One of the innovations that Xiaomi has introduced with the update to MIUI 13 is called Sidebar: do you know that it can also be unlocked on MIUI 12.5? With the latest major update, Xiaomi smartphones integrate a feature that we have already seen previously on OPPO smartphones with ColorOS.
It is a retractable sidebar, through which you can have a convenient shortcut to open apps in a floating window. In this way, multitasking benefits, being able to run two apps at the same time but not necessarily on a split-screen.
The first thing to do to unlock the MIUI 13 Sidebar on MIUI 12.5 is to download the Activity Launcher app for free from the Google Play Store. Here’s how to proceed:
- Open the Activity Launcher app
- Click on the magnifier icon at the top right
- Search for “com.miui.dock.settings.DockSettingsActivity”
- Click on the process under “Security”
By clicking on the “com.miui.dock.settings.DockSettingsActivity” window you have access to the Sidebar screen. Enable the “ Always show ” toggle and you will see a bar appear sideways: by swiping it, you will bring up the Sidebar.
Clicking on the apps inside it will open them in a floating window. Scrolling the bar at the bottom you will have the “ + “ button: by clicking on it, you can add or remove the apps to have in the bar.
