How to set up background activity control on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Why manage background processes on Xiaomi?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their multitasking, but excessive background activity can lead to fast battery drain, device overheating, and even interface slowdowns, a problem that is especially relevant for the low-end Redmi and POCO series models, where hardware resources are limited.

In the background, apps keep updating data, sending notifications, syncing with servers — all of which consumes charge, traffic and CPU time. For example, instant messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram can consume up to 15-20% of the charge per day only for background activity if not configured correctly. In this article, we will discuss how to take control of background processes on any Xiaomi smartphone, from flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra to older models on MIUI 10.

Where to find background activity settings in MIUI

Depending on the firmware version, the path to settings may vary slightly, but the general logic remains, with the basic background management tools hidden in three key sections:

• 🔧 Auto-Run Applications – determines which programs can be launched automatically when the phone is turned on or after restarting. → Annexes → Application management → Auto-start.
• 📱 Background activity - regulates which applications can run in the background. → Battery and productivity → Battery management → Selection of applications (or Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto Start and Background Activity in New Versions).
• ⚡ Battery optimization - allows you to manually exclude applications from power saving mode. → Battery and productivity → Optimizing the battery.

On models with MIUI 14 (e.g. Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the interface is simplified: some of the functions are moved to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Permissions → Special permissions. If you do not find the right item, search by settings (the magnifying icon in the upper right corner).

Disabling Auto-Run Unnecessary Applications

Auto-run is one of the main reasons why background processes consume resources without your knowledge. Many applications (especially Chinese services like Mi Video, Mi Browser or GetApps) automatically start when you turn on your phone and hang in memory.

To disable autostart:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Autorun.
2. Tap the application you want to disable from auto-starting (such as Facebook or AliExpress).
3. Transfer the "Stop" slider to the off position.
4. Repeat for all unnecessary programs, pay special attention to games, social networks and app stores.

Important: Do not disable auto-start for system services (e.g. com.android.phone or com.miui.securitycenter), otherwise you may have problems with calls or notifications, and it is not recommended to limit messengers if you want to receive messages on time.

Call of Duty, PUBG, Genshin Impact

Social networks (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook)

App Stores (GetApps, App Gallery)

Fitness trackers (Mi Fit, Google Fit, if not used constantly)

Chinese services (Mi Video, Mi Browser, Cleaner)-->

Limiting background activity to save battery

Even if an application doesn't start automatically, it can continue to run in the background, updating data and expending charge. There are two ways to control this in MIUI:

1. Manual limitation: Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management → Application selection. Select an app (like YouTube or Chrome).

Global optimization

• Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization.
• Activate the Adaptive Battery mode (in newer versions) or Optimization mode (in older versions).
• Manually add only critical applications (messengers, banking programs) to the exceptions.

In the models with MIUI 13/14 Some of these functions may be hidden, and to unlock them, you'll need to use them. ADB-For example, to disable background activity for all applications except system, run in the terminal:

adb shell cmd appops set <package_name> RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND deny

Replace. <package_name> to the application ID (e.g. com.facebook.katana for Facebook).

Table: Which applications can be safely restricted

Not all programs are equally useful in the background, and below is a list of application categories and recommendations for setting them up:

For apps you rarely use (like AliExpress or Wildberries), it makes sense not only to limit background activity, but also to disable them from geolocation and auto-update access in Google Play settings.

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Limiting background activity for games and social networks can increase the battery life of a smartphone by 20-30% without losing critical functionality.

What to do if notifications stop coming after restrictions

A common problem with setting up background activity is that push notifications disappear, because MIUI aggressively optimizes applications in the background.

1. Add the app to the battery optimization exceptions: Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization. Select "All Apps" from the drop-down menu. Find the right app (like Viber) and tap "Do Not Optimize."

Enable auto-run for critical applications

Check the notification settings in the app itself

Use alternative methods to receive notifications

• For Telegram, turn on “No Sound” in the channel settings – this will make the application check for updates more often.
• For WhatsApp, activate the “Priority Notifications” option in the chat settings.

If notifications don’t come even after these actions, try clearing the app’s cache (in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Storage) or reinstall it. On some models (for example, POCO F4 GT) it helps to disable the Adaptive Battery feature in the developer settings.

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For stable operation of notifications in messengers, add them to Secure applications (Settings → Battery → Secure applications) This will prevent forced closure by the system.

How to Check Which Apps Consume the Most Resources

Before you limit background activity, it's helpful to know which programs are the main eaters of the battery and the processor, and MIUI has built-in tools for this:

1. Battery Monitor: Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Use. Slip on a graph and select a period (e.g., "Last 24 hours"). See which applications consume the most charge. Pay attention to programs marked "Background".
2. Task Manager: Click on the "Recent Applications" button (square at the bottom of the screen). Swipe up to open the Advanced Manager. Here you will see which applications are currently active and how much RAM they consume.

Hidden statistics (for MIUI 12+)

• Enter the dialer code ##4636##.
• Select "Battery Statistics" or "Battery Use".
• This displays detailed consumption data, including partial locks.

If you see system processes like Android System or MiuiDaemon at the top of your consumption, it may indicate software errors, which can help you reset your cache through recavators or update your firmware.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (especially those with MediaTek processors, such as Redmi) 10C or POCO M4 Pro) the battery monitor may show incorrect data due to driver errors, in which case use third-party applications like AccuBattery or GSam Battery Monitor.

FAQ: Frequent questions about controlling background activity