In the modern rhythm of life, we constantly switch between dozens of applications: instant messengers, navigators, browsers and social networks work simultaneously. The ability to quickly switch between them and manage running processes is a key skill for any user Android. However, despite the popularity of the system, many smartphone owners still wonder where the multitasking menu is located and how to use it correctly for maximum device performance.
By default, this functionality is available on any device running Google’s mobile operating system, but the location of the control can vary dramatically depending on the manufacturer and firmware version. In this article, we will look in detail at all the ways to call up the list of running applications, configure gestures and solve problems when the desired interface suddenly disappears or does not work correctly.
Standard methods for calling the list of applications
The traditional method of managing windows involves using a physical or touch navigation button. In the classic three-button navigation layout that was standard on most smartphones until 2018, the multitasking menu is brought up by pressing the center key. It is usually indicated by a square or two overlapping rectangles and is located between the "Home" and "Back" buttons.
When you click on this button, the system displays cards of all active apps in the form of a vertical or horizontal list. You can swipe up or down this list to find the app you want, and tap the screen to instantly switch. To close unnecessary apps, just swipe the card to the side or press a special cross, if it is provided by the interface of your shell.
It is important to understand the difference between a forced stop and simple removal from the list. When you swipe an app from the multitasking menu, you only remove its visual representation from RAM, but background services may continue to run. To complete the process, you need to go to Settings → Applications and select "Stop".
⚠️ Attention: Constantly closing all applications from the multitasking list (“killing tasks”) can lead to increased battery consumption. The system is forced to reload applications into memory, which consumes more processor resources than holding minimized apps in the background.
On some models from manufacturers Xiaomi or Huawei holding the multitasking menu button for a long time may launch additional functions such as locking the application in memory or clearing all tasks at once. Check the button settings in the system section to adapt the navigation behavior to your habits.
Control through gesture navigation
With the release of Android 9 Pie and subsequent versions, Google began to actively promote gesture control, which completely replaces physical buttons. In this mode, the location of the multitasking menu changes: it is no longer tied to a specific button at the bottom of the screen. To open the list of running applications, you need to swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger in the central part of the display for a split second.
After the animation for minimizing the current window appears, release your finger - the same list of cards will appear in front of you. A horizontal swipe left or right allows you to move between open windows without entering the general menu. This significantly speeds up working with two or three applications, allowing you to switch between them almost instantly.
If the standard gesture does not work or seems inconvenient, many manufacturers offer alternative schemes. For example, in the shell OneUI from Samsung, you can configure the multitasking menu to be called up by swiping from the bottom to the right or left, depending on the selected interface orientation. Such settings are located in the section Settings → Display → Navigation panel.
For users of large smartphones with a diagonal of more than 6.5 inches, gesture control becomes a real salvation, since it can be physically difficult to reach the bottom button with your thumb. Using an area in the lower third of the screen for all manipulations makes using the device with one hand much more comfortable.
Features of interfaces from different manufacturers
Although the basis of the system is the same, each major vendor strives to add unique features to the multitasking menu. These changes concern not only the appearance, but also the functionality of the list of running tasks. Understanding these differences will help you more effectively use the capabilities of a particular smartphone.
Below is a table showing the differences in the implementation of the multitasking menu on popular shells:
| Shell / Brand | Location type | Unique function | Action to clear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Android (Pixel) | Vertical list | Search inside applications | Clear all button |
| OneUI (Samsung) | Vertical list | Launch in pop-up window | Swipe down on the icon |
| MIUI (Xiaomi) | Horizontal carousel | Lock in memory | Cross in the corner of the card |
| ColorOS (Oppo/Realme) | Vertical list | Split screen | Swipe up on card |
Device owners Samsung may notice that when you open the multitasking menu, an application icon appears above each application. Clicking on this icon opens a context menu where you can select split-screen mode or launch the application in a floating window. This turns an ordinary task list into a powerful tool for multitasking.
Users Xiaomi often encounter horizontal scrolling, reminiscent of the iOS interface. In this mode, swiping up on the card closes the application, and swiping down pins it, preventing the system from automatically cleaning it when there is insufficient RAM. This is critically important for instant messengers, notifications from which must always be received.
Secret Developer Mode
In the multitasking menu on some firmware, you can enable the display of the number of processes running within each application. To do this, you need to activate developer mode and select "Show services in the recent applications menu."
Customizing and personalizing the menu
The flexibility of the platform Android allows you not only to use standard settings, but also to deeply customize the behavior of the list of recent applications. If the standard arrangement of elements does not suit you, you can change the display order or exclude certain apps from the history.
To remove an application from the multitasking list forever (for example, if you do not want anyone to see that you used a specific bank client), you can use the privacy settings. Go to Settings → Applications → Special. access → Access to notifications or a similar section, depending on the OS version, and limit the display of sensitive data in the preview.
The number of displayed applications in the list can also be adjusted. Some launchers have a "Maximum number of recent applications" setting. Increasing this number is useful for users who keep dozens of tabs open, but it is worth remembering that this increases the load on RAM.
☑️ Optimizing the multitasking menu
For advanced users, it is possible to change the appearance of cards through third-party launchers, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. These applications replace the standard home screen interface and often offer their own implementations of the multitasking menu with smoother animation and convenient sorting.
Display problems and their solutions
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the multitasking menu stops opening, freezes, or displays a black screen instead of a list of applications. Most often, this is due to an overflow of the cache of the system process responsible for the interface, or a conflict of recently installed software.
The first step in diagnosing such a problem should be to reboot the device. This simple action clears the RAM and restarts all system services, including the task manager. If the problem persists after a reboot, you need to check for system updates in the section Settings → About phone → Software update.
⚠️ Attention: If the multitasking menu does not work after installing a third-party launcher, try temporarily returning the standard launcher in the default application settings. Third-party shells may not process task manager system calls correctly.
A more radical, but effective method is to clear the data of the "System Interface" or "Launcher" application. Be careful: this action will reset your home screen settings, icons and widgets to factory settings. This operation is performed through the menu Settings → Applications → Show system processes → Your Launcher → Storage → Clear data.
In rare cases, the problem lies in the “Energy Saver” function, which aggressively closes background processes. Try turning off the power saving mode and see if the list of applications appears. It's also worth checking the developer settings, where the "Don't save actions" option may be blocking the history of recent tasks.
If the multitasking menu button has disappeared completely, check to see if the "Full screen apps" mode is enabled for a specific app. In this case, the navigation bar hides automatically and appears only when you swipe from the edge of the screen.
Using split screen and pop-up windows
The multitasking menu is not just a list for switching, it is a control center for display modes. Modern versions Android allow you to run two applications simultaneously in Split Screen mode. To do this, open the recent tasks menu, click on the application icon at the top of the card and select “Split screen”.
After activating this mode, the lower part of the screen will become the active selection area for the second application. You will be able to simultaneously read the article in the browser and respond to messages in the messenger. The border between windows can be moved, changing the proportions of content display.
An even more advanced feature is floating windows (Pop-up view). It allows you to run an application in a small window on top of other apps. This is ideal for a calculator, notes, or video player that you want to watch without interrupting your work in other apps. The function is activated in the same way, through the icon menu in the list of recent tasks.
Split screen and floating windows turn the smartphone into a mini-workstation, allowing you to perform several tasks in parallel without losing the performance of the main application.
It is worth noting that not all applications support these modes. Developers can programmatically prohibit window resizing or launching in pop-up mode. In such cases, the system will display a notification that the application does not support multi-window mode.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why did the multitasking menu button become round instead of square?
The shape of the button depends on the version Android and the installed theme registration In new versions of the system, Google has changed the design of navigation elements. You can change the shape of the buttons in the theme settings or by installing a third-party design module if you have root access.
Is it possible to pin an application to the multitasking menu so that it does not close?
Yes, many shells (MIUI, OneUI) have an application lock function. Open the recent tasks menu, find the app you want, and pull the card down (or press the lock) until the lock icon appears. Now, when you click the "Clear all" button, this application will remain in memory.
How many applications can be stored in the multitasking history?
The limit depends on the amount of RAM of the device and system settings. Typically, the system stores from 10 to 50 recently active applications. Old entries are automatically deleted as new apps are opened or the device is rebooted.
Why does the phone start to slow down when opening the multitasking menu?
This may indicate a lack of RAM or processor overheating. Try closing heavy games and applications before opening the list. It is also recommended to clear the system cache and check whether the mining process or malware is running.
How to disable the display of screenshots in the multitasking menu?
You cannot completely disable previews without changing system files, but you can hide confidential information. In the security settings, enable the "Hide the contents of notifications" option or use incognito mode in the browser and protected folders for sensitive applications.