Users of Huawei smartphones are often faced with the need to forcefully stop apps that behave incorrectly or consume too many resources. Unlike standard versions of Android, the shell EMUI and the new HarmonyOS have their own unique features of navigation and management of running processes. Understanding the mechanics of the operating system helps not only free up RAM, but also extend the battery life of the device.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available ways to shut down applications: from the standard swipe in the multitasking menu to deep system settings. You will learn why simply minimizing a app is not always equivalent to closing it completely and how to act in cases where the interface freezes and does not respond to touches.
The standard method through the multitasking menu
The fastest and most intuitive method of closing apps on Huawei smartphones is to use the standard task manager. To call up the list of active applications, you need to press the “square” button at the bottom of the screen or swipe up from the bottom edge and hold your finger if gesture control is enabled.
After cards with running apps appear, you will see window thumbnails. To close a specific card, simply swipe it up with your finger. If your goal is to completely clear the RAM, click the button with the image of a broom, which is usually located at the bottom of the screen or in the corner of the interface.
It is worth noting that the system Android itself optimizes background processes, so constantly manually cleaning all applications can even slow down the device, since the system will have to reload frequently used services into memory.
- 📱 Press the Menu navigation button or make a swipe gesture.
- 🧹 Use the Clear icon to close the entire list at once.
- 👆 Swipe up on a specific card to selectively close.
Forced stop through system settings
Sometimes the application stops responding to commands, freezes, or does not close in the standard way. In such situations, system settings come to the rescue, where you can execute the “Stop” command. This method is effective for resetting the state of problematic software.
Go to section Settings → Applications → Applications. In the list that opens, find the desired app and tap on its name. On the application information screen, you will see a button Stop, clicking on which will forcefully terminate all processes associated with this software.
The system will warn you that the application may not work correctly after forced stop. This is a normal reaction, as some background services will only be restarted the next time the user explicitly launches the app.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use force stop for system applications such as Phone, Messages or Settings if you are not sure of your actions, as this may lead to interface instability.
This method is especially useful if the app continues to run in the background and drains the battery, despite attempts to close it through the task manager.
Managing startup and background activity
One of the main features of the Huawei shell is strict control over background processes to save battery. If the application constantly starts on its own or does not close, the problem may lie in the autorun settings.
Go to the menu Settings → Battery → Launch applications. Here you will see a list of apps with switches. By turning off the toggle switch opposite the desired application, you will prevent it from launching automatically and working in hidden mode.
After disabling automatic control, the system will prompt you to manually configure the settings: allow auto-start, work in the background and secondary launch. By unchecking all the boxes, you will limit the activity of the app as much as possible.
☑️ Setting up energy saving
This approach allows you not only to close the application, but also to prevent it from being launched again unnoticed, which significantly affects the overall performance of the smartphone.
Using the Huawei phone manager
In the arsenal of smartphone owners Huawei has a powerful built-in Phone Manager (or Optimizer) application. This tool is designed for comprehensive device maintenance, including memory and virus management.
Launch the application and select Cleaning. The system will scan the device for unnecessary files and active background processes. By clicking on the clear button, you will not only delete the cache, but also shut down most non-essential applications.
Inside the Manager there is also a section called Autorun, which duplicates the settings from the battery menu, but provides a more visual interface for managing permissions. This is a convenient way to control which apps are allowed to run without your knowledge.
| Function | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Storage & Performance | Phone Manager | Closes background processes |
| Launch control | Settings / Battery | Prohibits autostart |
| Stop | Settings / Applications | Forcibly closes the app |
Regular use of built-in optimization tools helps keep the system clean without the need to install third-party software.
What to do if the application does not close
There are situations when the interface freezes so much that it is impossible to call the multitasking menu or go into the settings. In this case, standard methods become unavailable and more radical measures are required.
Try to force reboot the device. To do this, hold down the power button and hold it for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes dark and the smartphone vibrates, signaling the start of the download. This is analogous to pulling out the power cord from a computer, but safe for electronics.
Why do applications hang in memory?
Modern operating systems deliberately do not close applications completely, so that when they are reopened they launch instantly. This is called process caching. A complete shutdown is only required during crashes or to save power in emergencies.
If the problem occurs with a specific game or heavy app, it may conflict with the firmware version. In this case, you should check for updates for the application itself in the store AppGallery or Google Play.
⚠️ Attention: If the application does not close and causes the case to heat up, immediately reboot the device to avoid damage to the battery or motherboard.
Features of closing apps on HarmonyOS
New Huawei models run on their own operating system HarmonyOS, which has some differences in the logic of working with applications compared to classic Android. A more aggressive memory management policy has been implemented here.
This OS often uses the “freezing” function of applications. When you minimize a app, the system may not close it, but put it into a deep sleep state, where it does not consume processor resources, but saves its state in memory.
To completely shut down work in HarmonyOS, sometimes you need to go to the developer settings or use special gestures that depend on the specific update version. The interface may offer a system "boost", which is essentially a mass shutdown of all background tasks.
If you are using Huawei without Google services, please note that some applications may not work correctly in the background due to the lack of Push notifications, and they will more often have to be closed manually.
Users of new devices are advised to read the gesture guide as the controls windows may differ from the usual navigation buttons.
Frequently asked questions from users
Does constantly closing applications affect battery life?
Paradoxically, frequently manually closing applications can increase battery consumption. The system spends more energy re-loading apps into RAM than maintaining them in the background in a “frozen” state.
Is it possible to configure automatic closing of applications on Huawei?
Yes, in the “Phone Manager” or “Battery” section you can set up rules by which the system will automatically close apps that have not been used for a long time or consume too much resources.
Why does the application appear in the list again after closing?
This happens due to system services or data synchronization. Some applications, such as instant messengers, have priority and automatically restart to receive new notifications if they are allowed background activity.
Is it safe to use third-party apps to clear memory?
Using third-party “cleaners” on Huawei is not recommended, since the built-in EMUI and HarmonyOS system already have powerful optimization mechanisms. Third-party software may conflict with system energy saving settings.
How to close an application if the screen does not respond to touches?
If the sensor does not work, the only way out is to force a reboot using the buttons (Volume Down + Power) or wait for the battery to drain, although the latter option is undesirable for the battery.
Proper management of applications on Huawei requires a balance between manual cleaning and trusting automatic system optimization.