This is where the software comes into play, and Xiaomi has, for some people, effectively executed the concept with something called the “Freeform” functionality. This guide will delve into detail to explain what this feature is and how to get it on any AOSP device.
What is MIUI Freeform?
MIUI is a highly custom-designed Android ROM developed to run on Xiaomi devices. While HyperOS has now replaced this operating system, most of the functionality remains the same. MIUI is well-known in the Android community as a piece of software that gives users loads of customization options. Among them is something called the “Floating Window.” READ MORE:
↪ Floating Windows
Floating windows are essentially supported apps displayed in resizable, layered windows that can hover or overlap other applications. This functionality allows for multitasking and better productivity by enabling users to work within multiple apps simultaneously without switching between them. While the concept of freeform windows existed in most stock Android devices after Android 7, Xiaomi’s MIUI pushed this concept even further.
↪ MIUI Freeform
MIUI Freeform isn’t a native built-in app; instead, it’s a third-party service that enables you to replicate the functionality of floating windows in MIUI. The main difference lies in how Mi-Freeform operates for any app, regardless of whether the developer supports it—it essentially shrinks apps into resizable windows. As shown in the image above, MIUI’s floating window allows you to have only one app open at a time in a resizable window. However, the modded Mi-Freeform lets you use multiple apps in floating windows simultaneously. This is particularly beneficial when transitioning to a larger display, such as a tablet. READ MORE: How to Fix Transparent Control Center Bug in MIUI? ➜
How to Get MIUI Freeform on Any AOSP Device?
Although ‘Floating Windows’ are exclusive to Xiaomi devices, you can achieve similar functionality by porting features from other sources onto your phone. There are several methods, but this guide will highlight two: using the built-in freeform functionality on Android and using Shizuku for a more advanced approach. The two methods for getting freeform windows on your phone are listed below and will be explained in detail later:
1. Method 1: Native Freeform (Android 10+) — Non-Root
Most Android devices based on AOSP have a built-in feature called “Freeform Window,” that allows you to use apps in resizable floating windows. This can be enabled through the phone’s settings. Some device manufacturers also have their own versions of this feature with different names. For example, Samsung Galaxy devices call it ‘Multi Window’. To enable freeform functionality on your Android device, follow these steps:
1. Enable Developer Options
The first step is to enable Developer options, if you haven’t done so already. This is because “Freeform Window” is still considered an experimental feature and can only be accessed and enabled within the Developer Options menu of your phone’s settings. READ MORE: Xiaomi Phones Closes Background Apps? Here’s How to Fix ➜
2. Enabling Freeform Windows in Developer Options
Once you’ve enabled Developer options, you’ll need to locate the setting within the options menu. These options are usually found on the main Settings page, or under a sub-menu called ‘System‘ within Settings. After you’ve entered the Developer options menu, follow these steps: READ MORE: How to Unlock Non-US Samsung Devices Locked by Regional Bootloader ➜
2. Method 2: Porting MIUI Freeform via Shizuku — ROOT
The native freeform functionality has limitations. It doesn’t allow app overlay and isn’t smooth enough for daily use. It currently only runs on the home screen and seems to be in an experimental stage with minor issues and bugs. For these reasons, many users prefer the MIUI version of freeform, which offers resizable floating windows. However, to use this functionality on a non-MIUI device, you’ll need to port the feature to your phone. While this method can potentially work on all phones, it generally integrates better with AOSP ROMs. For this procedure, here are some apps you’ll need to have installed beforehand:
1. Set-up Shizuku (ADB)
The first step is to set up Shizuku, and for this, you will need to connect to an external PC. Before that, it is important to enable USB Debugging. To do this, follow these steps: Once this is done, you will need to run Shizuku via ADB. For that, you will need to, Once the ADB command above is fully executed, you’ll see that the Shizuku app will show how the service is running. READ MORE: How to Unlock the Bootloader of Huawei Mobile Phones? ➜
2. Running MIUI Freeform App
After Shizuku has been initialized, you’ll need to start the Mi-Freeform app. This app will be downloaded via GitHub (thanks to sunshine0523). Here’s how to use the app to open resizable floating windows on Android. Once this has been set up, you can choose specific apps to display as floating windows. With that, Mi-Freeform will be fully configured for use. READ MORE: What to do Before Resetting Your Android Phone? [2024] ➜
MIUI Freeform: Tips & Tricks
The list below outlines some of the methods and tips to use the Mi-Freeform app on Android: READ MORE: The Best Custom Android ROMs in 2024 Ranked ➜
Conclusion
Mi-Freeform is an easy way to use Xiaomi’s floating windows functionality in any Android phone. However, it requires root, so the alternative method is to use the built-in freeform windows feature, available in every Android device starting with Android 10.
