Disabling the background mode of applications on Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones are known for their multitasking, but application backgrounds often cause rapid battery drain and system slowdown. Many users are faced with a situation where even after the application is closed, it continues to consume resources in the background — it can be social networks, messengers or system services. In this article, we will discuss how to completely or selectively disable the background mode for individual applications without disrupting the stability of the device.

It’s important to understand that background processes aren’t always harmful: some apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) need them to get notifications in a timely manner. However, most games, media players, and underused programs can be safely restricted. We’ll look at both standard MIUI settings and hidden features for power users, including working with ADB and system permissions.

Why background apps drain the battery

Background activity is one of the main reasons for the increased power consumption on Xiaomi smartphones, and even after the closure, many programs continue to:

• 🔄 Update real-time data (social networks, email clients).
• 📡 Maintain a connection to servers for push notifications.
• 🖥️ Sync (e.g. Google Drive or Mi Cloud).
• 🎮 Optimize cache or download updates (games, streaming services).

Research shows that up to 30 percent of battery life can be spent on background processes if left unchecked, especially on low-end Redmi models with small batteries (like the Redmi 9A or Redmi Note 10), where every percentage counts, with MIUI allowing most applications to run in the background by default to provide a “smooth user experience.”

Another problem is that apps auto-run, and many programs (like Facebook or TikTok) automatically activate when you turn on your smartphone or connect to the Internet, even if you haven't opened them, which not only eats up the charge, but also loads RAM, which leads to slowdowns.

Ways to disable background mode in MIUI

MIUI has some built-in tools for managing background processes, and let's take them in order, from the simplest to the most advanced.

1. Restriction through "Battery and performance"

The fastest way is to use the built-in optimization settings:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select Battery Management (or Battery Optimization in newer versions).
3. Select the apps and find the right one in the list.
4. Select Restricted or Manual (depending on the MIUI version).

In mode, the Limited Application will not be able to:

• 🚫 Working in the background after closing.
• 🔔 Receive push notifications (except system notifications).
• ⚡ Consume the battery for synchronization.

2. Set up Auto-Run Applications

To prevent applications from running automatically:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the appropriate app (such as Instagram).
3. Slip on Autostart and turn off the slider.
4. In some versions of MIUI, you also need to disable Secondary Launch.

This method is particularly effective for applications that:

• 📱 Started when connected to Wi-Fi/mobile.
• 🔄 Activated after restarting the device.
• 🎯 Use geolocation in the background (e.g. Google Maps).

💡

If the app stopped showing notifications after disabling autorun, check the sync settings in the app itself. For example, Viber needs to manually enable the Background Work option.

3.Use of Battery Saver (Battery Saver)

Battery Protection in MIUI allows you to globally limit background activity:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Protection
2. Enable Balanced or Energy Saving mode.
3. Add problematic apps to the exclusion list (if necessary).

In the energy saving mode:

• ⏳ Background processes are suspended 10 minutes after closing.
• 📶 Access to mobile data is limited in the background.
• 🔋 Reduced screen refresh rate (on some models).

⚠️ Warning: In Energy Saving mode, notifications from instant messengers may not arrive. If messages are important to you, add WhatsApp, Telegram and other critical applications to the exceptions.

Manual optimization through developer settings

For power users, there are additional tools in the Developer Menu to activate it:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified "You became a developer").
3. Return to the main settings and open a new section → For developers.

Now you can:

• 🛠️ Limit the number of background processes (the parameter Limit background processes).
• 🔄 Disable window animation (accelerates the system operation).
• 📡 Ban background traffic for individual applications.

The most useful options for saving battery:

⚠️ Attention: Disabling the Optimization parameter MIUI It can cause some functions to function in an unstable way (such as gestures or themes). Use it only if you are confident in your actions.

Disabling background processes via ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for deep tuning.

• 📱 Removal of pre-installed system applications (bloat).
• 🔧 Global Background Activity Disconnection for All Applications.
• 🛡️ Auto-start locks at the system level.

To work with ADB, you will need:

1. A computer with Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers installed.
2. Included debugging on USB on your smartphone (Settings → For developers → debugging on USB).
3. USB Type-C cable (preferably original)

Examples of useful commands:

Disable AutoRun for a specific application (e.g. Facebook)


adb shell cmd appops set com.facebook.app AUTO_START ignore




Ban background activity for all applications (caution!)



adb shell settings put global background_process_limit 1




Remove the system application (e.g. Mi Video)



adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

After completing the commands, restart the smartphone. The effect will be noticeable immediately: the number of running processes in the task manager will decrease, and the battery will begin to last longer.

What applications can be turned off without risk

Not all background processes are equally useful, but here is a list of applications that can be safely restricted or disabled:

But these applications are not recommended to limit:

• 📞 Phone, Contacts, Messages (may not come) SMS).
• 🔔 Google Play Services (responsible for notifications and updates).
• 🔒 Mi Security or Google Play Protect (Virus Protection).
• 📍 Google Maps or Mi Location (if you use navigation).

💡

Before disabling system applications, check their dependence on other features, for example, Mi Account is used to synchronize notes and backups, and Google Services Framework is used to work most applications from the Play Market.

What to do if after switching off background processes there are problems

Sometimes excessive restriction of background activity leads to failures, and here are the typical problems and their solutions:

1. no notifications from messengers are coming

Decision:

• Add the application (WhatsApp, Viber) to the Battery Protection exceptions.
• In the application settings, enable Auto Start and Background work.
• Check permissions for notifications in Settings → Notifications.

2. applications are long loaded or departed

Decision:

• Increase the limit of background processes in the Developer Settings to 4-5.
• Clear the app cache in Settings → Apps → Storage.
• Undo the restrictions for this application in Battery and Performance.

3. Battery discharges quickly despite limitations

Decision:

• Check the settings → Battery → Using the battery for “gluttonous” processes.
• Turn off Adaptive Brightness and set a fixed value.
• Check your smartphone for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.

⚠️ Attention: If after the changes the smartphone began to slow down or overheat, reset the settings to the factory (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings. This will return all parameters to their original state.

FAQ: Frequent questions about background processes on Xiaomi