notifications for specific messengers.

🔧 Step 1. Enable floating windows in the settings MIUI

1. Open the settings on your smartphone.
2. Go to Special Features (on some firmware - Additional settings) → Special opportunities).
3. Select Floating Windows (or Floating Windows in English).
4. Activate the switch Allow floating windows.
5. In the list of applications, mark the messengers for which you want to enable the function (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram).

⚙️ Step 2: Set up notifications for each messenger

For the correct operation of floating chats, you must allow pop-up notifications in the settings of each application:

1. Open Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management.
2. Select the desired messenger (for example, Telegram).
3. Activate the switches: 🔔 Allow notices 📝 Show as pop-up (or floating notifications) 🔄 Allow change of order (optional)

Notification style

A pop-up window

🎯 Step 3. Check the function

Open any messenger and send yourself a test message from another device.

• 📱 Press the notification and hold your finger. 1-2 seconds.
• 📱 In the menu that appears, select Open as a floating window (or similar item).
• 📱 The chat window should appear on top of the current app.

Customization of the appearance and behavior of floating windows

After activating the function, it can be customized to your needs. MIUI Offers several options to customize the appearance and behavior of floating chats:

🎨 Changes in size and transparency

• 📏 Window size: Pull around the corners of a floating chat room to change its dimensions. Minimum size is approximately 1/4 screen.
• 👁️ Transparency: in some versions MIUI You can adjust the transparency of the window background (available in Settings) → Floating windows → Display settings).
• 🔄 Auto-curl: Turn on the option to Curl When Scrolling so that the window is automatically minimized when scrolling in the main app.

📍 Positioning on the screen

Floating windows can be moved around the screen, holding the top panel. MIUI limitations:

• ✅ The window can be fixed at any edge of the screen (left, right, top or bottom).
• ❌ You can’t place a window in the center, it will always be attracted to the nearest edge.
• 🔒 On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) available option to fasten in place so that the window does not move when touching.

🔕 Confidentiality management

If you are concerned about safety, set up:

• 🔐 Hiding Content: In the messenger notification settings, enable Hiding the notification text on the lock screen. This will hide the text of the messages in the floating window before unlocking.
• 🚫 Blacklist: in Settings → Floating windows can be added to applications for which windows will never open (e.g. banking applications).
• 👤 Contact exceptions: Some messengers (e.g. Telegram) allow you to configure floating notifications only for selected contacts.

⚠️ Attention: on smartphones with MIUI 14 and later, if you have prolonged inactivity, the floating windows automatically fold into a thumbnail. To return a full-size chat, tap the thumbnail twice.

List of supported messengers and their features

Not all instant messengers work equally well with floating windows on Xiaomi, and below is a table of compatibility of popular apps with nuances of their work:

🔍 How to add an unsupported messenger?

If your messenger is not in the list of supported, you can try a workaround:

1. Install the Floating Apps app or Chat Heads from Google Play.
2. In the application settings, select the desired messenger and activate the floating windows mode.
3. Allow display over other applications in Settings → Annexes → Special access → Displaying on top of other applications.

⚠️ Warning: Third-party floating window applications may consume an extra battery and do not always work consistently with the battery. MIUI. We recommend using them only when absolutely necessary.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after you set up the right floating chats can work incorrectly, and let’s look at the most common problems and ways to fix them:

🚨 Problem 1: Floating windows do not appear when a message is received

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔕 Notifications disabled: check permissions for messenger in Settings → Notifications.
• 🔄 Do not disturb mode: disable it or add messenger in exceptions.
• 📵 Energy saving: add the app to the exclusion list in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• 🔧 Resetting: If the problem appears after the update, reset the notification settings for the messenger (Settings) → Annexes → [messenger] → Notifications → Drop it).

🚨 Problem 2: The chat window opens but closes immediately

This is often due to a conflict of permissions:

• 🛡️ Check if the messenger is allowed to display on top of other applications (Settings) → Annexes → Special access).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes it helps to reset the system cache.
• 📱 Update the messenger to the latest version in Google Play.

🚨 Problem 3: Floating windows only work for some contacts

In Telegram and WhatsApp, you can configure exceptions:

• 📋 In Telegram: open chat settings → Notifications → Turn on Show as a pop-up.
• 👥 On WhatsApp: Check notification settings for a specific contact (long click on chat) → Notification settings).

🚨 Problem 4: The chat window does not respond to touch

This may be related to:

• 🖥️ One Hand Mode: Turn it off in Settings → Additional settings → With one hand.
• 🎮 Game mode: if the window does not work in the game, add the messenger to the exceptions of the game space (Settings) → Special facilities → Playing space).
• 🔄 Gesture Conflict: Try changing the navigation type to Settings → System system → Gestures.

💡

If the floating windows stopped working after the update MIUI, Try to clear the system cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Clear the cache.

Alternative ways to include floating chats

If the standard method didn't work, you can use alternative methods, which are suitable for older models or custom firmware.

🔧 Method 1: Using Freeform Mode (for Android 10)+)

This method allows you to run any application in a floating window:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
3. Find the Free Form option and turn it on.
4. Now, when you hold the messenger icon in the menu of the latest applications, the Open option will appear in free form.

⚠️ Warning: Freeform mode may not work well on some versions MIUI. After turning it on, it is recommended to restart the smartphone.

🔧 Method 2: Launcher applications with floating window support

Some launchers (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) have built-in floating window support:

• 📱 Install a launcher from Google Play.
• 🔧 In the launcher settings, find the Floating Windows or Quick Actions section.
• 📋 Add messengers to the list of supported applications.

🔧 Method 3: ADB-command

For experienced users, there is a method using ADB:

adb shell settings put global multi_window_mode_freeform 1


adb shell settings put global force_resizable_activities 1

After completing the commands, restart your smartphone. Now any application can be opened in a floating window through the latest task menu.

⚠️ Attention: use ADB This can cause system instability. Make a backup copy of the data before executing the commands.

Comparison of floating chats on Xiaomi and other brands

The function of floating windows is not only implemented in MIUI. Let’s see how it works on other devices and how it differs from Xiaomi’s solution:

🔍 Xiaomi's solution is better?

• 🎛️ Customization flexibility: You can change the size, transparency and position of the window.
• 📱 A wide list of supported instant messengers (including Viber and Skype).
• 🔄 Integration with notifications: windows appear automatically when a message is received.

🔍 Disadvantages of floating chats on Xiaomi

• ❌ Instability on old firmware (for example, MIUI 12 can "forget" settings after rebooting).
• ❌ Limited support for custom firmware (for example, on Xiaomi.EU may require additional manipulations).
• ❌ No synchronization between devices (floating window settings are not portable when changing your smartphone).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions