If you have a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO mobile phone and the Android floating windows They're driving you crazy, and you're not alone: half the planet is experiencing the same thing, especially since MIUI 12, MIUI 13, and HyperOS have been cramming this feature everywhere. What's theoretically designed to improve multitasking can, in practice, become a real headache, especially if, as is the case with your browser and your game, It breaks important functions. how to import or restore saved games.
The big problem is that Xiaomi doesn't make it easy: there is no main switch to completely disable floating windows. Instead, the layer adds gestures, buttons, and shortcuts that force you to use them. Even so, there are plenty of tweaks and tricks to disable them or limit them as much as possible, especially on current mobiles like a POCO X7 Pro with Android 15 and HyperOS 2.x, where the technical support of some games even recommends not using this mode because it causes errors.
What are floating windows in Xiaomi, MIUI, and HyperOS?
The calls floating windows on Xiaomi They're like mini-windows that appear on top of your open application. You can move them, shrink them, send them to a corner, or expand them to full screen, all in real time, so you can use multiple apps at the same time without constantly changing screens.
This idea of layering apps isn't exclusive to Xiaomi, but the brand has turned it into pillar of his multitasking from MIUI 12That's why they're integrated into several places: the notification bar, the recent apps panel, the control center, and, in the latest versions, even contextual sidebars. The goal is that, for example, you can Answer a WhatsApp message while watching a videoOpen the calculator on Chrome or keep a chat floating while looking at your gallery.
In HyperOS, Xiaomi has continued to focus on this multitasking system. The interface not only retains the features of MIUI 12 and MIUI 13, but also adds even faster shortcuts to open an app in a floating window from the quick settings, recent apps menu, or a sidebar, which makes floating windows appear very easily… sometimes too easily.
How they work depending on the version: MIUI 12, MIUI 13 and HyperOS
The base is the same in all versions, but the way in which Floating windows are launched and managed There are slight differences between MIUI 12, MIUI 13, and HyperOS. Understanding these nuances helps you know what you can and can't change on your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO phone.
Floating windows in MIUI 12 and upcoming versions
MIUI 12 introduced the floating window system on a massive scale and integrated it into two key areas of the system: the multitasking menu and the notification panel, so that Open an app in floating mode It's just a gesture away.
On one hand, from the recent apps menu you can see all open apps displayed as cards. If you press and hold one of these cards, a menu with extra options appears, including one for convert that app into a floating windowIf that icon appears dimmed or grayed out, it means that the specific application does not support floating mode and the system will not allow you to overlay it.
On the other hand, Xiaomi added access from the notification shade. When you receive an alert, you're not forced to open the app in full screen: you can press and hold the notification or slide it slightly to reveal the option to open it in floating window mode. This makes it easier to do things like reply to a message while playing a game, or Check an email without leaving the video that you were watching.
Once the floating window is open, it's very gesture-based to use. There's usually a bar at the top that you can use to... drag the window across the screen, move it to different areas or minimize it: if you move it to a corner, it usually turns into a kind of bubble or small icon that you can enlarge again by touching it.
On phones with versions prior to MIUI 11, this feature wasn't integrated into the system. If you wanted something similar, you had to resort to third-party apps or more advanced modifications like Custom ROMs or rootbecause Xiaomi did not yet offer this type of overlay as standard.
Major changes starting with MIUI 13
With the arrival of MIUI 13, Xiaomi further refined the multitasking experience and extended floating windows to more contexts. One of the standout new features was the ability to have two simultaneous floating windowsso you can interact with more than one app at a time in a compact format.
This change allows you, for example, to have a WhatsApp conversation in one window, your photo gallery in another, and in the background, the main app in full screenEverything works simultaneously. You can resize each window by dragging its borders or move them out of the way, making the system quite powerful for multitasking.
As for how they are activated, there are two main routes. The first is the Floating Windows button Located in a corner of the recent apps menu: when you tap it, you choose one of the open apps and MIUI automatically switches it to floating mode. The second is a contextual sidebar that you can pin to an edge of the screen, where you place shortcuts to your favorite apps so that, when you tap them, they open directly in a pop-up window.
MIUI 13 also began experimenting with floating windows in video games, especially in early beta versions, allowing certain apps (such as messaging or tools) to be overlay on top of your games without interrupting the session. This sounds great, but it's also precisely the kind of integration that can cause problems with some games that don't handle system overlays well.
Floating windows on HyperOS and POCO with HyperOS 2.x
HyperOS, the interface replacing MIUI, maintains the same philosophy but further emphasizes the use of floating windows. In your case, with a POCO X7 Pro and HyperOS 2.0.205.0It is very likely that the function is readily available at various points in the interface.
One clear difference is that in HyperOS, floating windows are integrated directly into the control center and quick settingsYou'll find a specific button that, when pressed, allows you to open or manage these windows without always having to go to the recent items menu, making it almost impossible to "forget" that they exist.
Furthermore, HyperOS's floating windows support more gestures and transitions. If you drag a window to the top right while moving it, it shrinks into an even smaller thumbnail, almost like an icon floating in a corner that you can... zoom back in with a tapClicking on the already open window displays a small menu with options to maximize, close, or resize it, giving the feeling of a more advanced desktop.
The practical problem is that, with so much integration, the occasions when an app opens floating unexpectedly multiply: a small, poorly executed gesture on a notification or recent apps card and Suddenly the browser appears in a small window. on top of your game, exactly what technical support has told you can cause conflicts with loading games.
Close, remove, and control floating windows on screen
It's one thing for the system to include the feature, and quite another for you to want a floating window taking up part of the screen when you're in the middle of something important. That's why mastering the gestures to close or switch to full screen any floating window that may have accidentally appeared.
You'll usually see a small action bar at the top or bottom of the window. If you tap and drag that bar to the top right, a [option/tool] will appear. trash can icon or similar; when you release there, the floating application closes completely, as if you had exited it from multitasking.
If instead you drag the window to the bottom of the screen, the system usually stops treating it as floating and convert to full-screen appIn other words, you're still in that application, but without the feeling of being on a kind of superimposed "mini desktop".
As for the more "official" management of the function, everything is grouped in the menu of Special features of MIUI or HyperOSWithin the Settings, you'll find sections like "Floating Windows" or "Floating Panels," which include tutorials, available gestures, and descriptions of their behavior. The frustrating thing is that, in that same panel, There is no trace of a global switch type "activate/deactivate floating windows".
Therefore, this menu is more useful for learning how to use them or tweaking some behavior, but not for turn off root functionThis lack of a switch is a deliberate decision by Xiaomi, which sees floating windows as a central part of its user experience, and not as a simple optional feature that you can easily remove.
Why you can't completely disable floating windows
That there is no clear option for completely disable floating windows This isn't an oversight, but a design decision. For Xiaomi, this form of multitasking is one of the key differentiating factors of MIUI and HyperOS, so they've deeply integrated it into the launcher, notification management, and multitasking engine.
Although MIUI 12 received considerable criticism for other issues (performance problems, various bugs, battery consumption…), the inability to turn off floating windows It is not classified as an errorbut as a feature. The company has been refining stability and performance in later versions, but hasn't taken the step of offering a simple switch that turns your Xiaomi into a "pure" Android without overlays.
The consequence is that, if you don't want to work with this function, you'll have to make do with... indirect solutionsLimiting notifications, adjusting app permissions, changing launchers, disabling MIUI/HyperOS optimizations, and ultimately resorting to some advanced tricks. It's more work than it should be, but that's what's available today.
Typical problem: the notification opens by itself in a floating window
A very common mistake is that, when trying to read a little more text in a notification, the application opens in a mini window without you even trying. This has been seen, for example, in models like the POCO X4 Pro 5G with MIUI 13, and it can also happen on newer phones with HyperOS if the gesture of dragging the notification activates floating mode.
The mechanism is simple: when you pull the notification down just enough, the system interprets that gesture as a command to convert that app into a floating windowAnd in the Special Features menu, although you'll see the Floating Windows section with its tutorials, you won't find any box that says something like "disable gesture" or "disable floating notifications".
In that context, solutions involve slightly changing how you interact with notifications (for example, tapping directly to open the app in full screen or swiping in another way) or taking more drastic measures such as change the launcher to reduce the role of floating windows in the system.
How to completely disable floating windows on Xiaomi
Although you can't override the entire system with a single button, you can greatly reduce the use of floating windowsThe idea is to tackle the issue from several angles: notifications, app permissions, launcher optimizations, and system layer optimizations. Especially if your game's support team has indicated that the floating browser window is causing errors when transferring saved games, it's best to proceed step by step.
1. Remove floating notifications and overlay permissions
The first step is to prevent notifications from certain apps from being able to trigger a floating windowTo do this, go to Settings and then to the Notifications section (the exact name may vary slightly depending on the version). There, check the key apps that might be causing conflicts: the browser you use for games, messaging apps, etc.
In many versions of MIUI and HyperOS, notifications have options like "show as a floating window," "floating panel," or "show over other apps." If you see anything like this, disable it. This minimizes the chance of... a notice becomes directly into a window.
The second step is to review the individual settings of each application. Go to Settings > Applications > Manage applications, enter the browser in question or other problematic apps, and look for options related to overlap permits or “Show over other apps.” Depending on the version, it may also say something like “Floating screen” or “Allow floating window”; uncheck any permission that gives that app the power to show over others.
2. Change the launcher to a third-party one
A very effective measure to nip many special Xiaomi features in the bud is Stop using the official launcher from MIUI/HyperOS. The floating window system is deeply tied to that launcher, so when you use a third-party one, many of those advanced multitasking features disappear or behave in a much more standard way.
Among the most recommended options are Nova Launcher and Apex LauncherThese apps are very popular, lightweight, and, above all, quite neutral regarding extra features from manufacturers. After installing them from Google Play and setting them as default, many of the actions that previously opened a floating window will now... Open the app in full screen, as a "clean" Android would.
In the specific case of a POCO X7 Pro with HyperOS, where the browser seems determined to enter floating mode when you're working with saved games, changing launchers is almost a necessity. It's quite possible that simply using a third-party launcher will cause the browser to stop working properly. appear in a small window above the game and open directly in normal mode.
3. Disable MIUI/HyperOS optimization from developer options
In some cases, even after switching launchers, you may still notice strange behavior related to floating windows or "special" features of the layer. This happens because, underneath, the so-called MIUI or HyperOS optimization, which maintains some of the original logic even if you have a different launcher.
To disable this optimization, go to Settings > Additional settings > Developer options. If you don't see this menu, first enable Developer mode by tapping repeatedly on "MIUI version" or "HyperOS version" within the About phone section, until the system confirms that Are you a developer?.
Once you're in the developer options, scroll down until you find something called "MIUI Optimization," "MIUI Battery Optimization," or something similar (the text may vary depending on the exact version). Turn it off. In many cases, your phone will display a serious warning indicating that can affect the functioning of the layerRead it and, if you're willing to take the risk, confirm the change.
By doing so, many of MIUI/HyperOS's unique features, including some floating window integrations, will no longer be applied as heavily. It's a slightly more advanced measure, but in combination with an external launcher and per-app permission settings, it's usually what truly makes the difference. Stop unwanted pop-up windows from appearing.
Specific problems with games and browsers: what to do
In your case, the scenario is very clear: you need the browser you use to manage your saved games Never open in a floating windowBecause game support has confirmed that this mode causes problems with the loading or saving system. And you're doing this on a POCO X7 Pro with Android 15 and HyperOS 2.0.205.0, which is a modern version with all the floating window features enabled.
The recommended strategy would involve combining several levels of adjustment. First, check in Settings > Apps > Manage apps > [your browser] the permissions for “Display over other apps”, “Floating windows” or “Floating screen” and deactivate them all If they are present, to remove the browser's power to overlay the game.
Next, go to Settings > Notifications > [your browser] and make sure it doesn't have any active notification modes. floating notificationsBubbles or panels that might accompany floating windows. If your browser tends to send notifications while the game is in the foreground, it's best to limit those notifications to the app icon or a discreet alert in the status bar.
If that's not enough and you still see the browser opening while floating when you interact with notifications or from multitasking, the next step is install an alternative launcher and set it as the default to break the direct integration with the HyperOS launcher. If you still notice strange behavior, then go into Developer Options and disable MIUI/HyperOS optimization to completely eliminate automation.
With this combination of settings, the chances of the browser forcing itself into floating window mode over the game again are very low. Normally, from this point on, you should be able to... transfer saved games or log in in web services without interference from the floating window system.
External alternatives to Xiaomi's floating windows
Your problem might not be so much the existence of floating windows, but how Xiaomi implements themIn other words, you might want advanced multitasking, but without the awkward gestures and aggressive integration of MIUI/HyperOS. In that case, you could consider disabling the built-in features as much as possible and, in parallel, using third-party solutions that offer more controllable behavior.
Floating Apps (Multitasking)
Floating Apps is one of the oldest tools in this field. It allows you to open over 40 floating mini-apps (your own browser, notes, document viewer, calendar, calculator, contacts, file manager, etc.) that are displayed in small windows on top of what you are doing.
In addition to these built-in mini-apps, you can also work with third-party apps like Facebook or Instagram, provided they have basic overlay support. move, resize and anchor Place each window in the area of the screen that suits you best, and even add desktop shortcuts to launch certain windows with a single touch.
Overlays
Overlays pursue a similar idea: to allow the user to have multiple apps open at the same time without changing screens. It's based on a system of customizable floating panels: you choose which applications you want to turn into overlays, grant them the necessary permissions, and then manage them from their own interface.
On the Overlays main screen, you select the apps you want to use in floating mode, and they are immediately displayed in overlay windows. It's a very flexible way to have a "desktop on top of Android" that works equally well on Xiaomi's custom Android skins as on those of other manufacturers, since It depends less on MIUI/HyperOS and more from the system's standard APIs.
taskbar
Taskbar takes it a step further and turns your mobile phone or tablet into something very similar to a Windows or Linux desktopIt adds a taskbar with app icons, a start menu, and support for opening apps in resizable windows—ideal if you use the device as a pseudo-computer.
With Taskbar you can connect a keyboard and mouse and move between several floating applications that behave like desktop windows. The free version is sufficient for most uses, and you can also combine it with the measures we've discussed to minimize or disable Xiaomi's native floating windows, using only the Taskbar ones when you actually need them.
Impact of floating windows on battery life and performance
Every time you leave a floating window open, the system has to keep going. drawing and updating that overlay to the refresh rate of your screen (60 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz…). This means that the CPU, GPU, and RAM work a little harder, even if you seemingly “aren’t touching anything” in that window.
Under normal circumstances, the impact isn't dramatic, but on days when you heavily use this feature, you can notice a difference in battery life. According to practical tests, intensive use of floating windows can reduce battery life by approximately... 5 and an extra 8% battery at the end of the day, which is not exactly negligible if you're running low on cargo.
To minimize this effect, you can play with several settings. First, go to Settings > Display (or Display & Brightness) and lower the 60Hz refresh rate when you know you'll be using a lot of floating windows. Reducing the frames per second also reduces the GPU's workload and the energy cost of drawing overlays.
On the other hand, in Settings > Battery or Battery and performance you can select apps that you usually open floating (WhatsApp, Maps, browser…) and set them to a floating mode. recommended energy savingThis way, they will continue to receive notifications, but the system will cut back on non-essential background tasks, saving resources when multiple windows are combined.
Finally, from Additional Settings > Developer Options, you can adjust the “Window Animation Scale,” “Transition Animation Scale,” and “Animator Duration Scale” to lower values (0,5) or even disable them. The animations will be less visually appealing, but the GPU will work less, and, combined with the above, You can recover up to 12% of autonomy daily use in intensive scenarios without completely giving up floating multitasking.
What to do if you can't disable floating windows or something goes wrong
In some cases, it doesn't matter how many settings you tweak: you still feel that the behavior of floating windows is erratic, that gestures don't respect your preferences, or that certain apps open floating without making much sense. Here it's important to distinguish between a software problem (bug, version failure, bad update) and a physical or hardware problem (ghost touches, defective panel, etc.).
As a first step, go to Settings > About phone > System update (or the equivalent path in HyperOS) and check if you have pending updatesOften, small patches correct strange behaviors with notifications, overlays, and permissions, even if the official changelog doesn't explicitly mention the issue of floating windows.
If you are already on the latest available version and the behavior is still strange, you can contact the Xiaomi technical support or from the game you're using. They'll often ask for version information, screenshots, or short videos showing the problem, and sometimes they'll give you specific steps tailored to your model and system version that aren't in the standard documentation.
In very specific cases, the cause may be a hardware problem: a touch panel that registers false touches, a faulty connector, or some internal anomaly that causes the system to believe that You're making gestures you're not actually making.If you've already tried restarts, partial restores, launcher changes, permission adjustments, disabling optimizations and software updates, and your phone is still behaving unpredictably, it might be time to visit an official service center.
In that scenario, carefully check the status of your warranty, because it's very likely that you'll need to... Open the terminal to check it. or even replace components. If the damage is from impacts, drops, or water, the warranty may not cover the repair, so it's best to ask first and confirm the costs before leaving your phone.
With all of the above in mind, it's easier to understand why floating windows, designed to enhance multitasking, end up being a source of problems when they interfere with games, browsers, or sensitive processes: although Xiaomi doesn't allow you to turn them off completely with a magic button, it's perfectly possible by combining notification settings, app overlay permissions, changing the launcher, and, if necessary, disabling MIUI/HyperOS optimization. leave them practically neutralized and continue using your mobile phone with stability and without surprises when transferring games or other sensitive tasks. Share the information so more users know about the news.