How to Close All Xiaomi Apps: A Complete Guide to MIUI

Closing background apps on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that MIUI users regularly face. Despite the fact that the system itself manages memory, sometimes it is necessary to forcefully stop all processes: to free up RAM, speed up the device or solve the problem with hanging. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to close applications on Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi devices, from standard gestures to hidden developer functions.

It's important to understand that MIUI behaves differently than pure Android. There's no classic "Close All" button in the multitasking menu, and some methods only work on certain versions of the firmware. We've tested all methods on MIUI 12, 13 and 14 (including global and Chinese builds), so you'll definitely find the right option for your device. If your smartphone is slowing down or discharges quickly, this guide will help optimize its operation without resetting.

1. Standard method: gesture in the multitasking menu

The most obvious method is to use the built-in menu of recent apps, but in MIUI, it's different from other shells. Here's how it works on most Xiaomi models:

1. Open the multitasking menu: On touch-button models (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro), tap the square in the bottom bar. On gesture-controlled devices (like the Xiaomi 13), swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold for 0.5 seconds.

In the app list that opens, look for the "Close All" button (usually located at the bottom of the center or right). On some versions of MIUI, it may be hidden under the 🗑️ basket icon.

Confirm if the system requests additional confirmation (relevant for MIUI 14 on some regional firmware).

⚠️ Warning: On devices with MIUI 12.5 and below, the "Close All" button may not be available, in which case use alternative methods in the following sections.

This is a good option for most users, but it has a limitation: it doesn’t close system services (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.phone). If you need to clear RAM completely, move on to the next method.

2. Forced stop through settings (for individual applications)

If you need to close a particular application that doesn’t respond to standard methods, use the built-in application manager, which works even for programs that don’t appear in the multitasking menu:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want from the list (use search if the list is too long).
3. Slip the "Forced Stop" button (on some versions of MIUI it may be called "Stop").
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Warning: Forced shutdown of system applications (e.g., com.miui.home) can cause the MIUI interface to crash and the device to reboot. Use this method only for third-party programs.

This method is useful if a particular application is hanging or consuming too much resources, such as games like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile sometimes continue to work in the background even after closing through multitasking, and a forced stop is guaranteed to free up the resources they occupy.

3.Use of Developer Mode (to clean up memory completely)

For power users who want to clear up RAM, including system processes, the developer mode approach works on all versions of MIUI, but requires pre-configuration:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI Version (you will be notified "You are a developer!").

Return to the main settings menu and open a new Settings section → Additional → For developers.

Find the option “Do Not Save Actions” (or “Limit Background Processes” on some versions) and set the limit in “No Background Processes”.

Confirm the change and restart the device.

⚠️ Warning: This method will result in the closure of all applications, including system ones. After a reboot, some features (such as synchronizing a Xiaomi account or push notifications) may temporarily not work until the services restart automatically.

The advantage of this method is that it frees up maximum amount of RAM, which is especially useful before launching demanding games or applications (for example, Adobe Lightroom or Call of Duty Mobile), but using it too often is not recommended, this can lead to increased battery consumption due to constant restarts of services.

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If after using this method you no longer have notifications from messengers, check the autorun settings for these applications in the Settings → Applications → Application Management → Autorun.

Quick closing through the notification panel (MIUI 13/14)

The latest versions of MIUI have a handy widget for quick memory cleaning right from the notification panel, which works on Xiaomi 12/13/14, Redmi Note 11/12 and other modern models:

1. Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Swipe down again to open the full panel.
3. Find the Memory Cleanup widget (the icon with the broom 🧹 or the RAM usage schedule).
4. Slip on it – the system will automatically close all unnecessary background processes.

This method does not close active applications (those that are displayed in the multitasking menu), but only optimizes the work of the background.

• 🔋 Reduced battery consumption
• 📈 Release 10-30% of RAM
• ⚡ Accelerating the system’s response to user actions

On some firmware, this widget may be hidden, to add:

1. Slip the pencil icon ✏️ in the upper right corner of the notification panel.
2. Find the "Memory Cleanup" list and drag it to the active area.

5. Use of third-party applications (for advanced users)

If you don't like the built-in MIUI, you can use third-party utilities, and the main advantage of this approach is the flexibility of settings and the ability to automate.

Greenify (for "freezing" of applications)

Greenify doesn't shut down apps in the usual sense, it puts them into sleep mode, preventing them from running in the background.

• 📥 Install Greenify from Google Play (root required for full functionality).
• 🔍 Select apps that you want to “sleep” (e.g. social media or instant messengers).
• ⚡ Start the process – applications will automatically pause when leaving the background.

Tasker (for automation of closing)

With Tasker, you can create a task that will shut down all applications on a schedule or under certain conditions (for example, when the battery is low):

• 📱 Install Tasker and AutoInput plugin.
• 🛠 Create a new task with the action "Send Intent":
• 🔄 Add a condition (e.g. Battery < 20%).

⚠️ Warning: Using a Tasker with ADB rights or root may result in MIUI unstable operation. Before setting up automation, check compatibility with your firmware version on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums.

Third-party utilities are useful if you want to automate the process or need advanced settings, but for most Xiaomi users, built-in methods from the previous sections are enough.

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Use third-party apps only if the built-in MIUI methods do not solve your problem. Incorrect settings can lead to increased battery consumption or loss of functionality.

Hardware discharge (extreme case)

If your device is completely frozen and does not respond to touch, and it is impossible to close applications with standard methods, then hardware reset remains, and this method should be used only in extreme cases, since it leads to the loss of unsaved data.

For Xiaomi, there are two hardware reset options:

• 🔄 Soft reset: Press the power button for 10-15 seconds until the device restarts. This will close all applications, but it won't delete the data.
• ⚠️ Hard reset (via Recovery): Press Power button + Volume up, select "Wipe data" from the Recovery menu. This will delete all data from the device!

⚠️ Warning: Hard reset should only be used if the device does not respond to other methods within 5+ minutes. Before you try to connect the smartphone to charging - sometimes the freeze is associated with a discharged battery.

After the hardware reset:

• 🔋 Battery charge may not be displayed correctly (full charge-discharge cycle required).
• 📱 Some system applications (e.g., Mi Account) may require re-authorization.
• 🔄 The first download after the reset can take up to 10 minutes - don't interrupt the process!

7. MIUI Optimization: How to Reduce the Need to Close Applications

Keeping apps shut down is a symptom of a problem, not a solution, and if you have to do it regularly, there's something wrong with your device.

• 🔧 Turn off auto-run of unnecessary applications: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Auto-run.
• 📉 Limit background activity: Settings → Battery and performance → Battery Management → Application selection.
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly: Settings → Storage → Clean (use the built-in garbage cleaner tool).
• 🔄 Update the firmware: The newer versions MIUI optimize the memory management mechanism.

For example, MIUI 14 has a feature called Smart Optimization, which automatically closes unused processes without losing performance, to enable it:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Performance Mode.
2. Choose “Energy Saving” or “Balanced” (depending on your priorities).
3. Activate the option "Adaptive optimization".

If even after these actions the device brakes, check:

• 📊 Use of RAM in Settings → About Phone → System Status.
• 🔋 Battery condition (a worn-out battery may cause lags).
• 🛠 Viruses (use Mi Security to scan)

FAQ: Frequent questions about closing apps on Xiaomi