Auto-Run applications on Xiaomi Redmi: benefits, risks and settings

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their performance and flexible settings, but one feature that often raises questions among users is the auto-run of applications. Why do some programs run on their own, even if you didn't open them? Should you turn it off or allow it for all applications?

Autorun isn’t just a system whim, it’s an important mechanism that affects phone speed, notifications, background processes, and even battery consumption. In this article, we’ll go into detail about why you need to autorun Xiaomi Redmi, how it works at the MIUI operating system level, and which apps do and don’t require it.

What is Auto-Running Apps and How Does It Work on Xiaomi Redmi?

Autostart (or autostart) is a feature that allows applications to automatically start when a smartphone is turned on or after a reboot. In MIUI, it is closely linked to memory management and background processes. When you turn on the phone, the operating system checks the list of allowed applications to autorun and launches them in the background.

But why is it necessary? The fact is that many applications perform important tasks even when you don't open them:

• 🔔 Notifications: messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), social networks (VK, Instagram) and email clients need to work in the background to show new messages in time.
• 🔄 Data synchronization: Google Drive, Mi Cloud, calendars and contacts are automatically updated.
• 📊 System Processes: Antiviruses, SEOs, and even some games keep progress or download updates.

But not all apps really need to run autoplay, like a rarely used photo editor or game that can be a waste of resources, and here lies the main trade-off: on Xiaomi Redmi, autorun is allowed by default for most system and popular applications, but it can and should be configured manually.

Why Xiaomi Redmi allows auto-run by default

Many users wonder why so many apps are eligible to run on Redmi's new smartphones, for a few reasons related to MIUI's philosophy:

• ⚡ Fast access to features: Xiaomi aims to make the interface as responsive as possible.If the app is already loaded into memory, it will open instantly.
• 🤖 Integration with Xiaomi services: apps like Mi Home (for smart home), Mi Fit (fitness trackers) or Mi Pay should always be ready to go.
• 📱 Competition with other brands: Unlike the “bare” Android, where background processes are severely limited, MIUI It allows developers to flexibly manage auto-runs, which draws them to the platform.

But there’s a downside: uncontrolled auto-runs can slow down a smartphone, especially on Redmi’s budget models with 3-4GB of RAM, and some apps abuse this feature by showing ads or collecting data in the background.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones Xiaomi Redmi with version MIUI 12 and later autorun is closely related to the Adaptive Battery function (in battery settings).If you turn off autorun for an application, the system may further limit its background activity, which will lead to notification delays.

What apps really need to auto-start

Not all programs are equally useful in auto-run, but here is a list of application categories for which this feature should be left on:

Here's what you can safely turn off:

• 🎮 Games (except online chat games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Brawl Stars).
• 📷 Photo editors (Snapseed, Lightroom) if you don’t use them daily.
• 🛒 Stores and promotional applications (AliExpress, Wildberries, Ozon) if you do not need push notifications about discounts.

💡

If you’re not sure if an application needs to allow autorun, check it in Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Application Name] → Autorun. If there’s a “Allow Background Activity” item on it, it’s actively using autorun for its work.

How Auto Start Affects Performance and Battery

The main fear of users is that auto-start eats away the battery and slows down the phone, which is true, but only partially.

• 🔋 Battery consumption: Every app in auto-run consumes energy even if you don't use it. For example, Facebook in the background can use up to 5-10% of the charge per day.
• 🖥️ RAM: The more applications are running, the less free memory is left for active tasks. On Redmi with 4 GB of RAM, this can lead to slowdowns.
• 🔄 Processor: Background processes are loaded CPU, Which leads to heat and faster discharge.

But turning autoplay off completely is not the answer, and this is what happens if you ban it for all applications:

• ⏳ Notifications will be delayed (or not arriving at all).
• 🔄 Data synchronization (email, contacts, cloud) will stop working in real time.
• 🛑 Some features (like Google Assistant or Alice) may stop working.

Optimal solution: Save auto-runs for mission-critical applications and turn them off for those you rarely use, saving up to 15-20% of your battery life per day and speeding up your phone.

Step-by-step: how to set up auto-start on Xiaomi Redmi

Setup autorun on Xiaomi Redmi takes only a few minutes. Here is the detailed instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Autostart.
4. You'll see a list of all the apps with switches. Green is auto-start allowed, gray is forbidden.
5. Scroll through the list and disable auto-start for unnecessary programs.

Leave auto-run for messengers and social networks |

Disable Autoplay for Games and Editors |

Check system applications (do not disable critical)|

Reboot your phone after the changes-->

If the app isn't on the list, it might be hidden in the System Applications section.

1. Go back to Application Management.
2. Press three points (⋮) Select Show System Processes.
3. Now you can set up auto-run for service programs.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable auto-run for the following system applications: com.miui.securitycenter (Security) com.xiaomi.account (Xiaomi Account) com.android.phone (Phone) This can lead to unstable phone operation.

Auto Start vs. Background Activity: What’s the Difference

Many people confuse auto-start with background activity, but these are two different functions, albeit related:

• 🔄 Auto-Run – permission to start the application when the phone is turned on.
• 👤 Background Activity – Work Permit in the After-Closure Background.

For example, if you turn off auto-start for Telegram, but leave background activity, then:

• The application will not start automatically after restarting.
• But if you open it manually, it will be able to work in the background and show notifications.

To adjust background activity:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate application.
3. Click on Permissions → Further → Background Activity.
4. Choose one of the options: No restrictions, Limit or Prohibit.

💡

For maximum battery savings, turn off autostart and limit background activity for rarely used applications. But remember: this can cause notifications to delay.

Frequent Auto Start Problems and How to Solve Them

Sometimes auto-runs don't work as expected, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If after the changes in the autorun settings, the application stopped working correctly, try the following steps:

1. Clear the app cache in Settings → Apps → [Title] → Clear the cache.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. If the problem persists, check for background activity permissions and notifications.

Some Redmi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or Redmi K50) have an additional feature called Deep Optimization in the battery settings, which can block background activity even if auto-start is allowed, to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Battery settings.
2. Choose Deep Optimization.
3. Turn it off for the right applications.

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