Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face aggressive MIUI shell management or the new HyperOS. The operating system seeks to maximize battery life by forcibly closing application background processes. This causes messengers to stop sending notifications, navigators reset the route, and music players to fall silent when the screen is turned off.
The standard Android settings often don't work here, because the manufacturer has added its own process killer algorithms. To make the application work consistently, it needs to be added to a special exception list. This action tells the system that the software is allowed to consume more power and run in the background without restrictions. Without this procedure, even the most popular programs can behave unpredictably.
In this article, we will discuss how to add an app to the exclusion of Xiaomi optimization using hidden and explicit settings menus. We will look at different versions of firmware, as the paths to the desired points may differ. We will also focus on setting up a auto start, which is inextricably linked to energy saving. The correct configuration of these parameters will turn your smartphone into a reliable tool that will not fail at the important moment.
Why you need to exclude MIUI optimization
MIUI Optimization (or memory optimization in newer versions) is designed to clear RAM from unused processes. The algorithm analyzes user behavior and decides which applications can be closed to save battery power. However, artificial intelligence does not always understand the context of use. For example, it can close a jogging app, considering it redundant while you run with the screen off.
When you add an exception to a program, you actually disable these aggressive rules for it, and the system stops forcibly completing the processes associated with that application.
- 📱 Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) so that messages arrive instantly.
- 🏃 Activity trackers and pedometers so that statistics are not lost.
- 🎵 Music streaming services for continuous playback.
- 📧 Mail clients for background synchronization.
It should be noted that the exclusion from optimization does not mean a complete ban on (sleep) of the process if required by system resources, but the priority of such an application is greatly increased. In older versions of MIUI, this also allowed root rights to be obtained through debugging over USB, but in modern builds this feature primarily affects the stability of the software.
⚠️ Warning: Uncontrolled addition of dozens of applications in the exception can lead to a noticeable reduction in battery life of the device.
Auto Starting: The First Step to Stability
Before you jump to the complex optimization menu, you need to make sure the app is allowed to run on its own.In the Xiaomi ecosystem, it's a separate switch that often stays off by default for third-party software.Without an active auto start, the app won't be able to start its services after the phone has restarted or memory has been cleared.
To set up, go to the security menu. This is usually an app with a green shield icon that is system. Find the "Resolutions" or "Applications" section. Here you need the AutoRun item. In the list that opens, find the desired application and activate the switch opposite it. The color of the indicator will change to green, which confirms the resolution.
In some versions of the shell, the path may be different. You can also find autostart settings through a search in the general smartphone settings. Type the word "Start" into the search box and select the appropriate menu item. This is a versatile method that works on MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS.
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Use a search in settings (cog at the top of the settings screen) by typing the name of the item you want, which is faster than searching manually for menus in different versions of the firmware.
Once the autostart is enabled, the system will automatically start the basic services of the application when the phone is turned on. However, this does not guarantee operation in the background when the screen is rolled up. This requires additional power consumption settings, which we will discuss later.
Changing energy saving strategy for applications
The key to stable operation is to set the battery strategy for a particular application, and by default, the system sets the "Energy Saving" mode, which limits background activity, and we need to change that to "No Limits," which will allow the application to work as if it were open on the screen, even when the phone is in your pocket.
To change the settings, follow the following steps:
1. Open the smartphone settings.
2. Go to the Appendix section → All applications.
3. find the desired program (for example, the navigator) in the list.
4.Click on Battery (or "Saving Charge").
5. Select the option No restrictions.
Visually, it might look a little different depending on the version of Android, sometimes called "Activity Control" or "Background Activity," and the key is to find a switch that removes the restrictions on background work, and once you select "No Limits" mode, the system will stop applying aggressive economy algorithms to this application.
☑️ Checklist of battery settings
This setting is mandatory for smartwatches and wristbands. If the paired device constantly loses contact with the phone, the problem most often lies in limiting the background work of the companion application (for example, Zepp Life or Mi Fitness).
Hidden Developer Menu: Disabling MIUI Optimization
There's a deeper layer of customization, often called "hidden developer menus" or "extended settings." This is where the switch is located, which changes the behavior of the system globally. However, in modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS, access to it is hidden behind seven locks and requires a sequence of actions.
To enter the developer menu, go to Settings → About Phone. Find the MIUI Version (or OS Version) and quickly click on it 7-10 times in a row. You become a developer notification will appear. After that, a new section Advanced Settings → For developers will appear in the settings menu.
Inside the developer menu, scroll down to the bottom. Find Enable MIUI Optimization. If the switch is active, click on it. The system will ask you to enter the unlock password and warn you of the risks. Once confirmed, the switch will turn off and the phone can restart. This action disables global memory optimization algorithms.
⚠️ Note: If the item "Include optimization" MIUI" is not available or is not pressed, it is necessary to activate it through debugging USB. To do this, in the same developer menu, turn on "Debugging by" USB" It's important to understand the difference: the previous section on "No restrictions" was about a particular application, and this paragraph affects the system as a whole. Disabling global optimization can make the interface less responsive or increase battery consumption, but solve problems with the most moody software. What to do if the switch is gray? MIUI, Try the following combination: turn on the debugging by USB, then in the debugging permissions menu (appears at the bottom of the screen when you connect to a PC or emulator), allow access. Sometimes you need to click on Debug 5 times USB, To activate the hidden permission menu. Another effective method that works in conjunction with previous settings is manually fixing the application in RAM, which tells the task manager that the application cannot be closed when cleaning the memory ("cleaning"). While this does not give you rights like system exclusion, it does create an additional layer of protection against accidental closure. Launch the desired application to lock, then open the menu of running tasks (usually a bottom-up swipe with a delay or a menu button). Find the window of the desired application and click on it, holding your finger, or pull the window down (depending on the version). MIUI). You'll see a lock icon. You'll click on it to lock. Now there's a little lock next to the app icon. When you use the "Clear Memory" function, this app will stay running. This is particularly useful for: 🎮 Games so that progress is not reset when switching. 📹 Screen or streaming video recordings. 🗣 But remember, the number of applications that you can lock in this way is limited by the amount of RAM you have on your device, and if you put too many programs in, it's going to slow down because it's free. RAM There will be no new tasks left. Comparison of application protection methods is presented in the table below: Method Access Level Battery Impact Complexity Autostart Low Minimum Low No Limits (Battery) Average Average Low Optimization Disconnection MIUI High High High Fixation in Memory (Clock) Temporary Depends on Software Low Solution of Notifications and Background Problems Even after all the settings, there may be situations when notifications do not arrive. Often the problem is not with the system itself, but with Android permissions. Make sure the app has all the rights it needs: access to location, microphone, contacts, and, importantly, permission to AutoRun and Over Other Windows. Newer versions of HyperOS have an extra layer of control. Go to Settings. → Notifications → Notification management. Select an app and make sure the slider is active. Also check if the backlink restriction is worth it. → Annex selected → Mobile data and Wi-Fi → Turn on the background connection. 📊 Yes, constantly Rare, but never noticed I have another problem If nothing helps, try to remove and install the application again. When you first install it, the system will ask for permissions, and if you give all the permissions and set up the battery, there will be less problems, and it is also worth checking whether you have a third-party application for “memory cleaning” or an antivirus that may conflict with the system settings of Xiaomi. ⚠️ Note: Some banking applications may not work properly with optimisation disabled MIUI If the bank application has stopped running, return the optimization settings to their original state (FAQ) Is it safe to turn off optimization? MIUI In general, yes, it's safe for the phone, but it can lead to faster battery discharge and heat, as the system will have less control over the background. For the average user, it is better to set exceptions only for specific applications, rather than disabling optimization globally. Why did the firmware update get a mess? MIUI Or HyperOS often resets user permissions and battery settings to factory values for safety, and after each major upgrade, it's recommended that you recheck autostart and power consumption settings for important applications. Does that affect the smartphone warranty? No, changing the software settings in the developer menu or the battery settings is not an interference with the hardware or a flashing of the device. These are regular Android features and shells designed for advanced users. The warranty is maintained. How do you get all the settings back? To undo the changes, go to the "Developers" menu and turn on the "Enable Optimization" switch. MIUI". For individual applications, simply return the battery strategy to “Energy Saving” mode in the specific application settings. 💡Integrated approach (Autostart) + No restrictions. + Fixing ensures 99% stability of any application on Xiaomi.