How to let the application run in the background on Xiaomi: all the ways for MIUI 12-14

Why are Xiaomi apps closing in the background?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are aggressively optimizing background processes, one of the key reasons why instant messengers (like Telegram or WhatsApp), activity trackers (Google Fit, Strava), or even banking apps suddenly stop sending notifications, three mechanisms being used:

1) Battery optimization – MIUI automatically limits the activity of applications that it believes are consuming too much power. 2) Autorun – without permission to automatically start after restarting, the application will not be able to work in the background. 3) Background blocking – restricting access to mobile network or Wi-Fi to save traffic.

Compounding the problem, MIUI updates reset and optimization algorithms become even stricter, for example, MIUI 14 introduced Ultra Battery Saver mode, which completely blocks background activity for all applications except system ones, and even if you previously set exceptions, after upgrading to the new version, they will have to configurate again.

In this article, the current 2026 ways to unlock background work for any applications on smartphones Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi (including models Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, Xiaomi 13, etc.). Instructions are checked on the firmware MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions).

Method 1: Allowing Auto-Run of the Application

Without the right to auto-start, the application will not be able to automatically resume after restarting the device or cleaning the RAM. In MIUI, this setting is hidden deep in the security menu, and its path changed depending on the version of the shell.

To enable auto-start:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (like Viber or Yandex Go).
3. Slip on AutoRun (in some versions of MIUI it is called Background Running).
4. Activate the Autostart Switch.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13/14 for the Chinese region (firmware version) CN) The path may be different: Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management → Application selection: If there is no Autorun, then the application already has this default resolution (for example, Google Play system services).

Selected the correct application in "Application Management"

The "Autostart" switch (or "Run in the background") is activated

Verified that the application is not in the list "Blocked" (install "Sunset")

Rebooted smartphone to apply changes-->

Method 2: Disabling Battery Optimization

MIUI by default limits the background activity of applications through the battery optimization mechanism.

Step 1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.

Step 2: Select No Limits mode (or High Performance for MIUI 14).

Step 3. Go back and tap on the Apps Choice.

Step 4: Find the application you want (like Spotify or 2GIS) and set up a No Limits mode for it.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) after the battery optimisation is turned off, a "high power" notification may appear. MIUI, work-free.

MIUI 12

MIUI 13

MIUI 14 (global)

MIUI 14 (China)

I don't know.-->

Method 3: Background data resolution

If an application does not receive notifications via a mobile network or Wi-Fi, the problem may be blocking background data, which is especially true for instant messengers (WhatsApp, VK) and email clients (Gmail, Yandex Mail).

To allow background traffic:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Data transmission (or Settings) → Connections → Use of data for MIUI 14).
2. Select the Use of Data by Applications.
3. Find the right app and activate the switches: 📶 Mobile data 🌐 Background data 🔄 Unlimited access to data (optional, for unlimited traffic)

For Wi-Fi, similar settings are found in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional → Application Data Management. This allows background data transfer even when connected to restricted networks (such as hotels or airports).

💡

If notifications still don’t come after you turn on the background data, check the settings of the app itself. For example, on Telegram you need to go to Settings → Notifications → Show notifications and select Always (including preview).

Method 4: Add to the list of "Secure Applications"

MIUI has a hidden mechanism called Protected Apps that prevents it from being forced to close by the system, a list that is not visible in standard settings, but can be accessed through Security Settings.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to Accelerate (or Optimize for MIUI 14)
3. Slip on Blocked Applications (or Secure Applications).
4. Add the desired app to the list by moving the slider to the right.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 for POCO) Secure applications may not be available, in which case use an alternative method through ADB (described in method 6).

Method 5: Disconnecting the energy saving mode

The Power Saving and Ultra Battery Saver modes in MIUI radically limit background activity, and even if you set exceptions for an application, these modes can block it from working.

How to turn it off:

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Battery mode.
• 🚫 Choose Performance or Balanced (but not Energy Saving!).
• ⚡ Turn off Ultra Battery Saver (if enabled) – it completely blocks background processes.
• 🔄 Restart the device – some restrictions only apply after rebooting.

Nana POCO-devices (e.g., devices, POCO X5) There may be an additional mode of POCO Optimized. It should also be turned off in the battery settings.

💡

Ultra Battery Saver mode in MIUI 14 blocks the background work of ALL applications except system ones. It can not be circumvented through settings - only by turning off.

Method 6: Using ADB for Forced Authorization (Advanced Method)

If standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to force optimisation to turn off, which works on all versions of MIUI, but requires a PC connection.

Step 1. Enable Developer Mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until you become a developer!
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.

Step 2. Connect your smartphone 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

Replace com.example.app with a real-life app package (e.g. org.telegram.messenger for Telegram) and find out through the App Inspector app or Google Play.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI or resetting the team settings ADB And it's not working on some Chinese firmware (CN) loader-free.

Frequent problems and solutions

Even after all the settings, the application can close in the background. Let's look at typical scenarios and their solutions:

If the problem persists, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI — Chinese-made (CN) Additional restrictions may apply.
• 🔄 Application updates – sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions.
• 🛠️ Conflicts with other programs – antiviruses (e.g. Avast) or memory cleaners (e.g. Clean Master) can block background activity.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions