Owners of Xiaomi TVs running Android TV often face the need to force the shutdown of running programs, which may be required if the interface begins to slow down, video plays with delays or a particular application ceases to respond to remote commands. Unlike smartphones, multi-tasking management on the big screen has its own features and hidden menus.
Many users mistakenly believe that simply leaving the program is enough to completely close it. However, in the Android architecture, background processes often continue to consume RAM, which over time leads to a decrease in overall performance of the device. On Xiaomi Mi TVs and Mi Box consoles, there are specific methods for managing running tasks, which we will discuss in detail in this material.
Understanding how to properly manage active windows will help extend the life of the device and ensure smooth operation of the PatchWall interface or standard shell. Next, we will consider the standard system tools, the capabilities of the task manager and specialized utilities for cleaning memory.
Staff methods of stopping through the application menu
The most obvious, but not always obvious, way for beginners to use the system menu of application management. Depending on the version of the MIUI for TV firmware or the global shell of Android TV, the interface may differ. The standard algorithm of actions involves going to the settings section or using the context menu directly on the program icon.
To force a specific software to stop, you need to find it in the general list of installed programs. Once you select the right item, you will see an information card that hides important management functions, and this is where the button is located, allowing you to force the process to end if it freezes or consumes too many resources.
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Use the long press of the OK button on the remote while on the app icon to quickly call the context menu with the Stop or Delete option.
It should be noted that not all system services allow themselves to be closed. If the Stop button is inactive (grey), then this process is critical to the operation of the Android operating system and its completion can lead to instability of the TV, in which case it is better to use the device reboot.
- 📺 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications for the full list.
- ⛔ Find the program and select the option “Forced Stop».
- 🔄 Confirm the action in the pop-up system window.
Using Task Manager and Cleaning Memory
Android TV has a concept of “last-time apps” similar to that used in smartphones, but on Xiaomi TVs, access to this list can be implemented in different ways, often requiring a long press of the central button of the remote control or the use of a special key combination to call a list of running tasks.
Task Manager allows you not only to see what is running, but also massively clear RAM, which is especially useful before running "heavy" games or applications for watching video in high resolution 4K HDR. Clearing the cache and completing background processes frees up the resources of the processor.
⚠️ Attention: Constant manual memory cleaning is not always useful. Android itself effectively manages resources, otherwise closing applications can, on the contrary, increase the load on the processor when they are restarted.
If the standard means of calling the dispatcher fails, you can use third-party launchers or utilities that add this feature to the main screen. Such programs often have a "Clear Memory" widget in one click.
Forced closure through developer settings
For advanced users who want to gain full control of the system, there are hidden developer menus, activating this mode allows you to manage processes at a deeper level. To get into the developer menu, you need to go to Settings → About device and several times click on the item "Build Number".
Once activated, a new section will appear in the settings menu called “Developers” where you can find options to limit background processes, but using these features requires caution, since incorrect settings can disrupt the smart functions of Xiaomi TV.
This section also includes the Do Not Save Actions feature, or limiting the number of background processes, which is a radical method that forces the system to close applications as soon as you leave them, and use this only for testing or if the TV is extremely slow.
- 🔓 Activate Developer Mode by pressing 7 times on the build number.
- ⚙️ Find the “Applications” section in the developer menu.
- 🛑 Set a limit on background processes or select “No background processes».
Third-party utilities for task management
The native Android TV interface is not always easy to manage tasks, so many users install specialized optimization apps. The Google Play Store on the TV offers a number of utilities that display a floating button or widget to quickly clean up memory.
Popular solutions like Background Apps and Process List or SFS Task Manager allow you to see a list of all running services and complete them in one click, and these programs are especially effective on TVs with low RAM, such as 1 or 2 GB.
Should I install a memory cleaner?
When installing third-party software, pay attention to the permissions it requests. To work properly, the task manager needs access to a list of running processes, but he should not require access to your personal files or microphone without an obvious need.
Resetting as a method of complete resetting
If none of the software methods works and the interface continues to slow down, the way to do this is to completely reboot the device. Unlike simply turning off the remote (which often puts the TV in deep sleep), rebooting completely clears RAM and restarts all system services.
Reboot can be done via Settings → Device → Reboot or hold the off button on the remote until the appropriate window appears. On some models, Xiaomi Mi TV helps to press the off button for a long time (about 5-10 seconds) until the boot logo appears on the screen.
Regular reboots (e.g., once a week) are recommended to maintain the stability of the Smart TV, which allows you to reset accumulated errors in the system cache and update network connections.
☑️ Checklist before rebooting
Comparison of application management methods
So for the convenience of choosing the best way to close programs, we've organized the data into a table that will help you quickly navigate which method is best to use in your situation.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risk to the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exiting through "Back" | Low. | Low (left in the background) | No. |
| Forced stopping | Medium | Tall. | Minimum |
| Third-party utilities | Medium | Tall. | Medium (advertising) |
| TV reboot | Low. | Maximum | No. |
As you can see from the table, for a one-time solution to the problem of hanging, the most suitable forced stop through settings, since it does not require the installation of excess software and guarantees the closure of the process.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to remove system applications through root file managers unless you are an experienced user.This may cause your Xiaomi TV to “brick” and lose warranty.