Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, have powerful hardware, but even it sometimes can not cope with the abundance of running processes. Users often notice that the device begins to heat up, the battery runs out faster than usual, and the interface slows down when switching between tasks. These are direct signs that there are too many active services in the RAM that consume CPU resources.
The Android operating system is designed to keep frequently used programs in memory for quick launch, but aggressive optimization in Xiaomi firmware sometimes works poorly or, conversely, not efficiently. As a result, “heavy” messengers, social networks and games continue to work in the background, even if you do not use them right now. Understanding how to manage these processes correctly is key to stable operation of the gadget.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available ways to clean up memory, from standard system tools to advanced developer settings. You will learn not just to close tabs, but to set up auto-run and limit background activity for specific programs, which will significantly extend the battery life of your smartphone.
Standard methods of closing applications through the task menu
The most obvious and quick way to free up RAM is to use a full-time Task Manager, which is called by swipe from the bottom up (when you use gestures) or click Menu (when you use three navigation buttons) on all Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones, and displays screenshots of all running programs ready for instant deployment.
If you want to force a particular application to close, you just have to swipe it up or sideways, depending on the version of the shell, and if you want to remove all the background processes at once, you usually have a button at the bottom of the screen or in the corner of the interface that shows a broomstick or a cross, and pressing that button triggers a massive memory cleanup.
⚠️ Warning: Continuous complete closure of all applications with a broom may backfire, and the system will re-run system services and frequently used programs, causing a short-term but strong jump in CPU power consumption.
It’s worth noting that standard shutting down through the task menu doesn’t always stop the process completely. Many services, such as Google Play Services or MIUI system components, take priority and can automatically restart after a few seconds, so this method is effective for one-time cleaning, but does not solve the problem of background activity in the long run.
Using the “Security” application for deep cleaning
Every Xiaomi owner has a pre-installed system application called Security, which is not just an antivirus, but a powerful processor for managing the device’s resources that has deeper access to the system than a standard task manager, and this is where the tools for forced shutdown of processes that do not close in the usual way.
To use this tool, run the Security app and select Boost Speed, which will analyze the current state of RAM and suggest freeing up space. However, for a more subtle setup, go to Manage apps, and here is a complete list of all installed programs, sorted by category or alphabet.
If you select a particular application from the list, you will be placed in the settings menu. The Stop button allows you to force the process to end right now. If the button is inactive (gray), then it is a system process that is critical for the OS to work and should not be touched. For user applications, this function works faultlessly.
☑️ Background activity check
It's important to distinguish between stop and delete. Stopping only ends the current session of the program, but does not delete its files. After restarting the smartphone or the next start, the application will be able to activate again, which is ideal for a temporary solution to the problem with the software that is hanging.
Set up autostart and background activity
One of the main causes of battery drain and slowdown is autostart. Many applications prescribe themselves to autoboot to run with the phone on and stay active in the background to receive notifications. The MIUI and HyperOS shells have a special mechanism to control this.
To control autorun, go to Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autorun. Here you will see a list of programs that are allowed to run themselves. It is recommended to leave only messengers (for messages to come) and alarms on. Social networks, games and stores should be turned off so that they do not load the system unnecessarily.
In addition, the Battery and Performance menu (or simply Battery) can configure the energy saving strategy for each application separately.
- 🔋 Without restrictions: the application works in the background fully (useful for navigators and trackers).
- ⚖️ Energy savings: Background activity is limited, but notifications may come with a delay.
- 🚫 Hard Limit: The app stops completely 10 minutes after the screen is turned off.
Using Hard Restriction mode is a radical but effective way to remove background apps you’re not using right now, but be careful: if you apply this mode to the messenger, new messages may not arrive until you reopen the app.
Hidden battery settings
Limiting background processes through the developer menu
For advanced users who want to have full control over how many apps can run at once, there is a developer menu, a hidden part of the system that is designed to debug, but contains useful optimization tools, and to activate it, you need to quickly click on the build number in the About Phone section 7 times.
After activation, a new option will appear in the settings menu Additional (or Advanced Settings) → For developers. We are interested in the "Applications" section, and specifically the "Background Process Limit" item. By default, there is a "Standard Limit", but you can change it to "No More than 2 Processes" or "No Background Processes".
Selecting a strict limit forces the system to force the old applications to close as soon as you open a new one that is beyond the set amount, which ensures that RAM is always free for the current task, but can cause the music in the player or navigation to be interrupted when switching to other programs.
| Limit setting | Description of behaviour | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard limit | The system decides when to close the process. | Daily use (recommended) |
| No more than 2 processes | The last two apps are active, the rest are closed. | Weak devices with low RAM volume |
| No background processes | The application closes immediately after exit | Testing, games, maximum performance |
| No more than 4 processes | Moderate limitation of multitasking | Balance between speed and autonomy |
Changing these settings is not permanent. When you reboot your smartphone, the system can reset the limit to a standard value, so you need to check after each device is turned on if you use this method all the time.
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Do not set a “No Background Processes” limit on a permanent basis, which can cause system services to crash, such as synchronizing contacts or receiving push notifications.
Analysis of battery use to identify "eaters"
Sometimes the user doesn't know which app is stopping the phone. Xiaomi's built-in battery analyzer helps identify hidden consumers. Go to Settings → Battery and scroll down to the app list. Here's the percentage of charge consumed by each process.
Pay attention not only to the overall consumption, but also to the time of operation in the background. If a simple messenger or calculator shows a high percentage of background activity, this is a clear signal that the program is not working correctly. Often such applications contain errors in the code or intrusive advertising that triggers processes in silence.
For such “troublemakers” of peace, it is worth applying a set of measures:
- 🗑️ Clean up data: in the app menu, click “Clean” to reset cache and temporary files.
- 🔄 Update: Check for a new version in Google Play or GetApps, as developers often fix memory leaks.
- 🚫 Removal: If the application is not vital, it is easier to remove and replace it with an analog.
Also in this section, you can see a graph of the screen and the processor, and the sudden spikes in activity when the screen is locked often indicate that an application is trying to perform a task in the background and cannot, entering a cycle of constant restarts.
⚠️ Note: System processes with names like Media Server, Google Play Services, or Android System may be high in consumption. Don't try to remove or stop them without emergency, it can lead to instability of the phone.
Third-party utilities and cleaning automation
While Xiaomi’s built-in tools are quite efficient, some users prefer third-party solutions.Clinder apps like SD Maid, Files by Google or Greenify can offer more flexible scenarios for managing background tasks. However, it’s worth remembering that in modern versions of Android, the capabilities of third-party programs are limited by Google’s security policy.
Greenify, for example, lets you freeze apps. Unlike a normal stop, a frozen app can't start on its own until you unfreeze it or manually launch it, a great way to curb the voracious social media that you rarely use.
When installing such utilities, be sure to give them the necessary permissions, including access to Usage Access and special rights for Xiaomi (authorization to autorun and work in the background for the cliner itself). Without these permissions, the system will simply kill the optimizer along with other background processes.
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Third-party optimizers are useful for automation, but don't use multiple clearers at once. They'll conflict with each other in an attempt to clear the memory, which will result in even more battery drain.