Modern smartphones allow you to run dozens of applications at once, but not all users know how to effectively manage this process. The multitasking menu on Xiaomi devices is the central node through which you navigate between running programs, force them to stop or lock them in memory. Understanding how this interface works is critical for owners of gadgets with shells MIUI and the new HyperOS, as this is where the tools to optimize the performance of the system hide.
Depending on the navigation method chosen, access to the list of recent applications can be done in a variety of ways. Standard system behavior involves the use of virtual buttons or swipes, but the deep settings allow you to adapt this process to the individual habits of the user. We will discuss in detail all available options, including hidden features that will help you switch between tasks faster and save battery power.
The differences between the interfaces on different firmware versions are worth paying special attention. What worked on Android 10 may have a different look or logic on Android 13 or 14. The correct configuration of this section directly affects how quickly you can run the desired program or free up RAM for resource-intensive games.
Basic methods of navigation in the system
The first thing that a user encounters when buying a new smartphone is choosing how to control the screen. Xiaomi's settings have two main options: classic screen buttons and modern gestures. The choice of a particular method dictates how the list of running applications will be called. If you are used to physical buttons, the interface will look like a series of icons at the bottom of the screen.
When using buttons, the multitasking menu is triggered by clicking on a square icon to the right of the central home button, the most intuitive way users have known since the early versions of Android, eliminating random swipes and giving a clear visual sense of where to click to go into task review mode.
The second option, gesture control, involves no visible buttons on the screen, which increases the usable area of the display. In this mode, the menu is called by a swipe from the bottom up with a small finger delay at the bottom of the screen. 0.5 seconds latency is a critical parameter that distinguishes opening the multitasking menu from simply returning to the desktop.
⚠️ Attention: If the swipe from the bottom is done too quickly and abruptly, the system will take it as a "Home" command and simply fold the current application without opening the task list.
Switching between these modes takes place in the settings section, where you can choose your preferred style. For many users, switching to gestures becomes familiar after a couple of days, as it speeds up navigation in general. However, for those who often work with gloves or have specific protective glasses, the button option may be more reliable.
Configuring the control system
To change the way you call the menu, you have to go to the appropriate settings section, and the path to that may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same. You have to find the navigation item and select one of the options that you've suggested, and this action will instantly change the look of the bottom of the screen.
Let’s take a step-by-step algorithm of actions to change the parameters:
- 📱 Open the Settings app on your device.
- 🔍 Go to the Additional or Desktop section (depending on version) MIUI).
- 🖱️ Select the item System Navigation.
- ✅ Activate the desired switch: buttons or gestures.
Once you select Gesture mode, the system will offer a training video or an interactive demo. Don't ignore this step, because it helps you understand the logic of swipes. In button mode, you can often have additional ordering, and you can swap the back and menu buttons if you're used to a particular layout, like on Samsung or iOS devices.
☑️ Checking the navigation settings
It is important to note that some themes can hide buttons or change their transparency. If you install a third-party theme from the GetThemes store, make sure it supports the navigation method you choose correctly, otherwise the buttons may become invisible, which will create discomfort when using your smartphone.
Managing windows in multitasking mode
Once you have opened the list of running apps, you see a set of cards, each of which is a running program, and you can manage these cards, not only to switch between them, but also to optimize the operation of the device, and you can swipe the application up or down depending on the animation settings.
One of the key features is the ability to lock an application in memory, which prevents it from being uploaded by the system when there is a shortage of RAM. To do this, click on the lock icon in the corner of the application card or pull the card down (in some versions of MIUI). Now, even if you click the "Clear Memory" button, this application will remain running.
The split-screen feature is also available directly from the multitasking menu. By clicking on the icon with two rectangles next to the app name, you can split the screen into two parts. This is convenient for working with the messenger and the browser at the same time. However, it is worth remembering that not all applications support this mode correctly.
| Action. | Control element | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Swipe card up. | Finger on the card | Closure of the annex |
| Pressing the lock | Icon on the card | Locking in memory |
| Swipe cards down. | Finger on the card | Screen splitting (Split screen) |
| Long press. | Application card | Calling an additional menu |
Using a split-screen function can have a significant impact on the autonomy of the device, and if you're not actively using both apps at the same time, it's best to close one of them, which will free up CPU resources and reduce power consumption, which is especially true at the end of the workday.
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Use the Floating Window feature by clicking on the app icon in the multitasking menu to run it in a small window on top of other programs.
Cleaning RAM and optimization
The central control element in the multitasking menu is a clearing button, usually located as a broomstick or cross at the top of the screen. Pressing this triggers the process of forcing all applications that have not been blocked before, which frees up RAM, which can temporarily speed up the system.
There is a common misconception that constant memory cleaning is necessary for a smartphone to function properly. In fact, modern versions of Android and the MIUI shell manage memory quite efficiently on their own. Frequently closing applications can even slow down work, since the system has to restart processes rather than restore them from cache.
⚠️ Warning: Don't fanatically close all applications after every use, the system will unload unnecessary processes if you need space for a new task.
However, in situations where an application is “hung” or consumes abnormally many resources, manual cleaning through the multitasking menu is an effective solution.It is also useful before running heavy games to ensure the maximum amount of free memory for the game engine.
For advanced users, the Memory Extension feature is available, which uses part of the internal storage as a virtual RAM. You can check its status in the settings, but direct management of running processes still remains in the multitasking menu.
How does virtual memory work?
Hidden functions and additional capabilities
The MIUI and HyperOS shells are famous for having a lot of hidden features that are not obvious when first introduced. The multitasking menu is no exception. For example, a long click on an application card can trigger a context menu with quick actions such as "Application Information" or "Close All" except the one you select.
Some firmware versions have Windows Compression, which reduces application cards to allow you to see more tasks running at once, especially on larger-screen smartphones or when used horizontally, and you can activate this option in advanced multitasking settings.
Also worth mentioning is the ability to quickly switch between the last two apps: swipe to the right of the bottom edge of the screen (when gestures are turned on) or double-click on the menu button (if configured) allows you to instantly return to the previous program, which speeds up work with a pair of related applications, for example, copying text from the browser into notes.
- 🚀 Quick Start: Swipe on the app icon in the multitasking menu can run it in split screen mode.
- 🔒 Privacy Protection: Hiding the contents of application cards in security settings so that confidential information is not visible when opening the menu.
- 🎨 In the settings for developers, you can change the speed of animation transitions, which will visually accelerate the opening of the menu.
Remember that the range of available features can vary depending on the regional version of firmware (Global, China, EEA). Chinese versions often have more advanced multitasking settings, which are gradually implemented in global builds.
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Hidden gestures and animation settings can dramatically speed up perceived performance on your smartphone without real power gains.
Troubleshooting and troubleshooting
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the multitasking menu stops opening or is not working correctly. Cards may freeze, animations twitch, or swipes simply are not recognized by the system, most often the problem lies in overflowing the cache of the system launcher or a temporary failure in the work of the window management service.
The first step to diagnose and fix the problem is to reboot the device, which is a trivial action that clears temporary files and restarts all system processes, including those that are responsible for navigation. If the problem persists, try clearing the cache of the Security application or system launcher through the application settings.
In more complex cases, when the interface stops responding completely, it may be necessary to reset the interface settings. Note that this will return the desktop design and menu to the factory look by removing installed widgets and rearranging icons. However, this often resolves problems with software conflicts after updates.
⚠️ Before resetting the interface, make sure that your important data is stored in the cloud, although personal files (photos, contacts) are not deleted, only the visual system configuration is reset.
If none of the software methods work, it’s worth checking for system updates. Multitasking menu bugs are often known bugs that developers fix in security patches. Installing the latest version of MIUI or HyperOS can automatically fix the malfunction.