Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI They are known for aggressive power optimization, which often leads to automatic closure of applications in the background, saving battery power, but hindering the operation of instant messengers, activity trackers, music players and other services that require constant activity. In this article, we will discuss how to configure background work on Redmi devices, POCO and Xiaomi of different generations from the old models on MIUI 10 to new with HyperOS.
The problem is not limited to app crashes; incorrect settings can lead to notification delays (e.g., Telegram or WhatsApp), data synchronization failures (e.g., Google Fit), or even loss of geolocation in the navigators, and the manufacturer does not always provide obvious tools for fine-tuning.
It's important to understand that there is no universal solution. 11T Pro MIUI 13 settings will be different from the Redmi Note 12 on HyperOS, and some applications (such as Viber or Spotify) will require additional manipulation of permissions.
Why is Xiaomi closing apps in the background?
System system MIUI (And its successor, HyperOS, uses an aggressive memory management algorithm that prioritizes energy savings over background activity:
1. Battery optimization: Qualcomm Snapdragon or MediaTek Helio processor in most Xiaomi smartphones automatically limits background processes if charge drops below 15-20%. Even when connected to a charge, some applications may be forced to close if the system deems them “unnecessary".
2. Lack of RAM. Devices with 4/6 GB of RAM (e.g., Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) More actively "clean" the background than flagships like Xiaomi 13 Ultra with 12+ GB: The less free memory, the more restrictive the limitations.
3. Politics MIUI/HyperOS. By default, the system classifies most applications as "Limited Background" that blocks their activity through the system. 5-10 Exceptions are system services (e.g. Mi Cloud) and some messengers (but not all!).
4 Adaptive brightness and Green Mode features like Adaptive Battery or Ultra Battery Saver (available in Settings) → Batteries can completely disable background work for “non-priority” applications.
⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) And the optimization algorithms are even stricter, and here, for applications to work in the background, you might need to shut down the function. MIUI Optimization through ADB (We'll tell you about that below).
Basic settings of the background mode in MIUI/HyperOS
Before you resort to radical measures, check the standard settings that are available without superuser rights. They will help in 80% of cases, especially for instant messengers and social networks.
Auto-start permits:
Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the desired application (for example, VK Skype).
- Slip on Autostart and switch on.
Important: Without this permission, the application will not be able to start automatically after restarting or clearing the memory.
2. disabling battery optimization:
In the same application management menu, find the item "Battery Optimization" (or "Energy saving").
Choose the option "No restrictions" or "High performance".
- For HyperOS: The path may be different - Settings → Battery → Choice of applications.
Fixing the application in memory:
Open multi-window mode (swipe up with a delay on the Home button).
Find the desired application in the list of the latest and pull it down (the lock icon will appear).
This will prevent automatic closure when the memory is cleared, but only works until the device is restarted.
- 🔄 For messengers: Enable auto-run + Turn off battery optimization + fix it in memory.
- 🎵 For music players (e.g. YouTube Music): Additionally check the permission for "Working in the background" in the app settings.
- 📍 For navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator): Enable "Accurate Location" in geodata settings.
Advanced settings through "Special Permits"
If the basic methods didn't work, it's time to dig deeper. MIUI HyperOS has hidden “Special Resolutions” that allow you to more accurately control background activity.
1. Work permit in the background:
- Go to Settings. → Annexes → Special permits → Working in the background.
Find the right application and turn on the option for it.
Note: On some firmware, this item may be referred to as "Unlimited" or "Constant Activity".
Ignoring battery optimization:
In the same section, "Special Permits" look for "Ignore Battery Optimization".
Add the app to the list, and that will completely disable the energy-saving restrictions.
3. Permission to display pop-up windows:
For instant messengers (such as WhatsApp or Viber), turn on "Pop-ups" in special permissions.
This will allow notifications to appear on top of other applications, even if the main process is curtailed.
| Setting up | The way is on the menu | What applications are critical for |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-start | Settings → Applications → Management → Auto-Run | Messengers, social networks, cloud services |
| Working in the background | Settings → Special permits → Working in the background | Activity trackers, navigators, music players |
| Ignoring optimization | Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization | Constantly synced apps (e.g. Google Drive) |
| Pop-ups | Settings → Special permits → Pop-ups | Messengers, banking applications |
⚠️ Note: On HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14 Pro), the path to some settings may be different. If you don’t find the “Special Permissions” section, try searching through the search bar in the settings for keywords: “background”, “battery”, “optimization".
Enable autostart|Disable battery optimization|Lock the application in memory|Add to “Work in the background"|Check the permission to notify-->
Shutdown MIUI Optimization through ADB (advanced)
If none of the above methods worked, there is a radical solution: disabling the built-in optimization. MIUI through ADB. This will help on devices with MIUI 12+ HyperOS, where standard settings are ignored by the system.
Preparation:
- Install. ADB-PC drivers.
- Turn on "Debugging by" USB" on a smartphone: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times to unlock Developer Mode, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and enable debugging.
Execution of the command:
Connect the phone to the PC and enter in the command line:
adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1- Reset the device.
Verification:
- After restart, check if the item has disappeared "MIUI Optimization" in Settings → Special features. If yes, optimization is offline.
What does it mean?
Applications will cease to be arbitrarily closed in the background.
Notifications will be received immediately (without delay).
Geolocation and synchronization of data will become more stable.
Cons:
- Increased battery consumption 10-15% (through the constant activity of background processes).
- Possible hanging on devices with 4 GB of RAM due to memory overload.
What to do if ADB is not working?
Set up background work for specific applications
Some programs require a personalized approach, and let's look at the nuances of popular services.
Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber):
In addition to auto-starting and disabling battery optimization, check:
Permission to "Permanent Notifications" (in the application settings).
- No restrictions in the "Energy saving" for a particular chat (in the MIUI 14+).
For Telegram: in the application settings, enable "Autoload Media" and "Background playback" (for voice messages).
2. Music services (Spotify, YouTube Music, Yandex Music):
- Include "Work in the background" in special permits.
For Spotify: In the application settings, disable Data Optimization (may interrupt the stream).
- If music is interrupted when the screen is locked, check the Traffic Savings settings in Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
3. Navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator, Waze):
Enable "Exact Location" (not just approximate!).
- B Settings → Location → Select "High accuracy" mode".
For Google Maps: In the application settings, enable "Background Map Update".
4. activity trackers (Google Fit, Mi Fitness, Strava):
In addition to the standard permits, check:
- Permission for "Physical Activity" in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
- Settings "Energy saving" for sensors (in Settings) → Battery → Energy saving applications).
For Mi Band: In the Mi Fitness app, turn on "Constant Sync".
💡
If after all the settings the application still closes, try installing it. APK-The version from the developer's website (not from Google Play), sometimes pirated builds bypass restrictions MIUI through modified services.
How to check if the application works in the background?
To make sure that the settings are applied correctly, use these methods:
1. Through Task Manager:
Open multi-window mode (swipe up with a delay).
If the application is locked, it should not close.
If he's not on the list, it means the system killed him.
2. Through ADB (advanced):
Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:
adb shell dumpsys activity activities | grep "mFocusedActivity"In the conclusion, find the name of your application (for example, com.whatsapp).
Notification test:
Ask a friend to send you a message in the messenger.
If the notification came instantly - the background work is set up correctly.
If you are late (or not at all) check the permissions again.
Battery monitoring:
Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Use.
If you have a "Limited" tag next to it, battery optimization is still active.
⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the standard Task Manager may not show the actual state of the background processes. For accurate diagnosis, use third-party utilities like Greenify or Background Apps Manager (available on Google Play).
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when setting up background work, and here are the most common:
Ignoring system updates:
- After updating MIUI or HyperOS, all background settings are reset!
Conflict with “Productivity Mode”:
- B Settings → Battery → Performance mode chosen "Balance" or "Saving"? This automatically limits background processes. Switch to "Performance".
3. Incorrect permissions for Google Play Services:
If you have trouble syncing Google services (e.g., Google Maps is not updated), check:
- AutoRun permission for Google Play Services.
No restrictions in "Battery Optimization".
4.Use of "Memory Cleaners":
Applications like Clean Master or Security aggressively close the background processes, remove them or add the right applications to exceptions.
5. Unaccounted for system limitations:
- On some models (e.g. Redmi) 9C 2GB of RAM, the system forcibly closes all background applications when you start games.
💡
On devices with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14) for stable application performance in the background be sure to turn off the function MIUI Optimization through ADB. Without it, even manual settings can be ignored by the system.