How to turn on ultra-charge saving mode on Xiaomi

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones running MIUI or HyperOS have powerful hardware that requires a stable power supply. However, in situations where there is no charger at hand and battery levels are falling rapidly, a special emergency power saving feature comes to the rescue. This tool allows you to extend the battery life of the gadget for several hours, and sometimes even days, limiting the background processes and brightness of the screen.

Turning on ultra-saving mode is not just a way to save percentages on the indicator, but also the ability to turn a smartphone into a base phone for the most important tasks. The system automatically turns off energy-intensive applications, reduces processor performance and limits network activity. Understanding the principles of this feature will give you confidence that you can stay connected even in critical discharge conditions.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the mode activation algorithms on different versions of MIUI, consider the nuances of setting up the list of allowed applications and answer questions that often arise from users. You will learn how to use this tool correctly so that you do not lose important notifications, but use the remaining battery power as efficiently as possible.

What is an ultra-saving regime and how does it work?

The ultra-energy saving mode on Xiaomi devices is a set of software constraints that are imposed on the operating system when activated by the user. Unlike the standard power saving mode, which only slightly limits background activity, ultra-mode radically changes the interface and logic of the gadget. MIUI and HyperOS block most visual effects, animations and background services, leaving only basic functionality.

The basic principle of operation is to aggressively manage the resources of the processor and communication modules, the system forcibly closes applications that are not on the whitelist, and reduces the frequency of screen refreshes, which allows you to significantly reduce power consumption, making the smartphone more “dry” and functionally limited, but extremely effective for calls and messages.

⚠️ Note: When ultra-saving mode is activated, all alarm clocks can be turned off unless they are added to the exception list, so check your alarm settings before switching to this mode.

It’s important to understand that this mode is not a panacea for physical battery degradation. If your Xiaomi or Redmi device’s battery is worn out, the mode will only slow down the discharge, but not restore capacity. The optimization algorithm is primarily aimed at software limitation, not fixing hardware problems.

The user interface in this state is simplified to a black background with large icons of the main applications. AMOLED-screens where black means off pixel, but also to reduce cognitive load, allowing you to focus on the main.

Instructions: How to turn on the mode on different versions of MIUI

The activation process may vary slightly depending on the firmware version installed and your smartphone model. However, the overall path to settings remains similar for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. There are several ways to start emergency power saving, and we will look at them sequentially.

The first and fastest way is to use a notification curtain. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the control center. Find an icon with a picture of a battery or lightning that can be called an "Ultra" or "Ultra Battery Saver." If there is no such icon in the first screen, click on the edit button (usually a square with a pencil or three dots) and drag the desired widget to the active panel.

The second way is through the settings menu, which is the most reliable option, which also allows you to set the settings before you turn on. Go to Settings → Battery. At the top of the screen, you'll see the power saving switch. If you click on it or on the arrow next to it, you'll be taken to the submenuum where you can select "Ultra" mode.

The third option is for older versions of MIUI, where the menu could be called Advanced Settings, in which case the path could look like Settings → Battery and Performance → Modes → Ultra. If you use the global version of the firmware, the names can be translated as “Ultra battery saver”.

Setting up parameters and selecting applications

Once you have ultra-saving mode enabled, the system will prompt you to select apps that will continue to run in the background. By default, only Phone, Messages, Contacts and Alarms are available. However, the functionality allows you to expand this list by adding, for example, messengers or a navigator.

To set up, go to the battery menu and click on Mode Settings or Add Apps. Here you will see a list of all installed programs. The choice of applications should be rational: each service added will consume energy, negating the efficiency of the mode. It is recommended to add only those programs that are critical for communication right now.

Special attention should be paid to setting the alarm clock. In some versions of HyperOS, the alarm clock works even without adding it to the list of approved alarms, but it is better to double-check this experimentally. If you rely on a smartphone as an alarm clock, make sure that the Clock app has the highest priority in the system.

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Add apps to ultra-saving mode only for the duration of need. After use, remove them from the exclusion list to extend the device's life.

Features of the interface and limitations

When ultra-saving mode is activated, you'll notice changes in the interface's appearance, wallpapers being replaced with black, icons becoming monochrome or simplified, and the number of items on the desktop is reduced to a minimum, and it's not just a cosmetic effect, it's part of a strategy to reduce the power consumption of the display.

Many of the system’s features become unavailable or work with limitations, such as disabling cloud data sync, stopping application updates and restricting access to heavy games, and blocking new programs from unknown sources in this mode.

⚠️ Note: In ultra-saving mode, desktop widgets may stop updating in real time, showing data at the time of the mode's turn on.

Network modules such as Bluetooth and NFC can be automatically turned off to save power. If you need to transfer a file or pay for a purchase, you will have to temporarily exit the mode or manually activate the desired module through the curtain, if the system allows you to do this without going out of saving mode.

Processor performance is reduced, which can lead to slowing down the interface when switching between permitted applications, which is normal behavior, indicating that energy saving algorithms work correctly and limit clock speed.

Automation: on schedule and charge

Xiaomi smartphone owners can opt to switch on the mode manually instead of relying on it to automatically activate it, which is especially useful if you often forget to put your phone on charge overnight or leave your home with a partial charge.

In the Power Saving Mode settings section, look for “Switch on automatically.” There are two main scenarios available here: by time and by charge level. You can set a specific time (like 23:00) when the phone will go into economy mode, or set a battery threshold (like 15% or 10%).

You should also look at the Smart Mode feature, which analyzes your smartphone usage habits. If MIUI notices that you rarely use your phone at night, it may suggest turning on the Saving Mode automatically.

The automatic on-time switch is conveniently used in conjunction with the Do Not Disturb mode, which allows you to create a comprehensive system of night rest for you and your gadget, saving charge and blocking unnecessary notifications until the morning.

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

Despite the usefulness of the feature, users sometimes face incorrect ultra-saving mode. One common problem is the inability to exit the mode. If a standard tap of the off button does not help, try rebooting the device or connecting it to the charger, which often automatically turns off the mode.

Another problem is the lack of notifications from the apps added in the exceptions, which may be due to the aggressive policy of the Android operating system itself, which kills processes in the background, in which case you need to go to the settings of a particular application (Application Manager) and allow auto-start and work in the background.

If the mode is not turned on at all, it is possible that on your device this feature was removed by the manufacturer in a specific version of the firmware. Owners of some global versions of Redmi note that the functionality can be called differently or replaced by a standard power saving mode.

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If ultra-saving mode causes critical system failures, the best solution is to reset the battery settings or update the firmware to the current stable version.

Effect of the mode on battery life

There is a perception that frequent use of saving modes harms the battery.In fact, software-based charge and discharge restriction does not physically harm the lithium polymer batteries used in Xiaomi.In contrast, avoiding deep discharge (when the phone turns off itself) prolongs the life of a chemical current source.

Ultra-saving mode helps to avoid a situation where the phone runs "to zero" at the wrong time. Deep discharge below a certain voltage threshold is harmful to the chemistry of the battery.

But remember, constant low-performance work doesn't give you the full experience of interacting with your smartphone. The balance between saving and comfort is key. Use mode situationally when you really need it, not as a constant mode.

Modern charging algorithms in Xiaomi smartphones already include protection against overheating and overcharging, so the additional software restriction in the form of a saving mode serves only as a tool for managing battery life, not battery treatment.