How to completely disable background apps on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

Background processes are one of the main reasons for fast battery drain and slowdown of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones. Even when you are not actively using the application, it can continue to consume resources: update data, send notifications or synchronize with servers. On devices with a shell MIUI (versions 12-14), the problem is exacerbated by aggressive optimization of the system, which sometimes works improperly, instead of saving energy, it leaves unnecessary processes active.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to disable background applications, from standard MIUI settings to hidden features for power users, how to limit the activity of individual programs or ban background work completely, which applications can be safely disabled and which ones should be left alone, and how these changes will affect auto-update data, push notifications and instant messengers.

Important: The instructions are valid for all modern Redmi models (including Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11, Redmi K50/K60), but may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI and regional firmware. If your smartphone runs on HyperOS (the new shell from Xiaomi), some menu items will be called differently - we will mention this too.

Why do background apps eat up battery power?

According to Xiaomi research, up to 30% of the power consumption in standby mode is from background processes, and here are the main reasons why they remain active:

• 🔄 Autosynchronization: Apps like Facebook, Instagram, or Gmail are constantly checking new data, even if you don’t use it.
• 📩 Push notifications: Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) keep a connection to servers to instantly deliver messages.
• 📊 Analytics and Advertising: Many programs (especially free ones) collect data about your activity for targeted advertising.
• 🔄 Optimization MIUI: The system itself sometimes wakes up applications to speed up their launch (App Boost function).

For example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with active background processes can lose up to 15% of charge per night, while after they are turned off, this figure is reduced to 2-5%. However, completely banning background work is not always reasonable: some applications (for example, Google Services or Mi Cloud) are critical for stable system operation.

Method 1: Limit background activity through MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use built-in optimization tools, which are suitable for users who don’t want to go into technical details.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as TikTok or AliExpress).
3. Go to Battery (or Energy Consumption in new MIUI versions).
4. Activate the option to limit background activity (may be called Prohibit Autostart or Optimize).

For mass blackout:

1. Return to Application Management and click on the three dots in the top right corner.
2. Select AutoRun – here you can turn off autoboot for all applications at once (except system ones).

Make a backup copy of important data|Check the list of exceptions (messengers, banking applications)|Remember the current energy saving settings|Reboot your smartphone after the changes-->

What will change after the shutdown:

• ✅ Applications will not update data without you running.
• ✅ Notifications may be delayed (or not at all).
• ❌ Some features (like tracking location in Google Maps) will stop working in the background.

⚠️ Note: Do not limit background activity for system applications called com.android., com.miui. or com.google.*. This can cause malfunctions in the smartphone.

Method 2: Manual shutdown through "Special Permits"

There's a hidden section in MIUI where you can point out applications from running in the background, which is more flexible than standard battery restriction.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Special Permissions → Work in the background.
2. You'll see a list of all the apps that are allowed background activity. Turn off the ones that are not needed by moving the slider.
3. For a complete ban, tap the application and select Prohibit (in some firmware - Disable).

In MIUI 14 and later, this section may be called “Stop and Background Activity” and be located in Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.

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If the application stopped updating data after the background activity was turned off, try adding it to the exception list in the Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization section (select “No Limits”).

Method 3: Use of the "Energy Saving" mode

MIUI has three pre-configured power consumption modes that automatically limit background activity:

• 🔋 Balanced – moderate restrictions for most applications.
• 🌿 Energy saving – strict restrictions, background processes are blocked for everyone except for system systems.
• ⚡ Performance – no limits (not recommended for charge savings).

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Mode
2. Choose Energy Saving.
3. Click Mode Settings and add critical applications (e.g. instant messengers) to the exceptions.

This is convenient because it doesn't require manual configuration of each application, but it also has disadvantages:

• ❌ Limits not only background processes, but also productivity CPU.
• ❌ Can disable synchronization of Google and Mi accounts.
• ❌ Some apps (like Google Maps) will no longer work in navigation mode.

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Energy Saving is the easiest way to extend battery life, but it is only suitable for those who are willing to put up with notification delays and reduced performance.

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for deep tuning, which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Full control over background processes.
• ✅ Ability to disable even system applications.
• ✅ Changes are applied at the Android level, not at the Android level. MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
3. Connect Redmi to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell cmd appops set < application package > RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND deny

To find the application package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep -i "appendix name"

Examples for Facebook Disconnection:

adb shell cmd appops set com.facebook.katana RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND deny

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause irreversible system failures. Before executing commands, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Method 5: Use of Third-Party Applications (Root)

For users with unlocked bootloader and Root rights, powerful background management tools are available.

• 🛠️ Greenify Freezes Unnecessary Apps to Keep Them from Wakeing Up.
• 🔧 Brevent – blocks background activity at the Android core level.
• 📊 Servicely – allows you to flexibly configure which services can work in the background.

How to set up Greenify:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Provide Root access (or use ADB to work without a root).
3. Add apps to the list of “sleepers” – they will not run without your knowledge.

Advantages of Root solutions:

• ✅ More advanced optimization than standard settings MIUI.
• ✅ The ability to disable even system processes (for example, MiuiDaemon, responsible for analytics).

Risks:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the bootloader was unblocked unofficially).
• ❌ The ability to "brick" the device with incorrect settings.
• ❌ Some banking apps will stop working (due to Root detection).

What if there are problems after switching off the background processes?

Sometimes excessive restriction of background activity leads to undesirable consequences.

If the smartphone starts to behave unstable after the changes (for example, spontaneously restarts or turns off), follow the following steps:

1. Restart the device in Safe Mode (hold the Power button → Restart in Safe Mode).
2. Check if the problem persists. If it doesn't, it's one of the user applications that's to blame.
3. Gradually turn on background activity for apps to find the “culprit.”

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If the phone starts to run out even faster after the background processes are turned off, check Settings → Battery → Battery Use. Perhaps some application has started to consume more resources due to constant restarts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling background apps