Xiaomi Redmi 9 with the shell MIUI is known for its aggressive optimization of background processes, which often leads to spontaneous closure of applications, notification delays and problems with multitasking. This feature saves battery power, but makes the smartphone less convenient for active users of instant messengers, navigators or fitness trackers.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to disable MIUI optimization, from standard settings to hidden developer commands. You’ll learn how to keep background services running without root and custom firmware, and what risks these or those actions carry. The instructions are relevant for Redmi 9 (models M2003J15SC/M2003J15SS) on MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-12.
Why is MIUI so aggressively optimizing apps?
Xiaomi’s MIUI shell was originally designed to take into account the weak hardware of budget smartphones. On the Redmi 9 with a Helio G80 processor and 3-4 GB of RAM, the system forcibly closes background tasks to:
- 🔋 Extend battery life (especially relevant with a battery of 5020 mAh).
- ⚡ Prevent “suspend” interface due to lack of RAM.
- 📉 Reduce the heating of the chipset with a long load.
- 🤖 Comply with Google’s energy efficiency policy (limitations for Android 9)+).
However, for users who actively use:
- 💬 Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber),
- 📍 Navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps),
- 🏃♂️ Fitness trackers (Strava, Nike Run Club),
- 🎵 Music players (Spotify, YouTube Music),
This optimization becomes a real problem, because applications stop sending notifications, lose connection to servers, or even go out of memory.
Method 1: Disabling optimization for individual applications
The safest method is to set exceptions for critical programs, which requires no superuser rights and works on any version of MIUI.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the application you want (such as Telegram).
- Go to Start (or Battery in new versions of MIUI).
- Activate options: 🔄 Auto-start (allows start-up at system start-up), 📱 Secondary launch (allows you to work in the background), 🔋 No restrictions (disable battery optimization).
For Android 12+, additionally:
- Return to the main menu of the app settings.
- Select Special Permits → Optimizing the battery.
- Set the application status Not Optimize.
Select the application in "Application Management"|Insert "Steering"|Insert "Secondary launch"|Disable battery optimization|Check notification permissions-->
Limitation: This method only works for selected applications, and Google Play Services (MIUI Daemon) will continue to be optimized.
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If after setting up the application still closes, try to further disable the power saving mode in Settings → Battery → Battery mode.
Method 2: Using the Developer Mode
Hidden settings for developers allow global optimization to weaken, but require caution – wrong actions can lead to increased battery consumption or overheating.
How to turn on the developer mode:
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- 7 times click on the MIUI version (you will be notified "You became a developer").
- Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
Key parameters to disable optimization:
| Setting up | Recommended value | The effect |
|---|---|---|
| Inactive applications | No restrictions. | Applications are not closed when folded |
| Limitation of background processes | Maximum 4 of the process | Increases multitasking |
| Optimization of MIUI | Disconnected. | System optimization is completely disabled |
| Animation of windows / Animation of transitions | Disabled (0x) | Speeds up the interface |
⚠️ Attention: Disabling the Optimization parameter MIUI This method can increase battery consumption by 15-25% and overheat when under heavy load.
Method 3: ADB commands for deep tuning
If standard methods do not work, you can use them. ADB-This requires connecting your smartphone to your PC, but allows you to disable system-level optimization.
Step-by-step:
- Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
- Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings → For developers).
- Connect Redmi 9 to your PC and confirm debugging permission.
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
- Follow the commands in turn:
- Battery Guru (Root) allows you to manually configure Doze and App Standby for each application, monitors the activity of background processes in real time.
For Nova Launcher, it is useful to include:
- 📌 Save applications in memory (Settings) → Memory),
- 🔄 Disable launcher optimization in battery settings,
- 🎯 Use Gestures to quickly switch between the latest apps.
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The launchers do not cancel the system optimization of MIUI, but they allow you to bypass its limitations due to more flexible multitasking and gesture management.
What do you do if nothing helps?
If you’ve tried all the methods, but Redmi 9 is still aggressively shutting down apps, consider the following options:
- Updating MIUI to the latest version In newer versions (e.g. MIUI 14 based on Android 13), optimization has become less aggressive. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
- Firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS lacks MIUI optimization, but requires unlocking the bootloader and may deprive you of some features (for example, IR Blaster or Game Turbo).
- If Redmi 9 is only for calls and social networks, and critical applications (for example, the navigator) are unstable, consider buying a budget smartphone on a “pure” Android (for example, Motorola Moto G or Nokia XR20).
If you are considering custom firmware, look for GSI (Generic System Image) support for the Helio G80:
- 📱 Pixel Experience for Redmi 9,
- 🔄 LineageOS 20.