Auto-Running Apps on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Setup

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones are known for their energy efficiency, but sometimes users find that applications spontaneously start in the background. This not only consumes battery power, but can also slow down the device. Auto-launch applications is a feature that allows programs to automatically activate when you turn on the phone or after you reboot. In some cases, this is useful (for example, for instant messengers or system utilities), but most often leads to unnecessary load.

In this article, we will discuss how autorun works on Xiaomi, what applications use it, and most importantly, how to disable autorun for unnecessary programs. You will also learn what settings affect background activity, and how to optimize the smartphone without losing functionality. We will pay special attention to Redmi models, POCO and flagships Xiaomi 13/14, where the logic of auto-start control may differ.

What is Auto-Running Applications and Why You Need It

Auto-start is a mechanism that allows applications to automatically start under certain conditions:

• 🔄 After restarting the smartphone – the application starts with the system.
• 📱 When connected to the Internet, some programs are activated to synchronize data.
• 🔋 At low charge level – utilities to save the battery can be turned on automatically.
• 🕒 Scheduled – for example, alarm clocks or reminders.

At first glance, it’s convenient: messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram) are always online, email clients check new emails, and fitness trackers synchronize data. However, more than 60 percent of auto launches on Xiaomi are connected to advertising SDKs and analytics services that consume up to 15 percent of charge per day, especially on the budget models of Redmi Note and POCO M, where energy optimization is critical.

MIUI divides autorun into three types: System (critical processes, such as com.android.systemui), User (applications you installed), and Hidden (services integrated into firmware, such as Mi Push Service).

You can turn off only user and part of the hidden - it is not recommended to touch the system.

How to Check Which Apps Are Using Auto-Run

Before you turn off autoplay, you need to understand which programs are using it. MIUI has built-in monitoring tools:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select AutoRun.
3. The system will show a list of all applications with the ability to turn on/off auto-run for each.

An alternative way is to use a battery manager: Settings → Battery and performance → Battery use.

This shows the programs that consume the most power, and if an application is wasting power even when you're not using it, it's probably running in the background through auto-run.

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Xiaomi models with MIUI 14+ have a “Last Launch” column in the auto-run menu that shows when the app was last activated, helping to identify sleeper programs that can be safely disabled.

Step-by-step: how to disable auto-start on Xiaomi

The process of disabling autorun depends on the version of MIUI. Below is a universal instruction, suitable for most models (from Redmi 9 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra):

Backup important data | Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About Phone | Open Settings → Applications → Application Management | Press three points → Auto Start | Disable unnecessary apps |Reboot phone-->

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, click on the icon. ⋮ (three dots) and select AutoRun.
3. You'll see a list of all the programs installed, and next to each name, there's a switch.
4. Turn off auto-run for unnecessary applications (see table above).
5. Some system applications (e.g. Mi Push Service) may require permission to change system settings, in which case: Return to Application Management. Select the desired application → Permissions → Additional. Activate the option to Change System Settings (if available).
6. Reboot your smartphone so that the changes take effect.

On MIUI 12 and below, the path may differ: Settings → Additional → Privacy → Special Permissions → AutoRun.

If you have a POCO Launcher, search by settings (the magnifier icon at the top) and type “autostart”.

What applications can be safely disabled

Not all programs are equally useful, but here is a list of applications that can be turned off automatically without risk to the system:

• 📱 Social networks: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok – they already consume a lot of battery, and background activity only aggravates the situation.
• 🎮 Free Fire, Call of Duty Mobile, Genshin Impact – they don’t need to auto-run, as they run manually.
• 🛒 Shops and promotional apps: AliExpress, Shopee, Mi Store – their notifications are rarely critical.
• 📊 Analytics and Advertising: Google Play Services (partially), Miui Daemon, MSA (Mobile Services – These services collect data and display ads.
• 📺 Media Players: YouTube, MX Player, Mi Video - They don't need background launch.

Here is what we do not recommend to turn off:

• 📞 Phone and contacts (com.android.contacts, com.android.dialer) – without them, calls will not work.
• 🔔 Notifications (Mi Push Service) – responsible for notifications from messengers.
• 🔒 Google Play Protect (Mi Security) – protects against viruses.
• ⚙️ System processes (android.systemui, com.miui.home) – their shutdown will lead to failures.

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Disabling Autoplay for Google Play Services may disrupt some features, such as geolocation or cloud backup. If you have problems after the shutdown, return the settings back.

How dangerous is disabling autostart: possible problems

While disabling autostart saves charge, it can have undesirable consequences.

⚠️ Note: If you turn off auto-runs for WhatsApp or Telegram, you will stop receiving notifications of new messages until you manually open the app).

• 📬 Delayed notifications – messages in messengers and email clients will arrive late.
• 🔄 Unsynchronized data – fitness trackers (Mi Band, Google Fit) will stop updating statistics automatically.
• 📡 Geolocation problems – maps (Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator) can determine the location longer.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption when manually starting – if the app doesn’t work in the background, it will need more resources to start.

Xiaomi models with MIUI 13/14 have an Adaptive Battery feature (Settings → Battery → Adaptive Battery) that automatically limits the background activity of rarely used applications. If you don’t want to manually set up auto-start, turn on this option – the system itself optimizes power consumption.

Another nuance: on some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), applications may be turned on spontaneously after an update after disabling autorun, and to avoid this, use third-party utilities like Greenify or Battery Optimizer, which block background activity at the system level.

How to return auto-start if something goes wrong

If you notice a smartphone malfunction after you turn off autoplay (no notifications come, no widgets are updated, the Internet goes missing), you can turn it back. Here's how to do it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Autorun.
2. Find the problem app and turn on the switch next to its name.
3. If the option is inactive (grey), it means the application is blocked by the system. In this case: Open Settings → Battery → Battery Mode. Select the No Limits mode for the application. Reboot the phone.
4. System applications (e.g. Mi Push Service) may require resetting: Settings → System → Settings Reset → Reset applications This will return all permissions to factory values.

If the problem has not disappeared after the autorun is turned on, check:

• 🔕 Is the application blocked in Battery Optimization (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 🚫 Is it added to the Security blacklist (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Blacklist).
• 🔄 Do you need an update – sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions? MIUI.

Additional ways to optimize the battery on Xiaomi

Turning off autostart is only part of the solution, and to maximize your phone's life, use these methods:

• 🔋 Adaptive battery – included in the settings → Battery → Adaptive battery: The system itself limits background activity.
• 📵 Limiting Mobile Data in the Background – Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Limit background data.
• 🌙 The dark subject and AOD — on AMOLED-On screens (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro) dark theme saves up to 20% of charge.
• 🔄 Manual Sync – Turn off automatic sync for Google and Mi accounts in Settings → Accounts.
• 🛑 Greenify or AccuBattery – these apps help to identify and block the most voracious processes.

On models with MIUI 14, Super Battery Saving has been introduced, which aggressively restricts background activity, to enable it:

1. Go to Settings. → Battery.
2. Select Battery Mode → Super-saving.
3. Add to the exceptions critical applications (messengers, phone).

⚠️ Warning: Supersaving mode can block notifications from banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff). Before activating, check if you are using two-factor authentication via the Internet. SMS.

FAQ: Frequent questions about auto-launch on Xiaomi