How to turn on energy saving mode on Xiaomi Android smartphones: a complete guide

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones offer several energy-saving options, but not all users know how to set them up correctly. Even in the new Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or POCO F6 models, the standard battery saving mode often works inefficiently because it activates too late or does not affect the background processes. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to enable energy saving, from basic settings to hidden MIUI functions, which the manufacturer does not advertise.

Xiaomi has a flexible power management system that adapts to scenarios ranging from emergency savings (when the charge is running out) to a smart mode that analyzes user habits. However, by default, many options are turned off or hidden in the back of the menu. We'll show you how to manually adjust energy savings so that the battery lasts 20 to 30 percent longer without losing functionality.

Why you need a power saving mode on Xiaomi

The main goal of the mode is to extend autonomy by limiting the background and optimizing hardware resources, and on Xiaomi smartphones it works differently than on pure Android:

• 🔋 Emergency savings: Disables mobile internet, synchronization and notifications when charge is below 15.
• ⚡ Smart mode: analyzes user activity and automatically reduces energy consumption in a simple (for example, at night).
• ⚙️ Manual Setup: Allows you to manually select which apps and features will be restricted (e.g., disable Facebook or TikTok background activity).

According to Xiaomi tests, the correct power saving setting can increase the time on a single charge by 1.5-2 times (depending on the model and version of MIUI). For example, on Redmi 12 with basic firmware, saving mode adds about 5-6 hours in standby mode, and on flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra – up to 8-10 hours in moderate use.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Snapdragon processors 8 Gen 2/3 (for example, Xiaomi 13T Pro) Energy saving mode may conflict with Dynamic Performance Control technology. If you notice lags in games after activation, turn off the mode or add the game to exceptions.

Method 1: Quickly enable through the notification panel

The easiest method is to use the Quick Settings Panel, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later:

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
2. Find the Energy Saving icon** (the battery icon with the leaflet) and if it's not there, click on the pencil (Edit) and add the switch to the active one.
3. Tap the icon to turn on mode. The restriction notice will appear on the screen.

This method activates the basic saving mode, which:

• 📵 Disables background data synchronization.
• 🔇 Dimming vibrations and system notification sounds.
• 🌙 Reduces screen brightness by 30% (unless auto mode is enabled).

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If the energy saving icon disappeared after the MIUI update, reset the notification panel settings: Settings → Notification Panel → Reset to factory.

Method 2: Deeply customize via the battery menu

For fine-tuning, go to Settings → Battery. There are three key options available:

1. Power saving mode: classic, background-limited option, where you can choose which charge level it will be automatically activated (default: 15%).
2. Super energy saving: radically reduces consumption by shutting down mobile internet and most applications, useful if you need to reach charging with 5-10% charge.
3. Smart energy saving: uses AI to analyze your habits, for example, if you normally sleep between 23:00 and 7:00, the system will be more aggressive in saving energy during this time.

Recommended settings for maximum autonomy:

Turn on "Smart Energy Saving»|Install automatic on at 20% charge|Add messengers to exceptions (so as not to miss messages)|Turn off Adaptive Brightness in favor of manual settings to 40–50%-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X5 Pro, Redmi K60) In the “Super Energy Saving” mode, it is turned off. NFC If you use contactless payments, add the bank app as an exception or temporarily turn off the mode before payment.

Method 3: Hidden settings through the developer menu

For advanced users, Xiaomi offers additional power saving options hidden in the Developer Settings to activate them:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to unlock the developer menu.
2. Go back to the basic settings and open a new section for developers.
3. Find options related to the battery: Limit background processes (set the value of "2-3 process"). Inactive applications → select "Limit everything". Disable window animation (saves up to 5% charge).

These settings do not conflict with the standard energy saving mode, but enhance its effect. For example, on the Xiaomi 12T, the combination of “Super energy saving” + limiting background processes allows you to extend the autonomy from 5% charge to 8-12 hours in standby mode (versus 3-4 hours without optimization).

Method 4: Energy saving for individual applications

MIUI allows you to manage the energy consumption of each application flexibly, which is useful if some programs are eating the battery in the background (for example, Instagram or Google Play Services).

1. Open Settings → Battery → Battery Use.
2. Select the application from the list (sorting by charge consumption).
3. Click on it and set one of the modes: 🔄 No restrictions (for messengers and navigators). ⏸️ Limit background activity (for social networks and games). 🚫 Deep sleep (for programs that are rarely used).

Example of optimization for popular applications:

Instagram|Facebook|Google Play Services|TikTok|Games|Other-->

Problems and Solutions: Why Energy Savings Are Not Working

Sometimes users find that the mode of saving does not produce the expected effect, and consider the typical causes and ways to eliminate them:

• 🔄 The mode turns on, but it turns off quickly: check if the battery settings check the box "Automatic Shutdown When Connected to Charge." Turn it off in Settings. → Battery → Additionally.
• ⚡ Battery goes down faster than usual: it may be the fault of the updates MIUI. After major updates (for example, with the MIUI 13 by 14) reset the battery settings: Settings → Battery → Resetting battery settings.
• 📱 The phone overheats in saving mode: this may be due to a conflict between power saving and Game Turbo (if you've recently played). → Special facilities → Game mode.

If the problem persists, check the status of the battery:

1. Enter the code ##4636## in the phone application.
2. Select Battery Information and see Wear Level. If it's above 30 percent, it's time to replace the battery.

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On Xiaomi smartphones with a 5,000mAh battery or higher (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the energy-saving mode may seem less efficient because of the higher absolute consumption. However, the percentage savings remain the same – just because of the battery size, the battery life is not as noticeable.

Additional tips for saving charge

In addition to the built-in modes, there are several manual settings that will help to extend autonomy:

• 🌓 Dark subject: on AMOLED-All the flagships of Xiaomi and most of them POCO) Black background reduces consumption by 5 to 10 percent. Include it in Settings → Screen. → Dark subject.
• 📶 The “Only” regime 4G»: if you have a weak signal 5G, The phone is spending a lot of energy searching for the network. 4G In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Type of network.
• 🔍 Turn off Device Search: Find Device is constantly using GPS And mobile data. Turn it off in Settings. → Google → Security → Searching device.
• ⏰ Set up a Wi-Fi schedule: If you don't need to use the internet at night, turn off Wi-Fi automatically. → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi schedule.

For models with MIUI 14 and later, App Hibernation is available** (Settings → Battery → Application Hybernation) to freeze rarely used programs, preventing background activity, and enable it for all applications except messengers and navigators.

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If you use a navigation device (Google Maps or Yandex.Maps) frequently, turn on GPS-only mode in your location settings before you travel, which will turn off your search for Wi-Fi networks and mobile towers, saving up to 20% of your charge per hour of navigation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about energy saving on Xiaomi