How to enable multitasking on Android: all methods with instructions

Multitasking on Android is not just the ability to switch between applications, but a whole mechanism for managing device performance. Many users do not even suspect that the standard method of opening a list of recently launched apps (swipe up with a delay) is just the tip of the iceberg. Depending on the OS version, smartphone manufacturer and installed shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS etc.), the methods for activating multitasking may differ radically.

In this article we will look at not only the basic methods, but also hidden functions that allow you to fine-tune the behavior of the background of applications. You will learn how to pin important apps in memory, disable unnecessary processes to save battery, and even how to return the classic multitasking menu on new versions. Android 14. We will pay special attention to the problems faced by owners of devices with a small amount of RAM - here multitasking requires a special approach.

Before proceeding to the instructions, check the version of your OS in Settings → About phone → Android version. Some methods only work on certain builds, and manufacturers like Xiaomi or Samsung often override the standard behavior of the system. If your smartphone runs on Android Go (a lightweight version for weaker devices), some of the functions may be limited - we will also mention this.

1. Standard method: swipe up gesture with a delay

This is a universal method that works on most devices with Android 9 Pie and newer. The algorithm is simple:

• 📱 Open any application (for example, Chrome or Telegram).
• 👆 Swipe your finger from the bottom edge of the screen up, but hold your finger 0.5–1 second in the middle of the screen.
• 📋 Release - a list of recently opened applications (cards) will appear.

On some devices (for example, Google Pixel) you just need to swipe up and slightly slow down the movement If you have a smartphone with a hardware button Home (for example, older models Samsung Galaxy), double-click on it - this will bring up the same list.

⚠️ Attention: On Huawei with the shell EMUI this gesture may conflict with the navigation system. If the swipe does not work, check the gesture settings. in Settings → System → Gestures.

In the multitasking menu you can:

• 🔄 Switch between applications by touching their cards.
• ❌ Close unnecessary apps by swiping the card up.
• 📌 Pin important applications in memory (click on the application icon at the top of the card and select Pin).

2. Alternative ways to open multitasking

Not all users know that you can open the list of applications not only by swiping. Here are less obvious methods:

Method	Devices	Features
Double press of the button Recent (square)	Samsung Galaxy (up to Android 10), LG, Sony Xperia	Works only with hardware navigation buttons
Swipe down button gesture Home"	Google Pixel, Nokia (Android One)	Requires activation in gesture settings
Voice command Ok Google, show the latest applications	All devices with Google Assistant	You need to enable voice search in the settings
Swipe right on the bottom panel	Xiaomi (MIUI 12+), Redmi	Conflicts with the return gesture back

On Samsung Galaxy s One UI 5.0 and newer there is a unique function - Edge panel. Swipe from the right edge of the screen to the center to open the side menu, where among the widgets there is a list of recently opened applications. This is convenient for devices with large screens (for example, Galaxy S23 Ultra or Galaxy Z Fold).

3. Setting up multitasking in developer

For advanced users, Android there are hidden options that allow you to manage the number of background processes and their priorities. To activate them:

1. Open Settings → About phone.
2. Find item Build number and click on it 7 times until a notification appears You have become a developer!.
3. Return to the main settings menu - a new section will appear there For developers.

Inside this section, find options related to multitasking:

• 🔧 Background process limit — allows you to limit the number of applications running simultaneously in the background (useful for saving battery).
• 🔄 Do not save actions — when activated, closes all processes when exiting the application (not recommended for everyday use) use).
• 📱 Enable multitasking for all users - relevant for devices with multiple profiles.

⚠️ Attention: Changing parameters in the developer menu may lead to unstable operation of the system. For example, if you. set Background process limit = 1, many applications will reload when switching, and notifications may arrive with a delay.

On devices with 4 GB of RAM or less, limiting background processes to 2-3 can significantly increase battery life, but some instant messengers (for example, WhatsApp or Viber) will take longer to load chats when opening.

4. Multitasking on weak devices (Android Go)

Smartphones with Android Go (for example, Nokia 1.4, Samsung Galaxy J2 Core) have a simplified process management system. Here the standard multitasking menu may be missing or work differently. Here's what you can do:

• 🔄 Use Recent applications button (if it is in the navigation bar, on some devices it is hidden - turn it on). in Settings → System → Gestures → Three-button navigation.
• 📌 Install a launcher like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair —they add support for gestures for multitasking even on weaker devices.
• ⚡ Disable window animation in the developer menu (Window animation scale = Off) to speed up switching between applications.

On Android Go the system aggressively closes background processes to save resources. If you need an application (for example, a music player) to run in the background, try:

1. Open the application.
2. Click on the icon in the notification panel and select Pin (if the option is available).
3. Disable battery optimization for this application in Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Battery → Battery optimization → Do not optimize.

Why is there no full multitasking on Android Go?

On devices with 1-2 GB of RAM, full multitasking leads to constant freezes and reboots. Therefore, Google has limited background processes to 1-2 at a time, and the interface has been simplified to a minimalistic look without animations and window previews.

5. Problems with multitasking and their solutions

Sometimes the menu of recently opened applications does not work correctly: it does not open, shows an empty list, or closes apps immediately after minimizing. Here are the most common reasons and ways to solve them:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
The swipe up gesture does not work	Conflict with the manufacturer's shell	Switch to standard navigation in Settings → System → Gestures → Navigation buttons
Applications close immediately after minimizing	Aggressive battery optimization	Disable optimization for desired applications in the battery settings
Multitasking menu opens with a delay	Lack of RAM or CPU load	Close unnecessary processes manually or restart the device
No window preview	Animation is disabled in the developer settings	Enable Animation scale = 1x or Animation of transitions = 1x

If none of the methods helped, try resetting the gesture settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Gestures → Reset gestures.
2. Confirm the action.
3. Reboot the device.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices Xiaomi (especially with MIUI 13/14) the problem with multitasking may be due to function Deep optimization. Disable it in Settings → Battery → Battery optimization → Deep optimization.

Check free memory (RAM) in Settings → Memory

Disable battery optimization for problematic applications

Switch to standard navigation (three buttons)

Update the firmware to the latest version

Reset gesture settings to factory-->

6. Advanced features: split screen and free form

Modern versions Android support not only classic multitasking, but also the simultaneous operation of two (or more) applications on one screen. This feature is called split screen (Split Screen) and is available on most devices with Android 7 Nougat and newer.

To activate split screen:

1. Open the first application.
2. Go to the multitasking menu (swipe up with a delay).
3. Click on the application icon at the top of the card and select Split screen (or Open at the top of the screen).
4. Select the second application from the list.

On Samsung Galaxy With One UI there is an additional function - free form (Pop-up View). activation:

• 📱 Open the multitasking menu.
• 👆 Click on the application icon and select Open as a pop-up window.
• 🔄 Resize the window by dragging the corners.

On devices Xiaomi a similar function is called Floating windows and is included in Settings → Accessibility → Floating windows. Please note that not all applications support this mode - for example, Instagram or TikTok can block work in a floating window.

7. Optimizing multitasking for games and heavy applications

If you often play mobile games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG) or work with heavy applications (Photoshop Express, CapCut), standard multitasking can interfere with productivity. Here's how to configure the system for such cases:

• 🎮 Gaming Performance Mode: On Samsung this Game Launcheron Xiaomi — Game TurboThese tools block background processes and notifications while you play. data-i="223">Gaming performance mode
• 🔋 Disable the background for unnecessary ones applications: In Settings → Applications select unnecessary apps (for example, Facebook or LinkedIn) and turn off background activity for them.
• 📊 Manual setting of priorities: In the developer menu (Do not save actions) you can specify which applications should always remain in memory.

For devices with 8 GB RAM or more it is useful to enable the function Memory expansion (if it is supported). On Samsung Galaxy S22/S23 i OnePlus 10/11 this allows you to use part of the internal memory as virtual RAM. data-i="239">8 GB of RAM or more Settings → Device care → Memory → RAM Plus.

On smartphones with a processor Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and newer hidden function Dynamic RAM Expansionthat automatically distributes memory between games and background tasks. To enable it, you need to activate the option in the developer menu Force Dynamic Refresh Rate and reboot the device.

8. How to return the old multitasking on Android 12-14

Many users dissatisfied with the changes in the multitasking menu that appeared in Android 12 and newer. Instead of the usual vertical list, a horizontal ribbon with large cards is now used, which is inconvenient on devices with small screens. You can return the old view in two ways:

Method 1: Via ADB (for advanced users)

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer and connect your smartphone via USB (with USB debugging enabled).
2. Run the command:

   adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural_extra_wide_back

3. Reboot the device.

Method 2: Using launcher

• 📱 Install Nova Launcher or Lawnchair 12.
• 🔧 In the launcher settings, find the section Gestures and buttons.
• 👆 Assign swipe up to action Open recent applications (old version).

⚠️ Attention: Changes via ADB may lead to system instability. Before executing commands, make a backup copy of your data. Command details may vary depending on the Android version and shell.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to enable multitasking on Android without gestures?

Yes, if your device supports classic three-button navigation. Go to Settings → System → Gestures → Navigation buttons and select the option with buttons. After this, the multitasking menu will open by double-clicking on the button Recent (square).

Why are some applications not displayed in the list of recently opened?

This can happen for several reasons:

• The application is closed by the system due to lack of memory.
• Background activity is disabled in the application settings (Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Battery → Background activity).
• The application uses its own process management mechanism (for example, Facebook or Messenger).
• The device has a power saving mode enabled, which aggressively closes background tasks.

Try to manually add the application to battery optimization exceptions.

How to disable animation when switching between applications?

Animation can be accelerated or completely disabled in the developer menu:

1. Activate developer mode (7 taps on Build number in Settings → About phone).
2. Go to Settings → For developers.
3. Find parameters:
   • Window animation scale → Off
   • Transition animation scale → Off
   • Animator duration → Off

After this, switching between applications will occur instantly, without smooth transitions.

Can you set up hotkeys for multitasking?

Most devices do not have built-in support for hotkeys to control multitasking, but There are workarounds:

• Use apps like Button Mapper or Taskerto assign actions to physical buttons (for example, double tapping the power button).
• On some devices Samsung you can customize the sidebar (Settings → Additional functions → Edge panel) and add a shortcut for multitasking there.
• If you have a smartphone with IR blaster (for example, Xiaomi Redmi Note), you can app the remote control to open the application menu (root or special software is required).

Why did multitasking stop working after the Android update?

This is a typical problem after major updates (for example, from Android 11 to Android 12). Causes and solutions:

• Resetting gestures: The update may have reset the navigation settings. Check Settings → System → Gestures and configure again.
• Shell conflict: Manufacturers sometimes change the logic of multitasking. For example, in MIUI 14 swipe up by default opens search, not recent applications. Fixed in Settings → Home → Home gestures.
• Firmware error: If the problem persists, try resetting the settings to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset settings). Make a backup copy of your data first.

If all else fails, check the support forums for your device - perhaps this is a known bug for which there is already a patch.