Menu launched applications on Xiaomi: where to look and how to manage

Have you accidentally closed an important app and can't find a way to get it back? Or want to free up RAM but don't know where to look at the list of running programs? On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, the menu of running apps isn't as obvious as on "pure" Android. Depending on the version of MIUI and the device model, the ways to open it can vary - and this often confuses users.

In this article, we’ll look at all the options, from standard gestures to hidden system features, how to quickly switch between programs, force shutdowns, and why applications sometimes continue to work in the background even after swiping in the multitasking menu, and how to bring back the classic menu of running applications if you don’t like the new implementation in MIUI 14.

1. Standard method: gesture or button "Menu"

On most modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 12), the menu of running apps opens with a swipe up from the bottom edge of the latency screen. This gesture works on all models with a frameless display - from the Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

How to do it right:

• 📱 Place your finger on the bottom of the screen (where the navigation bar is usually located).
• 👆 Smoothly swipe up, but do not release your finger immediately - hold it for 0.5-1 second.
• 🎯 If you do it right, you'll see a list of the latest apps. If you just swipe fast, the home screen will open.

On older models (such as the Redmi 5/6 or Mi A2) with physical navigation buttons, the menu of running apps opens with a long press on the square button (right).

Settings → System → Gestures → Button “Menu”

2. Alternative opening methods (if the gesture does not work)

Sometimes a standard swipe doesn’t work because of:

• 🔧 Incorrect gesture settings (for example, the “Full-screen gestures from Android” mode is enabled").
• 🛠️ Shell malfunction MIUI (especially after updating).
• 🖥️ Use of a third-party launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher or Hyperion).

In such cases, try these methods:

⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party launcher, return the standard MIUI Launcher to check gestures. Go to Settings for this. → Annexes → By default. → Launcher.

3.Why do apps stay on the menu after closing?

Many users complain that even after swiping upwards (like closing an app), it still hangs on the list of launched ones. MIUI:

• 🔄 "Soft closing: By default, the swipe in the multitasking menu does not kill the process, but only removes it from the list of the latter.
• 🚫 Secure applications: Some applications (such as WhatsApp or Mi Fit) are added to the Protected List and are not closed completely.
• ⚡ Optimization MIUI: The system decides which processes to keep active for quick start-up.

To forcibly close the application:

1. Open the menu of running applications.
2. Swipe up on the application card.
3. Put it on the icon. 🔄 or ✕ in the upper corner of the card (will appear after the swipe).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

4. Where to find hidden running processes (for power users)

The multitasking menu only shows the applications you opened manually, but the system may have hidden services and system processes that are not displayed in the standard list.

Method 1: Through Developer Settings

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find Do Not Save Actions or Process Limit (depending on version).
4. Choose No Background or Maximum 2 Processes.

Method 2: Use ADB (PC required)

adb shell dumpsys activity activities | grep "mFocusedActivity"


adb shell ps -A | grep -i "com.android"

⚠️ Attention: Restricting background processes through developer settings can lead to loss of notifications, slow operation and automatic closure of applications (e.g. music will stop playing in the background.

5. How to return the old menu of running applications (for MIUI 14)

In MIUI 14, Xiaomi has redesigned the multitasking menu to show apps as a horizontal tape instead of a vertical list, and if you don’t like the new design, you can bring back the classic look:

Instructions:

1. Install MIUI Launcher version 4.25.0.3577-1121 or lower (download from APKMirror).
2. Turn off automatic launcher updates in the Play Market.
3. Reset the device.

If this method does not work, try the alternative:

Turn off animation in Settings → Display → System animation → No animation

Install a third-party launcher (such as Hyperion Launcher)

Use the MIUI Blur module for Magisk (root required)

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On some firmware (for example, Xiaomi.EU) you can return the old menu through hidden settings:

Settings → Special features → System settings → Enable “Classical multitasking”

Frequent problems and their solutions

Problem 1: The menu of running apps opens but is empty.

Solution: This may be caused by a com.miui.home malfunction.Reboot your phone or do:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

Problem 2: Apps open themselves in the multitasking menu.

Solution: Turn off the Smart Help feature in Settings → Special Opportunities → Smart Help.

Problem 3: After the MIUI update, the gestures stopped working.

Solution: Reset your gesture settings:

Settings → System → Gestures → Reset settings

💡

If the multitasking menu is slowing down, try turning off the transition animation in the developer settings (Settings → For developers → The scale of the animation window → No animations). This will speed up the opening of the application list.

7. How to manage running applications more effectively

To multitasking menu works faster and does not interfere with productivity, use these tips:

• 🔍 Search by application: B MIUI 13/14 You can enter the program name directly in the multitasking menu (swipe down the screen).
• 🔄 Quick switch: Double tap on the app icon in the menu will open it in split screen mode (on supported models).
• 📌 App fastening: Keep your finger on the app card → It's not going to close when you swipe.
• 🗑️ Memory Clearing: Slip on the icon 🧹 at the bottom of the menu to close all apps at once (not recommended for battery saving!).

For advanced users: If you often work with a split screen, enable quick access to it:

Settings → Special features → Quick keys → Enable "Separate screen"

💡

Closing all applications through Clean All doesn’t save battery life! MIUI automatically manages processes better than manual cleaning. Frequent cleaning can even increase power consumption due to service re-runs.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions