Why Xiaomi is spontaneously shutting down open apps – and how to stop it

You launched the messenger, switched to the browser, and then you came back a minute later — and the app reboots from scratch. Or the game flies into the background when you answered the message. Familiar situation? The problem of spontaneously closing applications on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones. POCO — One of the most common user complaints, and it's not just the resource-hungry shell that's responsible for it. MIUI, but also aggressive optimization algorithms that the manufacturer put into the firmware.

In this article, we will analyze 7 key reasons why even on Xiaomi flagships with 12 GB of RAM, applications close after 5-10 minutes in the background, and also give step-by-step instructions for setting up the system - from turning off autocleaning. RAM Spoiler: 80% of the time, the problem is solved without root rights and third-party utilities.

It's important to understand: MIUI Originally designed for the Chinese market, where users are used to a clean multitasking interface without unnecessary processes, European and global versions of firmware have inherited this philosophy, but often go too far. MIUI 14: Smart Cleanup is activated by default, which nails apps when you lock the screen – even if the free memory is more than 4 GB.

We tested the solutions on models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra and found patterns: the cheaper the device, the more aggressive the optimization. But even on top devices, the problem persists — just shows up less often. Next, you will learn how to turn off unnecessary restrictions, what settings affect multitasking, and why sometimes it is not the phone, but the application itself that is to blame.

1. Autocleaning RAM: how MIUI "He's taking the trash out behind your back.

The main culprit behind the sudden closure of applications is the built-in mechanism for automatic cleaning of RAM. MIUI He's working on two scenarios:

1. When the screen is locked, the system nails the background processes after 3-10 minutes (depends on the model).
2. At a low charge level (less than 15%), the ultra-hard saving mode is activated, killing everything but the active application.

By default, the feature is enabled on all Xiaomi devices, but it can be adjusted or disabled.

Go to Settings. → The phone. → Memory. → Settings (cog in the upper right corner) → Autoclean. Here you'll see three options:

• 🔄 Clearing when blocked is the main reason for closing applications.
• 📉 Clean at low charge - you can leave, but then messengers will fly out on 10-15% of the battery.
• 🚀 Smart cleaning is an algorithm that guesses which apps you don't need. It's a curve, it's better to deactivate.

In the models with MIUI 13/14 The path may be slightly different: → Annexes → Application management → Settings (cogs) → Auto-cleaning RAM. If you have a global firmware, some items may be called differently (for example, "Clear when locked").

⚠️ Note: On devices with 4-6 GB of RAM (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) A complete shutdown of the auto-cleaner can cause braking, in which case leave the option "Clean at low charge", but increase the threshold to 5%.

Battery Optimization: Why Energy Savings Kill Apps

The second most popular reason is the energy saving regimes, which MIUI It applies to applications in the background, even if you've turned off auto-cleaning. RAM, The system can nail down processes due to energy consumption restrictions.

Check the settings like this:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
2. Select the app that closes (such as Telegram or YouTube Music).
3. Make sure you select "No restrictions" (or "No restrictions" in English firmware).

If the option is not available, then the application is under deep optimization.

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → [Select the application] → Battery.
• 🔄 Enable the option "Allow background activity" (or "Background activity").
• 🚫 Turn off Optimization. MIUI" (if there is such a switch).

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) If you don't find "Battery" in the app information, try the path: → Battery → [Three-point in the corner] → Managing application battery consumption.

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Create a shortcut to quickly access your battery settings: add the Tools widget to the home screen and select Battery, which will save you time when you set up new applications.

3. Limitations MIUI for "unoptimized" applications

Xiaomi divides all programs into two categories:

• ✅ Optimized – have been tested MIUI and work in the background without restrictions (for example, WhatsApp, Mi Fit).
• ❌ Non-optimized – all others with strict limits on background activity.

If your application falls into the second group, the system will close it at the earliest opportunity.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application and scroll to the "Optimization" block. MIUI".
3. If the status is “Unoptimized”, click on it and select “Optimize”.

In practice, this method does not always work – some applications (for example, in the case of the application, VK Music or 2GIS can stay in the grey area, in which case manual additions to exceptions will help:

• 🛡️ Go to Settings. → Battery → [Threefold] → Managing application battery consumption.
• 🔍 Find the application in the list and set the "No Limits" mode for it".
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes changes only apply after a reboot.

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI 14+ for the Chinese region (China) ROM) option “Optimization MIUI" If you're not, you can only change the firmware to a global or European version.

Lack of RAM: When the phone really "chokes"

If you have a model with 3-4 GB of RAM (for example, Redmi) 8A or POCO C31), The problem may be a physical memory deficit. MIUI It starts nailing apps when there is less than 500-700MB of RAM left, even if you have turned off autocleaning.

Check the current state of memory:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. See the schedule of RAM use in the section "Memory use".
3. If less than 1 GB is free during normal operation, it’s time to manually clean the background processes.

What to do:

• 🧹 Close unused apps through the multitasking menu (swipe up).
• 🗑️ Clean the cache once a week: Settings → Annexes → [Select the application] → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Turn off the autoload of unnecessary programs: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Auto-start.
• 📱 Use the “Lite” versions of apps (for example, Facebook Lite or Messenger Lite).

On models with 6+ GB of RAM (for example, Xiaomi) 11T or POCO F4) Memory shortages are unlikely, but it’s worth checking for memory leaks. Some apps (especially games and social media) can eat up 1-2 GB of RAM even in the background. Use Developer Options to monitor for memory leaks:

Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI In Settings → The phone)|

Open the Settings. → Additionally. → For developers|

Enable "Do Not Save Actions" (shows actual RAM usage)|

Check the Service at Work section for suspicious processes|-->

5. Security system locks applications MIUI

Few people know, but in MIUI There's a built-in security manager that can block the background activity of suspicious applications:

• 🔓 root-access applications (such as Magisk or Lucky Patcher).
• 📥 Programs that are not downloaded from Google Play (APK-file).
• 🔄 Applications that frequently exchange data in the background (VPN, torrent).

To check if your system is blocking your application:

1. Open Security. → Scanning. → [Threefold] → Settings.
2. Go to the Auto Start section and make sure the desired application is enabled.
3. Go back and open Application Lock – your program should not be here.

If the application is blocked:

• 🔓 Click on it in the list and select "Unblock".
• 🛡️ Add to the exceptions of antivirus: Security → Antivirus → Settings → Exceptions.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the lock is only reset after a reboot.

This is especially common for users who install applications through APK (For example, modified versions of Spotify or YouTube Premium). MIUI perceives them as potentially dangerous and limits background work.

6. Software bugs and conflicts: when the system is not to blame

Sometimes apps are not closed because of MIUI, a. for their own reasons:

• 🐛 Bugs in the application code – for example, Instagram or TikTok are known for frequent crashes in the background.
• 🔄 Conflicts with other programs – two utilities for cleaning RAM can interfere with each other.
• 📱 Incompatible with the Android version – old apps may not work properly on Android 13/14.

How to diagnose the problem:

1. Check the error logs: adb logcat | grep -i "Kill" (requires a PC connection and enabled USB-debugging).
2. Test in Safe Mode: Press the Power button → long tap on "Switch off" → "Safe Mode. If the application does not close in Safe Mode, it is the fault of third-party software.

Update the app and firmware

• Go to Google Play and check for updates.
• Update MIUI: Settings → About the phone → System update.

If the problem is in a particular app, try:

• 🔄 Reinstall it (sometimes data cleaning helps).
• 📥 Install an older or beta version (e.g. via APKMirror).
• 💬 Write in support of the developer - sometimes bugs are fixed in the following updates.

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If the app is only closed on Xiaomi, but works on other brands – the problem is exactly optimization. MIUI. If the stains are also on Samsung/Google Pixel – the fault of the application.

7. Hardware restrictions: when iron does not pull

On old or budget models (Redmi) 5A, POCO C3) The problem may be related to:

• 🔋 Worn-out battery - at low voltage, the power controller forcibly closes the processes.
• 🔥 Overheating of the processor - at a temperature above 45°C system starts "ballast-dropping".
• 💾 Damaged flash memory – if RAM is error-proof, application data may be lost.

How to check:

1. Battery: Install AccuBattery and check battery status. If the capacity has dropped below 70%, it's time to change the battery.
2. Overheating: Use CPU Monitor to track temperature if phone is heated above 40°C in simple - clean dust or replace the heat paste.

RAM

• Run a memory test through MemTest86 (requires an unlocked loader).
• If you have any errors, contact the service center.

On models with Snapdragon processors 4xx or Helio Gxx (e.g. Redmi 9 or POCO M2) Multitasking is initially limited to iron, and that's where it's going to help:

• 🔄 Disabling all visual effects: Settings → Display. → Windows animation (turn off).
• 🗑️ Removing unnecessary apps and widgets from the main screen.
• 📱 Use alternative launchers (such as Nova Launcher) that are less loading.

⚠️ Note: If after replacing the battery or cleaning from dust, the problem persists, and errors of the type appear in the logs "mmc_read_fail" or "ECC "error" is a sign of hardware failure of flash memory, in which case only repairs in the service center will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about closing apps on Xiaomi