Background mode on Xiaomi: how to configure so that applications do not close

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi or Redmi apps are constantly closing in the background? Messengers stop coming notifications, music is interrupted when you lock the screen, and games are reset when you switch to another chat? This is not a bug, but a feature of the work of optimizing power consumption in the shell of MIUI. The manufacturer aggressively saves battery power by sacrificing the background work of the applications - but this setting can be bypassed.

In this article, we will analyze all ways to enable the background mode on Xiaomi smartphones, POCO And Redmi, from basic menu settings to hidden developer settings, learn how to make apps work in a rootless background, and what restrictions are in new versions. MIUI 14/15, And why, even after all the manipulations, some programs can still shut down. 11 Redmi Note 13, including budget and flagship devices.

What is the background mode and why Xiaomi blocks it

Background mode is a state in which an application continues to perform tasks after being folded: downloading files, playing music, updating data or waiting for notifications. However, MIUI by default limits this activity through an automatic optimization mechanism that:

• 🔋 Saves battery power – closes down unused processes to reduce energy consumption.
• ⚡ Accelerates the system – frees up RAM for active tasks.
• 🛡️ Extends battery life – reduces battery load by limiting background processes.

The problem is that MIUI doesn't distinguish between "important" and "non-important" applications, such as shutting down Telegram 5 minutes after you're waiting for a message, or interrupting the download of a file to IDM+. Optimization works particularly aggressively on budget models (Redmi 10A, POCO M5) and smartphones with a battery of up to 4000 mAh.

⚠️ Attention: Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi tightened restrictions on third-party apps.Even after manually configuring some programs (e.g, VK Music or Yandex.Navigator can close in 10-15 minutes, due to Google’s energy saving policy in Android 11.+.

Method 1: Setup autostart and background activity

The easiest way is to add an app to the optimization exception list.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as WhatsApp or Spotify).
3. Go to the Permissions section → Autostart and switch on the switch.
4. Go back and tap Background Activity (or No Limits on newer versions of MIUI).
5. Choose the option No Limits or High Activity.

These settings allow the application to:

• 🔄 Automatically start when restarting the smartphone.
• 📱 Working in the background after locking the screen.
• 🔔 Get push notifications without delay.

Autorun enabled |Background activity without restrictions |Notifications permitted |Battery optimization disabled for application-->

On some models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi K60) the background activity may not be present.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization.
2. Find the app in the list and select No Limits.

Method 2: Turning off battery optimization manually

MIUI has a hidden High Performance mode that disables most restrictions for selected applications.

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Mode
2. Choose High Performance (some models call this item Performance).
3. In the list of apps, mark those you want to disable optimization for (e.g. Google Maps or 2GIS).

This mode completely removes background restrictions for selected programs, but can reduce battery life by 10-15%.

⚠️ Attention: POCO F5 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ High performance mode can be hidden. To unlock it, go to Settings → About the phone and 5 times tap on the version MIUI. The item will then appear in the battery menu.

Method 3: Developer settings for advanced users

If the standard settings don't help, you can use hidden Android settings.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
2. Go back to the Settings → Additional → Developer settings.
3. Find and enable: Do not limit background processes (limit to 4 processes) Leave background processes (set the Standard Limit value) MIUI Optimization → disable for selected applications

On MIUI 14/15, some items may be called differently:

• 🔧 Limit of background processes → Set a standard limit or no restrictions.
• 🔄 Don't keep up → shut off for messengers.
• 📱 Forced stopping MSA → Don’t touch it, it’s a Xiaomi system service.

For Android 13 (Xiaomi 13T, POCO X5 Pro) models, add a command via ADB (PC required):

adb shell cmd appops set < application package > RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND allow

Replace the <app package> with a program identifier (e.g. com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).

Xiaomi 13/14 series|Redmi Note 12/13|POCO F/X series|Budget model (Redmi) 10/9)|other-->

Method 4: Use of third-party utilities (without root)

If manual settings don’t help, try specialized apps:

• 🛠️ AutoStart - manages autorun and background permissions for all installed programs. MIUI 12–15.
• 🔋 Battery Optimizer – disables battery optimization for selected applications (requires) ADB).
• 📱 MIUI Optimization Disabler – Disables system restrictions MIUI (It does not work on all models).

Example of AutoStart:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Grant permission for Special Access (in the security settings).
3. Select the apps you want to enable auto-start and background work for.
4. Press Apply and restart your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Greenify or Brevent require root rights to work properly. MIUI. Without them, they can only show what processes are shutting down, but they can’t prevent it from happening.

Why apps are still shutting down: hidden reasons

Even after all the settings, some programs may interrupt in the background, and here are the real reasons that are rarely talked about:

• 🔒 Google Play Services Limitations: Starting with Android 12, Google is blocking background activity for apps using legacy apps API. It's about VK, OK and some banking applications.
• 📴 Regional settings: On smartphones for the Chinese market (CN-version MIUI) background restrictions are tighter. Check the region in Settings → Additionally. → Region.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: After major updates (for example, with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) App permissions are reset. Check settings after the update!

How to check what exactly is blocking your app:

1. Install ADB AppControl with GitHub.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist
3. If your app is not listed, add it: adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +<package>

💡

If you have a POCO F4 GT or Black Shark, use Shark Space’s proprietary software, which allows you to create “game profiles” with optimisation disabled for selected applications, including instant messengers.

FAQ: Frequent background questions on Xiaomi

💡

The most reliable way is to combine autostart, disable battery optimization, and high performance. ADB-commands or third-party utilities like AutoStart.