How to see running processes on Xiaomi: from MIUI 12 to HyperOS

Why to analyze the processes of Xiaomi and what does it give the user?

The running processes on Xiaomi smartphones are like open tabs in the browser: some are necessary for the system to work, others slow the device and drain the battery. Unlike computers where the task manager is always at hand, on Android (especially with the shell of MIUI or HyperOS), this functionality is hidden deeper, but its analysis helps solve real problems:

First, to identify background applications that are consuming CPU traffic or resources invisibly. For example, messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp can keep active connections even when you are not using them; second, to detect viruses or suspicious activity if unknown services with names like com.android.unknown appear on the list of processes. Finally, manual process control allows you to extend battery life by 15-30% by suspending unnecessary tasks.

It's important to understand that MIUI aggressively optimizes the background of applications, but sometimes it backfires, as the system starts to wake up processes more often than it should. In this article, we'll look at all the ways to view them, from standard tools to professional utilities for power users.

Method 1: Built-in MIUI/HyperOS Task Manager

The easiest method is to use the regular shell tools, which is suitable for most models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

  1. Press and hold the recent apps button (square or swipe up with a delay).
  2. At the bottom of the screen will appear a panel with active processes.
  3. Scroll to the left to Clear Everything โ€“ background tasks are displayed here.

Note: MIUI 14+ and HyperOS have changed the interface, so you need to see the following for a detailed view:

  1. Stick on the icon โ‹ฎ (three points) in upper right corner.
  2. Select Details โ€“ an extended list will open with CPU, RAM and power consumption for each process.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the com.miui.analytics process appears on the list, it is Xiaomiโ€™s system statistics collector. It cannot be removed without root, but can be restricted through Settings โ†’ Privacy โ†’ Special Permits โ†’ Analytics

Unfortunately, the built-in manager doesn't show all processes, only those that are related to user applications. System services (e.g. mediaserver or android.systemui) are not displayed here.

Method 2: Hidden menu "For developers"

The developer menu at MIUI contains tools that are usually hidden from the general public, one of which is real-time process monitoring, to activate this mode:

Turn on the menu: Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ MIUI version (shap 7 times)

Open the section: Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ For developers

Find the option: Process statistics or debugging โ†’ CPU monitoring

Turn on the display: Show the use of the CPU-->

Once activated, a new element will appear in the notification bar, a processor boot schedule, and tap it to see:

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Total loading CPU (nucleatedly).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ List of active processes with indication PID (identifier).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Device temperature and energy consumption.

This method works on all devices with MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, but has a limitation: the data is updated with a delay of 2-3 seconds. ADB (about him in the next section).

Redmi Note (any model)

POCO (F/X/M series)

Xiaomi (number series: 11/12/13/14)

Black Shark

Other-->

Method 3: ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

If you want complete process data, including hidden system services, connect your smartphone to your computer and use Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

  1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
  2. Turn on USB debugging in the Developer Menu.
  3. Connect the phone over the cable and confirm trust in the computer.

Now you can execute commands, like to look at all the running processes with the details:

adb shell ps -A

This command will display a table with columns:

Field.Description
USERUser (usually system, root or app_XX)
PIDProcess ID (required for forced closure)
PPIDParental process identification
NAMEProcess name (e.g. com.android.chrome)

To analyze resource consumption, use:

adb shell top -m 10

This team will show the top-10 the most resource-intensive processes with the indication % CPU and the amount of memory used.

How to kill a trial through ADB?
To forcefully complete the process, first find it. PID command adb shell ps. -A | GREP process name, then execute: adb shell kill -9 [PID] Closing system processes (e.g., closing, system_server) will cause the device to reset!

โš ๏ธ Attention: Use ADB Some commands (e.g. adb shell su) may disrupt the operation. MIUI, If you don't have root permission, always check the syntax before you run.

Method 4: Third-party monitoring applications

If working with ADB seems difficult, install specialized tools from Google Play. They provide a user-friendly interface for analyzing processes without connecting to a PC.

  • ๐Ÿ” Simple System Monitor - This is a simple system monitor. CPU, RAM, network activity and temperature. Supports widgets on the home screen.
  • ๐Ÿ“Š DevCheck -- it shows the processes in a graph, and it can sort by resource consumption.
  • ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ OS Monitor โ€“ Advanced monitoring with notifications of suspicious activity (for example, a sudden increase in load on the monitor) CPU).

When choosing an application, pay attention to two points:

  1. Permissions: The utility must request access to the Usage Statistics (in MIUI, this is configured in Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Special Access).
  2. Relevance: Some applications (such as CPU Monitor) havenโ€™t been updated since 2020 and may not work properly on HyperOS.

For models with MIUI 14+, Mi Tools recommends Process Manager โ€“ it is optimized for the Xiaomi shell and shows hidden system processes that other utilities ignore.

๐Ÿ’ก

Third-party applications cannot kill system processes without root rights; they are only useful for monitoring, not for managing.

Method 5: System Logs via Mi Log Viewer

For in-depth analysis (e.g. if your smartphone is braking or overheating), use system logs. Xiaomi provides the official Mi Log Viewer app, which collects logs in real time.

After installation:

  1. Launch the app and press Start.
  2. Select the Process filter from the top menu.
  3. Use keyword searches (e.g. ANR for freeze processes or thermal for overheating).

Logs contain technical details, but even without deep knowledge, you can pay attention to:

  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Thermal-engine messages indicate overheating.
  • โšก Battery errors โ€“ signaling incorrect energy consumption.
  • โŒ Kill records show which processes the system is forced to close.

To export logs to a file, use the Save option in the upper right corner, which can be sent to Xiaomi Support if you need diagnostic help.

What to do if a suspicious process is found

Have you found a process called com.android.xxx or service.host.yyy that hasn't been done before? Don't panic -- first, check it with the algorithm:

  1. Check the name through Google search. Many MIUI system processes have documentation (e.g. com.miui.home is a launcher).
  2. Behavior Analysis: Consumes >50% CPU for no reason? Appears after installing a new app? Sends data to the network (check through Settings โ†’ Traffic)?

Use an antivirus.

Dr.Web Light

Malwarebytes

If the process is precisely malicious:

  1. Remove the associated application through Settings โ†’ Apps.
  2. Clear the cache and data in Settings โ†’ Memory โ†’ Cleanup.
  3. In extreme cases, reset to factory settings (but make a backup first!).

โš ๏ธ Note: Some processes (e.g. com.android.vending is Google Play Market) may seem suspicious, but are part of the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi processes

Why is the MIUI Task Manager not showing all the processes?
The built-in manager displays only user applications. System processes (such as zygote or surfaceflinger) are hidden for security. Use ADB or applications like Simple System Monitor to see them.
Can the process be killed? system_server without consequence?
No. It's a process that's responsible for the basic functions of Android, and if you force it to close, it will instantly reboot your device, and if it consumes a lot of resources, you can check your smartphone for viruses or reset your settings.
How to disable unnecessary background processes on Xiaomi?
Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management, select the right one and turn off Autostart and Background Activity. For mass shutdown, use Settings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Power Saving Mode (select Limit Background Activity).
Why did new processes come into being after the MIUI update?
Every major upgrade (e.g., switching from MIUI 13 to HyperOS) adds new system services. This is normally normal, but if the process consumes >20% of the CPU continuously, check it out through Mi Log Viewer or roll back to the previous firmware version.
How to save a list of processes for analysis?
Use the command adb shell ps -A > processes.txt. The processes.txt file will be saved in the ADB folder. You can also take a screenshot of the Simple System Monitor.