Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, which run on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, have powerful multitasking, allowing you to hold in RAM dozens of running programs. However, sometimes users face a situation when you need to forcefully close a frozen application, clear the history of web surfing or simply free up system resources to speed up the device. Understanding how to properly manage active windows and background processes is a key skill for any smartphone owner.
The problem may be not only the classic “stick” interface, but also the accumulation of cache, which slows down the load of pages in the browser. Android system based on MIUI has specific memory compression algorithms that differ from pure Android. So standard methods of closing tabs may work differently than on other devices. In this article, we will discuss all possible scenarios, from a banal swipe in the menu of recent tasks to deep cleaning of data of a particular application through the engineering settings menu.
Don't ignore the need for periodic cleaning, as overflowing RAM often causes heavy games or instant messengers to reboot themselves spontaneously. We'll look at how to find hidden processes that consume battery power, and how to permanently eliminate intrusive tabs that open themselves due to advertising modules. Proper window management prolongs battery life and ensures smooth animations.
Managing windows in the menu of recent tasks
The most obvious and quick way to remove open pages or apps on Xiaomi is to use the standard multitasking menu, which is accessed by swiping from the bottom up with a delay (if gesture navigation is enabled) or pressing a square button at the bottom of the screen, where the user sees cards of all running programs, which can be closed one or all at a time.
To clean up the envelope, it is usually enough to press the "Clean" button (the cross or broom icon) located at the bottom of the screen or at the top, depending on the version of the shell. However, if a particular program is frozen and does not close with a regular swipe, a deeper approach may be required. In some cases, the system blocks the closure of system processes, considering them critical to the stability of the operation.
Why are some apps not being closed?
It’s worth noting that shutting down all applications is not always helpful. Android is designed to keep frequently used programs “frozen” for quick launch. Constant forced memory cleanup can, on the contrary, increase battery consumption, as the processor will have to re-deploy applications from resting state.
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Regular cleaning of all applications is necessary only at obvious freezes of the system; in normal mode it is better to close only heavy programs that you are not using right now.
Clean tabs and data in the Mi Browser and Chrome browser
Often, "open pages" are what users mean by tabs in a web browser that have accumulated over weeks of use. In the standard Mi Browser browser, which is preinstalled on most global firmware versions, tabs are managed through a special square icon with a number in the bottom bar, and clicking on it, you will see a grid of open sites.
To remove unnecessary pages, you can use the “Close All” feature, which is usually available through a three-dot menu or a long press on the tab switch button. However, if the browser is not working correctly, pages load long or ads come out, simply closing tabs may not be enough.
- 🗑️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications and find your browser.
- 🧹 Select Memory and click Clear Cache to delete temporary files.
- 🔒 To completely reset tabs, click “Clear All” (or “Reset”), but remember that this will remove the passwords saved in the browser.
The logic is similar in Google Chrome: tap the icon with the number of tabs, then click three dots in the corner and select “Close all tabs.” If the page doesn’t close or freezes during the loading phase, try going into incognito mode to check if any extension or network setup is blocking access.
Forced stopping of suspended processes
There are situations where the application is not just hanging in memory, but is actively consuming resources, warming the processor and not responding to closing commands, in which case the "Forced Stop" function comes to the rescue, which is a more aggressive method that completely kills the application process, resetting its state before it starts.
To do this, you'll need access to advanced system settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the overall algorithm remains the same. It's important to understand that once you have a forced shutdown, an application can start again automatically if it has background services or if it's a system component.
☑️ Forced Stop Algorithm
Use this method with caution, especially if you do not fully understand what a particular process is responsible for. For example, stopping the system application "Security" or "Conductor" can lead to unstable operation of the interface. Always check the name of the package before interfering.
⚠️ Note: Forcing system processes such as com.android.systemui or Google Play services to stop may cause a temporary black screen or smartphone reboot. Use this feature only for third-party applications or if a particular software malfunctions.
Blocking pop-up windows and advertising
One of the most annoying problems is pages that open by themselves, often not viruses, but the result of aggressive advertising in free apps or incorrectly configured notifications in the browser, and to eliminate this problem, you need to block pop-ups at the system and browser level.
In the Mi Browser or Chrome settings, look for the Privacy and Security section. There should be a pop-up lock switch. Make sure it's activated. It's also worth checking the permission list for suspicious apps: often junk programs have "Above Other Windows" permission, allowing them to open ads even on the desktop.
An effective way to combat this is to install an ad blocker or use a filtered DNS, which allows you to cut off advertising requests before they even have time to open a page in the browser. Xiaomi users are also advised to turn off the “Receive recommendations” feature in the system settings to remove advertising pages in standard applications.
- 🚫 Disable notifications from unknown sites in browser settings.
- 📱 Check apps with “Above Other Windows” rights in the Special Options section.
- 🧹 Remove recently installed apps that may have been a source of pop-up ads.
Comparison of Memory Cleaning Methods
Users are often confused about the many ways to clean up: which is better, “Clean up” through the Security app, close through the task menu or reset through the settings? Each method has its own characteristics, depth of impact and consequences for the operation of the device. Understanding the differences will help you choose the best option for your situation.
The table below provides a detailed comparison of the basic methods of managing open pages and applications on Xiaomi smartphones, which will help you quickly navigate which tool to use in a particular case.
| Method | Depth of cleaning | Impact on the battery | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swipe on the task menu | Surface. | Neutral. | As necessary |
| Cleaning through "Safety" | Medium (cache + processes) | Positive. | 1-2 times a day |
| Forced stopping | Deep (full discharge) | High (restart) | Only when you're hanging. |
| Reset browser settings | Maximum (data + tabs) | Neutral. | When you have problems with web surfing |
As you can see from the table, the safest and most useful for everyday use is the combined approach: periodic cleaning through the built-in optimizer and manual closing of heavy games or navigators.
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Use the Memory Cleanup widget on your desktop to quickly access the RAM free function without going deep into the menu. This saves time and keeps the system on track.
Advanced settings and debugging through ADB
For advanced users who want to have full control over which pages and processes are running on their Xiaomi, there are debugging tools available. The Developer Menu allows you to see and stop services running, but an even more powerful tool is the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) computer utility.
By connecting your smartphone to your PC and enabling USB debugging, you can enter commands to force packet closure. For example, the adb shell am force-stop com.package.name command will instantly kill the process associated with the specified package. This is especially useful when the phone interface is completely blocked by the got stuck application and the touchscreen does not respond.
adb shell dumpsys window | grep -E 'mCurrentFocus|mFocusedApp'This command allows you to determine which window or application is currently in focus and consuming resources. Knowing the exact name of the package, you can pinpoint or freeze the problematic software. Be careful: improper use of ADB commands can lead to unstable system operation or a “boot loop”.
⚠️ Note: Use of the command line ADB Introducing the wrong command can delete critical system files or disrupt drivers. Always check the syntax and packet name before executing the command.