Fixed apps in Xiaomi: why they are needed and how to use them

If you own a Xiaomi smartphone, you've probably encountered the term "fixed apps" in your system settings. This feature often raises questions: what does it do, how does it affect your phone, and whether you should use it? In this article, we'll go into detail about what fixed applications in MIUI firmware are, how they work under the hood, and why some of them can't be turned off without consequences.

At first glance, it may seem like a way to speed up the launch of commonly used programs, but in fact, the mechanism is much deeper: it involves optimizing RAM, background processes, and even saving battery power. If you don't set the fixing correctly, the phone can start to "brake" or, conversely, discharge faster. Let's figure out how to avoid these problems and use the function to the maximum benefit.

What are fixed applications in Xiaomi

Fixed applications (or fixed in some versions of MIUI) are programs that Xiaomi keeps in RAM even when they are not active, and cannot be unloaded automatically, as with conventional applications when memory is scarce, a feature that dates back to the early versions of MIUI and has evolved since then to become part of the resource management mechanism.

The main purpose of the attachment is to speed up the re-launch of frequently used applications, for example, if you constantly check Telegram or WhatsApp, the system can lock them in memory so that the next time they open, they start instantly, without downloading from scratch, but there is also the flip side: such applications take up RAM even when you are not using them, which can affect multitasking.

• 🔄 Quick Start: Applications open without delay as they are already loaded into memory.
• 🔋 Battery consumption: Fixed programs can consume energy in the background.
• 📱 Limited list: Not all applications can be fixed – the system blocks this ability for some services.
• ⚙️ Manual setting: Users can add or remove apps from the list.

It's important to understand that anchoring is not the same as autostarting or permissions in the background: Autostarting allows an application to start when the phone is turned on, and anchoring keeps it in the RAM after closing. These mechanisms often work together but perform different tasks.

How fixed applications work at the system level

To understand why some applications can’t be unplugged, look under the hood of MIUI. Android (and MIUI is built on it) uses a memory management mechanism called Low Memory Killer (LMK), which monitors the level of free RAM and, when it is critically reduced, begins to “kill” background tasks, freeing up resources for active applications.

Fixed applications in Xiaomi get priority over LMK. The system says, "These programs can't be touched even if memory is scarce." This is useful for mission-critical services (e.g. system processes or instant messengers), but it can get in the way if you attach too many unnecessary applications, as a result, the phone starts to "hang" because the LMK can't free up enough memory for new tasks.

Interesting fact: some Xiaomi firmware has a hidden list of apps that the system attaches automatically, even if you didn’t add them. This is due to the optimization of MIUI. For example, Mi Share (file transfer function) or Game Turbo (game mode) can be locked in memory to respond faster to user commands.

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If your Xiaomi smartphone is slower, check the list of fixed applications. Often the problem is solved by canceling the attachment for unnecessary programs.

Where to find and how to manage fixed applications

To open the list of fixed applications, go to Settings → Apps → Apps → Apps fixed. Depending on the version of MIUI, the path may be slightly different. For example, in MIUI 14, this section is sometimes hidden in Settings → Special features → System Optimization. If you can’t find it, search by settings (the magnifying icon in the upper right corner).

In the menu you will see two lists:

• 📌 Hand-mounted apps – apps you’ve added.
• 🔒 System-based programs that MIUI forcefully.

To add an app to the list, click on the + icon and select the program you want from the installed list. To remove it, just swipe it right or click on the cross. Note that some system applications (such as MiuiDaemon or SecurityCenter) cannot be unplugged - they are necessary for the stable operation of the phone.

If your version of MIUI does not have a “Accessed Apps” section, it could mean one of two things:

1. Your smartphone runs on a lightweight firmware version (such as MIUI Lite for weak devices), where this feature is disabled.
2. The manufacturer has hidden this section for a specific model (as it happens on devices for the European market).

Which apps should be fixed and which ones should not

Not all programs need to be fixed. For example, YouTube or Chrome are optimized for quick launch, and it makes no sense to fix them in memory, but messengers (Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp) or call apps (Skype, Zoom) benefit from fixing, because it is important for them to respond quickly to incoming messages or calls.

Here are the recommendations by category:

• ✅ It's worth fixing:
• ❌ Don't fix it:

Special attention should be paid to system processes. For example, MiuiHome (launcher) or SecurityCenter (security center) are fixed by default. Disabling them can lead to unstable interface or problems with updates. If you notice that one of these applications eats up too much memory, you better check the phone for viruses or reset the settings to the factory.

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Only pin the apps you use every day, and the fewer programs on the list, the more stable your phone is.

Impact of fixed applications on performance and battery

Many users mistakenly think that attaching apps always speeds up the phone, but it really depends on the amount of RAM you have. If you have a smartphone with 4 GB of RAM (like the Redmi Note 8 or POCO X3 NFC), then attaching 5-6 apps may leave too little memory for new tasks, and as a result, the system will slow down, as the LMK will not be able to free up enough resources.

The battery is even more interesting. Fixed apps don't always use more power, but if there are programs with active background work (like Facebook with its constant notifications), then the consumption can increase by 10-15%. To check the effect on the battery, go to Settings → Battery → Battery → Battery Use and see which apps consume the most power in the background.

⚠️ Warning: If several applications have been attached to the phone, check their autorun settings. Often the problem is not the fixing itself, but that the program is actively working in the background (for example, synchronizes data or tracks location).

For optimal work, follow these tips:

1. On devices with 4-6 GB of RAM, fix no more than 3-4 applications.
2. On flagships with 8 GB+, you can increase this number to 5-6, but watch for free memory.
3. Check the list of fixed applications regularly and remove those that have stopped using.
4. If you notice lags, try to unplug all applications and watch the phone work for 1-2 days.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the attached applications are unintentionally uninstalled or, conversely, do not want to be removed from the list, this can be due to several reasons:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: After major updates, the system may reset some settings, including fixed applications.
• 🛠️ Memory Optimizer: In some versions MIUI There is a Deep Clean function that ignores fixing.
• 🐞 Firmware bugs: In rare cases, this can be a bug of a particular version MIUI (especially in beta versions).

If the app doesn’t want to unplug, try the following steps:

1. Reboot your phone – sometimes it helps to reset the cache of settings.
2. Clear the Settings app cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings → Clear the cache).
3. If nothing helps, reset your application settings (Settings → System → Settings Reset → App Settings Reset).

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A2 or Mi A3 And with pure Android One, there's no fixed-app function at all, and that's because these models run on stock firmware without a shell. MIUI.

Another common problem is that applications don't start after they're unplugged, and this can happen if the program is used to running in a fixed state and is not optimized for uploading from memory.

• Clear the cache and application data.
• Reinstall it.
• Check if MIUI Optimizer blocks it (some firmware has a separate section for managing background processes).

Alternative ways to optimize memory in Xiaomi

If you want to improve multitasking, but fixed applications do not give the desired effect, there are other ways:

• 🔧 Setting up LMK: In the engineering menu (#4636###) you can change the trigger thresholds of Low Memory Killer, but it requires root rights and is dangerous for beginners.
• 🧹 Cache Cleanup: Regularly Clean App Cache (Settings) → Warehouse → Clearing the cache helps to free up memory.
• 🔄 Disable Autostart: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Auto-start and disable unnecessary programs.
• 📉 Use of lightweight versions: Facebook Lite or Messenger Lite, for example, consume less memory.

For advanced users, there is another way to change the priorities of processes through the ADB. For example, you can manually give an application a high priority so that the system less often unloads it from memory. USB and execute the command:

adb shell am set-inactive <package_name> false

Where <package_name> — This is an app identifier (e.g. com.whatsapp for WhatsApp) that you can find out through the App Inspector app or through the app. ADB team:

adb shell pm list packages

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB-If you're not sure what you're doing, you're not supposed to experiment.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions