How to add an app to the exceptions on Xiaomi: the full guide on MIUI

Xiaomi's MIUI-based devices are known for aggressively optimizing battery and background processes, often resulting in apps spontaneously shutting down, not getting notifications, or not syncing in the background, so the solution is to add the right programs to system exceptions, but where exactly do you do that and what settings do you use?

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to add exceptions to Xiaomi, from basic autostart settings to hidden developer settings. The instructions are relevant for MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and HyperOS (2026), but will also work for older versions with minor changes to the menu, and we will focus on the difference between “battery exceptions” and “autostart permissions” – many users confuse these features, which leads to incorrect application performance.

Why Apps Need Exemptions on Xiaomi

The MIUI firmware defaults to limit the background activity of programs to extend battery life, and this is how it works:

• 🔔 Applications do not show push notifications (for example, Telegram, Viber, instant messengers of banks).
• 🔄 Background data synchronization is interrupted (mail, cloud services, fitness trackers).
• ⏳ Applications are “freezed” after being folded and rebooted upon return.
• 🚫 Some Smart Home or Geolocation Features Stop Working.

The MIUI system uses three levels of control:

1. Battery optimization – limits background activity to save charge.
2. Auto-Start – blocks the automatic start of applications after the device is restarted.
3. Blocking in memory - forcibly closes programs with a lack of RAM.

To make the app work properly, it needs to be added to the exceptions in all three categories, and skipping one item can nullify all efforts.

Method 1: Exceptions to battery settings

The most obvious, but not always sufficient, method is to add an application to the battery optimization exception list, which will prevent the system from forcing the program to close.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select the option “Control battery consumption applications” (in some versions – Battery optimization).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Other Settings → Exceptions.
4. In the list, find the desired application and activate the switch.

If your MIUI version does not have an "Exceptions" option, use an alternative path:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application → Battery consumption.
3. Activate the option without restrictions.

Appendix added to "Exceptions" |Consumption mode set to "No Limits" |Background activity allowed |Optimization disabled for this app-->

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 and HyperOS after the update of the exclusion system, the batteries may be reset!

Method 2: Autostart permission

Even if the application is added to the battery exceptions, it may not start automatically after the device is restarted.

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select AutoRun.
3. Find the desired application in the list and activate the switch.

The MIUI 13/14 may be different:

Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun

Some system applications (such as Mi Home or Xiaomi Cloud) may be hidden in this list. To find them, search by settings (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner).

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If the app doesn’t appear in the autorun list, try running it manually first – sometimes the system only adds programs to the list after opening it for the first time.

Method 3: Locking in memory (application fastener)

The memory lock function prevents the application from closing when the RAM is cleared, which is especially important for messengers, navigators and programs that need to run in the background.

How to secure the application:

1. Open Recent Apps (the box button in the navigation bar).
2. Find the desired application and swipe down on his card (on some models - swipe up).
3. A lock icon will appear – click on it to block the application in memory.

On MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the interface has changed:

• 📱 Click on the app icon in the list of recent.
• 🔒 Choose to Lock or Lock in Memory.

The number of applications that can be blocked is limited (usually 3-5 pieces). If the lock icon is inactive, then the limit is exhausted - first unlock the unnecessary programs.

* On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) the limit is still maintained.

Method 4: Developer settings (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use developer mode, and there are advanced options for managing background processes.

How to turn on the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Press 7 times in a row on the MIUI version.
3. Enter the screen unlock password (if requested).

Now, a new section for developers will appear in the main settings, and here we are interested in the following options:

• 🛠️ Don’t limit background processes – disables all restrictions for selected applications.
• 🔄 Limiting background processes – set a value without limitations.
• 📱 Not Optimize – Add Apps to this List.

Warning: Changing these parameters can increase battery consumption and slow down the system with a lot of background processes.

Method 5: Exceptions for Notifications

If the app is added to all the exceptions but notifications still don’t come, the problem may be in the notification access settings.

How to check:

1. Open Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management.
2. Find the right app in the list.
3. Make sure to allow notifications and show as priority active switches.
4. In the Notification Categories section, include all important types (sound, vibration, icon).

For messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) additionally:

• 🔔 Turn on Show on the lock screen.
• 📱 Allow pop-up notifications (if necessary).
• 🔊 Set a separate sound for notifications in the app settings.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14: Smart Notifications, which automatically hides "unnecessary" alerts, is now available. → Notifications → Smart notifications if you miss important messages.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make the same mistakes when setting exceptions.

1. Add only battery exceptions, ignoring auto-run. → Solution: check all three settings (battery, auto-run, lock in memory).
2. Do not update settings after resetting your phone. → Solution: After Hard Reset or MIUI update, all exceptions are reset!
3. Fix too many applications in memory. → Solution: leave in lock only the most important programs (messenger, navigators).
4. Don’t check notification permissions. → Solution: Even with exceptions, notifications can be blocked at the Android level.

Another common problem is the conflict with the power saving functions. If you have Ultra-Economic or Super-Battery mode on, all the exceptions can be ignored. Turn those modes off in Settings → Battery → Battery modes.

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Check the exception settings after each MIUI update – they are often reset!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions