How to permanently disable background messages on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Background notifications on Xiaomi smartphones are often a source of irritation: they drain the battery, distract from business and clog the alert panel with unnecessary information, especially annoying messages from system applications (Mi Video, Mi Community), advertising fluffs from MIUI and background activity of messengers like WhatsApp or Viber, which wake up even when the screen is locked. In this article, we will examine all possible ways to turn off background messages, from standard settings to hidden functions of the engineering menu.

It is important to understand the difference between background notifications and application background activity. The first are pop-up alerts (pushes) that appear in the curtain. The second are hidden processes that applications perform in the background (for example, data synchronization Google Play Services or checking email). We will focus on the first type, but partially touch on the second, as they are interrelated. All instructions are relevant to MIUI 12-15 (including HyperOS for new models) and are tested on Redmi Note 10/11/12 devices, POCO F3/F4/F5, 12/13/14.

1. Disabling notifications for specific applications

The most obvious way is to block the alerts from unnecessary programs, which won't stop their background activity completely, but at least it will remove the intrusive pop-ups.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Mi Browser or Facebook).
3. Slip on Notifications and turn off the slider at the top.
4. For fine-tuning, expand the list of notification types (e.g., “Chats”, “Groups” in Telegram) and deactivate the unnecessary ones.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (e.g., Security or MiuiDaemon) do not have a notification button to disable.

The list of the most “talking” applications on Xiaomi, which should be turned off first:

• 📢 Mi Community – Spams with polls and news
• 🎬 Mi Video - advertising films and series
• 🛡️ Security – notifications about “optimization"
• 📱 Themes - suggestions to change wallpaper
• 💰 Mi Pay – Advertising Payment Services

2. Global background data shutdown

If you want to limit all background activity (including synchronizing email, messengers, and system processes), use the mobile and Wi-Fi restriction setting in the background, a radical method that can disrupt some functions (such as receiving messages on WhatsApp without an open application), but will save battery life significantly.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Data Use.
2. Tap on Background Data Limitation (or Background Data Use in Newer MIUI Versions).
3. Activate the option to limit background data use.

For individual applications, exceptions can be configured:

• In the same section, select Application Data Use.
• Click on the desired application (such as Telegram) and allow background data transfer if it is critical.

💡

If messages in messengers have stopped coming after disabling background data, add them to the exception list or use the method from Section 4 (autostart).

3. Disabling Autostart and Background Activity

Many notifications appear because applications are automatically launched by the system and run in the background. MIUI has a hidden auto-run control feature that allows you to completely block background activity.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Threefold (⋮) → Auto-start.
2. In the list, turn off autoplay for unnecessary apps (such as Mi Music or Mi Home).
3. To completely disable background activity, go back to the app card and select Battery → Background Activity → Limit.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling Autoplay for Google Play Services or Services & feedback may cause disruptions to Google services and the app store.

4.Use of Do Not Disturb and Schedule

If background notifications are needed during the day but interfere with the night, set up automatic mode Do not disturb on schedule. This method does not turn off background activity, but blocks audio and visual alerts.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb.
2. Activate the slider Enable on schedule.
3. Set a time (for example, from 23:00 to 8:00).
4. In the Exclusions section, add important apps (such as alarm clock or phone).

For full control:

• 🔔 Turn on alarm clocks only – all notifications will be blocked, except alarm clock signals.
• 📵 Activate Turn off vibrations if even silent alerts distract you.
• 🔕 In the Visual Alerts section, turn off screen blinking when new messages are posted.

5. Hidden settings through the engineering menu (for advanced)

This method disables system notifications that cannot be removed by standard methods (for example, alerts from MiuiDaemon or System UI), it requires activation of the developer mode and work with the engineering menu, so it is only suitable for advanced users.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on this item.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Install the app MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek processors) or use ADB-teams (see below).
4. In the engineering menu, go to the Notification Manager section and manually disable unnecessary system notifications.

Alternative way through ADB (requires PC):

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.daemon


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.channel

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect actions in the engineering menu can lead to loss of warranty or unstable system operation.Before experimenting, create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Developer mode activated

Installed ADB drivers on PC

Data backup created

Battery charge > 50%

Connected. USB-cable (original)-->

6. Resetting notification settings to factory

If you've tried all the methods, but the notifications keep spamming, the last option is to reset the alert settings to the factory alerts, which won't delete your data, but will return all the permissions for the applications to their original state.

How to perform the reset:

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Threefold (⋮) → Reset application settings.
2. Confirm action. The system will restart.
3. After the reboot manually configure notifications for critical applications (messengers, mail).

What will be dropped:

• 🔄 All Notification Permits for Applications
• 🔕 Settings for "Do Not Disturb" mode"
• 📵 Exceptions for background data
• ⚙️ Auto-start parameters

⚠️ Note: the reset does not affect system applications (Mi Community, Security, etc.) – they will have to be configured separately according to the instructions from the previous sections.

7. Alternative methods: third-party applications and firmware

If standard methods don't work, consider using third-party software or custom firmware, which are extreme measures, but they give you complete control over notifications.

Popular solutions:

• 🛡️ Blokada – Ads and Tracker Blocker that Can Filter Flows From System Applications.
• 🔧 MacroDroid – Automating the notifications to schedule or conditions (for example, when the battery is low).
• 📱 Custom ROM (For example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience – firmware without preinstalled Xiaomi software.
• 🔄 ADB AppControl – utility for mass disabling background activity through PC.

When using custom firmware, consider:

• 🔓 Loss of official guarantee.
• 🔧 The need to unlock the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
• 📉 Possible bugs with camera or sensors (especially on new Xiaomi models).

💡

Third-party firmware solves the problem of background notifications radically, but requires technical skills, and novice users should limit themselves to the standard methods in sections 1-4.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)