The multitasking menu on Xiaomi smartphones is a key tool for quickly switching between applications, closing background software and managing open tasks. However, many users face difficulties when first familiarizing themselves with MIUI: where this menu is located, how to call it on different models (Redmi, POCO, Mi), and why sometimes standard gestures do not work, especially for owners of devices with frameless screens where physical buttons are absent.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can call the multitasking menu, from the classic swipe to the hidden features for power users, how to adapt the controls to your habits, what to do if the menu doesn’t open, and how to customize gestures for maximum convenience, and also reveal the secret of why some Xiaomi models look different than other Android smartphones.
Standard ways to call the multitasking menu
Most Xiaomi users use one of two main methods of opening the app menu, and the choice depends on the MIUI version and the management settings.
On physical-button devices like the Redmi Note 8 or Mi 9T, it's simple: just single tapping a square button at the bottom of the screen. But what if you have a smartphone with a frameless display (like the Xiaomi 13 or POCO F5)?
- 👆 Swipe up with a delay: swipe from the bottom edge of the screen up and hold your finger for 0.5 seconds.
- 👆👆 Double swipe up (in some versions) MIUI 14+): Quickly swipe your finger up twice in a row.
- 🔄 Push gesture (on some models): squeeze the screen with five fingers (as with zooming down).
Important: If you have a MIUI 12.5 shell or later, Full Screen Gestures is activated by default, in which case a latency swipe is the only working option. To check your current settings, go to Settings → Display → Full-screen mode.
How to Set Up Gestures for Multitasking
If you don't like standard gestures, you can reconfigure them or even turn them off.
- Open the Settings → Display.
- Select Full Screen Mode (or Gesture Management in older versions of MIUI).
- Slip on MIUI gestures (or navigation buttons if you use virtual keys).
- Choose your preferred option: 📱 Swipe from the sides (to return and call the menu). 👆 Swipe up (classic version). 🔘 Three navigation buttons (for old school lovers").
After changing the settings, restart the device so that the gestures work correctly. If the menu still does not open, check if a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) conflicts with the system.
☑️ Checking the performance of gestures
Why the Multitasking Menu is Not Opening
If neither of these methods works, the problem may be a software failure or incorrect settings.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Gestures don't work | Failure in the service of System UI | Restart the interface: Settings → Applications → Application Management → System → System UI → Stop |
| The menu opens with a delay | RAM overload | Clear background processes or restart the device |
| Black screen is displayed | Conflict with the shell | Return the standard MIUI launcher to the default settings |
| No reaction to swipe | Touch screen damaged. | Conduct a sensor test in Settings → About the phone → Diagnostics |
If you have previously activated the option to Do Not Stay Active (in Settings → For Developers), the system will automatically close applications when you exit them, which can interfere with the correct operation of multitasking.
⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO X3 Pro after updating to MIUI 14 gestures can be reset. Check the shell version in Settings → About the phone and if necessary update the software.
Hidden Multitasking Menu Functions
The app menu in MIUI hides a few useful tips that not everyone knows about:
- 🔒 App fastening: Swipe down the app card to lock it into the menu (will not close when cleaned).
- 📤 Separate Mode: Hold the app icon and drag it to the top of the screen to activate multitasking in two windows.
- 🔍 Search by menu: Swipe down the screen in the multitasking menu to open the search bar among open tasks.
- 📊 Use statistics: tap on the icon "ℹ️" in the upper right corner to see the time of application activity.
On devices with MIUI 13+, the Smart Grouping feature has appeared: the system automatically combines application cards into categories (for example, “Social Networks” or “Work”). To disable this option, go to Settings → Special Features → Smart Grouping.
How to turn on the horizontal multitasking menu?
The difference between the menu on different Xiaomi models
Depending on the device series and the MIUI version, the appearance and functionality of the multitasking menu may differ.
- 📱 Redmi Note 11/12: vertical swipe with animation "waterfall", support for gesture "pinching".
- 📱 Xiaomi 13/14: Horizontal menu with grouping by time of use, integration with Xiaomi HyperOS.
- 📱 POCO F4/F5: Simplified interface without animations, but with support for separate mode by default.
- 📱 Black Shark: Game menu with quick access to performance settings.
On Xiaomi tablets (such as the Xiaomi Pad 6), the multitasking menu works differently: it uses a horizontal arrangement of cards, and to call requires a swipe from the bottom edge with retention. In addition, the tablets have a floating window mode, analogous to the Picture-in-Picture feature, but for any application.
⚠️ Note: On devices with Xiaomi HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) The multitasking menu is integrated with Cross-Device, which means that you can see not only mobile apps, but also tasks from connected devices (laptop, tablet). To disable this feature, go to Settings. → Connections and sharing → Cross-Device.
Alternative ways to manage tasks
If the standard multitasking menu doesn’t suit you, consider alternative options:
- Xiao AI Voice Assistant: Say, “Open the latest app” or “Show open tasks.” To do this, activate the voice assistant in Settings → Xiao AI.
- Third-Party gestures: Apps like Fluid Navigation Gestures or Edge Gestures let you customize your own swipes to call menus.
For automation enthusiasts, Tasker or MacroDroid is a good way to create a macro that opens the multitasking menu by:
- 🔄 Double press on the back panel (on models with a pressure sensor).
- 🎵 Shaking the device.
- 📍 Geolocations (e.g., automatically clear tasks when leaving the house).
💡
If you often use separate mode, add a shortcut to it on the home screen. To do this, hold your finger in the free space of the desktop → Widgets → Separate mode.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even Xiaomi experienced users sometimes make mistakes when working with multitasking, and here are the most common ones:
- Swipeing too fast: If you swipe too fast, the system may perceive it as a gesture of "home." Hold your finger for 0.3-0.5 seconds.
- Use the wrong part of the screen: Swipe should start strictly from the bottom edge, and if you start higher, you will scroll through the current application.
- Screen Protection Conflict: A film or case with high sides can block the sensor. Check sensitivity in Settings → Display → Touch sensitivity.
- System animations disabled: In Developer Mode (Settings → Developer) the Windows animation option may be disabled. Turn it back on (value 1x).
If after all the manipulations the menu still does not open, reset the gesture settings:
- Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting.
- Select Reset control settings.
- Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.
💡
On devices with MIUI 14+, the multitasking menu is closely linked to Memory Extension. If you turn off this option, the number of cards displayed will decrease to 4-5 instead of the standard 8-12.