How to use floating windows and the sidebar on a Xiaomi phone (HyperOS 3)

Device

Android

Shown on

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G (25080RABDG), HyperOS 3.0.308.0, Android 16

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Additional settings › Floating windows › Side toolbox

Real screenshots

7 of 7 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Side toolbox

   Go to Settings, Additional settings, Floating windows, and tap Side toolbox.

   Done

2. 

   Turn on Sidebar

   Turn on Sidebar: Open other apps in floating windows while using an app fullscreen.

   Done

3. 

   Find the indicator

   A small bar appears at the left edge. Press and hold it to move it.

   Done

4. 

   Open the sidebar and tap an app

   Swipe the bar towards the middle. The sidebar opens with apps. Tap one.

   Done

5. 

   Use the floating window

   The app opens in a window on top. Ours was Clock.

   Done

6. 

   Read the tip and tap Next

   The first time, a tip says: Drag a floating window by its upper edge to move it around or tap to view more options. Tap Next.

   Done

7. 

   Or use Recents

   Open Recents and press and hold an app. Our phone offered Lock, split screen, floating window and Info.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• App not in the sidebar? Only some apps are listed. Xiaomi says you can add apps to the Sidebar. Source: Generic User Guide for HyperOS 3.0
• No Side toolbox? Search Settings for Sidebar. Xiaomi's guide puts it under Additional settings, Floating windows, Side toolbox, as on ours. Source: Generic User Guide for HyperOS 3.0

If this does not work

• Can't move or close the window? Drag it by its upper edge to move it, or tap the edge for more options, as the tip on our phone said. Xiaomi says tapping there closes it. Source: Generic User Guide for HyperOS 3.0
• Sidebar opens by accident? Turn off Sidebar again in Side toolbox.

About this guide

Floating windows put a second app on top of the one you are using. On our phone the sidebar was off until we turned it on.

The screenshots are from our Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G with Xiaomi HyperOS 3.0.308.0 and Android 16, in Light mode. Every switch we changed for a picture was put back afterwards.

Good to know

Edit the Control Centre: how to edit the Control Centre on a Xiaomi phone.

In short: Settings, Additional settings, Floating windows, Side toolbox, Sidebar on. Swipe the edge bar, tap an app.