Why Xiaomi smartphone does not open applications: a full analysis of the causes and solutions

You try to open an app on Xiaomi, but instead of running you see a black screen, an “Application Stopped” error, or endless downloads? This problem occurs on Redmi, POCO, and Mi devices regardless of the model — whether it’s the budget Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi’s flagship 14 Ultra. In 80% of cases, it’s not hardware faults that are to blame, but software failures that can be fixed on your own.

In this article, we will look at all possible causes, from simple memory shortages to MIUI firmware conflicts, and give step-by-step instructions with illustrations and commands for the terminal. We will focus on the hidden MIUI settings that block the background activity of applications without notifying the user. If you have already tried to restart the phone and clear the cache, read on: the solutions will not be obvious.

1. Lack of RAM (RAM)

Xiaomi is aggressively optimizing RAM usage, especially on devices with 4-6 GB of memory. If the system kills background processes, applications may not open or dye when launched.

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System status.
2. Check out the “Memory Use” chart.
3. If less than 500 MB is available, start cleaning.

How to release RAM:

• 🔄 Close all applications through the multitasking menu (swipe up).
• 🗑️ Clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• ⚙️ Turn off auto-run of unnecessary apps in Settings → Annexes → Autostart control.
• 🚫 Remove widgets from the main screen – they consume RAM even in the background.

Note: If the applications still do not open after cleaning the memory, the problem may be in the degraded flash memory (especially on older Redmi 4X or Mi A1).

adb shell dumpsys meminfo

2. Conflicts with MIUI firmware

Firmware errors are the second most common cause of application launch problems. Xiaomi regularly releases updates, but sometimes they contain bugs, especially in global (Global) and European (EEA) versions of MIUI.

• 🛑 Apps are crumbling immediately after opening.
• 🔄 The message appears “Waiting for debugger).
• ⚠️ Java.lang.RuntimeException: Unable to Start Activity.

Decisions:

1. Update MIUI to the latest stable version in Settings → System Update.
2. If the problem has occurred after the update, roll back to the previous version via Fastboot (instruction below).
3. Reset MIUI settings without losing data: Settings → Additional → Resetting.

Critical information: If your device is in beta MIUI (e.g. MIUI 15 Developer ROM), some applications may not work due to lack of Google Play Protect certificates.

3. Blocking background activity

Xiaomi is known for its hard-powered battery optimization, which often interferes with applications.The system can block background processes even if you don't notice it.

For telegram, watsap and messengers, be sure to turn off:

• 🔋 Optimization of the battery in the application settings.
• 🚫 Data limitation in Settings → Connections → Use of data.
• 🔔 Blocking notifications in Settings → Notifications.

Open Settings → Battery → Choice of battery mode|Find the app in the list|Select “No restrictions»|Reboot the phone-->

⚠️ Attention: POCO F5 redmi K60 There's a hidden Game Turbo setting that blocks background processes even for non-gaming applications. → Special opportunities → Game Turbo.

4. Damaged application files

If an application is installed but not opened, it is likely that its files will be damaged.

• 📱 Incorrect installation APK (For example, through Xiaomi GetApps instead of Google Play).
• 🔄 Interrupted update.
• 🛠️ Rooting or modifying system files.

How to restore:

1. Clear data and cache: Settings → Apps → [Select app] → Storage → Clear data
2. Reinstall the app: adb uninstall com.package.name adb install path/to/app.apk
3. Check the integrity of APK via APKMirror or VirusTotal.

System applications (such as Camera or Gallery) may need to be reset to factory settings or flashed through Fastboot.

💡

If the app doesn’t work after reinstalling, try installing the old version from APKMirror. Sometimes new updates contain bugs for specific Xiaomi models.

5.Problems with Google Play Services

Many apps depend on Google Play Services (GMS), and if they don't work properly, programs may not start.

• 🔄 Infinite booting when opening.
• ⚠️ The error “Google Play Services has stopped».
• 📱 Apps need updates, but Play Market doesn’t find updates.

Decisions:

1. Update GMS manually: Settings → Apps → All Apps → Google Play Services → Update
2. Clear cache and data for: Google Play Services Google Play Market Google Account Manager

Delete your Google account

Settings → Accounts → Google → Delete the account

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with Chinese firmware (without Chinese firmware) GMS) Many apps won't work without manually installing Google Installer. download it from XDA Developers.

Hardware problems

If no application opens and the phone overheats or turns off, there may be hardware malfunctions:

• 🔋 Flash memory wear (especially on Redmi) 3/4/5 after 3–4 years).
• 🔥 CPU overheating (blocks the launch of heavy applications).
• 🔌 Power controller problems (lead to sudden shutdowns).

Diagnosis:

1. Check the battery status via ##4636## → “Battery Information”
2. Start the memory test with the command: adb shell dumpsys meminfo --oom
3. Check the logs: adb logcat | grep -i "error"

If errors like E/Storage: Failed to mount or E/Memory: Out of memory appear in logs, this is a direct sign of hardware wear, in which case only replacing the memory module or motherboard will help.

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If your phone is older than 3 years and your apps don't open even after you reset, you're 90 percent likely to be responsible for degraded flash memory, and you'll have to repair 30 to 50 percent of the cost of the new device.

7. Viruses and malware

Xiaomi isn't as often exposed to virus attacks as Samsung or Huawei, but malware can block app launches.

• 📱 Appearance of unfamiliar apps on the menu.
• 🔄 Redirecting to advertising sites.
• 🛡️ Google Play Protect’s threat alerts.

How to clean the device:

1. Run the scan through Google Play Protect or Mi Security.
2. Remove suspicious APKs in Settings → Apps.
3. Disable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Privacy → Special permissions → Install unknown applications
4. Reset network settings (sometimes viruses are embedded in proxies): Settings → Connections → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings

For advanced users, check system processes for suspicious activity:

adb shell ps -A | grep -i "unknown\|adware\|malware"

FAQ: Frequent questions