You try to switch between apps on Xiaomi, but you can't find the usual multitasking menu? This problem is familiar to many users after upgrading to MIUI 14 or when you first get acquainted with gesture control. The fact is that the manufacturer regularly changes the logic of interaction with the system - and what worked on the Redmi Note 10 may not work on the Xiaomi 13 Ultra.
In this article, we will not only show you the standard way to call the recent app dashboard, but also reveal hidden combinations for models with and without the Home button, and explain why sometimes the multitasking menu suddenly disappears. You will learn how to return classic control if gestures are uncomfortable for you, and what to do if the system “forgot” your settings after the update.
1. Standard ways to open the multitasking menu on Xiaomi
On most modern smartphones Xiaomi (starting with the MIUI 12) the menu of recent applications opens in one of two ways, depending on the type of navigation chosen. → Display. → Navigation panel.
If you have gesture control (no button mode), swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold for 0.5 seconds. It's not just about swiping, but about freezing at the top, or the main screen will open. On Xiaomi 12T and later, it's quite shorter motion thanks to improved sensors.
- 📱 Gesture up. + A pause is a universal method for all models with MIUI 12+
- 🔄 Double swipe up – an alternative on some firmware (for example, POCO F4)
- 🖱️ Three-finger swipe down - works on Xiaomi Pad 6 tablets
For devices with classic buttons (navigation button mode), it’s easier: a single click on a square icon (right of Home) will immediately open a list of the latest apps. On older models like the Redmi 5 Plus, this button can be labeled as “Recent”.
2.Why is the multitasking menu not open?
If standard methods don't work, there may be one of four factors that can be the problem, and the most common is a random change in gesture settings, for example, after upgrading to MIUI 14, the system may reset the swipe sensitivity, and your movement simply won't be recognized.
Other possible causes:
- 🔧 Disabled animation - in "No animation" mode (Settings) → Special opportunities → Remove animations) The multitasking menu may be delayed or not open at all.
- 🛠️ Launcher Failure – If the recent app bar flickers or shows a blank screen, try restarting com.miui.home via Settings → Annexes → Application management.
- 📱 Damaged display - on Xiaomi 11T Pro and other models with curved screens swipes around the edges may not work due to sensor defects.
- 🔄 shell conflict – some launchers (like Nova Launcher) block the system menu of multitasking.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Black Shark and other gaming smartphones, the multitasking menu can be blocked in Shark Space mode. To unlock, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen and turn off the game mode.
| Problem. | Xiaomi model | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The menu opens but is empty. | Redmi Note 11 Pro+ | Clear the launcher cache in Settings → Applications → MIUI Launcher → Memory |
| Swipe's not recognized. | Xiaomi 13 Lite | Increase the sensitivity of gestures in Settings → Display → Touch sensitivity |
| The menu opens with a delay | POCO X5 Pro | Disable energy saving for the system in Settings → Battery → Energy saving applications |
| The "Recent" button doesn't work. | Redmi 10C | Reset your navigation settings to Settings → Display → Navigation Panel → Reset |
3. Hidden features of the MIUI multitasking menu
Xiaomi’s recent app menu has more than just a task switch, here are 5 little-known tips that will make it easier to do:
- App pinning. Swipe down the app card in the multitasking menu and click on the pin icon. Now it won't close when you clear the memory. It runs on MIUI 13+.
- Click on the app icon at the top of the card and select "Separate Screen" not supported on all models (e.g. not on Redmi 9A).
- Quick access to settings. Swipe left on the app card and the menu with the options "Information", "Secure" and "Separate screen" will open.
- Clean RAM. At the bottom of the multitasking menu, there's a "Clean" button (in some firmware hidden behind the swipe to the left). On Xiaomi 12S Ultra, it clears the cache without closing the apps.
- Drag and drop cards. You can change the order of the apps in the list by holding the card and moving it left/right.
On Xiaomi Pad 5 and other tablets, the multitasking menu features Free Window mode, the equivalent of floating windows on Samsung DeX. To activate, hold the app icon and drag it to your desktop.
How to Enable Developer Mode for Fine Multitasking Customization
4. How to return the classic multitasking menu (Recent button)
If you don't like gestures or they're not stable, you can go back to the navigation buttons.
Open Settings → Display |Select Navigation Bar |Switch to Navigation Button Mode |Push More → Button Position and select Standard (if you need to swap "Back" and "Recent")|Reboot the device to apply the changes-->
On some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11) after changing the navigation mode, you may need to reset the launcher cache.
Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Launcher → Memory → Clear cacheIf the "Recent" button never appeared, check:
- 🔄 Is there a third-party launcher (for example, Microsoft Launcher) that blocks system buttons.
- 📱 Is the mode for children activated (Settings) → Special opportunities → A mode for children that hides some of the functions.
- 🔧 Are not experimental functions included in the developer settings (option Disable) HW-The labels may break the button display).
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi Note 12) 5G) Changing navigation mode can cause app permissions to reset. After switching, check camera, microphone and storage access settings in Settings → Confidentiality.
5. Alternative ways to open the multitasking menu
If standard methods don’t work, try these workarounds:
Method 1. Through the notification panel.
Open the notification curtain and find the recent apps icon (usually to the right of brightness) on MIUI 14, you can add it manually:
Settings → Notification Panel → Change and Add Tiles → Find “Recent” and Drag to the Active AreaMethod 2. Voice assistant.
Activate Google Assistant or Xiao AI and say, "Open recent apps" or "Show multitasking." It works even on a locked screen (if you have Settings enabled). → Screen locking → Voice assistant).
Method 3. ADB-team (for advanced teams).
If the multitasking menu is completely removed from the system, it can be forced to call through ADB:
adb shell am start -n com.miui.home/.recents.RecentsActivityThis command runs on all versions of MIUI, but requires a developer mode enabled and PC connection.
Method 4: Double-touch gesture.
On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), you can assign a double-touch multitasking menu to the screen.
Settings → Display → Double touch to wake up → Additional steps💡
If you have Xiaomi with Always-On Display (like Xiaomi 13 Pro), double tap the recent icon on the locked screen – this will open the multitasking menu without unlocking.
6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Many users accidentally break the multitasking menu in an attempt to optimize the system.-3 Mistakes and how to correct them:
Error 1: Disabling system applications.
If you disable com.miui.home or com.miui.securitycenter via ADB or Titanium Backup, the multitasking menu will stop working.
adb shell pm enable com.miui.home
adb shell pm enable com.miui.securitycenterError 2: Change the DPI screen.
Reducing the density of pixels (for example, to increase text) can confuse the gestures.
Settings → Display → Text and display size → Display size → StandardError 3: Conflict with Magisk modules.
Modules like Xposed or LSposed can block system gestures, check the error logs in Magisk Manager or temporarily disable all modules.
💡
Before any manipulation of system files, back up via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will restore the multitasking menu to work in 5 minutes.