How to completely disable the background on Xiaomi Redmi 7: 5 working ways

Xiaomi Redmi 7 is one of the brand’s most popular budget smartphones, but its performance can decline over time due to active background processes. Many users are faced with the fact that applications continue to work in hidden mode, using battery power and RAM. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn off the background mode, from standard MIUI settings to advanced methods using ADB and third-party tools.

It’s important to understand that the background is not always harmful: some system processes are necessary for the smartphone to work properly. However, excessive activity of applications (especially social networks, messengers and games) can lead to overheating, rapid discharge and slowdowns.

The instructions in this article are relevant for Redmi 7 based on MIUI 10-14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions).If your smartphone runs on an older version of the software, some menu items may differ, we will warn you about this separately.

1. Disabling background activity through MIUI settings

The easiest way to limit background processes is to use built-in optimization tools. MIUI offers multiple levels of control, but they're hidden in different menu sections. Let's start with the basic settings.

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Here you will see a list of all installed programs. Select the desired application (for example, Facebook or Instagram) and tap it. In the menu that opens, find Battery or Charge Consumption (depending on the version of MIUI), Here you can choose from three modes:

• 🔋 No restrictions – the application works in the background without restrictions (maximum battery consumption).
• ⚡ Optimized – background activity is limited but notifications are coming (recommended option).
• 🚫 Restricted – the app doesn’t work in the background, notifications don’t come.

For most applications, optimised mode is enough, but some programs (such as messengers) may stop showing notifications, in which case you will have to find a balance or use alternative methods.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling background activity for system applications (such as Mi Cloud or Security) can cause smartphone malfunctions (🔧) needlessly.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make a backup copy of important data

Close all active applications through recent tasks

Turn off autosynchronization in Settings → Accounts.-->

2.Use of the function "MIUI Optimized" (hidden menu)

MIUI firmware has a hidden MIUI Optimized feature that allows you to manage background processes more flexibly, but it is closed by default, and you need to follow several steps to activate it:

Open the phone application and enter the combination:

##4636##

Then the Test menu will open. Go to the Battery Information tab and find the MIUI Optimized bar. Tape it a few times until the feature unlock notification appears.

Now go back to the basic settings and open Settings → Additional → Special features → MIUI Optimized.

• 📱 Disable background activity for individual applications.
• 🔄 Set up automatic memory cleaning when locking the screen.
• ⚡ Prioritize critical processes (e.g. calls).

This method is more effective than standard settings, but requires caution. Mistakeful changes to MIUI Optimized can lead to a cyclical reboot of the smartphone. If after the changes, Redmi 7 began to work unstable, reset this section to factory.

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If the #4636### menu does not open after entering the code, check if the antivirus or the Fraud Protection function in the security settings does not block it.

3. Disable Auto-Run Applications

Many apps run automatically when you turn on your smartphone or connect to the Internet, and that's one of the main reasons for the increased battery consumption. MIUI has a built-in tool for controlling auto-start, but it's hidden deep in the settings.

To disable autostart, follow the following steps:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want to disable from auto-run (such as TikTok or AliExpress).
3. Slip on Autostart and turn off the switch.
4. Repeat the action for all unnecessary programs.

You can also turn off auto-start en masse for all applications through the Settings menu → Battery and Performance → Auto-Run Management. This shows a list of programs that run automatically. Just uncheck the boxes against the unnecessary ones.

Social media|Messengers|Games|System utilities|Others-->

4.Using ADB to Deeply Disable Background Processes

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for advanced Android configuration, which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but allows you to turn off background activity at the system level.

First, we need to:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi 7: go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Activate Debugging by USB in the Settings menu → Additional → For developers.
3. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer (for example, the official package from Google).
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).

Now open the command prompt (or PowerShell in Windows) and execute the following commands:

adb devices

(This command checks the device’s connection. If Redmi 7 doesn’t show up, make sure the drivers are installed correctly.)

adb shell

cmd appops set < application package > RUN_IN_BACKGROUND deny

Instead of <app package>, specify the program ID. For example, for Facebook, it's com.facebook.katana. To find out the application package, use the command:

pm list packages | grep 'facebook'

Once you've done this, the app you've chosen won't be able to work in the background, so to get it back, replace deny with allow.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not disable background processes for system applications (e.g. com.miui.home or com.android.phone) unless you are sure of the consequences.

5. Third-party utilities for background processes management

If you don't want to mess around with manual settings, you can use specialized applications that offer a user-friendly interface for managing background processes, autostarting and battery optimization.

• 🛡️ Greenify - allows you to "freeze" applications in the background without root rights. MIUI, but requires adjustment through ADB fully functional.
• ⚡ AccuBattery — analyzes battery consumption and shows which applications are most active in the background. There is a charging limitation feature to extend the battery life.
• 🔧 Battery Guru – monitors background activity and offers optimization of settings for saving charge. Supports Xiaomi Redmi 7 without additional manipulation.
• 📊 Servicely is an advanced tool for disabling unnecessary services, requiring root rights, but giving maximum control.

When using third-party utilities, take into account several nuances:

— Some applications (such as Greenify) require activation through the ADB not even-root-The instructions are usually attached to the program description.

MIUI can block battery optimizers, in which case add them to the security setting exception list (Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun).

After installing the utility, check if it conflicts with the built-in MIUI optimization functions. Sometimes double optimization leads to the opposite effect - an increase in battery consumption.

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Third-party utilities are convenient, but do not replace system settings. For maximum effect, combine them with manual optimization through MIUI Optimized.

6 Manual process control through the developer menu

There are additional tools hidden in the Developer Menu to control background processes. To activate them, first turn on the Developer Mode as described in the ADB section. Then go to Settings → Additional → Developer Tools and pay attention to the following points:

• 🔄 Background process limitation – allows you to set the maximum number of simultaneous applications (recommended value: 2-3).
• 📱 Do not save actions – when this parameter is activated, all applications will be forcibly closed upon exit (suitable for extreme cases).
• ⚡ Optimization MIUI — You can also turn off some system animations that consume resources.
• 🚫 Disable automatic app updates – prevents background activity of Google Play and Mi App Store.

The default MIUI set this value to the Standard Limit, which allows 4-5 applications to run simultaneously, and if you reduce this number to 2, the smartphone will consume less memory and battery, but some programs can open longer.

Another useful parameter is Do Not Save Actions, which when activated, all apps will close when you press Home or lock the screen. This is a radical method, but it is guaranteed to stop all background activity, and in this case, notifications from messengers and social networks will only come when you manually open the applications.

7. Verification of results and monitoring of battery consumption

After the changes are made, it is important to assess how they affected the smartphone, and use built-in and third-party monitoring tools to do this.

First, check Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Use. This shows the charge graph and list of the most voracious applications. If the background processes still consume a lot of energy after optimization, then some settings have been missed or misused.

Also pay attention to the following indicators:

• 📉 Battery life – if the smartphone began to hold the charge for 10-15% longer, the optimization was successful.
• ⚡ Processor temperature – when the background activity of Redmi 7 should be reduced, it should warm less.
• 🔄 Application Opening Speed – If programs are running faster, RAM is free.

For more detailed analysis, use AccuBattery or GSam Battery Monitor, which shows:

Exact screen time and downtime.

Charge consumption in standby mode (should be reduced to 0.5-1% per hour).

The activity of each application in the background (including hidden processes).

If after all the manipulations, the battery consumption remains high, the problem may lie in the hardware: a worn-out battery or a faulty communication module, in which case you should contact the service center.

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The optimal battery consumption in standby mode for the Redmi 7 is 0.5-1% per hour. If the rate is higher, the background processes are still active.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off background