Background mode on Xiaomi: how to enable and configure for applications (MIUI 12-14)

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones are known for aggressive battery optimization, which often blocks applications from running in the background, leading to missed notifications, download breaks and messaging problems. In this article, we’ll discuss how to properly set up the background on Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi devices (relevant to MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS).

It’s important to understand that the background mode is not a single setup, but a combination of autostart options, battery optimization, and permissions for individual applications. We’ll look at all the ways, including hidden developer menus, that will help even in cases where standard methods don’t work.

If you still have questions after reading, check the FAQ at the end of the article, which breaks down typical issues (for example, why WhatsApp is not receiving messages or how to disable optimization for Google Play Services).

What is the background mode and why it is blocked on Xiaomi

Background mode allows applications to perform tasks when they are folded or the screen is off, such as:

• 📥 Upload files to Telegram or Chrome after the application is closed
• 🔔 Receiving push notifications from VK, Instagram or banking apps
• 🎵 Playing music in Spotify or Yandex Music with a locked screen
• 📍 Location tracking in Google Maps or Yandex Navigator

MIUI actively restricts background activity to extend battery life. It's part of MIUI Optimization, which:

• 🔋 Suspends applications 3-5 minutes after folding
• ⚡ Blocks the auto-start of applications after restarting
• 🚫 Limits Internet access in the background for “energy-intensive” applications

The problem is that MIUI often misclassifies useful services (such as messengers or fitness trackers) as “unnecessary,” resulting in users experiencing:

• 🕒 Delayed notifications (sometimes up to several hours)
• 🔄 Interrupted file downloads
• 📵 Loss of connection in VoIP calls (WhatsApp Calls, Zoom)

Method 1: Setup Auto-Run Applications

The first step is to allow apps to automatically start when you turn on your smartphone, without which they will not be able to work in the background after the reboot.

Instructions for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select AutoRun
3. Find the desired application in the list and turn on the switch

On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) the path may be different:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management → Applications Selection → AutoRun

Note that MIUI has autoruns disabled by default for most applications except system ones, and if you don't find the right app on the list, it didn't ask for that permission when it was installed.

Is autorun for instant messengers enabled (WhatsApp, Telegram)

Auto-run for navigation applications (Google Maps, Yandex Navigator)

Are fitness tracking apps checked (Strava, Google Fit)

Autorun for cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox)

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Method 2: Disabling Battery Optimization for Individual Applications

Even if auto-run is enabled, MIUI can pause applications after a few minutes, and to avoid this, you need to turn off battery optimization for them.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management
2. Select App Choices (or Battery Optimization on some models)
3. Find the app in the list and select Without Limits

For Android 12+ (including HyperOS), the path may be different:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select App] → Battery → Without Limitations

Important: Don't turn off optimization for all applications, it will significantly reduce battery life.

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If the No Limits option is not on the list, try to enable auto-run for that application first (Method 1), then go back to the battery optimization menu - the option should appear.

Method 3: Configure permissions to work in the background (MIUI 14 / HyperOS)

The new versions of MIUI have a separate menu for controlling background activity, which is hidden deep in the settings, but allows you to more accurately control the behavior of applications.

Path to settings:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select App] → Permissions → Additional → Working in the background

In this menu you will see three options:

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro with HyperOS), this menu may be called “Background Activity” and may be located in the “Special Access” section.

Method 4: Using Developer Mode for Deep Customization

If standard methods don't work, you can use the developer menu to disable aggressive MIUI optimization globally.

First, activate the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (or HyperOS build number)
3. Enter your password/pattern lock if required.

Now open the additional settings:

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Find and enable the following options:

• 🔄 Do not disable background processes (or background processes limit) → Standard limit)
• 📶 Always active mobile traffic (if you use mobile Internet)
• 🔋 Turn off optimization MIUI (firmware)

Note: on POCO and some Redmi models, the option to disable MIUI optimization may not be available, in which case use an alternative method via ADB (described in the next section).

Method 5: ADB-commands to force optimisation to disable

If the developer menu doesn't provide the right options, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for deep customization, which works on all versions of MIUI, including HyperOS.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)

Steps to disable optimization:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and allow debugging over USB
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) in the adb folder
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Execute the command to disable battery optimization: adb shell dumpsys deviceidle force-idle
5. To disable background restrictions: adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

After you execute the commands, restart your smartphone. These settings will reset after the MIUI update, so you will have to repeat the procedure.

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ADB-Teams are the most powerful way to disable restrictions MIUI, But it requires technical skills and can cause the system to run in an unstable way.

Method 6: Alternative solutions for specific applications

Some applications have their own settings for working in the background, which do not depend on the system parameters of MIUI.

Examples for popular services:

• 📱 Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media → Insert "Use" 2G/3G/4G" + Settings → Notifications → Insert "Show notifications"
• 💬 WhatsApp: ⚙️ → Warehouse → Autoboot media → Enable for mobile data and Wi-Fi
• 🎵 Spotify: Settings → Reproduction → Auto-reproduction → Turn it on. + Settings → Data data → Autoplay through the mobile network
• 🗺️ Google Maps: Settings → Navigation → Sound and notification settings → Insert “Traffic notifications"

For Yandex.Maps and 2GIS, check:

• 📍 Permission to Permanent Location (in the application settings)
• 🔄 Option Work in the background in the "Battery" section of the application settings

If the app is closed anyway, try using the web version in your browser (like Telegram Web or WhatsApp Web). Browsers usually have fewer restrictions on background work.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after all the settings, some users are having problems, and here are the most common cases and solutions.

Problem 1: Notifications come with a delay of 1-2 hours.

⚠️ Attention: This issue is often associated with Google Play Services, check if it is auto-starting and battery optimization turned off, and make sure that sync is enabled in your Google account settings (Settings). → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account).

Problem 2: Apps close immediately after the screen is locked.

• Check if the charge saving or ultramode mode is enabled in the battery settings.
• Open Settings → Display → Sleep mode and set the value Never (temporary test solution).
• Make sure that the application settings allow access to Overlay (for some messengers this is critical).

Problem 3: File downloads in the background are not working.

⚠️ Note: For downloads via mobile network, check if the option to limit background traffic is enabled in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Background restriction: Some operators (e.g. MTS or Beeline) block background traffic on Internet-limited fares.

Problem 4: The navigator (Google Maps, Yandex Navigator) shuts down after 5-10 minutes.

• Turn on In-Car Mode in the Navigator settings (this often resets the background activity timer).
• Connect your smartphone to charging – many navigators work in the background only when connected power.
• Check if Traffic Optimization is included in your mobile network settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions