Background apps on Xiaomi Redmi Note smartphones are one of the main reasons for fast battery drain and slowdown, and even when you’re not actively using the program, it can continue to consume resources, such as updating data, sending notifications or syncing with servers, especially on models with limited RAM (3-4 GB), where every unnecessary process affects performance.
In this article, we will discuss all available ways to disable background applications – from standard tools. MIUI You will learn how to completely block unnecessary processes, limit their activity or configure auto-cleaning memory. MIUI 12 before MIUI 14) Redmi Note series models, including Note 10/11/12).
Why are background apps harmful to the smartphone?
Even on the new Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Note 11T Pro, background processes can eat up to 20 to 30 percent of battery life per day, and here are the main problems they cause:
- 🔋 Accelerated battery life: Apps like Facebook, Instagram or TikTok constantly update content in the background, even when the screen is off.
- 🐢 Slowdown: if there is 10 in the background+ Applications, the system begins to “hang” when switching between tasks.
- 📡 Increased traffic: messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and social networks consume mobile Internet for synchronization.
- 🔥 CPU overheating: Constant background activity forces a chipset (Snapdragon or Mediatek) to run to the limit.
According to XDA Developers, turning off background activity for the 5-7 most voracious applications can increase battery life by 15-25% (depending on model and intensity of use), while performance in games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) increases by 10-15% due to the release of RAM.
⚠️ Note: Not all background processes can be disabled without consequences, such as blocking Google Play Services or MIUI The system will cause malfunctions in the smartphone, and we recommend manually analyzing each application before turning it off.
Method 1: Disconnecting through “Autostart” in MIUI
The safest and most effective method is to use the built-in AutoRun feature in MIUI settings, which allows you to prevent applications from running automatically when you turn on your smartphone or connect to the network.
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select AutoRun.
- In the list, mark the applications you want to block (for example, AliExpress, Wildberries, games).
- Click Turn off at the bottom of the screen.
This method doesn't remove applications, it just prevents them from activating themselves, and you can still run them manually, and it's especially useful to turn off auto-start to:
- 🛒 Apps of stores (Ozone, Yandex Market)
- 🎮 Games with aggressive advertising (Candy Crush, Homescapes)
- 📰 News aggregators (Yandex Zen, News Break)
Apps you don’t use on a daily basis
Games with push notifications
Social networks, except the main messenger
Geolocation services (if not necessary)
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After turning off autostart, check the battery discharge through Settings → Battery → Battery Use. Usually the effect is noticeable after 1-2 hours of active use.
Method 2: Limit background activity through the "Battery"
MIUI has a hidden Background Activity Limitation feature that allows you to manually configure which applications can run in the background, a method that is more flexible than disabling autoruns, since it gives you control over individual permissions.
To find this setting:
- Go to Settings → Battery → Select Battery Mode
- Select Application Setup (in some versions of MIUI, this option is called Battery Optimization).
- Tapping on the desired app (such as VK or YouTube).
- Select Limit Background Activity or Sleep (depending on the firmware version).
| Regime. | What's he doing? | What applications are suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| No restrictions. | Allows full background activity | Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), navigators (Yandex Maps) |
| Limit the background | Blocks updates but allows notifications | Social networks (Instagram, Twitter), email clients |
| Son | Completely blocks activity when blocking the screen | Games that are rarely used utilities |
For maximum battery savings, we recommend that you install Sleep mode for all applications except messengers and navigators. For example, on the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13, this allowed you to increase standby time from 12 to 18 hours (based on the results of GSMArena tests).
MIUI 12
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
Another version.
I don't know.
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⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 9 Pro and older), push notifications may stop working for Google Play Services after the background activity is limited. To fix this, return to this application mode No Limits.
Method 3: Manually close applications through “Quick Settings”
If you need to release RAM immediately (for example, before starting a game or shooting a video in the video). 4K), You can manually close all the background processes. MIUI There is a special button in the notification panel:
- Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Find the Clean icon (usually located at the bottom right).
- Click on it – all background applications will be closed.
On the Redmi Note 11 and later, you can configure automatic cleaning:
- 🔄 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Cleaning up memory.
- 📱 Enable the Auto Clean option when blocking.
- ⚙️ Select which applications should remain in memory (for example, a music player).
This method doesn't disable auto-start, it only temporarily frees up memory. Once you reboot your smartphone or re-open your apps, they'll start working in the background again. For permanent effect, combine it with the first or second method.
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If the “Clean” button is not in the notification panel, add it manually: swipe down twice, click on the pencil icon and drag the button to the active area.
Method 4: Use of the "charge saving" mode
MIUI has a built-in Charge Saving mode that automatically limits background activity of all applications except system ones, which is suitable if you need to urgently extend your smartphone life (for example, on a trip without access to charging).
Activate the mode in two ways:
- Through the notification panel: Swipe down from the top edge of the screen. Find the Charge Saving icon (the battery icon with the sheet) and tap on it.
- Through Settings: Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Mode. Select Charge Saving or Super Saving (on newer models).
In charge saving mode:
- ✅ Background activity of all applications is limited, except messengers and calls.
- ✅ Automatic sync is disabled (for example, for Gmail or Google Contacts).
- ✅ Reduced screen refresh rate (from 90 Hz to 60 Hz on supported models).
- ❌ Some features (such as Always-on Display or NSF) are not working).
This mode is useful in critical situations, but not suitable for constant use, as it limits the functionality of the smartphone. On the Redmi Note 12 Pro with MIUI 14, Super Saving mode allows you to extend the running time by 30-40% (according to the NotebookCheck tests).
Method 5: Third-party utilities for deep optimization
If standard MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party apps that offer more flexible settings, but require administrator rights or special permissions (which may not be safe), and we tested a few tools and selected the most reliable ones:
| Annex | Functions | Wants a Root? | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenify | Hybernation of unnecessary applications, work without Root | No (but with Root more efficient) | Google Play |
| Brevent | Blocking background activity through ADB | No (ADB needed) | XDA Developers |
| Servicely | Disconnection of system services (for experienced) | Yes. | Google Play |
The safest option is Greenify, which requires no Root rights and works through a hibernation mechanism: freezes apps when they are not in use, to configure it:
- Install Greenify from Google Play.
- Launch the application and give access to Special Features (in Android settings).
- Select hibernation apps (e.g. Facebook, TikTok).
- Activate the option of automatic hibernation.
⚠️ Note: Applications like Brevent or Servicely require a connection to ADB The incorrect use of these tools can lead to system failure or loss of warranty.
How to enable USB debugging for ADB
Additional Optimization Tips
In addition to disabling background apps, you can improve the performance of Xiaomi Redmi Note in other ways:
- 🔄 Update the firmware: in new versions MIUI Often optimize memory management. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 🧹 Clear the cache: once a month, delete unnecessary data through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
- 📵 Turn off unnecessary notifications: Go to the settings of each application and prevent sending push messages.
- 🔋 Calibrate the battery: once every 3 months completely discharge and charge the smartphone to 100% to reset the controller.
In the models with AMOLED-screens (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Note 11 Pro)+) Additional savings include dark theme and reduce screen wait time to 15 seconds.
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The combination of disabling autostart (Method 1) and limiting background activity (Method 2) gives the maximum effect without loss of functionality.