How to Change the List of Recent Apps to Xiaomi: All Ways in 2026

The list of recent apps on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a handy tool for quickly switching between tasks, but also a key element of the interface. MIUI, But many users have problems: apps don't stay multitasking, the list is cleaned or the programs that are not needed are displayed. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to change the work of the “Recent Apps” on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO firmware MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 (including HyperOS).

It's important to understand that multitasking functionality is not just about the shell version, but also about the smartphone model. For example, flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra have advanced settings, while on the budget Redmi Note 12, some of the options can be hidden. We'll look at both basic methods (cleaning, fixing applications) and hidden tricks - for example, how to turn off automatic cleaning of background processes through an engineering menu, which is relevant for gamers and users of resource-intensive applications.

1. Basic settings of the “Recent Applications” in MIUI

To start with the standard features, which are available without any further manipulation, you can swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold your finger for 0.5 seconds (on navigation button devices, tap square) and you can see all the programs running, as well as some control elements:

• 📌 App attachment — swipe down the app icon (the pin icon will appear) and this will prevent accidental closure.
• ❌ Closing all applications is a "Clear Everything" button at the bottom of the screen, and on some models, you can remove it in the settings.
• 🔄 Switch between the last two apps – double swipe on the “Recent” button (if gesture navigation is enabled).
• 📱 Separate Screen – Hold the app icon and select “Separate Screen” (not available on all models).

If you don’t have enough apps to display (the default is 6-8 cards), you can zoom in.

1. Go to Settings. → Home screen.
2. Select Recent Apps.
3. In the Number of recent applications, set a value from 6 to 12 (depending on the model).

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On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the path to settings may be different: → Display. → Home screen → Recent annexes.

2. How to clean up the list of recent applications automatically

By default. MIUI It keeps applications multitasking until the system decides to free up memory, but you can set up automatic cleaning on a schedule or when you lock the screen, which is useful if you value privacy or want to save battery life.

To set up automatic cleaning:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Autorun.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Memory Cleanup.
3. Activate the option to Clear when blocked or set a schedule (e.g., every 6 hours).

⚠️ Warning: Auto Cleaning can interfere with instant messengers (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) – they will take longer to load when opened. If critical, add the desired apps to the AutoRun list (in the same settings).

3. Hidden multitasking settings via engineering menu

If standard options are not enough, you can use the engineering menu (MIUI This will allow you to disable restrictions on background processes, increase the limit of multitasking or even return the old style of display cards (as in the case of the previous version). MIUI 12).

To access hidden settings:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. Select Phone Information (or Usage statistics on some firmware).
3. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings. MIUI.
4. Go to Memory Management (Memory Management).

Here you will find the following useful options:

• 🔧 Limit background processes – set the maximum number of background processes (by default 4-8, you can increase to 16).
• 🚫 Disable MIUI Memory Optimization – Disables Aggressive Memory Cleanup (Good for Gamers).
• 🔄 Old recent apps style – returns a vertical list of apps (like in older versions) MIUI).
• ⚡ Force enable freeform windows – includes support for floating windows (for power users).

⚠️ Attention: Changing the parameters in the engineering menu can lead to unstable system operation. For example, if you set too high a limit of background processes on a device with 4 GB of RAM, the smartphone will start to “hang”. Before experimenting, make a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup.

4. How to anchor apps in multitasking forever

If you use certain programs frequently (e.g. Google Maps for navigation or Spotify for music), you can pin them to the recent ones so they don’t close when you clean them.

1. Open the list of recent applications (swipe up with a delay).
2. Find the right app and swipe down its icon.
3. Choose to sign (the slate will appear).

The attached applications will be marked with a pin and will remain on the list even after clicking "Clear All." To unplug the program, repeat the actions and select "Disconnect."

On some firmware (e.g. HyperOS on Xiaomi 14 Pro), attached applications also get priority in resource allocation, meaning they are less likely to be unloaded from memory.

• 🎵 Musical players (playing is not interrupted).
• 📍 Navigators (Yandex.Maps, Google Maps).
• 💬 Messengers (fast access to chat rooms).
• 🎮 Games (saving progress when switching).

Close all unnecessary programs from multitasking|Only use the ones you use daily.|Make sure that the attached application is not duplicated in the list.|Don’t attach more than 3-4 apps – this reduces performance-->

5. Multitasking Problems and Their Solutions

Sometimes the list of recent apps doesn't work correctly: it doesn't save programs, it cleans itself, or it displays black screens instead of previews, and let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them.

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the launcher settings:

1. Go to Settings. → Home screen.
2. Choose More. → Resetting settings.
3. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting the launcher will return the standard layout of the icons on the desktop, but will not delete the application data. If the problem persists, check the device for viruses (for example, through Mi Security) - some malware blocks multitasking.

6. Alternative launchers for advanced multitasking

If the standard launcher MIUI You don't like it, you can install a third-party, like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher, and they offer flexible multitasking settings, including:

• 🔧 Setting the number of cards displayed (up to 20)+).
• 🎨 Change the style of animation when switching.
• 🔒 Blocking Accidental Closing of Applications.
• 📂 Grouping cards by category (for example, “Social networks”, “Games»).

To install an alternative launcher:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. Open it and follow the setup instructions.
3. B Settings → Home screen select new launcher as main screen.

For example, Nova Launcher can set up a gesture to call up recent apps:

1. Go to the Nova Settings → Gestures and entrances.
2. Select Swipe up (or another gesture).
3. Assign action to recent applications.

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Third-party launchers consume extra memory (100-300MB), but offer more customization options. 8A) This can lead to slowdowns.

7. How to Turn Off Multitasking (For Power Users)

In rare cases, users want to completely disable the function of recent applications, for example, to save memory or for security reasons. MIUI It's impossible, but there are workarounds:

Method 1: Through ADB (without root)

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Enter the command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home This will disable the standard launcher but leave the system operational (a third-party launcher will be required).

Method 2: Through editing system files (root required)

If you have root access, you can edit the file. /system/build.prop, line:

ro.miui.has_recent_app=false

After the reboot, the “Recent” button will disappear, but this may disrupt some functions. MIUI.

⚠️ Note: Disabling multitasking will result in:

• You won’t be able to switch between apps quickly.
• Some games and programs will be closed when folded.
• Notification issues may occur (e.g. Viber or WhatsApp).

FAQ: Frequent questions about recent apps on Xiaomi