Disabling background apps on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: the full guide

Background apps on Xiaomi Redmi 9T are one of the main reasons for fast battery drain and interface slowdowns. Even when you’re not actively using the program, it can continue to consume resources: update data, send notifications or sync with servers, especially on budget models with limited capacity, where every percentage of performance counts.

Redmi 9T owners often face a situation where the smartphone warms up for no apparent reason, and in the task manager hangs a dozen processes from messengers, social networks and system services MIUI. But the problem is solvable: in this article we will analyze all the ways to disable background applications — from standard tools to hidden shell settings. You will learn how to prohibit auto-start, limit activity manually and even block the most voracious programs without root rights.

It is important to understand that completely disabling all background processes can disrupt some functions (such as push notifications or automatic synchronization).So the approach should be selective, we will show how to find a balance between performance and convenience, and also warn against the typical mistakes that users make when optimizing Redmi 9T.

Why are the background apps slowing down the Redmi 9T?

Xiaomi Redmi 9T is equipped with a Snapdragon 662 processor and 4-6 GB of RAM, which on paper looks enough for everyday tasks. However, in practice, users face lags due to the features of the MIUI shell and aggressive application background policy.

1. Autorun on schedule: Many programs (such as Facebook, Instagram, or AliExpress) are set to run periodically to update content, even if you don’t use them, which consumes up to 15-20% of battery life per day.

2. Data synchronization: Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and email clients constantly exchange data with servers, keeping the connection active. On Redmi 9T, this is especially noticeable due to the weak optimization of the communication module.

3. MIUI System Services: Xiaomi’s shell itself runs dozens of processes, from usage analytics to cloud synchronization, some of which can be turned off without compromising stability.

• 🔋 Battery: Background tasks can reduce battery life by 30-40%, especially when the network signal is weak (a smartphone wastes energy on repeated attempts to connect).
• 🐢 Performance: If there are more than 20 processes in the task manager, the system starts to slow down when switching between applications.
• 🔥 Overheating: Constant processor activity due to background tasks leads to the body heating, especially when charging.

Interestingly, the Redmi 9T tested with the background apps disabled with up to 25% performance gains in benchmark tests (e.g., AnTuTu), with battery life increasing by 1.5-2 hours at average load.

Method 1: Disabling Auto-Run Applications

The most effective way to reduce background activity is to prevent programs from automatically running when you turn on your smartphone or connect to the Internet, and MIUI has a built-in tool for this, but it's hidden in the depths of settings.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select AutoRun.
3. In the list, mark the applications that you want to prohibit auto-run (for example, games or social networks).
4. Click Turn off at the bottom of the screen.

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Warning: Do not disable auto-runs for system applications (e.g. com.android.phone or com.miui.securitycenter) This can cause phone malfunctions, including loss of mobile network or notifications.

Once you turn off auto-run, applications can still run in the background if you run them manually, and to completely block background activity, you need to use the following method.

Backup of important data |

Remember passwords from accounts (reentry may be required)|

Check the list of applications for system services |

Disable Auto-Run for Unnecessary Programs-->

Method 2: Manually limiting background activity

If autorun is disabled, but the application is still hanging in the background, it can be forcibly restricted. MIUI 12/13 has a Background Limitation feature that suspends the program's activity when it's not in use.

How to include the limitation:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as TikTok or YouTube).
3. Slip on Background Limitation and activate the switch.
4. In the window that appears, confirm the action by clicking Limit.

This method works for most third-party applications, but does not affect system services, and note that after a restriction, some functions may not work correctly:

• 📧 Post: Push notifications for new emails will stop coming.
• 💬 Messengers: Messages will only be delivered when the application is opened.
• 🎵 Music Services: Playback will stop when screen locks.

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If, after the background restriction, the app stopped updating content (for example, Instagram feed does not load new posts), try temporarily removing the restriction, updating the data manually, and then turning on the lock again.

Method 3: Using Task Manager and Cleaning Memory

MIUI has a built-in task manager that shows all active processes and allows you to force them to close, which is a temporary solution, but it helps to quickly free up RAM if the smartphone starts to slow down.

How to clean up background processes:

1. Click on the recent apps button (square in the bottom navigation bar).
2. Scroll up to the end of the list and tap on Clear everything.
3. For selective cleaning, swipe left or right unnecessary applications.

You can also use an extended controller:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the option Do not remain active and turn it on (this will make the system more aggressively close the background processes).

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Attention: Frequent forced memory cleaning can increase battery consumption. When you close an application, the system spends resources restarting it when you need it again. Use this method only with obvious brakes.

Method 4: Disabling synchronization and push notifications

Many background processes involve data synchronization and push notifications, and turning them off for unnecessary applications will reduce the number of active tasks, but this will affect usability – for example, new emails or messages will only come when you manually update them.

How to turn off synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select an account (such as Google or Mi Account).
3. Turn off unnecessary sync options (contacts, calendar, mail).

How to disable push notifications:

1. Press the app icon on the home screen, then select Application Information.
2. Go to Notifications and turn off the switch.
3. To fine-tune your notification categories, tap notification categories and disallow unnecessary types (such as advertising alerts).

🔹 Exceptions:

• 📱 Do not turn off sync for Contacts and Messages if you use cloud backup.
• 🔔 Leave notifications for instant messengers and banking applications if they are critically important.

Method 5: Using third-party utilities (without root)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use third-party applications to manage background processes, such as Greenify or Brevent, which allows you to freeze unnecessary programs without root rights, but their effectiveness on Redmi 9T depends on the version of MIUI and security settings.

Instructions for Greenify:

1. Install Greenify from Google Play.
2. Launch the application and follow the customization wizard (you will need to provide permissions to use special features).
3. Add to the list the apps you want to “sleep” (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn).
4. Activate the option Aggressive hibernation in the settings.

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Note: On MIUI 12.5+, Greenify may not work as smoothly due to shell limitations. If applications have stopped updating even when manually running after hibernation, try Brevent (requires a PC connection to activate).

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Greenify-type utility side-sides do not give 100% guarantee to disable background processes on Redmi 9T, as MIUI blocks some of the features for security.

Method 6: Resetting settings to factory (last resort)

If the smartphone is unbearably slowed down and the background processes can not be controlled, the last option is to reset to factory settings, which will delete all user data, but return the system to its original state, where there will be no unnecessary autoruns and conflicting services.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, set up your smartphone as new, but don’t restore data from the backup – this can bring back old issues.

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Note: On the Redmi 9T, resetting does not remove MIUI updates. If the brakes are associated with a particular firmware version, you may need to downgrade via Fastboot. This is a risky procedure - only do it if you are confident in your actions.

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After reset, immediately disable auto-start for all unnecessary applications (see Method 1) to prevent the system from clogging again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about background processes on Redmi 9T