How to disable background apps on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Background apps on Xiaomi are one of the main reasons for the slow operation of the smartphone and fast battery drain. Even when you are not actively using the program, it can continue to consume resources: update data, send notifications or sync with servers. As a result, the phone warms up, slows down, and the autonomy is reduced by 20-40%. POCO, where hardware resources are limited.

In this article, you will find 5 working methods for disabling background processes – from standard settings MIUI We will look at which applications can be safely restricted and which ones are best left in working order (for example, instant messengers or banking services). You will also learn how to check which programs consume the most energy, and how to set up auto-cleaning without manual intervention.

Important: Instructions are relevant to MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions) If you have older firmware, some menu items may differ, we will warn you about this separately.

Why background apps are damaging your smartphone

Background activity isn't always malicious, and many applications do need constant work to function properly.

• 📱 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) – without a background will not be notified of new messages.
• 🏦 Banking applications – can block access if they are forced to close.
• 🎵 Music services (Spotify, Yandex Music) – interrupt playback when you move to another section of the phone.

However, more than 60% of the background processes on Xiaomi are run by unnecessary programs: social networks, games, stores or pre-installed Mi services.

• 🔋 Battery costs even in standby mode (up to 15% per night).
• 🐢 Slow down the system, occupying RAM.
• 🌡️ Causes overheating of the processor while working several background tasks.
• 📡 Consume mobile traffic for synchronization (up to 500 MB per month).

Test data. XDA Developers, turning off background activity for the 10 most voracious apps increases the battery life of Redmi Note 12 by 2-3 hours, while gaming and multitasking performance increases by 20-25% due to freeing up RAM.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable background processes for system applications called com.android., com.miui. or com.xiaomi.* manually. MIUI, including camera, sensor or mobile network failure.

Method 1: Limiting the background through battery settings

The safest and most recommended method is to use built-in optimization tools. MIUI. They do not require superuser rights and do not disrupt critical services.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management
2. Select applications (or battery optimization in older versions).
3. In the list, find the app you want to restrict (like Facebook or TikTok).
4. Choose the option to limit background activity or save energy.
5. Confirm the change.

After that, the application will not be able to:

• 🔄 Update data in the background (for example, upload new posts in the feed).
• 🔔 Send push notifications (except high-priority ones).
• 📶 Use mobile traffic or Wi-Fi to sync.

Notification settings (Is important notifications disabled)

The ability of messengers (are messages coming)

Auto-update weather and widgets

Synchronization of the account Google/Mi-->

This method is suitable for 90% of users, because it does not require deep knowledge and is reversible. If after the restriction the application stopped working correctly (for example, mail does not update), return the settings to the original state.

Method 2: Manually Closing Applications Through Multitasking Menu

If you need to temporarily free up RAM (for example, before starting a game), you can manually close unnecessary processes. However, this method does not turn off background activity forever - the applications will start again the next time you use it.

How to close:

1. Click on the recent apps button (square or swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen).
2. Check out the list of open source programs.
3. Swipe up the app card to close it.
4. For mass closing, tap on the icon Close everything (cross or basket).

On some Xiaomi models, for example, POCO F5) There's an extra option:

• 🔒 Secure – the application will not close when cleaning multitasking.
• 📱 Split screen – to work with two programs simultaneously.

⚠️ Attention: Frequent forced closure of applications can increase battery consumption, the system will waste resources on restarting processes.

Once a day.

Only when the phone is slowing down.

Never clean.

Using a car cleaner.-->

Method 3: Use of the "Distractless" (DND) mode

Do not disturb (Do not disturb) in the MIUI Not only does it block notifications, it also suspends background activity for most applications, which is useful at night or during important meetings.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Do not disturb.
2. Activate the switch Enable.
3. Set up a schedule (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00) or turn it on manually.
4. In the Rules section, select the Applications and add programs that can be limited.

In DND mode:

• ⏸️ Data synchronization for selected applications is suspended.
• 🔔 All notifications are disabled (except those permitted in the exceptions).
• 📵 Calls are blocked (you can set exceptions for selected contacts).

This solution is suitable for those who want to save battery power at night or while sleeping without completely turning off background processes. For example, instant messengers will receive messages, but will not be able to update statuses or download media files in the background.

Method 4: Disabling Auto-Run Applications

Many Xiaomi programs automatically start when you turn on your phone or after you restart, VK), Disabling auto-run reduces the load on the processor and speeds up the system load.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate app (such as Facebook).
3. Slip on Autostart and turn off the switch.
4. Confirm the action.

For mass blackout:

1. In the same Application Management section, click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select AutoRun.
3. Sort the list by Allowed and disable unnecessary programs.

Effects of auto-start shutdown:

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable auto-start for Google Play, Miui Daemon or Security Services. This may lead to errors in the work MIUI, including problems with push notifications and updates.

💡

Before you switch off auto-start, check which apps use the Adaptive Battery feature in your power settings. Some programs (such as WhatsApp) can be automatically excluded from optimization to work properly.

Method 5: Advanced Methods (for Power Users)

If the standard methods don't work, you can use more radical measures, which require the rights of a superuser (root) or work with the user. ADB.

Method 1: Disconnection through ADB

This method allows you to block background activity for system applications that cannot be restricted through the menu. MIUI.

adb shell cmd appops set < application package > RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND deny

Examples for turning off the background of Mi Browser:

adb shell cmd appops set com.android.browser RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND deny

Method 2: Use Greenify (root required)

Greenify allows you to freeze unnecessary processes without removing them completely, and once hibernate, programs will not consume resources until the next manual run.

• 🔧 Install Greenify from Google Play.
• 📋 Grant the rights of the superuser.
• ➕ Add the appendices to the hibernation list.
• ⚙️ Set up automatic hibernation when locking the screen.

Method 3: Delete preinstalled applications (debloat)

Many system programs (Mi Pay, Mi Community, Mi Game Center) cannot be disabled by standard means. ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 <package applications>

List of safe packet removal:

• 🎮 com.xiaomi.glgm — Mi Game Center
• 💳 com.xiaomi.payment — Mi Pay
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video

These methods maximize productivity, but they require caution. ADB or root can cause a "brick" of the device (complete inoperability).

💡

Before use ADB or root backup data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. In case of a failure, you can restore the system.

How to Check Which Apps Consume the Most Resources

Before you turn off the background processes, you need to identify the main "culprits" of the brakes and battery discharge. MIUI There are built-in tools for this.

Method 1: Battery monitoring

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Use.
2. See the list of applications, sorted by charge consumption.
3. Slip on any item to see details: background time, mobile data consumption, etc.

Method 2: Analysis of RAM

1. Open the Settings. → The phone. → Memory (or Settings) → Annexes → Status of memory).
2. See which programs take up the most RAM.
3. Pay attention to the background processes column.

Method 3: Using third-party utilities

For a more detailed analysis, install one of the applications:

• 📊 AccuBattery – shows battery consumption in real time.
• 🔍 CPU Monitor – monitors the load on the processor.
• 📈 Greenify (even without root) – reveals “gluttonous” programs.

Example of the report from AccuBattery for Redmi Note 11:

If an app consumes more than 10% of its charge per day with minimal use, it should be limited or removed.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you turn off the background, users often make mistakes that reverse the effect of the phone, and it gets worse. Let's look at the typical cases.

Error 1: Disabling all background processes

Many people think that the more applications you restrict, the better, but this leads to:

• 🚫 Loss of important notifications (for example, missed calls).
• ⏳ Slowing down the work of messengers (messages come with a delay).
• 🔄 Synchronization problems (mail, calendar not updated).

Mistake 2: Forcing System Process Closure

Killing processes like com.android.systemui or com.miui.home results in:

• 🖥️ Rebooting the interface MIUI.
• 🔳 Loss of touch response.
• 📵 Sensor failure (gyroscope, compass).

Error 3: Using Google Play’s “optimizers”

Apps like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster often:

• 🛑 Close important processes, disrupting the operation of the phone.
• 📊 False data about "freed memory".
• 🔋 They consume resources in the background.

Error 4: Turning off Google account sync

If you turn off background activity for Google Play Services, then:

• 📧 Gmail will no longer be updated.
• 📍 Geolocation in maps will not work.
• 🔑 Authorization in games and services may break.

How to avoid mistakes:

1. Always leave in the background messengers and banking applications.
2. Do not limit your system processes to Android or miui.
3. Before mass changes, check for reviews about the app (for example, on the app). 4PDA).
4. Use built-in tools MIUI instead of third-party optimizers".

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions