How to close the application on Xiaomi: all the ways to MIUI and Android

Closing apps on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task, but many users face unexpected nuances. For example, why does the application continue to work in the background after clicking on the cross in the multitasking menu? Or how to completely stop the background processes that drain the battery? In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to close applications on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices running MIUI 12-14 and Android 11-13, and explain in which cases this is really necessary.

The manufacturer is actively optimizing the work of background processes in their firmware, so standard methods (for example, swipe up in multitasking) do not always give the expected result. Moreover, on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), memory management algorithms differ from older devices. We tested all methods on current versions of software and collected only working solutions, from basic to hidden functions for power users.

1. Standard Closing through the Multitasking Menu

The most obvious way is to use the recent app bar, and on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and newer, the algorithm for this menu is the same, but there are important details:

• 📱 On models with a physical home button (e.g. Redmi) 5A): Twice click on it to open the list of applications.
• 👆 On gesture-controlled devices (starting with the Mi 9): swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold for 0.5 seconds.
• ❌ To close the app: swipe his card up or click on the cross (if displayed).
• 🧹 For mass closing: click on the “Close Everything” icon (usually at the bottom of the screen).

An important caveat: this method does not guarantee full application closure. Many services (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) automatically restart the system after 5-10 minutes, and this is due to the “Out-Start” function in the MIUI settings, which we will discuss below.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4) post-update MIUI 14, the "Close All" button disappears. To return it, go to Settings. → Additionally. → Full screen and enable the option "Show the cleaning button".

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If the application is not closed by the swipe, try to hold his card for 2 seconds - a context menu will appear with the option "Close forcibly".

2. Forced stop through Android settings

When an application is “hang-free” or cannot be closed in the standard way, a forced stop will help, which works on all versions of MIUI and is guaranteed to stop all application processes, including background services.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want in the list (use the search at the top if it’s not in the first rows).
3. Slip on it and select Forced Stop (or "Stop" on English firmware).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

This method is useful for:

• 🔄 Apps that open spontaneously (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser).
• 🎮 Games that continue to be used GPU in the background (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile).
• 📱 System services that interfere with the work (for example, com.xiaomi.mipicks - advertising module).

⚠️ Note: Forcing system applications to stop (e.g. com.android.phone) can cause mobile network loss or interface errors. Do not use this method for services with a gear icon in the app list.

3.Using the Optimization function in MIUI

MIUI has a built-in tool for managing background processes called Optimization (formerly called Battery and Performance), which allows you not only to close applications, but also to limit their activity in the background.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Optimization.
2. Click on the magnifying glass icon (search) and enter the name of the application.
3. Select it from the list and tap it on Stop (if the app is active).
4. To prevent automatic start-up, go to Auto Run and turn off the permission for this application.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔋 Saves battery power by limiting background activity.
• 🛡️ Blocks automatic restart of applications after closing.
• 📊 Detailed statistics on resource use (CPU, memory, traffic).

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Turning off auto-start for unnecessary applications is the most effective way to reduce battery load without manually closing.

4. Closing through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work (e.g., an application blocks closure or works as a system service), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a connection to a computer, but gives you complete control over the processes.

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB Tools and execute the command:

adb shell am force-stop com.package.name

To find out the name of the application package, use:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"

Examples of commands for popular applications:

• 📺 YouTube: adb shell am force-stop com.google.android.youtube
• 💬 Telegram: adb shell am force-stop org.telegram.messenger
• 🎵 Mi Music: adb shell am force-stop com.miui.player

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB To stop system processes (e.g. com.android.systemui) can cause your phone to restart or lose functionality.

5. Use of third-party utilities (Task Killer)

Google Play has dozens of process management apps, but not all of them are compatible with MIUI. We tested the top utilities and selected those that actually work on Xiaomi:

How to configure Kiwi Browser to close applications:

1. Install your browser and type in the address bar: chrome://flags.
2. Find the #enable-force-stop flag and turn it on.
3. Restart the browser.
4. Now, when you hold the application icon in the multitasking menu, the Force Stop option will appear.

Important: With MIUI 14, Xiaomi blocks background activity of third-party Task Killers, so that they work, you need to manually add them to the “Start” list and turn off battery optimization.

6. When you don't need to close applications manually

Many users mistakenly believe that permanently closing apps saves battery life. In fact, MIUI and Android are optimized to manage memory automatically.

• 🔄 Frequently used applications (messaging, mail): their re-launch spends more resources than maintaining in the background.
• 📱 System processes (e.g. com.android.systemui): stopping them can cause phone malfunctions.
• 🎵 Music players (e.g. Spotify or Mi Music): Closing will interrupt playback.
• 📡 Geolocation services (e.g. Google Maps): restarting them increases the time for positioning.

Exceptions where closure is justified:

• 🎮 Games after the end of the session (releases) GPU memory).
• 📺 Video players (for example, YouTube in the background).
• 🔍 Memory-leaked apps (such as some versions of Facebook).

The game is over, but the process is still active.

The app is frozen and does not respond to pressing

We need to release memory for a resource-intensive task.

The application consumes the battery in the background (see in "Optimization")

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7 Hidden MIUI functions for process management

There are little-known tools in MIUI that help you control applications without manually closing them.

• 🔋 Power Saving Mode: Limits background activity of all applications. → Battery → Power saving mode: On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and new models, Ultra mode is available, which turns off all background processes except calls.
• 🛡️ Privacy protection: Blocks applications from accessing resources in the background. → Confidentiality → Special permits → Auto-start.
• 📊 Activity Monitor: Shows which applications consume the most resources. → The phone. → System monitor (you need to tap 5 times according to the version) MIUI).

How to turn on the hidden mode "Without distractions":

1. Open Settings → Notifications and Status bar.
2. Put it on Do Not Disturb Mode.
3. Turn on the option to disable background processes (not available on all models).

This mode automatically pauses all unnecessary processes when the screen is off, which increases battery life by 20-30%, especially useful on devices with a small battery (for example, Xiaomi 12 Lite or POCO X5).

FAQ: Frequent questions about closing apps on Xiaomi