If you use a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO mobile phone and the floating windows They're making your life miserable, and you're not alone. Between MIUI 12, MIUI 13, and now HyperOS, Xiaomi has been adding more and more options to open apps in miniature on top of others, and that's great for multitasking… until it starts to get annoying or break things, like what's happening with your browser and your game.
The problem comes when Do you want to remove the floating window option? or prevent a specific app (for example, the browser where you load saved games) from opening in that mode. Things get complicated here because Xiaomi doesn't offer a global switch to completely disable this feature, and depending on the MIUI or HyperOS version, the paths and names change slightly. Even so, there are several tricks and settings that allow you to severely limit its use or bypass it altogether.
What exactly are floating windows in MIUI and HyperOS?
The calls floating windows on Xiaomi They're a kind of "mini-window" that sits on top of the app you have open. They arrived prominently in MIUI 12 and have been refined in MIUI 13 and HyperOS. The idea is that you can, for example, have WhatsApp floating while you browse via Chrome, or open the calculator on top of a document without changing screens.
These windows can be opened from the notification bar or from the recent apps panel. When you do this, the app takes up a portion of the screen, can be moved, minimized to a corner, and generally behaves like a layer floating on top of the rest of the system. It's very useful for chats, productivity apps, or quickly checking something without losing sight of what you were doing.
With MIUI 12, Xiaomi made it clear that this feature was one of the cornerstones of its multitasking capabilities. Later on, HyperOS maintains and expands the floating window system, even integrating it into the control center, so you can activate them even faster from a dedicated button.
How do I configure floating windows depending on my version?
Although the base is the same, the shape of using and controlling floating windows There are some differences between MIUI 12, MIUI 13, and HyperOS. Understanding this is important to know what you can and can't change on your POCO or Xiaomi device.
In MIUI 12 and similar versions
In MIUI 12 you have two main ways to Launch an app in a floating window without too many complications, designed precisely so that the user will use this function often.
- From the multitasking menuIf you open your recent apps, you'll see all your applications displayed as cards. Tap and hold the card of the app you're interested in, and additional options will appear, including the ability to make it a floating window. If the floating window icon is off or grayed out, that app isn't compatible and can't be overlaid on top of other apps.
- From the notification panelWhen you receive a notification, instead of opening the app in full screen, you can press and hold the alert or swipe it slightly to reveal the option to open it as a floating window. This way you can, for example, reply to a WhatsApp message while playing a game or answer an email while continuing to watch a video without leaving the main app.
Once open, the floating window is controlled with very simple gestures: you can drag the top bar to move it You can move it to the back of the screen or drag it to a corner to minimize it. If you drag it to a corner, it will remain as a small bubble, and you can enlarge it again later.
On phones with MIUI versions prior to these, The floating windows feature is not included by defaultTherefore, it could only be achieved with third-party applications or by modifying the system (root, custom ROMs, etc.).
Starting with MIUI 13
In MIUI 13, Xiaomi tweaked the floating multitasking system. Initially, the changes were leaked, mainly focused on gaming, but in the end It ended up spreading to many more applicationsOne of the important changes is that the system now allows up to two floating windows at the same time.
With this upgrade, you can Open two different apps in floating windows and use them simultaneously: for example, WhatsApp chat and the photo gallery, or a document and the browser. You can adjust the size of each one by dragging and repositioning them on the screen as needed.
To activate this floating multitasking, there is two main roads:
On one hand, the recent apps menu has a dedicated button called "Floating Windows" in one of the top corners. Tapping it lets you choose an app from the recent apps list, and it opens directly, floating on top of the screen.
On the other hand, MIUI 13 adds a sidebar which you can pin to the edge of the screen. This bar includes quick access to apps you select; when you tap them, they open in a pop-up window directly over what you're using, without having to go through multitasking.
On HyperOS (including POCO with HyperOS 2.x)
HyperOS retains all of the above and takes it a step further to make access even more direct. Now the Floating windows can also be activated from the control center or quick settings, where a specific button for this function appears.
Furthermore, managing the window is more flexible: if drag the floating window to the top right While it's selected, it shrinks even further, almost to a thumbnail. You can later enlarge it again with another tap. Additional options also appear if you tap on it once it's open, with shortcuts to maximize, close, or adjust it to your liking.
How to close and remove floating windows from the screen?
It's one thing for the function to exist in the system, and another for you to want it. remove a specific floating window from the screen when it crosses your path in the middle of a game, a video, or a delicate task.
Close a floating window instantly
To quickly get rid of a floating window that's already open, Xiaomi has added a very simple gesture. At the bottom of the window, you'll see a small action bar (sometimes a gray line or control horizonIf you tap it and drag it to the top right, a trash can icon appears, and when you release it there, the app closes.
Another possibility is drag the window to the bottom of the screenIn that case, instead of closing, the app takes over the entire screen and stops floating. This is useful if you decide you want to continue using it, but in normal full-screen mode.
Management within Special Functions
All the "official" settings for floating windows in MIUI and HyperOS are grouped within the menu of Special functions From the Settings app. Once there, you'll find a specific section for floating panels or windows, which displays the available gestures and a short tutorial.
This panel explains things like how to open, move, close, maximize or minimize A floating window. The problem arises when you look for a simple switch that says "disable floating windows" and... it's not there. Xiaomi doesn't include a general switch to turn off the feature completely, which is why so many people get frustrated trying to find it.
In short, from this menu you can learn how to control them, but You cannot disable the floating window system. Globally, neither in MIUI 12 nor in MIUI 13 nor in HyperOS, at least not with the standard system options.
Why can't floating windows be completely disabled?
The underlying reason why you can't Disable floating windows completely in MIUI It has more to do with Xiaomi's design choices than with technical limitations. For the brand, this form of multitasking is a key feature of its custom interface, so it's integrated into the launcher, multitasking, and notifications.
In MIUI 12, in fact, the system received quite a bit of criticism for other performance and stability issues, but the inability to turn off floating windows It's not considered a bug but a conscious decision. Xiaomi has been refining some things in later versions and has even acknowledged optimization issues, but to this day it still doesn't offer a global "off" for this feature.
The company itself has been collecting user complaints and promises improvements in future updates. However, for now, if Do you want to stop suffering with floating windows? You have no choice but to resort to indirect solutions: adjusting notifications, changing launchers, tweaking application permissions, and, in extreme cases, disabling MIUI optimization from developer options.
Typical case: the notification automatically turns into a floating window
One of the most common problems, as many users have mentioned, is that when slightly swiping down on a notification to see a little more text, The app opens automatically in a floating window.This is what happened, for example, on a POCO X4 Pro 5G with MIUI 13, and it can also happen on newer models with HyperOS.
The reason is that dragging the notification activates floating mode for that app. Within the Floating Window section under Special Features, only a tutorial is displayed. There is no setting to disable that behavior.The only thing you can do in that case is modify how you interact with notifications (don't pull too much, tap to open in full screen, etc.) or move to a more aggressive solution like changing your launcher.
How to completely disable floating windows on Xiaomi
Although you can't shut down the entire system with a single option, there are several ways to minimize the use of floating windowsespecially for the apps that give you the most trouble, like the browser you use to transfer saved game data.
1. Disable or limit floating notifications
A key step is to prevent notifications from being allowed to float. You can do this in Settings. enter the notifications section and review the behavior of each important application (browser, messaging apps, etc.). If your version of MIUI or HyperOS allows it, uncheck any options related to “show in floating window” or “floating panel”.
Another way is to go to Settings > Applications > Manage applications, choose a specific app (for example, your browser) and Look in your permissions for the option to display over other apps or open in a floating window. Depending on the model and version of the layer, the name changes slightly, but the idea is to remove the browser's ability to float on top of the game.
2. Change the launcher to a third-party one
The most effective way to break the integration of floating windows with the Xiaomi system is Stop using the MIUI or HyperOS launcherThis feature is deeply tied to the official launcher, and when you use a third-party launcher it becomes unavailable or loses much of its multitasking appeal.
Among the best options for leaving the MIUI ecosystem are Nova Launcher Apex Launcher is another option, and it's very comprehensive and behaves much more neutrally with respect to these kinds of special functions. With an external launcher, many actions that previously opened a floating window now open the app in full screen, just like on any "pure" Android.
Therefore, if the browser you use to manage your game's saved games is forced to open in floating mode, and the game's support has already told you that The floating window gives them problemsChanging your launcher is a highly recommended move for your POCO X7 Pro with HyperOS: you'll probably stop seeing that floating window in the browser simply by leaving the MIUI/HyperOS home environment.
3. Disable MIUI optimization in developer options
Even when using a third-party launcher, sometimes floating windows still appear because MIUI optimization is still activeThis option allows Xiaomi's interface to maintain some of its behavior even on top of other launchers.
To disable this optimization, first go to Settings > Additional settings > Developer options. If you don't have these options enabled, You will need to enable developer mode first. tapping repeatedly on “MIUI/HyperOS Version” in Phone Information until the corresponding message appears.
Within the developer options, look for the entry “MIUI Optimization” or similar and disable it. By doing so, The system stops applying certain MIUI integrationsThis includes much of the special behavior of floating windows. It's a slightly more advanced change, but in combination with an external launcher, it's usually a lifesaver for getting rid of these windows in specific apps.
Having specific problems with games and browsers? What to do
In your case, with a POCO X7 Pro, Android 15 and HyperOS 2.0.205.0You need to disable any type of floating window for the browser you use to transfer game saves, because the game's own technical support has already confirmed that this mode causes errors.
The exact configuration may vary slightly depending on the HyperOS subversion, but the general approach to prevent the browser from opening while floating would:
- Check in Settings > Applications > Manage applications > [your browser] the permissions for “Show over other apps” or “floating screen” and disable them if they appear.
- Check in Settings > Notifications > [your browser] that it does not have floating notification settings that allow it to open in a window.
- If it continues to open in floating mode via gestures or from recent apps, install a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) and set it as the default launcher so that the floating window system loses control over how apps are opened.
- If the behavior persists, go into Developer Options and Disable MIUI/HyperOS optimization to finish cutting off the special functions of the layer on the browser.
With that combination, the chances of the browser forcing itself into a floating window over the game are minimized. If the game only has issues with that mode and not with the browser in full screen, you should be able to transfer your saved games without Xiaomi's function getting in the way.
Third-party alternatives to Xiaomi's floating windows
It may be that your problem is not so much the existence of floating multitasking, but how Xiaomi has implemented itIf you don't like its behavior or interface, you can try other solutions from Google Play that allow a similar system, but with more control and customization.
Floating Apps (Multitasking)
Floating Apps is one of the best-known apps for having floating windows on any Android deviceWith it you can open browsers, notes, document viewers, calendars, calculators, contacts, or even third-party applications like Facebook and Instagram in overlapping windows that you can move and resize as you like.
This app includes over 40 ready-to-use floating mini-apps, and also lets you add shortcuts to the desktop to launch them in windowed format when needed. The control over size, position, and behavior is greater than in Xiaomi's native system, which can be interesting if you want advanced multitasking but without relying on MIUI or HyperOS.
Overlays
Overlays pursue the same goal: to allow Open multiple apps at once without switching screensThis is done through a system of configurable floating panels. After granting the necessary permissions (overlay, accessibility, etc.), you choose which applications you want to be able to display in overlay mode and manage them from their internal launcher.
From the Overlays main screen you can Add the apps you want to the list These will appear as a floating window as soon as you activate them. It's a flexible solution that works the same across different Android skins, so you're not so dependent on the whims of each manufacturer.
taskbar
Taskbar is a hybrid launcher and productivity tool that transforms your Android device into something resembling a Windows or Linux desktop. It includes taskbar, start menu, and support for floating windows on the desktop, and is designed for those who use their mobile phone or tablet almost like a computer.
With Taskbar you can open any application in a resizable window, connect a keyboard and mouse and work with multiple apps simultaneously. The basic version is free and provides an advanced floating multitasking environment that rivals Xiaomi's offerings, but with a more "desktop-like" approach.
Floating windows, battery consumption, and performance
Although MIUI and HyperOS are relatively efficient at managing memory, each floating window adds one more process that the system has to keep drawing at 60 or 120 Hz. This means that, on days of intensive use of floating windowsYou can easily lose an extra 5-8% of battery, which is not negligible if you tend to use your phone a lot.
There are several ways to mitigate this impact without completely giving up floating multitasking, by adjusting some key parameters:
- Reduce the screen refresh rate When you plan to use many floating windows: in Settings > Display (or Display & Brightness), look for Refresh rate and select 60 Hz instead of 90/120 Hz. With fewer frames per second, the GPU and CPU work less, and the system consumes less power when redrawing overlays.
- Limit background activities For apps you frequently use, in Settings > Battery (or Battery and performance), select apps like WhatsApp or Maps and apply a power saving mode (for example, "Recommended battery saver"). They will still receive notifications, but resource-intensive tasks will be limited.
- Reduce or disable animations From the developer options: in Additional settings > Developer options, scroll down to find "Window animation scale" (and similar options) and set them to 0,5 or disable them. The interface will look less vibrant, but the GPU will have less work to do, and in the long run, you'll save battery.
Combining these settings makes it possible gain a good margin of autonomy even if you don't want to completely give up the convenience of floating windows.
What to do if you can't disable floating windows or something goes wrong?
Sometimes, even if you follow all the steps, you feel that Floating windows are still malfunctioning Or that some gestures don't respect your settings. In those cases, you need to consider whether it's a temporary software glitch or, in very rare scenarios, a more serious hardware or configuration problem.
Test software updates
If you suspect a bug, the first thing to do is check for pending updates in Settings > About phone > System update (or the equivalent path in HyperOS). A newer version may fix the issue. errors in notification and window behavioreven if your specific problem isn't explicitly mentioned in the changelog.
Updating won't always be a magic solution, but it's a good idea to keep your phone up to date. avoid known errors in handling overlaps that have already been fixed by Xiaomi. If there is no update available, you can contact the brand's official support to report the issue and see if they are aware of it or have any further recommendations.
Possible hardware problem or need for technical service
In a very small percentage of cases, what appears to be a software problem with floating windows may actually be hiding a hardware or internal component failure that cause phantom touches, screen errors, or strange interface behavior.
If you've already tried restarting, updating, changing launchers, disabling optimizations, and checking all permissions, and your phone is still acting unpredictably, it might be time to... Visit an authorized service centerThere they will be able to open the device (if necessary) and check if everything is in order at the level of the touch panel, connectors or motherboard.
In this context it is important to check if you still have current warrantyBecause the repair may involve opening the phone or replacing parts. Drops, impacts, or water damage usually exclude coverage, so it's important to be aware of these details before leaving your phone with the authorized service center.
Rely on technical support and the community
Before making the leap to physical technical service, you can take advantage of Xiaomi online technical support or to the game's own support team, as well as official forums and user communities. Often, other users have already experienced something very similar and share specific steps that work perfectly with your system model and version.
Support can guide you, ask for screenshots or version information, and suggest Specific settings for your POCO or Xiaomi which are not always clearly documented. If, after following these instructions, the problem persists, then it's time to consider repair.
With all of the above understood, it's clear that floating windows in Xiaomi, MIUI, and HyperOS are a powerful tool but also a source of headaches when they interfere with games, browsers, or how you use notifications. Although there's no magic button to turn them off completely, by combining notification controls, app permissions, changing the launcher, and, if necessary, disabling MIUI optimization, you can severely limit or practically disable this feature, minimizing its negative effects without sacrificing a stable and functional system for your phone. Share this information and more people will know how to do it.
