How to set up the background mode on Xiaomi: the full guide 2026

Background mode on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most discutable features MIUI, On the one hand, aggressive battery optimization allows you to extend battery life, and on the other, many complain about missed notifications, closed applications and messaging in the background. The reason lies in the complex process management system that Xiaomi has implemented to combat “voracious” applications.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can set up your background, from basic constraints to hidden developer settings, how to add apps to exceptions, disable unnecessary optimization, and take back control of notifications, and why even after all the settings, some apps keep crashing and how to fix them.

It's important to understand: MIUI It's not indifferent to the background, it's actively shutting down applications that it thinks are consuming too much resources, not just for little-known programs, but for popular messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, or Viber. Moreover, the behavior of the system may differ even on different models – for example, the Redmi Note 12 and Xiaomi 13 Ultra handle background tasks differently due to differences in hardware and firmware version.

We have tested all the methods described on current versions. MIUI 14/15 (And we've identified key patterns that work consistently, including global and Chinese builds, and if you're tired of constant notification issues or want to maximize battery life without compromising functionality, this is the guide for you.

What is the background mode and why Xiaomi limits it

Background mode is a state in which the application is not active on the screen, but continues to perform tasks: receive notifications, sync data or update content. Xiaomi restricts the operation of background processes for three main reasons:

1. Savings in battery charge. MIUI It's designed to be as autonomous as possible, and the backend apps are one of the biggest power eaters, like Facebook in the background, which can use up to a few hours of energy. 15-20% Charge per hour of active synchronization.

2. Performance optimization: Xiaomi smartphones (especially the budget Redmi series and POCO) Often have limited RAM resources. Excessive background processes lead to interface hangings and forced application reboots.

3. Aggressive policies MIUI. Unlike pure Android, where the user controls the background, Xiaomi takes that responsibility, automatically shutting down applications that its algorithms say are “too active” or “suspicious".

• 🔋 Battery priority: On smartphones with battery ≤4000 mAh (for example, Xiaomi 12 Lite) background optimization is tougher than on flagships like Xiaomi 14 Pro.
• ⚡ Adaptive optimization: MIUI It analyzes your habits and closes apps you rarely use (for example, if you haven’t opened Twitter for a week, the system can block its background activity).
• 🛡️ Security: Some limitations are related to protection against malware that may masquerade as legitimate processes.

The problem is that Xiaomi’s algorithms aren’t perfect, often making the mistake of shutting down apps and leaving them to work, such as blocking background activity from Google Maps (which won’t give traffic notifications), but allowing AliExpress to update its product catalog every 10 minutes.

⚠️ Note: On Chinese firmware devices (e.g. Xiaomi for the market) CN) Background optimization works even harder because of the additional restrictions from local regulators. If you use this firmware, some of the techniques in this article may not work.

Basic settings of the background mode in MIUI

Before you dig deep into the developer's settings, you should check the basic parameters that are available in the standard menu. ~70% of problems with the background of applications.

Open the Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications and select the program you want to configure. There are three key parameters here:

• 🔄 AutoRun: Allows the application to start automatically when your smartphone is turned on or after you restart. disable this setting for programs you don't need in the background (such as games or rarely used utilities).
• 📱 Background activity: The main switch that controls the application in the background, and if it's turned off, the program will close when it folds up.
• 🔔 Notifications: Even if background activity is permitted, notifications can be blocked separately".

For most instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber) and navigation services (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps), it is recommended to enable all three parameters. For other applications (social networks, news aggregators), you can leave only background activity by disabling auto-start.

Also pay attention to the Settings section. → Battery and productivity → Battery management. There are two important things:

Battery Optimization – If you turn it off for a particular application, the system will no longer limit its background activity.

- "Energy saving mode" - when activated, background processes are blocked almost completely (except for system services).

Advanced settings: battery modes and hidden settings

If the basic settings didn’t help, it’s time to move on to advanced tools. MIUI hides some options that allow you to more accurately control background processes.

The first step is to check the battery modes. Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Battery modes. There are three options available:

1. Balanced – Standard mode that tries to find a balance between performance and autonomy.

2. Energy saving – limits the background activity of most applications (except system ones).

3. High performance - minimal limitations, but fast battery consumption.

For most users, balanced mode is optimal, but if you notice that important applications are constantly shutting down, try switching to high performance for a day and observing the behavior of the system.

The next level is the developer settings, so you can activate them.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone.

2. Press 7 times on "Version" MIUI" (A notice will appear saying, “You have become a developer").

3. Go back to the main settings menu and open the new Developer section.

In this menu, we are interested in three parameters:

- "Limit background processes" - if you have the value "Standard limit", try to change it to "No restrictions" (but be prepared for increased battery consumption).

Do not save actions — if this option is turned on, applications will close immediately after they fold.

- "Optimization MIUI" — You can completely disable background optimization, but this is an extreme measure (suitable only for testing).

⚠️ Warning: Disabling all limitations in the developer settings can cause the device to overheat and quickly discharge the battery. Use these options selectively and monitor the temperature of the processor (you can check in the application). CPU Monitor).

Is the energy saving mode turned off?|Is background activity allowed for the desired applications?|Checked if the notification settings are checked|Developer settings are activated (if necessary)|Is a backup of important data made (in case of failure)-->

Application Exclusions: How to Add to the White List

Even if you have allowed background activity in the app settings, MIUI It can keep closing. To avoid that, you have to add the program to the system's exceptions.

Method 1: Through battery settings

1. Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Battery consumption management.

2. Find the desired application in the list and select "No restrictions".

3. Save the changes and restart the smartphone (this is a must, as some restrictions apply only after the reboot).

Method 2: Through security settings (does not work on all firmware)

1. Open Settings. → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.

2. Enable auto-start for the desired application.

3. Go back and go to "Other Permits" → Background work".

4. Allow background work for the selected program.

Pay special attention to the system applications that are responsible for notifications:

- Mi Push Service (responsible for push notifications) MIUI).

Google Play Services (required for Google services to work correctly, including notifications in Gmail and YouTube).

Security (manages permissions and can block background processes)

If after all the manipulations notifications still do not come, check whether they block the optimizer battery from Google (on some firmware it duplicates the functions). MIUI). For that:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.

2.Look for Google Play Services and turn off battery optimization for it.

💡

If notifications still don't come after setting up the exceptions, try removing the problem app's cache. → Annexes → Application management → Warehouse → Clear the cache. This often helps to reset synchronization errors.

Background problems: typical mistakes and solutions

Even after you set the background right, you're going to have some of the most common problems, and you're going to look at the most common ones and the ways that you can solve them.

Problem 1: The application closes immediately after the folding.

✅ Decision:

Check if the "Do Not Save Actions" mode is enabled in the developer settings.

Make sure that background activity and auto-start are allowed for the application.

- If the problem persists, try turning off optimization. MIUI for this application (in battery settings).

Problem 2: Notifications come with a delay (or not at all)

✅ Decision:

- Check if Mi Push Service is blocking notifications. → Notifications → Notification settings for apps and find this service.

- Turn off the adaptive battery in Google settings (if used): Settings → Google → Google account → Data and personalization → Adaptive battery.

Install the Notification History Log app from Google Play to track which notifications are blocked.

Problem 3: Fon processes load the battery even in standby mode

✅ Decision:

- Check the battery consumption statistics in Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery use. Find a voracious app and limit its background activity.

- If the system process is to blame (such as Android System or MiuiDaemon), try resetting your network settings (Settings). → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

- Install BetterBatteryStats (requires root or ADB) for detailed analysis of background processes.

⚠️ Warning: If after switching off the battery optimization, the smartphone began to overheat (temperature above 45)°C to idle, immediately return the settings back. Overheating can lead to battery degradation or even hardware damage to the processor.

Hidden chips: ADB-teams in full control

For advanced users who want to completely disable background optimization MIUI, There's a way through ADB-This is the only method that is guaranteed to work on all firmware (including Chinese), but requires a connection to a computer.

To take advantage of this method:

1. Install. ADB Fastboot Tools on PC (you can download from the official website of Android Developers).

2. Enable debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 taps) → For developers → Debugging by USB).

3. Connect the phone to the computer and execute the command:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

This team will unlock the hidden API, which MIUI Uses to control background processes.

You can then apply one of the following commands (depending on the task you need):

• 🔧 Disable optimization for a specific application: adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.package.name (replace com.package.name with the package name, for example, org.telegram.messenger for Telegram).
• 🚫 Turn off optimization completely MIUI (Not recommended!: adb shell settings put global power_saver_whitelist_all 1 Warning: This command can lead to unstable system operation.
• 🔄 Reset all battery limitations: Adb shell dumpsys battery reset

After you apply the commands, restart your smartphone. To check if the changes have worked, use the command:

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist

It will display a list of applications for which optimization is disabled.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-The system stability can be compromised by commands, especially if you apply them to system applications. before experimenting, do a backup of data via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

💡

ADB-Teams are the most powerful tool for managing background processes, but it requires caution. Use them only if standard settings do not help, and always check the result on a test application (for example, Notepad) before working with mission-critical programs.

Alternative solutions: third-party utilities and firmware

If standard methods fail, alternative approaches may be considered, and they may be suitable for those who are willing to take drastic measures to ensure that the background applications work smoothly.

1.Utilities for Background Process Management

Google Play has several apps that help you get around restrictions. MIUI:

Don’t Kill My App! shows you what settings to change for a particular app.

Greenify allows you to freeze unnecessary background processes, freeing up resources for important programs.

Battery Optimizer is an alternative battery manager with more flexible settings.

2. Custom firmware

The most radical solution is the installation of alternative firmware, where there is no aggressive optimization. MIUI. Popular options:

- Xiaomi.eu - modified version MIUI China-bound.

LineageOS is a pure Android with minimal improvements.

Pixel Experience is a firmware that simulates the behavior of Google Pixel smartphones.

Installation of custom firmware requires:

1. unlock the bootloader (bootloader).

Installations of custom recaveri (TWRP).

3. Create a full backup of the current system.

Detailed instructions for each model can be found on the forum XDA Developers or in telegram chats dedicated to Xiaomi.

3.Use of a second phone or tablet

If background apps are critical to the job (like you administer chats on Telegram or track orders on AliExpress), consider a second device.

An old Android Go smartphone (like the Redmi Go) that will only be used for background tasks.

Xiaomi Pad tablet with battery optimization disabled.

Smart watch Xiaomi Watch (for notifications from messengers).

This approach will allow you to divide the load and avoid conflicts between background processes on the main device.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions