How to completely disable background apps on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: 5 working ways

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is still a popular budget smartphone, but its performance against the background of modern applications leaves much to be desired. One of the main reasons for the brakes is background processes that imperceptibly consume RAM, battery power and Internet traffic. In this article, we will discuss how to correctly disable unnecessary background applications without disrupting the stability of MIUI.

The problem is that even after closing the application through the multitasking menu, it can continue to work in the background, including messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), social networks (Facebook, Instagram), Google system services and Mi Account. Redmi 4X with its modest 2/3 GB of RAM and Snapdragon 435 processor every unnecessary process counts.

We tested all of these methods on the current versions of MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 14 (for those who have upgraded informally). Importantly, some methods require root rights, but the basic settings are available without them. Let's start with the safest and end with radical measures for power users.

Why are background apps slowing down Redmi 4X?

The Redmi 4X has MIUI firmware, which aggressively manages memory, but not always efficiently. Here are the key reasons why background processes are becoming a problem:

• 🔋 Battery consumption: Apps like Facebook or TikTok can consume up to 15-20% Charges per day even in the background.
• 🐢 Slowing down: With a lack of RAM (2 GB in the basic version), the smartphone begins to “hang” when switching between tasks.
• 📶 Background traffic: Messengers and social networks constantly synchronize data, spending mobile Internet.
• 🔄 Autorun: Many apps (Mi Video, Mi Music) automatically start when you turn on your phone or connect to Wi-Fi.

Especially critical is the Redmi 4X, which has firmware below MIUI 11, which lacks built-in optimization for weak devices, such as MIUI 12.5, which has Lite mode, which partially solves the problem, but is not enough for full control.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) may cause malfunctions MIUI. We recommend starting with user programs and only then moving to system programs.

Method 1: Manually disable via “Settings” (without root)

The safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which do not require super-user rights and is suitable for beginners.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the app you want to restrict (like Facebook).
3. Slip on Permissions and turn off: 🔄 Auto-Start (prohibits starting when the phone is turned on). 📶 Background data transmission (limits internet access in the background). 🔋 Optimizing the battery → Select to limit background activity.

Forced stopping

For mass blackout:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select the Apps and select the ones you want to apply the restrictions to.
3. Set the mode to limit background activity or Deep Optimization.

Is auto-start for messengers disabled?

Is background traffic restricted for social media?

Are unnecessary system applications (e.g. Mi Video) forced to stop?

Is the energy saving mode on for ignored applications?

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This reduces the load by 20-30%, but does not guarantee a complete shutdown. Some applications (such as WhatsApp) can bypass restrictions through push notifications.

Method 2: Using “Security” and “Optimization” in MIUI

MIUI has a built-in Security tool that allows you to manage auto-runs and background processes centrally, and it's more efficient than manual, because it works at the system level.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to Accelerate (or Optimize in older versions).
3. Click AutoStart Control and disable unnecessary apps (e.g. Mi Browser, Cleaner).
4. Go back and select Notification Block for apps that shouldn’t work in the background (like games or news services).
5. In the Energy Saving section, activate Super Energy Saving for critical cases (limits background activity of all applications except calls and SMS).

⚠️ Warning: Super Power Saving turns off background sync for Gmail, WhatsApp and other critical services. Use this mode only in extreme cases.

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If after disabling autorun the application stopped working correctly (for example, no notifications are received in Telegram), add it to the exceptions in the section Security → Acceleration → Exceptions.

Method 3: Using ADB to deep shut down (no root)

If standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to turn off background processes at the system level, which does not require root rights, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the Redmi 4X (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock Developer Settings, then turn on Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 4X to your computer and confirm debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. To turn off background activity for a particular app (e.g. Facebook), use: adb shell cmd appops set com.facebook.app RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND Replace com.facebook.app with the desired application package (you can find out through the App Inspector in the Play Market).
5. To disable autorun: adb shell cmd appops set com.facebook.app RUN_IN_BACKGROUND deny

List of popular packages for Redmi 4X:

• 📱 Mi Video: com.miui.video
• 🎵 Mi Music: com.miui.player
• 🌐 Mi Browser: com.android.browser
• 📷 Gallery: com.miui.gallery

After application ADB-Changes will continue even after the reboot, but can be reversed through the same command by replacing the denial with the allow.

Method 4: Turn off via Greenify (with or without root)

Greenify is one of the most effective applications for managing background processes, and it works in two modes:

• 🔓 No root: Limits activity through standard tools MIUI (less effectively).
• 🔑 Root: Completely freezes applications, preventing them from running.

How to set up Greenify on Redmi 4X:

1. Download Greenify from the Play Market (or from XDA Developers for root).
2. When you first start, grant access rights to Special Features (Settings → Special Features → Greenify).
3. Add apps to the hibernation list (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Mi Browser).
4. In the settings, activate: 🔄 Automatic hibernation (when the screen is blocked). 🚫 Blocking the awakening (prevents the launch from the event). 📵 Limiting network activity (to save traffic).

Aggressive regime

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Greenify doesn't remove apps, it just puts them to sleep when they're not in use, which is safer than shutting them down completely via Titanium Backup or ADB, but less drastically.

The benefits of Greenify:

• ⚡ It does not require complex manipulations (unlike the ADB).
• 📊 Statistics on resource consumption.
• 🔄 It's working automatically.

Disadvantages:

• 🔒 Without root, some system applications are not blocked.
• 📴 Can conflict with built-in optimization MIUI.

Method 5: Radical measures (for power users only)

If previous methods have failed, you can resort to extreme measures, which require root rights or an unlocked bootloader, which cancels the warranty and can lead to a brick device.

Options:

1. Remove System Applications via Titanium Backup: Remove Unnecessary Services (Mi Video, Mi Music, Cleaner) and back up before you delete!
2. Disable via build.prop: ro.config.nocheckin=1 This line disables background check for MIUI updates.
3. Use Xposed Framework: Install Amplify to block process awakenings. or BootManager to control autoruns.
4. Switching to custom firmware: Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience is devoid of MIUI junk. Requires unlocking the bootloader and experience with fastboot.

⚠️ Note: Removal of system applications may result in: 🔄 Cyclical reboot (bootloop). 📵 Loss of functionality (e.g., disabling com.miui.securitycenter will break your security settings). 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge (if you delete the wrong services) Before any manipulation, back up through TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

Manual settings MIUI|ADB-team|Greenify|Root and Removal of System Applications|Custom firmware|I don't know, I haven't tried it yet.-->

Additional Tips for the Redmi 4X

In addition to disabling background processes, you can improve the performance of the Redmi 4X in other ways:

• 🗑️ Cache Cleanup: Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Cache data.
• 🔄 Disable animation: In the developer settings, set Windows animation, transition animation and Off animation duration..
• 📴 Use Lite versions of apps: Install Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, Twitter Lite.
• 🔋 Calibration of the battery: Once every 3 months, perform a full discharge/charge cycle (0% to 100%).
• 🛠️ Reset to factory settings: If the smartphone is severely slowing down, do a reset via Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge.

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To speed up Redmi 4X, disable Mi Cloud Sync and Auto Update apps in the Play Market. These services are constantly running in the background, consuming resources.

FAQ: Frequent questions about background processes on Redmi 4X