How to completely disable the background mode on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 working ways

Background processes on Xiaomi Redmi 9 are one of the main reasons for the fast battery drain and slowdown of the smartphone. Even when you are not using the applications actively, they continue to consume resources: update data, send notifications, synchronize with servers. As a result, the battery goes down in a few hours, and the device begins to “brake” when multitasking. But in MIUI (branded shell Xiaomi) there are hidden settings that allow you to control this process.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven ways to turn off the background, from standard system tools to manual methods for power users, and learn how to force applications to close, limit their activity through battery settings, use power saving modes, and even edit system files (for advanced ones).

What is the background mode and why it should be turned off

Background mode is the state in which apps continue to work after they fold, for example, when you close WhatsApp, it doesn't land completely from memory, but stays dormant to quickly display new messages, the same thing happens with Instagram, Facebook, email clients and many other programs.

The problem is that Redmi 9 (especially with MIUI 12-14 firmware) by default allows most applications to run in the background without restrictions.

• 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge (up to 20-30% per night in standby mode).
• 🐢 Slowing down the interface due to overloaded RAM.
• 📱 Overheating of the device, especially when used actively.
• 📶 Increased traffic (background synchronization “eats” up to 1-2 GB per month).

However, completely disabling the background mode is not recommended for system applications (for example, “Phone” or “Messages”) – this can disrupt the operation of call notifications and SMS.

Method 1: Manually Closing Applications Through Multitasking Menu

The easiest method is to force unneeded programs to close through the standard menu of recent applications, which does not turn off the background completely, but temporarily frees up RAM.

Instructions:

1. Press the button. ☐ (square in the bottom navigation bar) or swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger.
2. A list of running applications will open before you.
3. Swipe your finger left/right on the app card to close it, or click on the cross (✕) top-corner.
4. To close, click Clear Everything (usually at the bottom of the screen).

⚠️ Note: This method does not guarantee that the application will not run again in the background, VK or TikTok) automatically restart when notifications are received. To avoid this, use the methods in the following sections.

Method 2: Limiting backgrounds through battery settings

MIUI allows you to flexibly adjust the power consumption for each application separately, a method that is more effective than manual closure, as it blocks background activity at the system level.

How to limit the background mode:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select Applications Selection (or Battery Optimization in new MIUI versions).
3. Click on the desired application (for example, Facebook or AliExpress).
4. In the Background Activity menu, select Limit or Disallow.
5. Save the changes.

After that, the application will not be able to update the data in the background, but will work normally when opened. Notifications may come with a delay (for example, in Telegram, new messages will only be displayed after the messenger is launched).

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If notifications stop coming after the background activity is limited, check the settings of the app itself. For example, on WhatsApp, go to Settings → Notifications and turn on the option to Show notifications.

Method 3: Use of energy saving mode

Redmi 9 has built-in power saving modes that automatically limit the background activity of all applications, which is handy if you want to extend battery life, but are not ready to manually adjust each application.

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select Battery Mode (or Energy Saving).
3. Activate one of the options: Balanced - moderate background restriction. Energy saving is a strong limitation, but notifications come. Super energy saving - blocks almost all background processes (suitable for critical cases).

⚠️ Warning: Super Energy Saving is Shut Down:

• Automatic synchronization of mail and contacts.
• Background updates for weather and widgets.
• Some push notifications (for example, from Viber or Skype)

Use it only when the battery is low.

Method 4: Disabling Auto-Run Applications

Many programs (especially Chinese ones like Mi Video or Mi Browser) are automatically triggered when you turn on your smartphone or connect to the Internet, one of the main reasons for the background processes to wake up. MIUI has a hidden setting that allows you to turn off auto-start.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Autostart.
3. In the list, mark the apps you want to disable from auto-run (e.g. Mi Music, Google Play Services).
4. Save the changes.

After that, the selected programs won’t run on their own, but you can open them manually.This method is especially useful for Xiaomi system applications that can’t be removed, but can be limited.

Examples of applications that are safe to disable:

• 🎵 Mi Music (unless you use a standard player).
• 🌐 Mi Browser (if you use Chrome or other browser).
• 📺 Mi Video (if you watch videos in other apps).
• 📊 Cleaner (built-in cleaning utility that often works in the background).

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Disabling autorun does not remove applications, it only prevents them from automatically running. It is safe for the system and does not require root rights.

Method 5: Advanced Methods (for Power Users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use more radical methods, they require unlocking the bootloader or the rights of the superuser (root), so they are only suitable for advanced users, and improper actions can lead to a loss of warranty or inoperability of the device.

Options:

1. Disconnection via ADB: With the adb shell dumpsys deviceidle force-idle command, you can force the device to power-saving mode, which will limit the background activity of all applications. Detailed instruction: adb shell dumpsys deviceidle force-idle dumpsys deviceidle unforce To return everything back, use the dumpsys deviceidle unforce command.
2. Editing the build.prop file: Adding a line ro.config.low_ram=True will make the system more aggressively close the background.
3. Xposed Framework: Modules like Greenify or Amplify allow you to flexibly manage background activity, but only work on rooted devices.

⚠️ Attention: Before use ADB or root, make a complete backup of the data. Incorrect commands can lead to:

• Load looping (bootloop).
• IMEI loss (on some Redmi models)
• Blocking the Mi Account.

If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to refer to the standard methods from the previous sections.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you turn off the background, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

1. Notifications have stopped coming

If you stop receiving messages on WhatsApp or VK after limiting background activity, check:

• 🔔 Notification settings in the application itself (Notifications section).
• 📵 Permissions for application in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 🔄 Energy Savings – Perhaps too aggressive.

2. the applications themselves are included in the background

Some programs (such as Facebook or TikTok) ignore the limitations of MIUI.

• 🔧 Use Greenify (even without root, it partially blocks background activity).
• 🚫 Remove the application and use its web version in the browser.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version – improved background optimization in new firmware.

3.Deteriorated productivity

If the smartphone is "braking" after the background processes are turned off, then you have blocked critical system services.

• 📱 System interface MIUI.
• 🔄 Google Play Services (responsible for notifications and synchronization).
• 📞 Telephone and Messages.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions