How to completely disable the background work of applications on Xiaomi: all ways

Application background activity is one of the main reasons for fast battery drain and slowing down Xiaomi smartphones. Even when you are not using the program, it can continue to consume resources: update data, send notifications or sync with servers. In this article, we will discuss all available methods for disabling background processes, from standard MIUI settings to hidden functions for power users.

The feature of MIUI firmware is that it aggressively optimizes application performance in the background, but sometimes it leads to the opposite effect: instead of saving power, the battery goes down even faster due to constant wake-ups of the processor. We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO F5 models with versions of MIUI 13-14 - instructions are relevant for most modern devices of the brand.

Why background processes are harmful to the smartphone

Each application running in the background consumes three key resources:

• 🔋 Battery charge – even 1% of consumption per hour from 10 applications gives 10% of losses in 10 hours of downtime.
• 🖥️ Processor and RAM – background tasks load cores CPU, which leads to heat and brakes.
• 📶 Mobile traffic – many programs (such as social networks) update data on mobile devices 3G/4G even on standby.

According to tests by XDA Developers, the average MIUI smartphone consumes up to 25-30% of its charge per night due to background activity, and 60% of this loss can be eliminated with the right settings – without root rights or complex manipulation.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling background work of system applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) can cause your smartphone to work unstable. Always check the name of the package before restrictions!

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (without root)

The safest method is to use built-in optimization tools, which are suitable for 90% of users and do not require technical knowledge.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application (for example, Facebook or TikTok).
3. Go to the Battery Consumption section.
4. Activate the option to limit background activity.

For mass blackout:

1. Return to Application Management → click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select AutoRun and disable unnecessary programs.
3. Then go to Battery Optimization and set the Restricted mode for applications.

Selected the desired application in "Application Management"

Activated "Limit background activity"

Auto-start disabled for unnecessary programs

Set to "Limited" mode in battery optimization-->

Method 2: Using Battery and Performance Mode

MIUI 14 has a hidden super-saving mode that automatically blocks background activity for all applications except system ones.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select Battery Mode → Over-durational.
3. Enable the option to limit background activity.
4. Add only critical messengers to the exceptions.

This mode reduces energy consumption by up to 40% in standby mode, but has side effects:

• ⏰ Notifications may be delayed until 10-15 minute.
• 🔄 Background synchronization (e.g. mail) only works when you manually open an application.
• 📱 Some widgets are no longer updated.

Balanced |Ultra-long-term |Performance |I don't know what it-->

Method 3: ADB-Teams for experienced users

For those who are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge, there is a more flexible method of managing background processes, which allows you to disable autorun for all applications at once, including system ones.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

After connecting, perform in the command line:

adb shell cmd appops set <package_name> RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND deny


adb shell cmd appops set <package_name> RUN_IN_BACKGROUND deny

To get a list of all packages installed, use:

adb shell pm list packages

adb shell cmd appops set --uid <user_id> RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND deny

To find user_id Your profile, follow the adb shell pm list of users-->

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause data loss or smartphone failure. Always back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset before experiments!

Method 4: Optimizers from Third Party Developers

If manual settings seem complicated, you can use specialized utilities. We tested 5 popular applications for managing background processes:

The most balanced option is Greenify. It doesn't require root rights, but you have to do one to work. ADB-team:

adb -d shell pm grant com.oasisfeng.greenify android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

The application will then be able to:

• 🛑 Forced to euthanize selected programs.
• 🔄 Turn off wakes from notifications.
• ⚡ Block Autostart After Rebooting.

Method 5: Configure through Developer Modes

Hidden settings for developers allow you to fine-tune the behavior of background processes, to activate them:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Click on 7 times in a row until the “You became a developer” notification appears.
3. Go back to the main settings menu and find a new section for developers.

Key parameters for optimization:

• 🔧 Do not remain active – kills processes immediately after closing (saves RAM, but can reset the state of applications).
• ⚡ Limit background processes – setting a limit on the number of simultaneous tasks.
• 🛡️ Inactive applications – Manually manage the list of “sleeping” programs.
• 📡 Mobile data in the background – disabling traffic for selected applications.

- Limit of background processes: 2-3

Do not remain active: VKL (unless you use multitasking)

- Mobile Data Limitation: HCL for Social Media and Gaming-->

What to do if after turning off background work stopped receiving notifications

This is the most common problem in aggressive optimization, and the solutions depend on the type of notifications you give.

For messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram):

• ✅ Add the app to exceptions in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• ✅ Enable auto-run for messenger in Settings → Annexes → Auto-start.
• ✅ Check the notification settings inside the application itself (Notifications section" → "Important").

For system notifications (calls, SMS):

• ✅ Make sure you do not disable the com.android.phone system application.
• ✅ Check the permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permit management → Notifications.

For banking applications and 2FA:

• ✅ Cancel all restrictions for the banking application.
• ✅ Turn on the mode for it Without restrictions on battery optimization.
• ✅ Add exceptions to Settings → Special facilities → Optimizing the battery.

Settings → Applications → Viber → Battery → Without restrictions

FAQ: Frequent questions about background work on Xiaomi