Xiaomi smartphone users often face aggressive optimization of the MIUI system, which forcibly completes background processes to save battery power, which leads to the fact that messengers stop sending notifications, the navigator resets the route, and the music goes silent when the screen is locked, the system considers such programs inactive and ruthlessly “kills” them, freeing up RAM.
Fortunately, the HyperOS and MIUI shells have flexible tools that allow you to manually prioritize specific programs, so you don’t have to be a programmer or get root rights to make your device keep your chosen software active all the time.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the full range of measures, from basic auto-start settings to hidden developer settings, and following all the instructions ensures that your favorite apps will work consistently, even if you haven’t opened them for several days.
Blocking the application in the multitasking menu
The fastest and most effective way to prevent a program from closing is to manually lock it in a list of running tasks, which works as an anchor that prevents the system from removing the process from RAM when cleaning the cache.
To start, open the menu of running apps by swiping from the bottom up and holding your finger (or pressing the menu button). Find the card of the program you want and pull it down until the lock icon appears. Now, even if you click the "Clean" button, this program will remain hanging in memory.
However, it is important to understand that mechanical locking is not an absolute guarantee: if the system critically lacks RAM to launch a new heavy game or camera, it can ignore the lock and complete a less priority process, so this method is better used in conjunction with other settings.
- 🔒 Open the menu of recent apps swipe up.
- 🔒 Find the card you need and pull it down.
- 🔒 Make sure there is a small lock next to the name.
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If you block too many applications, the system may start to run slower due to overflow of RAM. Keep only the most important programs in lockdown.
Set up auto-start and permissions
The foundation of any service in the Xiaomi ecosystem is the correct configuration of the start parameters. By default, many applications are not allowed to run independently, making them “invisible” to the system after restarting or cleaning.
Go to Settings → Applications → Autorun. Here you will see a list of programs that are allowed to start with the system. Find your application in the list and activate the switch. This is the first critical step, without which further settings may not work.
Next, check for advanced permissions. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, select the desired program, and go to Permissions. Make sure all necessary accesses are enabled, especially Autostart and Display on top of other apps.
☑️ Checking basic settings
Remember that after updating your MIUI or HyperOS operating system, some settings may be reset to factory values. Check this section periodically to make sure that the services that matter to you are still prioritized.
Energy saving management for applications
The most common reason for forced closure of background processes is the built-in power saving function. The system analyzes the activity of the program and, if it does not see action for a certain time, limits its background operation to preserve battery power.
To disable this restriction, open Settings → Battery and Performance (or simply “Battery”). In the upper right corner, click on the gear icon to enter the settings and select “Saving Charge for Applications.” In the list that appears, find the program you want.
The default value is "Save battery" or "Smart mode," and you have to change that to "No limits," which will tell the system to ignore the standard energy saving algorithms for that particular process.
⚠️ Warning: Setting No Limits will lead to increased battery consumption, as the app will be constantly active even when you are not using it.
Some versions of the firmware may have a slightly different path. If you didn't find the menu through the battery settings, try Settings → Apps → All Apps → [Your App] → Battery. The logic remains the same: look for the power saving point and set maximum performance.
Specifics of background work
The background settings are worth special attention: modern versions of Android and the MIUI shell have strict rules for applications that run in the background. If a program tries to perform actions that the system considers suspicious or resource-intensive, it will be stopped.
Go to the settings of a particular application (Settings → Applications → All Apps → [Application]) and look for the "Background Activity" or "Background Activity" section, where you need to make sure that the slider is activated.
For instant messengers and navigators, it is critical to have permission to work in the background without restrictions, without which the navigator can stop accompanying the path voice, and messages will only come after unlocking the screen.
If you use third-party launchers or memory cleaners, they may conflict with Xiaomi’s system settings, and in such cases, it is recommended to add such cleaners to exceptions or to refuse to use them, since the built-in MIUI optimization works more efficiently.
Additional parameters and developer mode
For advanced users who haven’t had enough standard methods, there are hidden Android settings that allow you to more subtlely control the behavior of the system, but require caution when changing.
Turn on Developer Mode by quickly clicking on the build number in About Phone several times. Then, in the Developer Menu, look for Apps. Here you can find the Do Not Activity option that should be turned off. If it is turned on, the system will destroy the application as soon as you leave it.
Also, pay attention to the background process limit. Make sure that the developer settings do not set a limit on the number of background processes (should be “Standard Limit” or “No Limits”).
Should I use third-party programs to freeze?
Another useful tool is “Memory Extension.” If your device has virtual memory enabled (using a part of the drive as RAM), try turning it off. On some Xiaomi models, this causes conflicts when the background applications work, leading to instability.
Comparison of optimization methods
So to make it easier for you to navigate a lot of settings, we've created a comparison table that will help you understand which method is responsible for what and in which sequence they are best used.
| Method of setting up | Impact on the battery | Efficiency | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blocking in the task menu | Average. | High (short-term) | Low. |
| Auto-start | Low. | Medium (start only) | Low. |
| No battery restrictions. | High. | Maximum | Low. |
| Developer settings | Depends on the settings. | Critical (systemic) | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, the most important factor is the energy saving setting, which is the one that causes problems most often, and the combination of all methods gives 100% results, but requires care.
Remember that after the global firmware update (MIUI 13, 14, HyperOS), the memory algorithms may change. If you upgraded and the app started crashing again, just follow the instructions again.
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The key to stability is a holistic approach, so locking the task menu is not enough, so you have to set up "No Limits" in the battery section.