How to close all applications on the Xiaomi TV: step-by-step instructions

Xiaomi’s Android TVs or Google TVs allow you to install dozens of apps, from streaming services to games. However, over time, background processes slow down the system, cause hangovers or even overheating. Unlike smartphones, where closing apps is intuitive, on set-top boxes and smart TVs, this process has its own nuances.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 proven ways to close apps on Xiaomi Mi TV 4/4S/4A/5/5X, Redmi Smart TV and other models, including hidden features for power users. You’ll learn how to free up RAM without rebooting, which apps can be closed safely and which ones are better left in the background. We’ll also uncover the myth of “killing all processes” – why it’s not always good for performance.

Why don’t apps close automatically?

Android TV is optimized for large screens, but its memory management mechanism is different from the mobile version, and here are the key reasons why apps remain active:

• 🔄 Data caching: The system stores the state of applications in memory for quick switching (e.g. between YouTube and Netflix).
• 📶 Background Services: Some applications (e.g. Google Play Services or Mi Home) run in the background to synchronize data.
• 🎮 Game Mode: On models that support ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), games can block closing to reduce latency.
• ⚙️ Optimization errors: On TVs with 1-2 GB of RAM (e.g., Mi TV 4A 32), the system does not always correctly free up memory.

Controlling background processes is important, but shutting down all applications completely can have the opposite effect: the system will waste resources on re-starting them, and the optimal approach is to close only those programs that clearly slow down TV or take up critically much memory.

Method 1: Closing through the "Last Appendices" menu

The simplest method is similar to smartphones, and works on all Xiaomi models with Android TV 9.0 and later (including Google TV on the latest versions):

1. On the remote, press the Home button (house icon).
2. At the top of the screen will appear the panel "Last" (or "Recent Apps").
3. Use the ←/→ buttons on the remote to select an unnecessary application.
4. Press ↑ on the remote to open the context menu and select Close (or Close).

On some firmware (e.g., on Mi TV 5 Pro), instead of the ↑ button, you need to press the OK button on the selected application for 2 seconds.

Go to the main screen (home button)

Check the list of recent applications

Close the unnecessary (do not touch the system!)

Restart the TV if it slows down after closing-->

⚠️ Warning: Do not close the Google Play Services, Android System or Mi TV Launcher apps, which may cause a remote or interface to crash.

Method 2: Forced stop through settings

If the app is frozen and does not respond to a standard shutdown, use forced shutdown, which is also useful for applications that automatically start when you turn on the TV (for example, advertising services).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select the "Installed Apps" section (or "See all apps" on Google TV).
3. Find the desired application in the list and open its page.
4. Press "Force Stop" (Force Stop).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

On some models (e.g. Redmi Smart TV X50), the path may be different: Settings → Device → Applications.

⚠️ Warning: Forced shutdown of system applications (e.g., com.xiaomi.mitv.settings) can result in loss of remote access or resetting of audio settings. Before experimenting, check the name of the package in Settings → About TV → Software version.

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If the app doesn’t appear in the Installed list, try turning on the system applications display: in the top right corner of the screen with the list, click on three dots (⋮) and select Show System.

Method 3: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced teams)

If standard methods do not help (for example, the application does not close or automatically restart), you can use the ADB debugging bridge. This method requires connecting the TV to the computer, but gives full control over the processes.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB-A — USB-A (or USB-C — USB-A for new models).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on TV: Settings → About TV → Software Version → Click 7 times on the build number
2. Activate Debugging by USB in the developer menu.
3. Connect the TV to your computer with a cable and confirm the trusted device on the screen.
4. Open the command line (terminal) and execute: adb devices (you should display your device).
5. Get a list of running applications: adb shell ps -A | grep -i "com\".
6. Close the application you want (e.g. YouTube): adb shell am force-stop com.google.android.youtube.tv

To completely close all third-party applications (except system ones) use:

adb shell am kill-all

⚠️ Warning: Kill-all or am force-stop com.android.systemui commands can lock the interface before rebooting. Use them only if you are sure of the consequences.

Method 4: Reboot the TV (soft and hard reset)

If the TV is slowing down or the apps are not responding to the shutdown, a reboot will help. On Xiaomi TV there are two options:

Soft Reboot (Soft Reboot)

It's a standard shutdown/on, saves the app cache, but clears the RAM.

• 🔄 Press the Power button (or Power) for 3-5 seconds on the remote.
• 📺 Select "Restart" from the menu.

Hard Reboot (Hard Reboot)

Forced interrupts all processes, including system processes, and use it if the TV is stuck on the logo or not responding to the remote.

• ⚡ Turn off the TV for 10-15 seconds.
• 🔌 Connect back and turn on with a button on the case (not the remote!).

On Google TV models (such as the Mi TV Q2 2023), a hard reset can result in a file system check the next time it is turned on – this is normal and takes up to 5 minutes.

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Hard reset should only be used in extreme cases, and frequent power outages can damage memory chips on budget models (e.g. Redmi Smart TV A55).

Method 5: Automatic closing through Tasker (for advanced)

If you want to automate closing apps on a schedule or under certain conditions (like when you start a game), you can use the Tasker app. It's available on Google Play for Android TV, but requires customization.

Example of the task of closing YouTube every hour:

1. Install Tasker via Google Play or with adb install.
2. Create a new task ("Task") with the action "Kill App".
3. In the Package field, enter com.google.android.youtube.tv.
4. Create a profile with a Time trigger (e.g., every 60 minutes).
5. Link the task to the profile.

For models without Google Play (such as the Mi TV 4A on PatchWall), the Tasker can be manually installed via ADB:

adb install tasker.apk

Alternative applications for automation:

• 🤖 Automate is a visual task designer.
• ⏰ MacroDroid is a simplified version of Tasker.
• 🔄 Greenify – to freeze background processes (requires root).

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall (Chinese firmware), Tasker may not have the rights to close system applications. Before buying plugins, check compatibility on forums (for example, 4PDA).

What applications can be closed safely?

Not all background processes are equally useful, but here is a list of applications that can be closed without risk to the system:

Applications that should not be closed:

• 🚫 com.xiaomi.mitv.upgrade is an update service.
• 🚫 com.android.systemui is the system interface.
• 🚫 com.google.android.gsf — Google services (will cause login errors).

To check how much memory an application takes, go to Settings → Device → Memory. If an application takes more than 300-500 MB in the background (like Kodi with large libraries), it should be closed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about closing apps on Xiaomi TV