How to make the application work in the background on Xiaomi without restrictions

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for aggressive battery optimization, which often blocks application backgrounds. Users face problems: messengers don’t send notifications, activity trackers lose data, music players are interrupted when the screen is locked, and the reason lies in energy-saving algorithms that by default limit program activity in the background.

In this article, you will find the most current ways to unlock background work for any application on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices (including the models from 2023-2026).We will look at both the standard settings of MIUI 14 and hidden settings for power users. Importantly, some methods require ADB or root access rights, which we will highlight separately.

The problem is compounded by the fact that after the system updates, the settings can be reset, so we will also tell you how to fix the parameters and prevent automatic background activity shutdown. All instructions are tested on the latest firmware versions and adapted to new models such as Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and POCO F6.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the background of applications

The MIUI shell uses Battery Optimization, which automatically pauses applications when they are not active on the screen, which is designed to save charge but often interferes with the normal operation of services.

• 🔋 Aggressive Power Saving Mode – Default on for all applications except system.
• 🚫 Restriction of auto-start — MIUI Blocks the automatic launch of applications after restarting.
• ⚡ Optimization MIUI — background processes are killed after 5-10 minutes without activity.
• 📱 Features of the iron platform - on budget models (Redmi) 12C, POCO M6) Restrictions are tighter due to a weak processor.

Interestingly, even popular messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram may not receive notifications unless they are configured correctly, for example, MIUI 14 adds a new Intelligent battery saving mechanism that analyzes user behavior and even more actively suspends “unnecessary” processes.

The manufacturer argues that 80% of users do not notice the difference, and the battery lasts 15-20% longer, but for those who actively use background services (for example, Google Fit for tracking steps or Spotify for music), such optimizations become a problem.

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Before setting up, check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone. On new firmware (14.0.5+), the path to some menus may be different.

Method 1: Disabling battery optimization for an application

This is a basic method that works on all versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and removes most of the restrictions, but does not guarantee 100% stability – some applications can still pause after a long time without activity.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application (for example, Viber or SberBank Online).
3. Use the battery optimization (or energy consumption in newer versions).
4. Choose Unlimited (or Unoptimized)
5. Confirm the action by pressing Ready.

After that, the application will be able to run in the background longer, but for complete stability, it is recommended to also enable auto-run (see the next section).

Method 2: Enabling Autostart and Background Activity

Even after the battery optimization has been turned off, the app may not start automatically after the phone has restarted. To fix this, you need to manually allow auto-start and background activity.

Step-by-step:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Select a targeted application (e.g. Google Maps for location tracking).
• 🔄 Slip on Autostart and turn on the slider.
• 🖥️ Go back and select permissions. → Background activity (or additionally) → Background on MIUI 14).
• 🔘 Activate all available switches (e.g. Allow background activity, Show notifications).

On some firmware (e.g., POCO X5 Pro), the path may be different: Settings → Special Features → Special Permissions → AutoRun.

Important: After Update MIUI These settings can be reset. To fix them, use ADB-Teams (see section for advanced users).

Auto-start on.|Battery optimization is offline|Background activity permitted|Notifications are not blocked by the system-->

Method 3: Add to Secure Applications (MIUI 12–14)

Secure applications allow you to select programs that will not be killed by the system even if you don’t have enough memory, which is especially useful for navigators (Yandex.Navigator, Google Maps) and music players.

How to add an application to protected:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Slip three dots in the top right corner and select Special Access (or Additional on newer versions).
3. Select Secure Applications (some models call this item Cleanup Lock).
4. Turn on the slider for the desired application.

Limitation: You can usually add no more than 10-15 programs to the list of protected applications. If the desired application is not on the list, use ADB (see the next section).

Method 4: ADB-commands to completely disable restrictions (for experienced ones)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) for deep tuning, which requires connecting your phone to your computer and enabling USB Debugging.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to your PC, install ADB drivers and open the command line.
4. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.package.name cmd appops set com.package.name RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND allow cmd appops set com.package.name RUN_IN_BACKGROUND allow Replace com.package.name with your app ID (e.g. com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).

To massively disable optimization for all applications, use:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

⚠️ Warning: This team will unlock hidden API Android, which can disrupt system stability. Use only if standard methods don't work.

After completing the commands, restart the phone. The effect persists even after the MIUI updates, unless you do a reset.

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ADB-commands are the most reliable way, but they require technical skills. For most users, the standard settings from sections 1 to 3 are enough.

Method 5: Use of third-party utilities (without root rights)

If you are uncomfortable with ADB, you can use specialized applications from Google Play, which automate the process of setting up the background work, but require special permissions.

Top.-3 tested:

• 🛠️ MIUI Optimization Disabler – Disables energy-saving algorithms MIUI No root licenses.
• 🔧 AutoStart - manages application auto-launch and clean-up lock. MIUI 14.Reference.
• ⚡ Battery Optimizer – allows you to flexibly configure optimization for each application separately.

How to use:

1. Install the utility from the Play Market.
2. Provide access to Special Opportunities (in your phone settings).
3. Select applications for which you want to disable restrictions.
4. Apply the changes and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some utility (for example, MIUI Optimization Disabler may cause conflicts with system services.

Problem Solving: What to Do When Nothing Helps

If after all the manipulations the application is still suspended, check the following points:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI — In newer versions of firmware, bugs with background work are often fixed. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📵 Check notification settings - sometimes the problem isn't the background work, but blocking notifications. → Notifications → Application settings.
• 🔋 Turn off the super-aggressive battery mode - in Settings → Battery. → Battery mode select Performance instead of Energy saving.
• 🛠️ Reset the application settings - in Settings → Annexes → [select the application] → Storage click Clear Data and Reset Settings.

If the problem persists, it may be the app itself that is to blame, for example, some versions of VK or Instagram have bugs with background work on Android 13/14, in which case only waiting for an update from the developer will help.

For diagnosis, use ADB Logcat:

adb logcat | grep "com.package.name"

This will show the application logs and help to identify the reason for the suspension.

FAQ: Frequent questions about background work on Xiaomi