Where to look for background apps on Xiaomi: a complete guide to MIUI

Background apps on Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most discussed topics among users MIUI. These processes can consume battery power, take up RAM, and even slow down the device. But where exactly do you look for them? Why do some applications continue to work after closing? And how do you properly manage background activity so that you don't damage the functionality of your phone?

In this article, we will analyze all the ways to access background processes on different versions. MIUI (12 to 14), including hidden developer settings, how to distinguish system services from user applications, which processes can be safely disabled and which should not be touched, and how background activity affects Redmi's autonomy, POCO Xiaomi and flagships – and give specific recommendations for optimization.

What are Background Apps and Why They Are Important

Background apps are programs that continue to perform tasks even after you have folded them or switched to another screen. For example, messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) keep track of new messages, music services (Spotify, Yandex Music) play tracks, and system utilities update the weather or synchronize data. Without background work, many smartphone functions will simply stop working.

But there's a downside: some apps abuse background activity, like games that can check for updates, social media that can track your geolocation, and advertising that can be used to track your geolocation. SDK — It's collecting data:

• 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge (up to 15-30% of the charge per day only for background processes).
• 🐢 Slowing down due to overloaded RAM.
• 📡 Increased traffic (especially relevant for tariffs with limited Internet).
• 🔒 Potential data breaches (if the application collects information without your knowledge).

V MIUI background processes are divided into three categories: visible to the user (messaging devices, players), system (Google services, MIUI Optimization and hidden (advertising modules, analytics) are often disguised as harmless names like com.miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.midrop.

Where to find the list of background applications in MIUI

Depending on the firmware version, the path to setting up background processes may vary. MIUI 12, 13 and 14 (including global and Chinese builds). If you have a different version, try similar sections - the logic of the menu layout is saved.

Method 1: Through "Settings" → Annexes"

The most obvious way is:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Background Activity (or Auto Run in older versions).
4. Here you will see a list of all apps with the option to disable background work for each.

Method 2: “Battery and performance”

This method shows not only the list, but also the effect of each application on the charge:

1. Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity.
2. Slip on Battery Use (or Battery Statistics).
3. At the top of the screen, select the App tab.
4. Sort the list by background consumption – so you will find the most “gluttonous” culprits.

Method 3: Through Developer Settings (Hidden Options)

For experienced users, there are advanced tools:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
3. Find options: Do not save actions (limits background activity for all applications); Background process limit (set a process maximum 2 value for memory savings); Debugging USB → Do not turn off the screen (useful for testing).

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If you see com.android.systemui or com.miui.home in the list of background applications, do not disable them – these are system processes. MIUI, interface and desktop.

How to distinguish system processes from user applications

One of the hardest things to do is to figure out which processes can be turned off and which ones can be dangerously touched. MIUI They are often disguised as harmless names, but their disabling can lead to malfunctions in the phone (for example, the notification panel will disappear or Bluetooth will stop working).

Here are the key features of system processes:

• 📦 The name of the package begins with com.miui., com.android. or com.qualcomm.
• 🔄 The description indicates "System Application" or "Service" MIUI".
• 🚫 No button to Delete or Disable (only Stop).
• 🔧 The app icon is missing or looks like an Android gear/icon.

Examples of safe processes to disable (if you do not use them):

• 🎵 com.miui.player is a standard music player.
• 📷 com.miui.gallery - gallery (can be replaced by Google Photos).
• 📡 com.xiaomi.scanner - scanner QR-code.
• 💼 com.miui.analytics – statistics collection (unswitched off is not critical).

These processes cannot be touched:

• 📱 com.android.systemui - system interface.
• 🔋 com.miui.powerkeeper - power management.
• 📶 com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice – the work of the mobile network.
• 🔒 com.miui.guardprovider – security and permissions.

How to limit background activity without harming your phone

Turning off background processes completely isn't always the best solution, but instead, you can optimize them while maintaining the core functionality.

1.Use built-in optimization MIUI

V MIUI There is a Battery Optimization tool that automatically limits background activity for underutilized applications:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization.
2. Select High Performance Mode (for gaming) or Economy Mode (for charging).
3. Manually add the appendices to the Sleepers list (they won't work in the background).

2. Set up auto-start

Many apps run automatically when you turn on your phone or connect to the Internet, and you can prevent this from happening:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Autorun.
2. Turn off autoplay for unnecessary programs (such as games or stores).
3. Leave only messengers, banking applications and navigation services included.

3.Use energy saving modes

V MIUI 14 appeared extended diets:

• 🔋 Balanced – Limits background activity for most applications except select ones.
• 🌙 Night mode - disables background processes during sleep (configured according to the schedule).
• ⚡ Ultra mode leaves only calls and calls to work SMS (low-charge).

Disable Auto-Run for Unnecessary Applications

Add rarely used programs to Sleepers

Enable "Battery Optimization" in the settings

Check the consumption statistics once a week

Update MIUI last-minute-->

Hidden Background Processes: How to Find and Disable

Some applications mask their background activity as system services or use advertising SDK (For example, com.miui.daemon or com.xiaomi.market. To detect them, you will need additional tools to find them.

Method 1: Through ADB (for power users)

If you are ready to work with the command line, ADB It will help to disable even hidden processes:

1. Install Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Connect your phone to your computer and enable USB debugging in the developer settings.
3. Enter the command to view all background processes: adb shell dumpsys activity processes
4. To disable an unnecessary process (e.g. com.miui.analytics), use: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics

Warning: Disabling system processes through ADB This can cause irreversible failures. Before experimenting, back up your data!

Method 2: Through third-party applications

If ADB It seems difficult, use the utilities from Google Play:

• 🛠️ Greenify – suspends background activity of selected applications without root rights.
• 🔍 Servicely – Shows hidden services and allows you to disable them (requires root).
• 📊 BetterBatteryStats – analyzes battery consumption by process (paid version).

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Disabling advertising modules (e.g. com.xiaomi.msa.global) can reduce battery consumption by 5-10%, but some features are not. MIUI (For example, topics or cloud storage will stop working.

How background apps affect Xiaomi’s autonomy

According to the tests Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO F5, background processes can eat up to 20 to 30 percent of the charge per day when used actively, and the main culprits are distributed in this way:

Interesting fact: Xiaomi 13 Ultra with MIUI 14 background consumption decreased by 15% compared to MIUI 12 thanks to optimization of the core of the system. 10A, POCO M5) The problem remains relevant due to a weak processor and a small amount of RAM.

To check which apps are draining your phone:

1. Charge your smartphone to 100% and do not connect charging for 4-5 hours.
2. Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Use.
3. Look at what processes consume more than 10 percent of the charge, and if it's not games or a navigator, you can limit them.

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On Xiaomi smartphones with Snapdragon processor (for example, POCO F4 GT) background processes consume less power than on models with MediaTek (Redmi Note 11 Pro), which is due to the optimization of Kryo cores in Qualcomm chips.

Frequent errors when working with background applications

Many users try to optimize their phones, but they only make them worse, and here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the com.android.vending (Google Play Services) process will stop app updates, notifications, and Google services. Instead, limit its background activity through battery settings.

• 🚫 Disabling all background processes will cause the phone to stop receiving notifications, synchronizing data and updating the weather, and optimally leave 3-5 of the most important applications (messaging, mail, banking).
• 🔄 Frequent cleaning of RAM — MIUI It controls the memory itself, and forced cleaning through the booster will only increase the load on the processor.
• 🔋 Use of killer tasks – programs like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster not only does not help, but can also conflict with system services.
• 📱 Disabling system updates – the process of com.miui.updater is responsible for the security of the phone. its lock can leave the device vulnerable to viruses.

Another common problem is the self-return of disabled processes, which is because some applications (especially system ones) have automatic recovery rights.

1. After the process is turned off, restart the phone.
2. Freeze the app with Greenify or App Freezer.
3. Check if you have administrator rights (Settings) → Passwords and security → Device administrators).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions