How to turn off the background in Xiaomi: the complete guide to MIUI 12-15

The background mode in Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most controversial features of MIUI. On the one hand, it allows applications to update content in real time (for example, messengers or mail), and on the other hand, it becomes the main reason for the rapid battery drain and slowdown of the device. Many users do not even suspect that their phone spends up to 30% of its charge a day just for the background activity of unnecessary applications.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to disable the background, from full locking for all applications to fine-tuning for individual services. You’ll learn how to do this on different versions of MIUI (12 to 15), which applications can be safely restricted and which ones are better left in the background. We’ll also analyze hidden settings that Xiaomi doesn’t advertise, but which significantly affect autonomy.

Importantly, the procedure is different for Chinese (China ROM) and global (Global ROM) firmware — we'll give you all the nuances. If you're using POCO or Redmi based on MIUI, the instruction will also work.

Why is Xiaomi’s background mode eating away at the battery?

Background activity is not just "hidden mode"; it actually involves several processes that simultaneously load the processor, RAM and communication module:

• 🔄 Data synchronization: Apps are constantly sharing data with servers (e.g. WhatsApp checks for new messages every 5 minutes).
• 📡 Push notifications: Even if you have disabled notifications in the app settings, the system can receive them in the background".
• 🖥️ Content caching: Social media (TikTok, Instagram) upload videos and pictures in advance to speed up opening.
• 🔋 Geolocation services: maps, taxis, fitness trackers update location even when you’re not using them.

According to XDA Developers tests, the average Xiaomi smartphone with MIUI 14 spends on background activity:

The background is particularly strong for budget models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5), where the battery is smaller and optimization is worse. For example, tests show that Redmi 10A with background activity turned off lasts 18-22 hours longer with the same use.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (Mi Security, Mi Cloud) cannot be completely disabled without root rights. their background activity can reach 15% of total battery consumption.

How to completely disable the background mode for all applications

If you want to extend your battery life as much as possible (e.g., on a trip), you can globally turn off background activity for all applications.This method is suitable for MIUI 12-15, but has limitations:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management
2. Select Battery Mode Select (or Power Saving Mode in older versions).
3. Activate Super Energy Saving or Ultra Energy Saving (name depends on model).
4. Confirm action – the system will automatically limit background activity for all applications except system ones.

This method has a number of side effects:

• ⏳ Apps will only update data when opened (e.g., Telegram won’t show new messages until you open it).
• 🔔 Push notifications from most services will stop coming.
• 📍 The geolocation will only work manually (e.g. Google Maps will not automatically update the route).

Make a backup of important chats (WhatsApp, Telegram)

Check that you have access to SMS/calls (some messengers block them)

Disable two-factor authentication through apps (use SMS)

Save important routes in offline maps-->

If you need to leave background activity for individual applications (such as instant messengers), use the selective shutdown, which is described in the next section.

Never turn it off.

Shut it off for the night.

I only use it when I'm traveling.

I keep it off all the time.-->

Selectively disabling background mode for individual applications

A more flexible way is to customize background activity for each application individually, allowing you to save notifications from messengers, but limit the “voracious” social networks or games.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the appropriate app (such as Instagram).
3. Press Permissions. → Background activity.
4. Turn off the switch to Allow background activity.
5. (Optional) In the same menu, turn off Auto Launch and Push notifications if you don't need them.

For MIUI 12/13, the path is a bit different.

1. Settings → Battery and performance → Battery management.
2. Choose App Choices (or Battery Optimization).
3. Find the app in the list and set it to Restricted mode.

Examples of applications that can be safely restricted:

• 🎮 Games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact – They don’t need background activity if you’re not playing.
• 📺 Video services (YouTube, TikTok) cache content even when you’re not watching.
• 🛒 Shops (AliExpress, Wildberries) – Update prices and discount notices.

⚠️ Note: Do not turn off background activity for: 📱 Mi Security (responsible for system security), 🔔 Google Play Services (required for many applications), 📞 Phone and Messages (can be blocked) SMS-message).

💡

If after turning off the background mode, the application stopped working correctly, try not to turn it off completely, but to limit it through Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → Applications → Moderate limitation.

Hidden MIUI settings for advanced optimization

Xiaomi hides some of the settings that allow you to reduce background activity even further, which are not officially dokumented, but work on most devices.

Method 1: Disabling Auto-Run System Applications

Many system services (Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser) are automatically launched and run in the background, even if you are not using them.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find Limit Background Processes and set a value for No Background Processes or Maximum 1 Process.

Method 2: Disabling Mi Account Synchronization

Mi Account constantly syncs data (notes, contacts, photos) even when you don't ask for it.

1. Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Account.
2. Disable all switches in the Data Sync section.
3. (Optional) Delete your Mi Account if you are not using Xiaomi services.

Method 3: Blocking Internet access for background applications

If an app can't access the Internet in the background, it can't update the data.

1. Settings → Connections and Sharing → Data Use.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook).
3. Turn off Background data and Unlimited data.

How to turn off background mode via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods do not help, you can use them. ADB-This is a way of connecting to a computer, but it gives you complete control over the background.

Step 1: Preparation

• 🖥️ Install. ADB Fastboot Tools on the computer.
• 📱 Put the debugging on. USB on the phone: Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.

Step 2: Commands to disable background

Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell cmd appops set < application package > RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND deny

Examples of popular application packages:

• 📱 Facebook: com.facebook.katana
• 📷 Instagram: com.instagram.android
• 🎵 Spotify: com.spotify.music
• 🗺️ Google Maps: com.google.android.apps.maps

To return the background activity, replace deny with allow.

Step 3: Checking the Results

Make sure the changes are applied:

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle force-idle

This command forcibly puts the device into low power mode.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not turn off background activity for system applications (com.miui.securitycenter, com.android.systemui).

💡

ADB-The method allows you to turn off background activity even for those applications that do not allow it to do so through standard settings. MIUI. However, after resetting the phone or updating the firmware settings will reset.

What if the background mode itself is turned on?

Many users find that after a reboot or MIUI update, background activity is turned on again, which is due to the operation of the MIUI system optimizer, which resets the settings “to improve performance”.

Solutions:

1. Turn off Automatic Optimization: Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Optimization. Turn off the switch Automatic Optimization.
2. Add the app to exceptions: In the same optimization menu, select Exclusions. Add applications for which you want to save the restrictions.

Use Tasker or MacroDroid

• Create a task that will automatically turn off background activity after the reboot.
• MacroDroid macro example: Trigger: Device boot → Action: Turn off background activity for selected applications.

How does the background mode affect Xiaomi’s performance?

Turning off background activity not only saves battery life, but also increases the speed of the device, especially on smartphones with 4 GB of RAM or less (Redmi 9A, POCO M3).

Advantages of disconnection:

• ⚡ Quick application launch: without background processes, the system allocates more resources to active tasks.
• 🔄 Less lag: Delays disappear when switching between applications.
• 📈 Increased free RAM: Redmi Note 11 tests freed up to 1.2 GB of memory after switching off background processes.
• 🔋 Less heating: processor less likely to run at high frequencies.

Disadvantages:

• ⏳ Notification delays: messages in messengers may arrive late.
• 🔄 Manual update of data: you will have to manually update the feed in social networks.
• 📍 Geolocation problems: maps and navigators will work less accurately.