Auto-Running applications on Xiaomi Redmi: why you need and how to manage it

Have you ever noticed that some apps on your Xiaomi Redmi run on their own, even if you didn't open them? It's not a system bug, but a feature of auto-run applications, a feature integrated into the firmware deeply. MIUI. On the one hand, it speeds up access to frequently used services, and on the other hand, it can stealthily "eat" battery power and RAM.

In this article, we will take a closer look at what AutoRun on Redmi is, how it works at the system level, what applications use it (and why), and learn how to manage this feature through hidden settings. MIUI. You will learn how to disable autoruns for unnecessary programs without disrupting important services such as notifications from messengers or synchronizing cloud data.

We will pay special attention to the hidden mechanisms of auto-start in the MIUI 14/15, which are not dokumented in the official guides, but significantly affect the autonomy of the smartphone. 12 or POCO X5 It is discharged too quickly - the reason may lie here.

What is Auto-Running Applications and How Does It Work in MIUI

Auto-start is a mechanism that allows applications to activate themselves under certain conditions, without direct user involvement. MIUI This function is implemented at the kernel level of the system and is closely related to the:

• 🔄 Background processes – applications can work in hidden mode to update data (for example, weather or currency rates).
• 📱 System Events – Start up when connecting to Wi-Fi, charging or restarting the device.
• 🔔 Push notifications – messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) use auto-run to deliver instant messages.
• ⚙️ Synchronization – cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) update data in the background.

Unlike Android in a “pure” form (for example, on Pixel), where auto-run is limited to Doze and App Standby policies, MIUI It gives developers more freedom. It means that applications can do this:

• 🚀 Start when you start the system (even if you haven’t opened it for months).
• 🔄 Update the data in the background every few minutes.
• 📊 Use the Internet and geolocation without your knowledge.

According to internal tests by Xiaomi, up to 30% of background activity on Redmi smartphones is due to auto-run, and users often do not suspect that some applications (such as Facebook or AliExpress) consume resources even in sleep mode.

Why you need autorun: pros and cons for the user

At first glance, auto-run seems like a useless feature, but it has valid application scenarios:

The main problem is that MIUI The default allows auto-runs for all system and most third-party applications, meaning that even underutilized programs (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser) can consume resources. Moreover, some apps (especially Chinese ones) ignore the user’s restrictions and enable auto-runs again after an update.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling autoruns for system applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) may cause unstable smartphone performance.

How to check which apps are using AutoRun on Redmi

V MIUI There is no single autorun control center, but there are several ways to identify voracious apps:

Method 1: Through battery settings

The easiest way to do this is to check the energy consumption statistics:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Use
2. Click on the chart icon (three dots in the upper right corner) and select Consumption Statistics.
3. Note the apps marked Background Activity – they use auto-run.

Method 2: Through Application Permissions

Some programs require explicit permission to run, to check for:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Facebook) and open the permissions section.
3. Scroll down to AutoStart – if it’s active, the application can run on its own.

Method 3: Through ADB (for advanced users)

If you want a complete picture, you can use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell dumpsys activity services | grep "autoStart"

This command will list all the apps that are allowed to run automatically. ADB It may disrupt the system.

Analysis of battery statistics|Viewing App Permissions|Use of the ADB deep-diagnostic|Verification through third-party utilities (e.g. Greenify)

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How to disable auto-start for unnecessary applications

If you find that some programs are wasting resources, you can limit them. MIUI There are a number of ways to do this:

Method 1: Through Application Settings

The safest way is to disable auto-start manually for each application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as AliExpress) and go to Permissions.
3. Find the Auto Start and turn it off.
4. For reliability, also disable Background Activity and Auto-Update.

Method 2: “Battery Optimization”

MIUI Allows you to limit background activity through the battery menu:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization.
2. Select the application from the list and set it to Limited mode.
3. This will block auto-start and background processes, but notifications may come with a delay.

Method 3: Through "Security" (for system applications)

Some system programs (e.g. Mi Push or Mi Cloud) do not have the option to disable auto-start in the standard interface.

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Move to Acceleration. → Background constraints.
3. Select the application and activate the option to Disable Autostart.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling Autoplay for Google Play Services or Mi Account could cause Google and Xiaomi services to crash.

💡

If after disabling Autostart the application stopped updating the data, try manually adding it to the exceptions in the Settings section. → Battery → Optimize the battery and choose the No Limits mode (but it will increase battery consumption).

Hidden Auto Start Settings in MIUI: What is not said in the official guides

Xiaomi hides some auto-run options to prevent users from doing the wrong thing, but they can be activated through secret menus or third-party utilities.

Secret menu "App Auto Launch"

In the firmware MIUI 12-15 There is a hidden section for auto-start management:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 5 times in a row on the item Version MIUI, activate the developer mode.
3. Return to the main settings menu and open additionally → Special facilities → Auto-launching applications.
4. Here you will see a full list of apps with the ability to disable autorun globally.

Use Greenify (for root users)

If your Redmi has root rights, Greenify allows you to:

• 🛡️ Completely block auto-start for any applications.
• 🔄 Forced “freeze” background processes.
• 📵 Disconnect Internet access in the background.

For this:

1. Install Greenify from Google Play.
2. Give root access.
3. Add unnecessary apps to the hibernation list.

File editing autostart.xml (power-user)

V MIUI There is a system file that manages auto-run:

/data/system/autostart.xml

To edit it:

1. Get root access or use it. ADB superuser.
2. Make a backup of the file.
3. Open it in the text editor and remove the lines with unnecessary applications.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing autostart.xml This method can lead to a cyclic reboot of the device, and is recommended only for advanced users.

💡

Hidden autorun settings allow point control of background processes, but changing them can disrupt system stability. Always back up before experimenting!

How Autostarting Affects Redmi's Battery and Performance

Research shows that uncontrolled auto-start can reduce the battery life of Redmi on the Internet 25-40%. This is especially true for low-end models (e.g. Redmi). 10A or POCO M5), where the battery is not so different capacity.

Impact on the battery

The main "eaters" of charge through auto-start:

• 📱 Social networks (Facebook, Instagram) – update the feed every time 15-30 minute.
• 🛒 Shops (AliExpress, Wildberries) – check promotions and notifications.
• 🎮 Games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact – Updates are downloaded in the background.
• 📊 Google Play Services (Mi Analytics) – Collects usage data.

Test data. XDA Developers, disabling auto-run for these applications can extend battery life on 1.5-2 hourly with active use.

Impact on productivity

Auto-run also loads:

• 🧠 RAM – Extra processes take up to 300-500 MB RAM.
• 🖥️ Processor – background tasks increase heat and reduce interface responsiveness.
• 📶 Network – Constant requests to servers consume traffic (especially on the mobile Internet).

For example, on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ From 8GB of RAM after disabling autorun for 10 applications, free memory increased from 2.1GB to 3.4GB, and camera opening time decreased by 1.2 seconds.

Frequent Auto Start Problems and How to Solve Them

Even after you turn off auto-start, some applications can turn it back on, and let's look at typical situations and how to solve them.

Problem 1: The app will turn on auto-start again after the update

Many programs (especially Chinese ones) ignore user settings and reset them when they update.

• 🔄 Turn off auto-update for problematic app on Google Play.
• 📵 Use Greenify or App Ops to block system-level permissions.
• 🛡️ Install XPrivacyLua (requires root) to restrict access to autorun settings.

Problem 2: Notifications stopped coming after autostart shutdown

If you have disabled auto-run for a messenger (such as WhatsApp), notifications may come with a delay.

• 🔔 Allow autorun only for instant messengers, but disable it for other apps.
• ⚡ Include Without Limits in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery for critical applications.
• 📡 Check the settings of Push notifications in Settings → Notifications → Notification settings.

Problem 3: System applications do not allow you to disable auto-start

Some utility programs (Mi Push, Mi Cloud) do not have the option to disable the interface.

• 🔧 Use it. ADB forced-off:
• 🛠️ Install Debloater (requires root) to remove unnecessary system components.
• ⚠️ Be careful – disabling critical services can lead to disruptions!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Auto Launch on Xiaomi Redmi