Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer users many convenient features for multitasking, but sometimes these features turn into a real headache. A floating window that arose out of nowhere can overlap important interface elements, interfere with typing or simply annoy with its presence on the screen. Device owners often face a situation where a miniature application “sticks” to the display and does not want to close with standard methods.
The reasons for the appearance of such artifacts can be both random actions of the user himself, and software failures in the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS. The system interprets certain gestures or clicks as a command to launch an application in floating mode, which is not always expected for the owner of the gadget. Understanding the nature of the emergence of these windows is the first step to successfully removing them and restoring comfortable operation.
In this article, we will take a look at all the possible ways to get rid of intrusive interface elements, learn how to distinguish a system floating window from a third-party widget, how to configure the sidebar to avoid accidental launches, and what to do if the window is hanging dead. The instructions cover various scenarios, from simple actions to more complex system settings.
The reasons for the appearance of floating windows in MIUI and HyperOS
Before you start removing it, you need to understand where it comes from. There are several types of floating objects in the Xiaomi ecosystem, and most people confuse sidebars, floating Windows, and Picture-in-Picture system notifications, each with its own activation mechanism and, accordingly, its own way of deactivating.
The main culprit behind the spontaneous appearance of windows is the floating windows feature, which allows applications to run on top of others. This is convenient for messengers or calculators, but becomes a problem if activated accidentally. The control gestures in the MIUI shell are quite sensitive, and careless swiping from the corner of the screen can run the application in mini mode. In addition, some applications, especially video players and navigators, have their own resolution to display on top of other windows.
Another reason could be widgets or smart assistant features that are embedded in the system interface. System errors should also not be discounted: after updating the firmware or installing a heavy application, the window management process can fail, leaving ghost elements on the screen. It is important to distinguish whether the window is part of a working application or a visual system bug.
- 📱 Accidental activation through the sidebar or special gestures.
- 🎬 The work of the video player in the mode of Picture-in-Picture (picture in picture).
- 🛠 Software failure of window management process after update.
- 📲 Third-party applications with permission "Above other windows".
Basic methods of closing through the interface
The easiest and most obvious way to remove a floating window is to use built-in control tools. Usually, when you press a floating window or hold your finger for a long time, a context menu or control panel appears on it. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell, this panel can be located on top, bottom or side of the application thumbnail.
For standard closing, you need to find the X icon or the Close button. If you see an arrow pointing at the corner of the screen, it means folding the window into the sidebar, not closing it completely. Be careful: if you just roll the window, it will continue to consume RAM resources even if it is not visible on the display.
In some cases, the window may be blocked from accidentally closing, then you need to click on a special lock icon or double-press to unlock control. The interface of floating windows in new versions of HyperOS has become more minimalist, so the control functions can be hidden behind additional menus called by the tap on the window header.
☑️ The window closing algorithm
If a standard tap fails, try dragging the window to the bottom of the screen, and in many versions of the shell, a red zone or basket icon appears, dragging and dragging the application into force closes, which works even when the control buttons do not respond to the touch.
Setting up and disabling the sidebar
Often the source of problems is the Sidebar, which is activated by default in the system settings. This tool is designed to quickly access selected applications, but its sensitivity can lead to accidental launches. To prevent unwanted windows in the future, the panel must be properly configured or completely disable.
To access settings, go to Settings → Additional Settings → Sidebar (the path may vary slightly depending on the model, for example, Xiaomi Redmi Note or Xiaomi Mi). Here you will see a list of applications that appear in the panel. Remove from it those programs that you do not use in multitasking mode, or disable the Sidebar switch completely.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling the sidebar completely will prevent you from running split-screen or floating-window applications quickly in the future. If you use these features, it’s better to simply remove unnecessary apps from the list rather than disabling the entire feature.
You can also adjust the sensitivity of the activation zone in this menu. If the panel is called too often when you scroll through the pages, try resizing the active area or turning off the display of the panel when the screen is horizontal, and this is especially true for those who often watch videos or play games where random touching of the edge of the screen can interrupt the process.
| Setup parameter | Description of action | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Turn on the panel. | Activation or deactivation of the function | Disable if not in use |
| Add annexes | Selection of programs for quick access | Leave only messengers |
| Show in games | Displaying the panel in landscape mode | Turn off to avoid failures |
| Transparency | Setting up the visibility of the panel | Set the minimum |
Hidden Sidebar Settings
Permissions management "Above other windows"
One of the technical reasons for the undeleteable windows is permissions given to third-party applications. Android has a special type of access, Display over other apps. If the application has this access, it can display its elements on top of any other content, and it can not close them with a standard swipe.
To verify and revoke these rights, go to Settings → Security → Privacy → Special features → On top of other applications. In the list that opens, you will see all programs that have such permission. Carefully examine the list: if you see an unfamiliar application or program that does not need to be constantly on the screen (for example, a flashlight or calculator), feel free to turn off this access.
Special attention should be paid to memory cleanup applications, launchers and weather widgets, which are the ones that most often abuse this feature by creating permanent floating widgets. Disabling the resolution instantly removes the window from the screen, as the application loses the right to draw the interface on top of the system.
- 🔍 Go to the system's privacy settings.
- 📉 Find the item "Above other applications".
- 🚫 Disable access for suspicious or unnecessary programs.
- ✅ Leave access only for system services and necessary messengers.
💡
Expert advice: If you don't know what a particular app is responsible for in the permission list, type its name into the search engine before you turn it off. System processes like System UI or MIUI Service Framework can't be turned off, which will cause the phone to malfunction.
Forced stopping and cleaning of memory
In situations where the floating window is stuck and does not respond to touch and no closing buttons, a more radical approach is required: Forced process stop is an effective method of combating the hung interface elements. This action is equivalent to pulling the battery from the device, but is performed software for a specific application.
To do this, open Settings → Applications → All apps. Find an app that appears as a floating window (or one you suspect of), log in to its properties and click Stop or Forced Stop. The system will warn you of the possible consequences, but if it freezes, it is the only way out.
If you don't know what the problem is, you can use Task Manager. On some Xiaomi models, if you press the Menu button long enough (three strips or a square), an expanded Manager opens to see the running processes. Also, cleaning RAM will help: press and hold the Closing button of all applications in the menu of running tasks until the cleanup message appears, and confirm the action.
⚠️ Warning: Forced shutdown of system processes (e.g., System Interface or Desktop) can cause a brief flash of the screen or reboot of the interface.
Once the application is stopped, the floating window should disappear, and if it hasn't, it may have restarted automatically, in which case a full reboot of the device, which resets all the time processes and clears the RAM cache, will help.
Diagnostics of suspended processes and resetting settings
If the problem is persistent and the floating windows appear again and again even after cleaning, there may be a software debris or a setting conflict in the system, in which case it is worth a deeper diagnosis, first of all check if you have recently installed a questionable application that may have inserted an ad or a widget into the system.
Safe Mode is a great diagnostic tool. When you boot in Safe Mode, only system applications run. If you don't have a floating window in that mode, it's one of the apps you installed that's to blame. Delete the recently installed programs one by one until the problem disappears.
As a last resort, if nothing works, you can reset special features. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Special features and check if there are any extra services. Sometimes resetting special features settings (without resetting the entire phone) helps remove the interface artifacts.
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The main reason for the constant floating windows is conflicting applications with administrator rights or access to the lock screen, and removing suspicious software solves the problem in 90% of cases.