How to see working applications on Xiaomi Redmi: everything from multitasking to hidden MIUI tools

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones based on MIUI firmware offer several ways to view active applications, from a standard swipe gesture to hidden system menus. However, many users face problems: somewhere background processes are not displayed, somewhere the list is cropped, and sometimes applications “disappear” from multitasking after locking the screen. In this article, we will analyze all available methods for checking working programs, including little-known tricks for the Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 and other models.

The MIUI feature is that it aggressively optimizes background processes to save battery life, which means that some applications may not appear in the standard multitasking menu even if they are technically active. For example, instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp often work in hidden mode, and we will show you how to find all the active processes, including system services, that are usually hidden from the user.

1. Standard multitasking menu: Quick browsing

The most obvious way is to use the built-in menu of recent apps, and on most Xiaomi Redmi models (including the Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi 9A and later) it is enough:

• 👆 Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger for 0.5 seconds (on smartphones with navigation buttons – tap the square).
• 📱 On some models (e.g. Redmi) K50) Double swipe up without delay.
• 🔄 To close the application, swipe its card left/right or tap the cross (if the appropriate mode is enabled in the settings).

Note that this menu only shows programs that have been recently opened by the user. Background services (such as syncing Google Play Services or Mi Cloud) are not visible here. MIUI can automatically “curtail” application cards that have not been used for a long time – this does not mean that they are completely closed.

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If the multitasking menu opens with a delay, check the CPU load in Settings → About Phone → System Status.

2.Battery Use Section: Hidden Active Processes

To see all the applications consuming resources (including background ones), go to:

1. Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Use
2. Slip on the consumption schedule for the last 24 hours.
3. At the bottom of the screen will appear a list of programs indicating the percentage of charge consumption.

This shows all the active processes, even those that are not visible in multitasking. For example, you may find that Facebook or TikTok are still working in the background, even though you have closed them. For convenience, you can sort the list by consumption level by tapping the column "%".

⚠️ Note: If you see unknown high-consumption apps on this list (e.g. com.android.XXX), this could be a sign of malware. Check the device with antivirus (e.g. Mi Security) or remove suspicious programs.

3. MIUI Task Manager: Extended Control

MIUI 12-14 has a hidden task manager that shows more information than the standard multitasking menu.

1. Press the Home button (or swipe up long if you use gesture control).
2. In the upper right corner, tap the icon "Three dots" → "Task Manager" (on some firmware, the item is called "Details"**).

This menu can be used:

• 🔍 Sorting the processes of use CPU or RAM.
• ❌ Forced to stop any application (even system-based, but it can cause crashes!).
• 📊 See which programs are running in the "No Limits" mode (have privileges for background work).

💡 Tip: If you use the task manager frequently, add a shortcut to the home screen. → «Widgets» → Find “Task Manager” (the name may vary depending on the version). MIUI).

Standard multitasking|Task manager MIUI|Section “Battery use"|ADB-Teams (for advanced teams)|I don't follow background processes.-->

4. ADB commands: for advanced users

If you want to get a complete list of all the active processes (including hidden system), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but gives you the most detailed information.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (stick 7 times until the message “You’re a developer” appears). Then go back to Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB.
2. Connect Redmi to your PC and open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
3. Enter the command to view active processes: adb shell ps -A | grep -E 'u0_a|system|This command will show all user and key system processes.

Example of conclusion:

u0_a105   1234  0.5% 150MB com.android.chrome




system    5678  0.1%  80MB com.miui.securitycenter




miui     91011  0.3% 120MB com.miui.home

⚠️ Note: Do not stop processes with system or root rights ADB, If you're not sure what they're doing, it can cause the device to be completely out of service and require a flashing.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Enable debugging on USB phone-on|Download ADB Tools (platform-tools)|Allow debugging on the phone screen when connected|Check the connection with the adb device command-->

Third-party applications: alternative tools

If the built-in MIUI tools don't suit you, you can use third-party utilities to monitor active processes.

• 📊 Greenify allows you to freeze background applications, saving charge. Works without root, but with it gives more features.
• 🔍 Simple Task Manager – Lightweight Task Manager with Sorted by Consumption CPU/RAM.
• 🛡️ Servicely – blocks the auto-run of unnecessary services (requires) ADB root).

Example of working with Greenify:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Run it and grant special access rights (a window will pop up asking you to go to the MIUI settings).
3. Choose the apps you want to “sleep” (like Facebook or AliExpress).
4. Activate the "Aggressive Hibernation" mode (required) ADB-unlocker).

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Greenify) may conflict with optimization MIUI, If you have a function like "Ultra-Economic Mode" or "Battery Protection" on at the same time, then the background processes can be closed chaotically.

6. Hidden developer settings: background process control

There are options in the Developer Menu that limit the background activity of applications.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times.
2. Return to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
3. Find options: Do not save actions - limits the number of background processes; Limit background processes - set a value of "Maximum 2 process" to save battery; Limit background activity - disables background work for selected applications.

💡 Tip: If you notice that after activating these options, notifications from messengers stopped coming, add the desired applications to the Battery Optimization Exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).

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Limiting background processes through the developer menu can significantly increase battery life, but some applications (e.g. email clients) will stop updating in real time.

7. Frequent problems and solutions

Xiaomi Redmi users often face the following problems when trying to see active apps:

If none of the methods help you see the app you want, try the following:

1. Update MIUI to the latest version (sometimes bugs are fixed in new builds).
2. Clear the system cache: Settings → Storage → Clear the cache.
3. Check if your phone has a work profile (e.g., Microsoft Intune) that can block access to the task menu.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions