Where to find and how to turn on the background on Xiaomi: the full guide 2026

Background mode on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most discutable shell features MIUI. On the one hand, it saves battery power by limiting application activity, on the other hand, it often causes messengers to stop notifying, music is interrupted when the screen is locked, and geolocation malfunctions. If you are faced with similar problems or just want to figure out how to manage background processes – this article is for you.

Many users mistakenly believe that the background mode is one universal setting. MIUI It's got a whole set of parameters, from the general power saving mode to the individual permissions for each application, and the logic of the work changed in different versions of the firmware - what worked on the Redmi Note 8 may not work for the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. We have collected the latest ways for all modern devices of the brand, including models on HyperOS.

In this article you will find:

• 🔍 Where exactly are the background settings hidden in different versions MIUI
• ⚡ How to Turn Off Battery Optimization for Specific Applications
• 📱 Step-by-step instructions for popular models (from Poco) X3 Xiaomi 14)
• ⚠️ Typical errors that cause background processes to malfunction
• 🛠️ Alternative methods through ADB and hidden menus

What is the background mode on Xiaomi and why it is needed

Background mode is a mechanism for controlling the activity of applications when they are not in the foreground. MIUI It's closely linked to the battery optimization system, which by default limits resources for programs running in the background:

• 🔋 Extending battery life (especially relevant for low-end models like Redmi) 10A)
• 📉 Reducing the load on the processor and RAM
• 🛡️ Preventing applications from running spontaneously (which is important for security)

However, aggressive optimization often interferes with normal operation.

• 💬 WhatsApp or Telegram do not show notifications of new messages
• 🎵 Music in Spotify or Yandex Music stops when the screen is locked
• 📍 Applications like Google Maps or Yandex Navigator lose geolocation in the background
• 🏃 Trackers (Strava, Nike Run Club) stop recording data

It's important to understand that Xiaomi doesn't have a single back-up switch; instead, there are a few independent settings that affect app behavior, and the combination of these determines whether or not the program will run in the background.

Where to find the background settings in MIUI

The path to settings depends on the firmware version. MIUI 14 and HyperOS interface became more intuitive, but in older builds (for example, MIUI 12 on Redmi Note 9) menus may look different. Here are universal ways to find the right options:

Method 1: Through "Battery settings"

This is the main way for most devices:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance
2. Select Battery Settings (or Battery Optimization in older versions)
3. Tap on Application Selection (could be called Application Power Management)
4. In the list, find the desired application and select the mode: No restrictions – maximum activity in the background Optimized – balance between performance and savings Limited – the application will be suspended when the screen is locked

Method 2: Through "Special Permits"

Some applications (such as messengers or navigators) require additional permissions to work in the background:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Select the application you want (for example, Viber)
3. Slip on the Permits. → Additional (or Special Access)
4. Activate options: 🔄 Auto-Run – allows the application to start when the phone is turned on 📱 Background work – allows activity with a folded application 🔋 Battery optimization – disables restrictions (analogue of “No Limits” from the first method)

Selected "No Limits" in the Battery Settings|

Auto-start for the application is activated|

Background work permitted|

Battery optimization is disabled (if there is such a point)-->

On some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 with a MIUI 13) the path may be different. If you do not find the specified items, try searching by settings (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner).

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the battery optimization menu is moved to Settings → Annexes → Permits → Battery optimization. The interface is more minimal, but the logic of the work remains the same.

Step-by-step instructions for popular Xiaomi models

While the general logic of background settings is the same, the path to them may differ from device to device, and we have compiled the current instructions for popular lines:

If your model is not in the table, focus on the firmware version. For example, for Xiaomi. 12S Ultra with MIUI 14 will fit the instructions for Xiaomi 13T Pro.

Typical errors when setting up the background mode

Many users make the same mistakes when trying to set up the background, and here are the most common:

• ❌ Disabling optimization for all applications in a row.This leads to accelerated battery discharge (up to the end of the day). 30% post 4-5 The system is overheated and the optimization should only be turned off for critical programs.
• ❌ Ignoring Auto Start permissions. Without this permission, the app won't be able to restart after the phone restarts or the memory is cleared.
• ❌ Customize only through the battery menu. To work fully in the background, you need to check all three points: battery optimization, autostart and permission for background activity.
• ❌ Using "performance mode" in battery settings, which shuts down optimization globally, causing energy overruns.
• ❌ Update MIUI without checking settings. After major updates (e.g., with MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) all permits are reset to factory.

Another common problem is the conflict between system settings and the settings of the app itself, for example, Telegram has a separate item called "Background work", which should be included additionally:

1. Open Telegram. → Settings → Data and memory
2. Activate Autoload Media (affects background synchronization)
3. Turn on the background work (if any)

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 12+ and MIUI 13+ There is an additional restriction - Restriction of background activity at the Android level. It must be disabled separately in the application settings (Settings) → Annexes → [Select an application] → Additionally. → Battery → Background activity management).

How to set up the background mode through ADB (power-user)

If the standard settings do not help, you can use ADB-commands for deep background tuning. This method is suitable for:

• 🔧 Devices where the manufacturer has removed the option "No restrictions"
• 📦 Applications that ignore system permissions (such as some Chinese software)
• 🛠️ Advanced optimization (e.g., turning off background activity for system processes)

The work will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap according to the version → return to additional settings → Developer parameters)
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)

The main commands for the control of the background:

Disable battery optimization for a specific application (replace com.example.app with an app package)


adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.example.app




View a list of applications excluded from optimization



adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist




Disable AutoRun for All Apps (Caution!)



adb shell cmd appops set android:auto_revoke_permissions_if_unused 0




Allow background activity for the application (Android 9+)



adb shell cmd appops set com.example.app RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND allow

To find the application package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep -i "appendix name"

For example, for WhatsApp, the package will be com.whatsapp, for Google Maps – com.google.android.apps.maps.

💡

Before use ADB Backup your data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset: Incorrect commands can cause system failures.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They give you low-level access to the system, and misuse can lead to: Accelerated battery discharge (if optimizing for system processes is disabled) Device instability (hangs, reboots) Warranty loss (if changes lead to software failure) We recommend using ADB Only if the standard methods do not help.

How to check if the application is working in the background

You have to set up the background, half the battle, make sure that the changes actually apply, and here are some ways to check.

Method 1: Through Task Manager

1. Open the desired application (for example, VK Music)
2. Turn it off (don't close it!) and lock the screen.
3. Wait. 5-10 minute
4. Unlock the screen and open Task Manager (swipe up with a delay) → triline)
5. Check if the app is still on the active list, and if it's not, the battery optimization has stopped it.

Method 2: Through the Logic of the System

For advanced users:

1. Connect the device to the PC and open ADB Logcat:
2. Crash the app and watch the logs. If you see messages like Paused Due to Battery Optimization, the optimization is still active.

Method 3: Notification test

For messengers:

1. Ask your friend to send you a message. Telegram/WhatsApp
2. Close the app (swipe up) and lock the screen
3. Wait. 1-2 If the notification didn't come, check the background settings.

For navigators (Google Maps, Yandex Navigator):

1. Start the route navigation.
2. Crash the app and lock the screen
3. After 5 minutes, unlock and check if the tracking continues to work.

1. Is the energy saving mode not on (Settings) → Battery → Energy saving regime).

2. Are there any restrictions in Android settings (Settings) → Annexes → [Annex] → Additionally. → Battery).

3. whether the background activity is blocked by an antivirus or an optimizer (for example, Security or Clean Master).-->

What to do if nothing helps

If you’ve tried all the ways, but the app still doesn’t work in the background, try the following solutions:

• 🔄 Resetting the application settings: Settings → Annexes → [Select an application] → Storage Click Clear Data and Clear Cache Reboot Phone and Configure Permits Again.
• 📥 Reinstall the application: Sometimes it helps to remove and install the program from scratch. Before you export important data (for example, chats in WhatsApp via Settings). → chat → Backup copy).
• 🔧 Related: Retreat of the update MIUI: If the problem appeared after the firmware update, you can try to roll back to the previous version through Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → three dots in the upper right corner → The update package will only work if you haven't reset after the update.
• 🛠️ Third-party utilities: Applications like Greenify or Battery Optimizer allow for flexible management of background processes, but they require root rights or ADB, which could violate the guarantee.
• 📞 Appeal in support of Xiaomi: If the problem is systemic (for example, a bug in the firmware), it is worth reporting it through Settings → Review or on the official Mi Community forum.