Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where the standard behavior of the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS does not fully match their habits, especially when it comes to running programs, which by default can block background processes or hide important interface elements. Understanding how the menu of running applications works is key to improving device performance and everyday usability.
The Chinese manufacturerโs shell offers many hidden options for customizing this section. You can change the look of the list, customize memory cleaning algorithms, or even completely disable aggressive optimization for specific programs. In this article, we will discuss all available customization methods in detail so that you can adapt the gadget to your personal needs without installing third-party software.
Features of the task manager in MIUI and HyperOS
Unlike pure Android, the MIUI shell and its successor HyperOS use their own background control logic, which seeks to maximize battery power, which sometimes leads to the forced unloading of applications from RAM. This behavior directly affects how programs are displayed in the menu of recent tasks. The user can observe that messengers stop receiving notifications if they are not fixed in memory.
The central control here is a built-in optimizer that analyzes software activity, automatically detects rarely used programs and limits their background activity, but for important work tools or games, this approach may not be desirable, which is why you need to manually configure exceptions so that the system does not close the processes you want.
The menu interface is also changing depending on the firmware version. In recent updates, the company is introducing new animations and swipe methods, which can disorient users who are used to old management. It is important to understand that the visual part and the logical part of the dispatcherโs work are two different levels of customization, each of which requires attention.
- ๐ฑ Aggressive energy saving by default closes the background apps.
- โ๏ธ Built-in optimizer requires manual exception settings.
- ๐ The menu interface changes with the release of new versions MIUI/HyperOS.
โ ๏ธ Warning: A complete shutdown of memory optimization can lead to accelerated battery discharge, as applications will be constantly active in the background.
How to disable the recent task menu lock
One of the most annoying features for many users is blocking the swipe to close applications. In some versions of the shell, accidentally tapping can block the entire list of recent tasks, requiring a double tap to unlock. Fortunately, this feature can be easily deactivated through system settings, returning the usual control.
To change the setting, go to Settings, then select Desktop. In the list that opens, look for the option that blocks the recent task menu, usually called "Block the recent task menu," or has a similar name. Put the switch inactive to unlock the swipes.
After doing this, you'll notice that management has become more responsive. Smearing app cards will now happen instantly, without additional confirmations or unlocks, and this is especially true for those who are used to quickly clearing RAM or often switching between many open windows.
โ ๏ธ Attention: The path to setup may differ from firmware version to version. If the Desktop menu doesn't have the right item, search for settings by entering "lockยป.
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For a quick search for settings, use the search bar at the top of the Settings menu โ this will save time when searching for hidden options.
Set up the display and sorting of applications
The usability of a smartphone depends on how the space on the screen is organized. The menu of running apps on Xiaomi allows you not only to close programs, but also to sort them. You can choose to display as a horizontal tape or a vertical list, which is especially convenient on devices with a large screen.
You can change the view of the list through your desktop settings. Select menu view, where you can sort it. Horizontal scrolling is common for most Android users, whereas a vertical list allows you to look at more tasks that you run at once, and the choice depends on your ergonomics and your phone habits with one hand.
Also worth paying attention to is the "Secure All" function, tapping the lock icon or swipe down the app card (depending on the MIUI version) locks the program in memory. The fixed apps are not deleted when the "Clear All" button is removed and take priority when there is a shortage of RAM, which is the perfect way to keep a navigator or music player on hand.
Game mode management and Game Turbo
The interaction of the running task menu with Game Turbo mode deserves special attention. When you start games, the system can automatically hide notifications and change the behavior of the task manager to maximize resources for gameplay. However, this sometimes leads to the game โflying outโ of memory immediately after folding.
To avoid losing progress in games, add a specific application to the optimizer's exclusion list. Open the Security app, go to Accelerate or Game Turbo. Find the right game in the list and make sure it has the option "Do not limit background activity" or similar.
In addition, Game Turbo's settings allow you to configure a sidebar that is swiped during play, which allows you to quickly open frequently used apps without leaving the game, creating a kind of menu of running tasks inside the game mode, allowing you to respond to messages or check guides without completely closing the game.
- ๐ฎ Game Turbo Prioritizes Resources for Launched Game.
- ๐ซ Without exception, the game can be discharged from memory when folded.
- ๐ฒ Sidebar allows quick access to other apps.
Hidden Game Turbo settings
Comparison of menu functions in different versions of MIUI
The evolution of Xiaomiโs shell has led to significant changes in how running processes are managed. Whereas the older versions of MIUI 10-12 focused on visual effects, MIUI 13, 14 and the new HyperOS have shifted their focus to privacy and memory efficiency, as shown in the table below, where key features are compared.
| Function | MIUI 10-12 | MIUI 13-14 | HyperOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu | Only horizontally. | Horizontal/Vertical | Hybrid with widgets |
| Blocking the swipe | Absent. | There's (customizable) | There (enhanced) |
| Cleaning up memory | Aggressive. | Smart (AI) | Adaptive |
| Apps anchorage | Through the castle. | Swipe/Castle | Swipe/Castle |
As the comparison shows, new systems offer more flexible tools, but also require a deeper dive into settings. Users who upgrade from older versions may take time to adjust to new system behavior when switching between tasks.
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Switching to HyperOS changes the algorithms of working with memory, so the old optimization settings may stop working correctly and require verification.
Hiding apps from recent task list
Privacy issues often require hiding certain applications from prying eyes. While standard MIUI tools make it difficult to remove an application from the list of recent tasks without using third-party launchers, there are workarounds. Some system applications can be hidden through the Second Space or Hidden Application settings.
Banking apps and instant messengers often use App Protection, which doesn't remove the icon from the task list, but requires you to enter a password or fingerprint when you try to open an app card, and this creates an additional security barrier. You can set this up in the Settings menu โ Apps โ Application Protection.
There's also a guest mode technique, where you switch to a guest account and you get a clean task menu that doesn't show your personal correspondence or your browser history, and it's an effective way to temporarily hide your activity by handing over your phone to another person to call or view photos.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Hiding icons through third-party launchers can lead to unstable system operation and loss of gesture functionality Xiaomi.