Xiaomi Redmi smartphones based on the MIUI shell often face the problem of sticky applications: they continue to work in the background, consuming battery power and RAM. Unlike “pure” Android, there are nuances of closing programs here, from standard gestures to hidden developer functions. This article will help you understand how to properly terminate applications on Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10, POCO X5 and other models, including cases when the program is suspended or not responding.
We will consider not only the basic methods (via the multitasking menu or the “Close All” button), but also alternative options: forced stop through settings, use of the system. ADB-commands for experienced users, as well as process automation with built-in tools MIUI. We will focus on the common errors that lead to re-launching applications, and explain why some programs (e.g. system services) cannot be closed in standard ways.
1. Standard Closing through the Multitasking Menu
The most obvious way is to use the recent app bar, and on most Xiaomi Redmi models (including the Redmi Note 11, Redmi 9 and later) it is enough:
- 📱 Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold your finger for 0.5 seconds to open the list of running programs.
- 🔍 Find the right app and swipe it up or sideways (depending on version) MIUI).
- 🧹 For mass closing, click the "Close All" cross (located at the bottom or top of the screen).
In MIUI 14 and later, the interface may be different: instead of swiping up, a gesture from the lower left corner to the center is used. If the menu does not open, check the gesture settings in the Settings → Display → Full-screen display.
Important: Closing applications through multitasking does not always free up memory completely. Some programs (such as Facebook, Instagram or Mi Browser) can automatically restart due to background services.
2. Forced stop through settings
If the application is frozen or not closed in the standard way, use the built-in forced stop feature, which works even for system programs (but can cause temporary shell failures).
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the app you want from the list (use search if it’s not at the top of the screen).
- Click on Forced Stop (in some versions of MIUI, the button may be called Stop).
- Confirm the action in the pop-up window.
On models with MIUI 13 and older, after a forced shutdown of system applications (such as Mi Security or Mi Account), an error notification may appear. This is normal - the service will restart automatically the next time the phone is turned on.
Save important data in the application (for example, drafts in messengers)
Check if the application is currently in use (e.g. downloading files)
Make sure it is not a system application (e.g. Miui Daemon)
Close all related processes (for example, for Google Chrome, stop also Android System WebView)
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3. Closing suspended applications through Safe Mode
If Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is slowing down due to a hanging application, and standard methods do not help, try Safe Mode. In this mode, all third-party programs are turned off, which allows you to remove or stop the problem software.
- 🔄 Turn on: Press the power button, then press and hold on to “Switch off power” until a request to go to Safe Mode appears.
- 🛠️ In Safe Mode, remove or stop the problem app through Settings. → Annexes.
- 🔄 Exit: Just reboot the phone.
Safe mode is also useful for diagnosis: if it's running smoothly, the problem is clearly in one of the apps installed. To identify the culprit, gradually turn on the programs after you quit mode.
What to do if you can’t get into safe mode?
4.Using ADB for Power Users
For advanced users who want to fully control background processes, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool is suitable. With it, you can close any application, including system ones, without root rights.
Instructions:
- Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times on the line with the version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and install ADB-tools.
- Enter the command to view the list of packages: adb shell pm list packages
- Close the application by its batch name (for example, for Facebook it is com.facebook.katana): adb shell am force-stop com.facebook.katana
Warning: Closing system applications (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter) may disrupt the shell. Use this method only if you understand the consequences.
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To see all running processes in real time, use the command adb shell dumpsys meminfo. This will help to identify “voracious” applications that are worth closing or uninstalling.
5. Automatic Closing of Background Applications
MIUI has built-in memory optimization tools that can be customized to suit your needs, such as Memory Cleanup, which automatically closes unused applications when you lock the screen.
How to set up:
- Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Memory Cleanup.
- Turn on the Auto Clean option and select the frequency (recommended "When Locked").
- In the “Exceptions” section, add apps that should not be closed (for example, music players or instant messengers).
| Cleaning regime | Description | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| When blocked | Closes background applications when the screen is turned off | Savings in battery charge |
| Manually. | Cleaning the button in the notification panel | Monitoring of specific programmes |
| Intellectual | Analyzes usage and closes rarely used applications | Optimal balance of productivity |
| Aggressive. | Closes all background processes except system processes | Weak devices (e.g. Redmi 7A) |
⚠️ Warning: Excessive use of Aggressive Cleanup can lead to frequent app reboots and increased battery consumption (due to reruns.
6.Problems and Solutions: Why Applications Don't Close
Even after a forced shutdown, some programs can spontaneously start, and let's look at the typical causes and ways to fix them:
- 🔄 Auto-Run: Many applications (especially Chinese ones, for example, UC Browser or SHAREit is in autoboot. To turn this off, go to Settings. → Annexes → Auto-start management and deactivate unnecessary programs.
- 📱 Push notifications: Apps like Viber or WhatsApp restart when you receive messages. Turn off notifications in the app settings.
- 🔋 Battery Optimization: In Settings → Battery → Select the battery mode set for problem applications mode "No restrictions" (paradoxically, but this prevents their spontaneous restart).
- 🛠️ System Services: Apps like Google Play Services or Mi Cloud cannot be closed completely, they are integrated into Android. → Special facilities → Optimizing the battery.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) K50) post-update MIUI 14 may miss the "Forced Stop" button for system applications, in which case only the rollback of the firmware or use of the ADB.
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If the application is closed but is immediately re-launched, check it for viruses using Mi Security or Malwarebytes. Some Trojans masquerade as legitimate programs (for example, com.android.system).