Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a paradox: messaging from messengers does not arrive until you open the app, or the alarm clock does not ring at the right time. The root of the problem lies in the aggressive system of optimizing the shell MIUI or HyperOS, which by default blocks the background operation of programs to save energy. This is where the auto-start function comes to the scene, designed to solve these problems, but often causing confusion among owners.
Many people mistakenly believe that auto-start permission only slows down the device, but for the correct operation of modern services, this mechanism is critical. Auto-start applications is not just to start a program when you turn on the phone, but to allow the system to keep processes active in the background. Without this flag, Android on Xiaomi devices “kills” processes immediately after turning off the screen, making it impossible to receive notifications in real time.
Understanding how this function works can greatly improve the stability of the gadget, so you don't have to be a programming expert to customize the system to your needs, but you just have to understand the logic of the MIUI task manager and prioritize the system services and third-party utilities, and that balances autonomy and functionality.
The principle of background processes in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s shells are known for their strict energy-saving policies. Unlike pure Android, it has an extra layer of control over running processes. When you fold an app or turn off the screen, the system aims to free up RAM as quickly as possible. Unless the program has an exception in the form of auto-start permission, it will be forcibly stopped.
It works at the level of system services that monitor resource consumption, and without permissions, background processes are considered “parasitic” and are removed from memory, which is great for battery life if it’s a game or a heavy editor, but catastrophic for instant messengers, navigators and activity trackers.
Technical details of the dispatcher's work
It's worth noting that even turning on auto-start doesn't always guarantee 100% survival. The system can re-limit an application if it consumes too much power in the background. So it's important to take a comprehensive approach to setting up, combining auto-start with other battery optimization options.
Why to allow auto-start: basic use cases
The main purpose of enabling this feature is to ensure the continuity of services that require a constant connection to the server, especially with regard to communication tools. If you want notifications from Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber to come instantly, even if you do not open these applications for days, permission to autorun is a prerequisite.
The second important scenario is health and sports trackers: apps like Google Fit, Mi Fitness or Strava should constantly poll pedometer and pulsemeter sensors, if they are not allowed to run auto-start, the statistics for the day will be incomplete, and synchronization with smartwatches can occur with delays or errors.
The third scenario is smart home and automation. Automation scripts, smart lamps or surveillance cameras require constant background presence of the parent app, without which you can not receive a notification of movement from the camera or run the script “I’m home” with a voice, because the service will “sleep”.
- 📱 Instant delivery of push notifications from any messengers and email clients.
- 🏃♂️ Accurate step counting and route tracking without having to keep the app open.
- 🏠 Stable smart home scenarios and remote camera access.
- ⏰ Proper operation of alarms and reminders, even if the application was downloaded from memory.
The impact of auto-start on battery charge and performance
There's a common myth that turning on auto-run for all apps in a row will turn a smartphone into a brick with a dead battery in a couple of hours. It's not quite true, but there's some truth to it. The power consumption depends on what the app is doing in the background. The messenger that's just waiting for a message is running out of resources, while the navigator that's constantly polling GPS will eat the charge quickly.
MIUI can distinguish between types of activity, but if you allow autoplay for dozens of heavy-duty games and active-advertising apps, it will actually heat up the case and accelerate discharge. RAM will be constantly busy, which can cause micro-freezes of the interface when switching between tasks.
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The best strategy is to allow auto-runs for only 5-10 mission-critical applications, and leave standard restrictions on the rest.
It's important to understand the difference between "start permission" and "active." The resolution only gives the application the right to start and hang in memory, but does not force the processor to run at full power all the time. Modern processors Snapdragon and Dimensity effectively manage frequencies, minimizing the impact of background tasks if they are written correctly.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t turn on auto-runs for crawler apps, third-party antiviruses, or memory accelerators. They often create the illusion of working by just loading the system and conflicting with Xiaomi’s built-in tools.
How to manage auto-start: step-by-step instructions
The configuration of the feature does not require a connection to a computer or obtaining superuser rights. All the necessary tools are built into the standard Security application. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of HyperOS or MIUI, but the logic remains the same.
To start, open the Security app (green shield icon). In the tool list, look for the AutoRun section. Here you will see a list of all the programs installed. Most of them will be disabled by default, which is the reason for the notification problems.
☑️ Checking the application settings
Once you turn on the slider in front of the application, the system can issue a warning that this will increase battery consumption, which is the standard reaction to confirm that you are taking control of energy saving in your own hands, and it is also recommended to go to the settings of the program itself, find the item "Activity Control" and select the option "No restrictions".
For advanced users, a hidden menu is available through the Engineering Menu or ADB, but in 99% of cases, standard tools are enough. If the application still crashes after you turn on auto-run, check the lock settings in the recent task menu (pull the application down to see the lock).
Comparison of application types and the need for auto-run
Not all programs need constant memory, and to avoid getting confused with dozens of installed games and utilities, it is useful to classify them by the importance of background work. Below is a table that helps you determine your settings.
| Type of application | Need a self-start? | Impact on the battery | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messengers | I'll be sure. | Low. | WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber |
| Social media. | Preferably. | Average. | VK, Instagram, Twitter |
| Games | No. | High (if running) | PUBG, Genshin Impact |
| trekking | I'll be sure. | Average. | Google Fit, Mi Fitness |
| Office/Utilities | No. | Low. | Word, Calculator, Dictator |
As you can see from the table, the main focus should be on communication applications. Social networks require auto-start if you want to keep a message in mind, but you can also turn them off if you prefer to check the tape manually to save charge. Games and tools that you use occasionally are better kept off.
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If you’re using a smartwatch or bracelet, be sure to turn on auto-run for a companion app (Mi Wear/Zepp Life), otherwise health data won’t sync until you manually open the app.
Typical Problems and Conflicts
Even when autorun is enabled, users may encounter a situation where the application crashes or stops responding, often due to a conflict of power saving settings, the system may consider the application to be “heavy” and restrict it despite the permission, in which case manual restarting of the service or a complete reinstallation of problematic software helps.
Another common problem is the lack of notifications after the system update: When you switch from MIUI 13 to 14 or HyperOS, the security settings can be reset to factory ones. After the update, always check the autorun list, as the system could automatically disable previously authorized programs for the sake of “optimization”.
⚠️ Note: If the application is banking, enabling auto-runs may increase the risk of interception in the event of a virus infection of the phone. For banking customers, it is better to use a separate profile or enable auto-runs only for the duration of use.
In rare cases, the culprit is the version of the app itself that is not optimized for new versions of Android. Check on Google Play for updates. If the problem persists, try clearing the app's cache through the Settings menu → Apps → All Apps → [App needed] → Clear.