How to close all applications at once: the full guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones are based on the shells MIUI or the new HyperOS, which actively use multitasking, leaving in RAM a lot of running processes. Users often face a situation when the interface begins to slow down, and the battery is discharged faster than usual due to the background activity of dozens of unnecessary programs.

There are several proven methods to clear RAM and stop excess activity, some built into the standard shell interface, others require the use of an engineering menu or third-party utilities, and understanding how to properly manage running tasks will help to extend the battery life of the device and restore its responsiveness.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the regular system tools, hidden functions of the “cleaner” and explain when you really need to close programs, and when it is better not to do this. You will learn how to configure automatic cleaning and what nuances of Android on Xiaomi devices should be considered for maximum performance.

Staffing tools for closing applications in MIUI and HyperOS

The Chinese company’s shells provide users with convenient tools to manage running processes directly from the interface. The standard way familiar to every owner is to use a menu of recent applications, which is called by a swipe or a special navigation button. Pressing the cross at the top of the screen allows you to close all applications with a single touch, but the system can ignore some system processes.

A more advanced tool is the built-in Security app, which is often ignored by users but has powerful functionality. Inside this system module is the Cleanup utility, which not only removes the cache, but also forcibly terminates processes consuming resources, and the use of this method is considered more profound, since it affects background services that may not appear in the list of recent tasks.

Note that the memory algorithms in MIUI 14 and HyperOS are significantly different from pure Android.The system itself optimizes the work of background applications, unloading from memory those that have not been used for a long time. However, manually running cleaning through standard tools is still relevant before launching heavy games or at noticeable interface lags.

⚠️ Warning: Don't keep the screen open and run it every minute. Excessive start-stop cycles can, on the contrary, increase battery consumption, as the processor is forced to constantly re-initialize frequently used applications.

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For quick memory cleaning, add the Cleanup widget to your desktop, which will free up RAM in one tap without opening any unnecessary menus.

Using the Developer Menu for Extended Management

For users who need full control of the system, there is the option to activate the hidden developer menu. This section contains debugging and process management tools that are not available in normal mode. To access these functions, you need to go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the build number seven times, after which a new option will appear in the menu “Additional” or “Extended settings”.

Inside the developer menu is a section that allows you to limit the background processes, you can set a limit on the number of simultaneous applications that actually cause the system to close unnecessary tasks automatically, and you can also use the function "Do not save actions", which forcibly terminates the activity of the application immediately after leaving it, which is equivalent to permanently closing all windows.

Using these settings requires caution, as aggressively restricting background processes can disrupt messengers, email clients and widgets. Background notification services may stop functioning properly if you set too tight limits. It is recommended to use these tools only for diagnostics or in situations where maximum performance is required at the expense of multitasking.

It is important to understand that changing the settings in the developer menu affects the global behavior of the Android operating system. For example, setting a limit to process 2 means that when you run the third application, the first one will be forcibly closed by the system, even if you did not manually do it.

Set up auto-start and background activity restrictions

One of the main reasons users want to shut down all applications is because they have programs that are constantly hanging in memory and using up charge. Xiaomi’s shells have a separate auto-start control mechanism that allows them to prevent apps from starting with the system or activating themselves, a more effective way to combat garbage than manually closing windows.

To manage this functionality, you need to go to the Security app and select Permissions → Autostart. This is a complete list of programs that can run without the user's knowledge. By disabling unnecessary positions, you will prevent them from appearing in RAM after a restart or in the background.

• 🚀 Battery savings: Prohibition of auto-start significantly reduces energy consumption in standby mode.
• 🛡️ Privacy: Some apps may collect data in the background, banning auto-runs blocks this activity.
• ⚡ Free memory: A significant amount of RAM is freed up for heavy games and cameras.

In addition to auto-run, you should pay attention to the charge saving settings for specific applications. In the Settings menu → Applications → All applications, you can select a specific program, go to the "Saving Charge" option and select the "No Limits" mode for important messengers or "Limit background activity" for rarely used software, which will give the system a clear signal which processes can be closed aggressively and which ones are better left.

Third-party utilities for cleaning memory

If standard tools are not enough, users often turn to third-party solutions from the Google Play store. There are many client applications that promise to speed up the smartphone and close all processes with a single click. Popular solutions include Clean Master, CCleaner and specialized launchers with built-in memory managers.

However, the effectiveness of such programs on modern versions of Android is often questioned by experts. The operating system already has built-in memory management mechanisms, and third-party applications can conflict with them. Moreover, many “accelerators” are themselves heavy processes that hang in the background and consume resources, creating the illusion of usefulness.

If you do decide to use third-party software, choose proven tools with minimal permissions. Avoid applications that require access to contacts, microphone or location for the sake of memory cleanup. It is best to use simple widgets that simply call a system cleaning command without installing your own deep services.

⚠️ Warning: Installing aggressive memory cleaners can cause system instability, and they can force the system services needed to properly operate Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or account synchronization.

Impact of closing applications on the system

There is a common misconception that shutting down all apps all the time speeds up the smartphone. In fact, the Android architecture is built so that frequently used apps stay in RAM in a “frozen” state so that they can be restarted instantly. Forced shutting down such programs causes the CPU and disk to load all the necessary data again, which wastes more energy and time.

Complete cleaning of all processes is only feasible when the interface freezes, before running resource-intensive games, or if a particular application is not behaving correctly. Under normal daily conditions, the system itself effectively manages the allocation of resources, unloading old tasks from memory as needed.

However, on devices with a small amount of RAM (3-4 GB), manual cleaning can be a useful habit.If you notice that the keyboard begins to type with a delay or switching between windows is accompanied by a black screen for a fraction of a second, this is a signal of a lack of free memory. At such moments, using the Close All function will really return the device to smoothness.

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Modern Xiaomi smartphones with 6 GB of RAM and no longer require regular manual memory cleaning for normal operation in everyday tasks.

Comparison of cleaning methods: efficiency table

To organize the knowledge and choose the best way to manage applications, consider a comparative table of different methods, which will help you understand which tool is best used in a particular situation, whether it is fighting lags or just wanting to clean up.

As you can see from the table, Xiaomi’s regular funds are the most balanced solution: they provide a sufficient level of control without risking disrupting the stability of the operating system. Using the developer menu provides a powerful tool, but requires understanding the consequences, and third-party applications are often redundant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)