Xiaomi’s Multitasking Menu: A Complete Guide to Usage in 2026

Xiaomi’s multitasking menu is not just a list of newly opened apps, but a powerful device performance management tool. Unlike the standard Android interface, the MIUI shell offers advanced features from fast switching between tasks to forced shutdown of “hungry” processes. However, many users use only 20% of its capabilities, without even knowing about the hidden options.

In this article, we will analyze not only basic actions (how to open a menu or close an application), but also advanced techniques: how to fix important tasks, use a split screen for multitasking, analyze resource consumption and even adjust gestures to speed up work. We will pay special attention to the differences between Xiaomi, Redmi and the models of the company. POCO, The interface may differ depending on the version MIUI and hardware capabilities.

If you notice that your smartphone is slowing down and your battery is running too fast, the problem may be that you are not managing multitasking properly. Once you learn how to use this menu correctly, you can extend your battery life by 15-30% and speed up your system response by 40%. And for owners of flagship models (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra or POCO F6 Pro), we have prepared some tips for using advanced features.

What is a multitasking menu and why is it necessary?

The Multitasking Menu (or Recent Apps) is an Android system tool that displays all newly opened apps as well as active processes in the background. In the MIUI shell, it is integrated with the task manager and has several unique features:

• 🔄 Quickly switch between apps without returning to the home screen.
• 📱 Fix important tasks (such as a navigator or music player) so that they don’t close when you clear your memory.
• 📊 Monitoring resources: you can see how much RAM and CPU every application.
• ⚡ Forced shutdown of “hungry” programs that do not respond to standard commands.

The main difference from pure Android is that in MIUI, the multitasking menu is closely related to system optimization, for example, when you hold an application icon for a long time, you get a context menu with options for app information, pin or split screen, which allows you not only to manage tasks, but also quickly access the settings of a particular software.

It is important to understand that on models with 6 GB of RAM and less multitasking menu works differently than on flagships with 12+ GB. On budget smartphones (Redmi Note 12, POCO M6), the system more aggressively closes the background processes to save resources, while on top devices (Xiaomi 13T Pro, Black Shark 6) the priority is given to smooth operation.

How to open the multitasking menu on Xiaomi: all the ways

There are at least 5 ways to invoke the menu of recently opened apps on Xiaomi smartphones, depending on the MIUI version, device model and personal preferences.

1. Standard gesture (for MIUI 12 and later)

Most modern smartphones (Xiaomi 12/13/14, Redmi Note 11/12, POCO F4/F5) use gesture control to open the multitasking menu:

1. Place your finger on the bottom of the screen (where the navigation bar is usually located).
2. Swipe up and hold your finger for 0.5 seconds in the middle of the screen.
3. Release – a list of recently opened applications will appear.

2. Classic button (for older versions of MIUI)

If your device (Redmi 9A, POCO M3) has virtual navigation buttons enabled, the algorithm is different:

1. Touch the square icon (right of the Home button).
2. Hold it for 1-2 seconds to call the extended menu.

3. Alternative methods

• 🔘 Double pressing the home button (works on the MIUI 10-11).
• 🖥️ Voice command “OK Google, open recently used” (requires setting up Google Assistant).
• 🔧 Through Settings. → Special facilities → Gestures → Quick start (you can set the menu to triple tap the screen).

On some models (Xiaomi Mix Fold 3, Black Shark 5 Pro), the multitasking menu is adapted for large screens and supports horizontal mode, in which case the gesture is performed from the side of the screen (left or right), rather than from the bottom.

⚠️ Note: If gesture control is not working, check the settings in Settings → Display. → Navigation system. Full-screen gestures may have been enabled with a different algorithm.

Multitasking menu features: from basic to hidden

MIUI's Recent Apps menu is not just a list of cards, it hides a lot of useful options that will help optimize the smartphone, and let's break them down into categories:

Basic actions

• 🗑️ Closing the application: swipe the card up or down.
• 🔒 Task Fixing: Hold the app icon → Choose Secure (useful for navigators or streaming services).
• 📋 Copying of text: in some versions MIUI You can select text directly from the preview of the application.

2. Advanced options

3. Hidden opportunities

On devices with MIUI 14 and later, additional features have appeared:

• 🔍 Search by Task: Pull the list down to open the search bar.
• 📊 Resource consumption schedule: Some firmware shows next to the application icon (showing load on the app) CPU/RAM).
• 🔄 Quick switching between the last two apps: double pressing the square button (if enabled in the settings).

💡

If you have Xiaomi with AMOLED-screen, enable dark theme in the multitasking menu via Settings → Display. → Dark mode. It'll reduce battery consumption. 5-10%.

How to Optimize Multitasking to Increase Productivity

Many users mistakenly believe that constantly cleaning RAM through the multitasking menu speeds up the smartphone, in fact, aggressively closing applications can slow down the system.

1. When to close applications

• ❌ Do not close: messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), music players (Spotify, Yandex Music), system processes (com.android.systemui).
• ✅ Close: games after passing the level, heavy editorial applications (Photoshop Express, CapCut), browsers with a large number of tabs.

Adjustment of background activity

To limit resource consumption to background applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or TikTok).
3. Turn off the Autostart option and limit Background activity.

3.Use of the performance mode

On flagship models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Black Shark 5) available Performance mode:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Performance Mode.
2. Choose the Game or Balance depending on the tasks.

Turn off auto-run of unnecessary apps | Secure frequently used tasks |Use dark theme on AMOLED |Limit background social media activity |Enable performance mode for games-->

⚠️ Attention: On devices with 4-6 GB of RAM (Redmi) 10A, POCO M4) It is not recommended to keep the background more 5-7 This can lead to the forced closure of active tasks by the system.

Split screen and other multitasking modes

One of the most useful features of the multitasking menu is split screen, which allows you to work with two applications simultaneously, such as texting in the messenger and watching videos.

1. How to turn on split screen

The algorithm depends on the MIUI version:

• 📱 MIUI 12-14: Open the multitasking menu. Hold the app icon. → Select Divide Screen. Select the second app from the list.
• 🖥️ MIUI Tablets (Xiaomi Pad 6): Open the first app. Swipe your finger from the bottom of the screen up and hold it. Drag the app to the left or right side of the screen.

2. Control of split screen

After activating the split screen, you can:

• ❌ Close the mode: Pull the dividing line to the edge of the screen or click on the “Close” icon in the center.

3. Limitations and compatibility

Not all apps support split-screen mode, for example, many games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact) and some banking apps (SberBank Online) block this feature for security reasons.

On POCO Launcher devices, the split screen function can be hidden. To activate it, go to Settings → Additional → Special Features → Screen Sharing.

Problems with the multitasking menu and their solutions

Sometimes the menu of recently opened apps doesn't work correctly: it doesn't open, slows down or displays cards. Let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them:

1.The menu won't open.

2.Applications are closed spontaneously

If fixed tasks (like Google Maps) suddenly disappear from the menu, the reasons may be:

• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Turn off restrictions for the app in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• 📱 Lack of RAM: on devices with 3-4 GB memory system forcibly closes tasks.
• 🔄 Failure MIUI: Update the firmware or reset the launcher settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data).