Users of Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI shells or the new HyperOS often experience incomprehensible software behavior, some of which are launched immediately after the phone is turned on, others stop working in the background if they are not opened manually, all of which are responsible for a system mechanism that is popularly called “auto-launch applications”.
Understanding how autostart works is critical to optimizing your gadget. Failure to set up can either result in a quick battery drain or a lack of important notifications. In this article, we will discuss in detail the purpose of this feature, how it is set up and the impact on system performance.
The main purpose of the autostart function
The autostart feature on Xiaomi devices is designed to keep background processes running smoothly. When you turn off the screen or fold an app, the operating system tries to save resources, often freezing processes. However, messengers, navigators and fitness trackers need to work constantly so that you receive messages or pulse data in real time.
Enabling autorun for a particular application tells the system not to shut down the process forcing it, especially for aggressive memory optimization, which is characteristic of the MIUI shell. Without this permission, important programs may simply stop functioning after a few minutes of phone downtime.
It’s worth noting that auto-run doesn’t always mean you start the program instantly when you turn on your phone.In the Xiaomi context, it’s more like allowing you to “self-start” in the background when certain events occur, such as receiving a push notification or changing your geolocation.
⚠️ Warning: Uncontrolled auto-start for all programs will lead to a significant reduction in battery life.The system will waste charge to maintain processes that you may not use for hours.
How to Manage Auto Startup in MIUI and HyperOS
The startup settings are set up through the built-in Security app, which is a system tool that can't be removed, and it controls the application's access to resources. The path to settings may vary slightly depending on the shell version, but the logic remains the same.
To access the control, you need to open the Security app, go to the Permissions section, and select AutoStart. Here you will see the full list of installed programs with switches opposite each, and the green color of the indicator means that autorun is allowed.
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Search the list of applications if you have many programs installed. Type the name of the messenger or service into the search bar at the top of the autorun list.
An alternative way to get to these settings is through the smartphone Settings menu. Go to the Apps section, select Permissions, and then find AutoRun.This path can be useful if the Security app shortcut has been removed from the desktop.
- 📱 Open the Security app on the home screen.
- 🔐 Go to the permissions tab (lock icon).
- 🚀 Select Auto Start from the list of options.
- ✅ Activate the switch in front of the desired application.
Impact on autonomy and productivity
Many users mistakenly believe that turning on autorun directly lands the battery. In fact, the impact on autonomy depends on what the application does in the background. If it's a messenger that's just waiting for a message, the energy consumption will be minimal. If it's a heavy game or a social network with constant media synchronization, the consumption will increase.
On the other hand, not auto-starting can negatively impact notification performance, and the system will be forced to constantly “wake up” the application when you open it, which creates micro-latency and can cause the interface to twitch in the first seconds of use.
The best strategy is to allow auto-start only for mission-critical services, which will balance system performance with battery life, and do not allow auto-starts for rarely used utilities, calculators or disposable delivery services.
The Difference Between Auto Startup and Battery Savings
It is important to distinguish between two types of constraints in Xiaomi’s system: autostart settings and power saving settings. Autostart allows the program to run itself, and battery saving determines how long the system will allow it to run in the background without active use.
Even if you have enabled auto-start, but the battery settings have selected the "Savings" mode, the system can still close the process after a certain downtime.
It is recommended that important applications (messengers, alarm clocks, trackers) set the power saving mode to the value No restrictions, which ensures that the system will not artificially limit the background activity of the approved application.
| Parameter | Auto-start | Battery savings | Fixing in memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appointment | Starting authorization | Control of energy consumption | Protection against unloading |
| Impact | Receipt of notifications | Screen time | Opening speed |
| Where to find out. | Safety → Auto-Run | Settings → Battery | Open window menu |
What applications require auto-start
Not all programs need to be present in memory, and Xiaomi’s experienced users know that a good sample is a guarantee of stability, and auto-run is essential for programs that you expect to react instantly.
The mandatory ones are messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) without auto-run permission, messages can only arrive after you open the app, and smart home apps if they have to respond to sensor events.
Hidden System Processes
Navigation apps and fitness trackers also require special attention. If you use your smartphone as a navigator in a car or record jogging tracks, the lack of auto-start will cause the route recording to stop when the screen is off.
- 💬 Messengers and communications.
- 🏠 Applications for managing a smart home.
- 🏃 Fitness trackers and pedometers.
- 🎵 Music streaming services (for background play).
Problems with notifications and their resolution
The most common problem faced by Xiaomi owners is the lack of notifications, most often solved by turning on auto-run, but if it did not help, it is worth checking the additional permission settings.
Sometimes the system can block notifications even when you have auto-start enabled if the application is marked as “not in use.” In this case, you need to go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification settings and check the status of a particular application.
⚠️ Note: After major system updates MIUI or HyperOS permission settings can be reset. If notifications are missing, check the autorun list first.
Also worth mentioning is the "Advanced Memory" feature, which can affect the performance of background applications. On some models, turning off virtual RAM helps applications stay in memory longer, but this is individual for each model.
Checklist of correct system setting
To make your smartphone work like a watch, you need to conduct a complete revision of the settings. Do not rely on standard settings out of the box, as they are often too aggressive for an active user.
Go through the list of installed apps and determine which ones you really need in the background. Uninstall the extra, customize the rest. It takes no more than 10 minutes, but saves battery life hours in the long run.
☑️ Checking the settings of Xiaomi
Regularly checking these settings, especially after an operating system update, will help avoid sudden problems with obtaining important information.