Background mode on Xiaomi: how to allow applications without restrictions MIUI

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for aggressive battery optimization, which often blocks application background activity. Users face problems: messengers don’t send notifications, health trackers stop recording steps, and music players suddenly stop, and the reason lies in energy-saving algorithms that automatically pause processes to save charge.

In this article you will find the latest ways to unlock background work for all modern versions. MIUI (12 to 15), including hidden settings and workarounds for stock and custom firmware, and we'll look at how the constraints differ on Redmi models, POCO We will also explain why some applications (such as WhatsApp or Google Fit) require separate configuration. MIUI The parameters can be reset – we will show you how to avoid it.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the background of applications

The MIUI shell uses three levels of optimization that directly affect background processes:

• 🔋 Adaptive battery: the algorithm analyzes user habits and limits rarely used applications. For example, if you haven’t opened Telegram for 2 days, the system can suspend its background synchronization.
• ⚡ Power saving mode: activated automatically at a charge level below 15% or manually via Settings → Battery: In this mode, background activity is blocked for all applications except system.
• 🛡️ Protection of confidentiality: in MIUI 14+ added restrictions on access to geolocation and sensors in the background, which affects fitness trackers and navigators.

The manufacturer argues that this is due to concern about battery life, but in practice, aggressive optimization leads to the loss of up to 40% of notifications in messengers and improper operation of geolocation services. MIUI It is often mistakenly classified as “energy-intensive".

Method 1: Auto-Run permission for applications

The first step is to enable auto-run for the right programs, without which they will not be able to start automatically after restarting or cleaning the memory.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select AutoRun.
3. Find the right app (like Viber) and activate the switch.

In MIUI 14/15, the path has changed: Autorun is now hidden in Settings → Applications → Permissions → AutoRun. On some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 12), this item may be called Autoboot.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI The list of auto-run applications is reset. To avoid this, back up your settings through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and select System Settings.

Method 2: Disabling Battery Optimization

Even with auto-run enabled, MIUI can pause applications after 5-10 minutes of inactivity.

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.
2. Select All Apps in the drop-down menu.
3. Find the app you want (like Google Maps) and tap it.
4. Select No Limits (in older versions – No Limits).

A new option for MIUI 15, Intelligent Control, has been added, and must be disabled for critical applications (messengers, navigators) or the system will ignore manual settings after 24 hours of inactivity.

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If the optimization list does not have the right application, open it at least once – MIUI adds programs to the list only after the first run.

Method 3: Fixing applications in memory (blocking cleansing)

MIUI aggressively clears background processes when the screen is locked, to prevent this from happening:

1. Open Recent Apps (swipe up with a delay).
2. Find the card of the desired application (for example, a music player).
3. Swipe down the card - an icon will appear. 🔒 Block it.
4. Slip it to fix the application in memory.

Nana POCO and the new Redmis (C) MIUI 14+) This method only works for 3-5 The other two will need to use the same app. ADB-commands (see method) 5). Also note that the fixation increases the battery consumption on the 5-15% depending on the application.

Method 4: Configure permissions for background work

MIUI 13+ has additional restrictions on background access to:

• 📍 Geolocations: affects Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator, fitness trackers.
• 📶 Mobile data: without this permission, applications are not updated in the background through 3G/4G.
• 🔄 Autosynchronization: Critical for email clients and cloud services.

To set up:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application → permissions.
3. Activate: Allow background activity (if any) Permanent access to geodata (for navigators) Autorun when booting the system

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 13/14 s MIUI 15 The permissions section is divided into two tabs: Primary and Additional. background permissions are hidden in the second tab and are disabled by default for all applications.

Method 5: ADB-Deep tuning teams (for experienced ones)

If standard methods don't work, use ADB to disable all restrictions, which requires a computer and USB Debugging enabled.

Steps:

1. Enable Developer Mode (7 taps on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands: adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.example.app adb shell cmd appops set com.example.app RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND allow adb shell cmd appops set com.example.app RUN_IN_BACKGROUND allow you to replace com.example.app with your application’s batch name (e.g. com.whatsapp).

To massively disable optimization for all applications, use:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

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ADB-Commands are reset after a phone reset or update MIUI. To automate the process, create a.bat file with the right commands and run it after each update.

Solving problems with specific applications

Some programs require additional action:

• 💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram): Enable the Display of notifications in the app settings. → Notifications → Special permissions activate Pop-up notifications.
• 🎵 Music players (Spotify, YouTube Music): In the player settings, turn off Battery Optimization (if any). Lock the application in memory (method 3).
• 🏃 Fitness trackers (Google Fit, Mi Fitness): Allow Persistent Access to Geodata. Add to the Battery Optimization Exceptions (Mode 2).

For Google Play Services (critical for many apps) do:

adb shell cmd appops set com.google.android.gms RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND allow

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Users often face the following problems:

1. Settings are reset after the update: Solution: Before updating MIUI, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup by selecting System Settings. After the update, restore the settings from the backup.
2. The application does not appear in the autorun list: Solution: first open the application at least once. MIUI adds programs to the autorun list only after the first start. If the problem persists, check if the application is removed from the system (for example, through ADB or root rights).
3. Notifications come with a delay: Solution: In addition to autorun, check your sync settings in Settings → Accounts and Sync. Turn off Background Traffic Limitation for your Mi or Google account.

⚠️ Attention: POCO M6 Pro and Redmi Note 13 with MIUI 15 new parameter appeared - Intelligent optimization in Settings → The battery must be turned off for the background processes to function properly.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions