How to Add an App to the Cleanup Exceptions on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are known for aggressive memory optimization: the system automatically closes the background applications to free up resources. This saves battery power, but often leads to the fact that the desired programs suddenly stop working — for example, stop receiving notifications from messengers or turn off music in the player. The solution is simple: add the application to the list of exceptions to the cleanup.

In this article, you will find the current ways for MIUI 14/15 and Android 12-14, including hidden settings that are not mentioned in the official instructions. We will also discuss why some applications still close despite exceptions, and how to fix it. If you use POCO Launcher or custom firmware, there is a separate section at the end of this article with nuances.

Why Xiaomi is killing background apps?

The MIUI memory cleaning algorithm works on three principles:

• 🔋 Battery savings: the system shuts down applications that are not actively used to reduce energy consumption, especially in ultra-saving mode.
• ⚡ Optimization of performance: if free RAM is less than 20%, MIUI They begin to forcefully free up resources, ignoring some exceptions.
• 📱 Manufacturer policy: Xiaomi adjusts Android so that background processes do not interfere with the operation of the main functions (calls, SMS, system-notification).

Even adding exceptions does not guarantee 100% protection: if an application consumes too much resources (such as games or torrent clients), the system can force it to close, in which case additional settings are required, which we will discuss below.

Method 1: Through battery settings (main method)

This is the most reliable method that works on all devices with MIUI 12 And it's new. It's relevant for Android. 11-14:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Go to the Application Power Management section (on some models it is called Battery Optimization).
3. Select Applications (or Applications in older versions).
4. Find the desired application in the list and tap it.
5. Activate the No Limits option (or No Limits).

If you don't have the app on the list, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show All Apps. On some firmware (POCO, HyperOS), the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select App] → Battery → Without Limitations

Make sure the battery settings are "Adaptive Battery" enabled"|Check that the app is not added to "Sleep Mode"|Reboot your phone after the changes|Open the app at least once manually (otherwise the exception may not work)-->

Method 2: Through security settings (for system applications)

Some apps (like Google Play Services or Mi Fit) don’t show up in the standard battery optimization list.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the right app and tap it.
3. Select Permissions → Autostart and enable this option.
4. Go back and go to the battery. → No restrictions.
5. In some firmware (MIUI 13+), you additionally need to go to Other permissions and turn on the Work in the background.

This method is particularly useful for applications that:

• 📱 Responsible for notifications (e.g. Telegram, WhatsApp).
• 🎵 Playing music in the background (Spotify, VK Music).
• 📍 Use geolocation (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps).

💡

If the application is still closed, try to further disable the option “Optimize MIUI” in the developer settings (see the next section).

Method 3: Through Developer Modes (for Power Users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use hidden MIUI settings, and you need to activate the developer mode first:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until you become a developer!
3. Go back to the basic settings and open a new Developer section (usually at the bottom of the list).

Now, do the following:

1. Find the option to limit background processes and set the value No Limits (or maximum number of processes available).
2. Scroll down to MIUI Optimization and turn it off.
3. In the Applications section, find the desired application and turn on Do not limit background activity for it.

After these manipulations, the application will be protected from forced closure, but note:

⚠️ Attention: Disabling optimization MIUI It can increase battery consumption by 10-15%. If you notice a significant reduction in working time, return the settings back.

Table: Comparison of application exclusion methods

What to do if the app is closed anyway?

Even after adding exceptions, some programs may close, and here are the most common reasons and solutions:

• 🔄 Phone Reboot: After Rebooting MIUI It resets some background processes. So the solution is to open the application manually after you turn it on.
• 📵 Power Saving Mode: In Ultra-Economic or Charge Saving modes, all exceptions are ignored.
• 🛠️ Firmware errors: On some versions MIUI 14 (e.g. 14.0.4) has a bug with background processes. The solution is to upgrade to the latest version.
• 🚫 Antivirus blocking: The built-in Security App can block background activity. Check its settings in Settings → Security.

If the problem persists, try an alternative method:

1. Remove the app from the exclusion list.
2. Clear the app cache in Settings → Apps → [Select App] → Memory → Clear the cache.
3. Add it back to the exceptions.
4. Reboot the phone.

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On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14), the path to settings may be different. Use the settings search (the magnifier icon at the top) to quickly find the desired partition.

Features for POCO, Redmi and custom firmware

POCO devices and some Redmi models (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+) have modified versions of MIUI with different paths to settings.

• 📱 POCO Launcher: Setting exceptions is in Settings → Special facilities → Optimizing the battery.
• 🔧 Redmi with global firmware: Instead of No Limits, there can be Manual option).
• 🛠️ Custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS): Use standard Android settings (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Optimizing the battery).

On the POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13T with HyperOS, the path to exceptions is as follows:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select App] → Battery → Background Activity → Without Limitations

If you are using Xiaomi.EU or other unofficial firmware, check for additional tweaks in the Settings menu → Additional → MIUI Tweaks. There are often separate options for managing background processes.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make the same mistakes when setting exceptions.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse the battery settings with AutoRun. These are two different options.

• ❌ Do not open the application after adding an exception. MIUI No exceptions for programs that have never been launched.
• ❌ They use killer tasks like Greenify, and these apps are in conflict with system optimization.
• ❌ They don't update the firmware. MIUI (For example, 12.5) there are bugs with background processes.
• ❌ They include too many exceptions. If you add more than 10 apps to the list, the system will start ignoring the settings.

To check if the exception works, use this method:

1. Add the app to the exceptions (by any of the methods described).
2. Close it (swipe in the multitasking menu).
3. Wait 5-10 minutes.
4. Open Settings → Applications → [Your App] → Memory and check if the cache has reset. If not, the exception works.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions