Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are equipped with powerful processors, but even they sometimes require user intervention to work steadily. A common reason for slowing the interface or increased energy consumption lies in dozens of background processes that continue to consume system resources. Understanding how to correctly manage running programs is a basic skill for any Android device owner.
There are various mechanisms for monitoring software activity in MIUI or the new HyperOS, some of which are automated and set by default for maximum performance, others require manual adjustments to the habits of a particular person, and we will examine all the available ways to force services and programs to stop so that you can choose the most convenient option.
Users often confuse folded windows with actual processes, which leads to unnecessary actions. It is important to distinguish between the visual display in the multitasking menu and the actual load on RAM. In this article, we will look in detail at the architecture of applications in the background and how to force them to terminate.
The standard method through the multitasking menu
The most obvious and frequently used way to manage active windows is through the built-in multitasking menu, which on Xiaomi smartphones is called by swiping from the bottom up with a delay (when navigating gestures) or pressing a special button (when using classic navigation), which displays thumbnails of all the recently used programs that the system considers relevant for quick access.
If you want to completely clear your RAM, you can swipe left or right to close one particular element, and if you want to swipe it, you can have a button at the bottom of the screen (or the top, depending on the firmware version) that shows a cross or basket, and you can force all processes except systemically important to stop.
However, it is worth considering that completely shutting down all programs is not always useful. Android is designed to keep frequently used applications in memory for instant launch. Constant manual cleaning can lead to a paradoxal effect when the phone starts to run slower due to the constant reboot of heavy services.
Using the clean button is particularly effective in situations where one of the processes has stalled and stopped responding to commands, in which case the forced shutdown through the multitasking menu often returns the device to responsiveness without the need for a full reboot.
Forced stop through system settings
When an application is not just hanging in memory, but is behaving incorrectly, causing errors or overheating the case, a deeper method of intervention is required. You need to go to the system settings menu. Find the Applications (or All Applications) section where you have a complete list of installed software.
Select the problem program from the list. In the control menu that opens, you will see the Stop (or Close) button, and clicking on it forcibly ends all the processes associated with this application, including background services, notifications and synchronization, a more radical method than a simple swipe in the multitasking menu.
It is important to note that for some system components, the stop button may be inactive (blackened) and is a MIUI security mechanism that prevents critical system errors. If you try to stop a vital process, the phone can alert you to possible consequences or simply alert you to a request.
⚠️ Warning: Forced shutdown of system services such as System Interface or Google Play Services may cause an interface to be unstable, network signal to be lost, or notifications to fail.
Once stopped, the app disappears completely from memory, it won't receive updates, messages, or perform background tasks until you start it manually again, and it's a great way to freeze rarely used software that you don't want to delete.
Use of extended memory settings
HyperOS shells and recent versions of MIUI have added a feature to expand RAM and manage its priorities, so the user can independently configure how much resources is allocated for background processes, this is done through the Additional section in the application menu or through the engineering menu.
You can limit background activity for specific programs. Going to Settings → Applications → All Applications → [Selected App] → Battery, you can choose No Limits, Charge Savings or Hard Limitation. Selecting the last item effectively equates to permanently closing the application when folding.
Also worth mentioning is the memory expansion feature. If your phone supports this option, part of the permanent memory is used as virtual RAM. When the function is turned on, the system more aggressively holds applications in the background, so closing them may require a more decisive action, such as rebooting or cleaning through the Manager.
| Mode of work | Impact on the battery | Impact on notifications | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| No restrictions. | High-end spending | It works instantly. | Messengers, mail. |
| Saving charge | Moderate. | Possible delay | Social media, games. |
| Strict limitation | Minimum | Not working in the background. | rarely used software |
| Auto (by default) | Optimal. | Depends on the script. | For most programs |
Customizing these parameters correctly allows you to achieve a balance between autonomy and functionality, and you should not put strict restrictions on applications from which you expect instant reactions, such as messengers or alarm clocks.
Closing of suspended programs without access to the interface
There are situations where the application locks the entire screen, doesn't respond to touches, and doesn't let you access the menu, and in such cases, the standard methods don't work, and the first step is to use a keyboard combination to force you to reboot or call the task manager at the system level.
On most Xiaomi and Redmi models, press the Volume Up and Power buttons (or just Power for 10-15 seconds) at the same time, which will cause a forced reboot of the device, which is guaranteed to close all running processes and clear RAM.
An alternative method for advanced users is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), where you can connect your phone to your computer and send a command to stop a particular process even if the screen is not working.
adb shell am force-stop com.package.nameThis method requires USB debugging and drivers on the PC, but it's the most powerful tool in the professional's arsenal, and it allows you to kill a process that is not susceptible to any other influences without restarting the entire phone.
Automation of cleaning with applications and scripts
For those who prefer to automate routine activities, there are special tools. Xiaomi’s built-in Security Optimizer already contains memory cleanup functionality, but it can be supplemented with third-party solutions or automation scripts.
Apps like Tasker or MacroDroid allow you to create scripts, such as setting a rule: "If X is running, shut down the Y and Z processes." This is useful for gamers who want to free up maximum resources before starting a heavy game by closing the background garbage processes.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party memory cleaners (Clean Master and analogues) often work more aggressively than the Android system itself. They can shut down necessary services, which leads to constant restart of applications and, as a result, to a faster battery discharge.
Using MIUI built-in tools is usually preferable because they are better integrated into the energy management system, but for specific tasks, such as preparing the device for benchmarks or high-resolution video, manual or script cleaning can give you performance gains.
The influence of background processes on autonomy
Many users are wondering if they need to shut down apps to save charge, and the answer lies in understanding how the background works, and some apps continue to use GPS, the Internet, or the microphone even after they fold, which has a significant impact on battery life.
You can check which programs consume the most power in the background through the Settings menu → Battery → Statistics. If you see an application there that you haven’t used recently, it should definitely be closed or limited in the background, which is especially true for navigators, video editors and some games.
On the other hand, messengers and email clients must remain active to receive notifications, and shutting them down will result in you not receiving the message until the next manual launch, so the approach should be selective and informed, not total.