Xiaomi Whitelist: How to Add Apps to Notification, Autostart, and Energy Saving Exceptions

The whitelist on Xiaomi devices is a tool that allows you to bypass standard system restrictions for selected applications. Without the right setup, even the most important messengers, banking programs or tracking services can work incorrectly: No notifications, interrupt background processes, or block autostart after a reboot. In this article, we will discuss how to set up a whitelist on Xiaomi smartphones and tablets running Xiaomi MIUI 14/15 and the new HyperOS, as well as on smartwatches and other gadgets of the ecosystem.

The problem is that by default MIUI It aggressively optimizes background applications to save battery life, which means that apps from other manufacturers’ whitelists (such as Samsung or Google) on Xiaomi can behave unpredictably. We will show you what settings you need to change to make applications from the white list work stably even when activated power saving mode, and analyze the typical errors that users make when configuring.

What is a white list on Xiaomi and why is it necessary?

The whitelist (or exception lists) is a mechanism that allows individual applications to ignore the system’s global limitations, and works in three key areas at Xiaomi:

• 🔔 Notifications – ensures that messages from the app will arrive without delay, even if it has not been used for a long time.
• 🔄 Auto-Run – Allows the application to start automatically after the device is restarted or on schedule.
• 🔋 Energy saving – prevents forced closure of background processes when the system tries to save charge.

Without adding to the whitelist, you may encounter these problems:

• ❌ WhatsApp or Telegram do not show notifications of new messages.
• ❌ Google Fit or Mi Fitness stop tracking activity in the background.
• ❌ Banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) require re-authorization after the device sleeps.
• ❌ YouTube Music or Spotify stop playback when the screen is off.

It’s important to understand that on Xiaomi, the whitelist is not just a single setting, but a combination of several options in different menu sections. Simply adding an app to the “exclusions” is not enough: you need to configure autostart, background activity and notification rights separately.

How to add an app to the whitelist on Xiaomi (step-by-step instructions)

The setup process depends on the firmware version. Below is a universal instruction that is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO on MIUI 14/15 If you have a different version, check the relevance of menu items.

Step 1: Authorization of Auto Start

Auto-run allows the application to start automatically when the device is turned on or by triggers (for example, connecting to Wi-Fi).

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.

Check the version. MIUI/HyperOS In Settings → The phone.

Update the firmware to the latest version

Close all background applications before setting up

Reboot the device after changes-->

Step 2: Set up background activity

This parameter prevents the application from being forced to close by the system.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application from the list.
3. Press Permissions. → Background activity and turn on the option.
4. In some versions MIUI This item may be called Battery. → Background activity.

Step 3: Exclusion from Battery Optimization

The system can restrict applications in the background to save power.

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management
2. Choose App Choices (or Battery Optimization in HyperOS).
3. Find the application in the list and set a No Limits mode for it.

The HyperOS path may be different: Settings → Battery → Battery settings → Optimizing the battery.

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If the app doesn’t show up in the autostart or battery optimization list, try running it manually first and wait until it appears in the background processes (check in Settings). → Annexes → Launched).

Step 4: Set up notifications

Even if the app is added to the whitelist, notifications can be blocked separately.

1. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management.
2. Select the app and turn on all switches: 🔔 Allow notices 📌 Important notifications (priority) 🔕 Sound and vibration

Show on the lock screen

For instant messengers (such as Telegram or Viber), it is also recommended to enable Show the contents of notifications to see the text of messages without unlocking.

Step 5: Additional settings for HyperOS

The new HyperOS firmware adds additional restrictions to keep the app running correctly:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Special permissions → Show on top of other applications.
2. Find the desired application and allow it to be displayed on top of other windows (relevant for navigators, streaming services, etc.).
3. For applications with constant activity (such as Stepmer), enable Settings → Permits → Physical activity.

Whitelist differences on different Xiaomi devices

Whitelist settings may vary depending on the type of device, and below is a table with key features for different Xiaomi gadgets:

On Xiaomi smartwatches (such as Mi Band 7 or Watch 2 Pro), the white list of notifications is not configured on the watch itself, but in the accompanying app on the smartphone.

1. Open Mi Fitness or Zepp Life.
2. Go to Profile → Notifications → Notifications Management.
3. Select applications that must be duplicated on the clock.

For Xiaomi TVs, the whitelist is relevant mainly for streaming applications (for example, Kodi or other TVs). IPTV), It's the same setup as a smartphone, but without the power saving options.

Common mistakes when setting up a white list

Many users find that even after adding an application to the whitelist, it continues to work incorrectly, and let's look at the most common errors and their solutions.

⚠️ Note: If you use third-party battery optimizers (such as Greenify or AccuBattery), they may override settings. MIUI. Before setting up the whitelist, disable such apps or add a problem app to their exclusion.

Error 1: The application is not saved in auto-run

Sometimes, after a device is restarted, the application disappears from the autostart list. MIUI It resets the settings for underutilized programs:

• 🔄 Run the application manually and let it work in the background for 5-10 minutes.
• 📱 Restart the device and check if the app is still on the autorun list.
• 🔧 If the problem is repeated, try turning off Settings. → Special facilities → Optimization MIUI (not available on all devices).

Mistake 2: Notifications are delayed

If notifications arrive but are late (for example, 10 to 30 minutes), the problem may be:

• 📵 Power saving mode – turn it off completely or add the application to exceptions.
• 🌐 Mobile Internet Restrictions – Check that the application is allowed background traffic in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Background data.
• 🔒 Blocking Google Play Services – some apps depend on Google services, which you also need to add to the whitelist.

Error 3: The app closes when the screen is locked

This is a typical problem for music players (Spotify, YouTube Music) or navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator).

• 🔋 Enable for the Application Without Restrictions in Settings → Battery → Battery management.
• 📱 In some cases, it helps to disable the settings → Lock screen → Sleeping when blocked (but it will increase battery consumption).
• 🔊 For music applications, additionally enable Settings → Sound. → Do not stop playback when blocking (if there is such a point).

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On HyperOS devices, whitelist settings may reset after a firmware update. Always check them after you install new versions of the software.

How to check if the whitelist works

To make sure that the settings are applied correctly, follow the following steps:

1. Autostart Check: Reboot the device. Open Settings. → Annexes → Run and make sure your app is on the list.
2. Notification test: Ask a friend to send you a message in the messenger being tested. Make sure the notification arrives immediately (without delay). Check if the text of the message is displayed on the lock screen (if the appropriate setting is enabled).
3. Background check: Close the app (swipe in the recent menu). Wait 5-10 minutes and check if it is closed completely (in Settings). → Annexes → Launched).

For a more advanced diagnosis, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge. Connect the device to your computer and execute the command:

adb shell dumpsys battery unplug

This command will show you which apps are being optimized by the system, and if your app is on the list, then the whitelist settings have failed.

It's also useful to check the log of system events.

1. Turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Journal of operations.
3. Find events related to your app (such as force stop or battery optimize).

Whitelisted for Xiaomi for specific applications

Some apps require a special approach when added to the whitelist, so let's look at the settings for the most popular services.

Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

For stable operation of messengers it is necessary:

• 🔔 Add to Autostart and Disable Battery Optimization.
• 📌 Enable Important Notifications in Notification Settings.
• 🔄 Allow background activity and mobile traffic.
• 🔒 For Telegram, additionally enable Settings → Notifications → Show the text of the notifications.

If you use WhatsApp Business, also add the main WhatsApp to the whitelist – they depend on each other.

Banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, VTB)

Banking applications are often blocked due to strict security requirements, so that they can function without failure:

• 🏦 Add both applications – main and service (for example, Sberbank Online) + sberID).
• 🔐 Turn on the settings. → Special permits → Changes to system settings (for some versions).
• 📱 Turn off optimization. MIUI In special opportunities (if available).

⚠️ Note: Some banking applications (e.g. Tinkoff) may conflict with incognito mode in the MIUI. If after adding to the whitelist the application still does not work, disable Settings → Confidentiality → Incognito mode.

Fitness trackers (Google Fit, Mi Fitness, Strava)

For applications that track activity, it is critical to:

• 🏃 Allow physical activity in settings → Permits.
• 📊 Add to the Battery Optimization Exceptions.
• 🔄 Enable Constant Activity in the Application Settings (if any).

For the Mi Band or Xiaomi Watch, also check that the Mi Fitness app has enabled data synchronization in the background.

Navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator, Waze)

Navigation applications often close when the screen is locked, to avoid this:

• 🗺️ Add to Autostart and Disable Battery Optimization.
• 📱 Show over other windows in special permissions.
• 🔋 Disable Sleep when locked in screen settings (temporarily).

For Yandex.Navigator, additionally enable Precise Location Determination in geodata settings.

How to Reset the White List to Factory Settings

If after experimenting with the settings, the device began to work unstable (for example, the battery is quickly discharged or applications consume too much resources), you can reset all exceptions to standard values.

For this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset app settings.
3. Confirm action. This will reset all permissions, including auto-run and background activity.

If you only need to reset the battery settings:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Settings
2. Choose Resetting Optimization Settings.

The HyperOS path may be different: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset application settings.

⚠️ Note: Resetting app settings will also delete all saved browser passwords, notification settings, and camera/microphone permissions. Backup important data before reset.

Frequently asked questions