Background mode on Xiaomi Redmi: how to make applications work without restarting

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones based on MIUI are known for aggressive battery optimization, which often suspends applications in the background. Users face problems: messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) do not send notifications, music players (Spotify, Yandex Music) are interrupted, fitness trackers (Google Fit, Strava) lose data. The reason lies in the system’s energy-saving algorithms that block background processes to save charge.

In this article, you will find current ways to configure MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS for new models) to help get around the limitations. We will look at the official system settings, hidden developer settings, and alternative methods for persistent applications. Importantly, some features may differ depending on the model (Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10, POCO X5) and the firmware version.

Before you start settings, make sure you have the latest version of MIUI — some options may not be available in old firmware. Check the version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. If an update is available, install it.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the background of applications?

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

🔋 Default energy saving: limits application activity 3-5 minutes after folding, affects all programs except system programs.
⚡ Adaptive optimization: analyzes user behavior and suspends “rarely used” applications (the algorithm determines this on its own).
🛡️ Self-discharge protection: aggressively closes background tasks if the phone hasn’t connected to charging for a long time (activated at a charge level below 15%).

Xiaomi also implements whitelist autoruns — only apps on this list can automatically start after rebooting or clearing memory — and defaults to system services (Mi Cloud, Theme Store) and popular instant messengers, but many user programs remain behind.

Starting with MIUI 12, The company has tightened its background policies under the pretext of increasing battery life. 11 s MIUI 13 Applications are allowed to consume no more 10% CPU in the background, and network activity is limited to 1 MB/mines for non-systemic processes.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling all optimizations can reduce battery life by 15-30%.If autonomy is critical, use a selective approach - only customize those applications that really need background work.

Official MIUI settings for background mode

Start with basic system settings. These options are available without developer permission and do not require root access.

1. Auto-start authorization

Without this setting, the application will not be able to start automatically after restarting or clearing the memory:

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Select the application you want (such as Telegram).
Slip on Autostart and switch on the switch.
Go back and activate Background Activity (if the option is available).

For mass activation of auto-start:

Go to Settings → Applications → Autorun.
Turn on switches for all critical applications.

2. Disabling battery optimization

This option prevents the application from being suspended by the system:

Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization.
Select the Apps in the top menu.
Find the right application and install it without restrictions.

For MIUI 14+, the path may be different: Settings → Battery → Battery settings → Battery optimization.

3. Blocking in Multitasking

If the app is often killed when the memory is cleared:

Open recent applications (swipe up with a delay).
Find the card of the desired application and make a long tap on its icon.
Select Secure (lock icon) Now the app won't close when cleaned.

Limitation: no more than 3-5 applications can be attached to MIUI at the same time (depending on the model).

Auto-start for the application is enabled

Battery optimization disabled

The application is fixed in multitasking

Checked notifications in the application settings-->

Hidden developer settings for advanced users

If standard methods don't work, use the developer mode, and you can activate it like this:

Go to Settings. → The phone.
Tap the MIUI version 7 times in a row until you become a developer!
Go back to the main settings menu and find a new section for developers.

Additional options are now available:

🔧 Debugging by USB: It does not directly affect the background work, but it is necessary for ADB-teams (below).
⚙️ Do not turn off the screen when charging: useful for testing background processes.
📱 Background process limitation: set No limits (risk of increased battery consumption!).
🔄 Do not save: disable this option, otherwise the system will kill all processes when you fold.

The most important option is Background Limitation. The default MIUI is Standard Limit, which means you suspend background tasks after 10 minutes. Change it to No Limits, but be prepared to increase battery consumption.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi 9, POCO M3) When background constraints change, a notification may appear High battery consumption, which can be ignored or disabled in the notification settings.

Redmi Note 12/13

Redmi 10/11

POCO X5/F5

Redmi 9/9A/9C

Another model-->

ADB-team for compulsory background work

If system settings don't work, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a connection to a computer but gives you maximum control.

Preparation

Download Platform Tools from the official Android website.
Unpack the archive in any folder (for example, C:\platform-tools).
Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (see previous section).
Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

Unlock commands

Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and go to the folder with the platform-tools:

cd C:\platform-tools

Next, type commands in turn (replace com.example.app with your app package, for example, org.telegram.messenger):

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




adb shell settings put global background_check_override 1

To find the application package, use:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

For example, for WhatsApp:

adb shell pm list packages | grep whatsapp

Team team.	Description	The effect
deviceidle whitelist	Adds the app to the whitelist of energy saving	The system will not suspend it in standby mode.
RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND	Allows work in the background without restrictions	The application can use the CPU and network in the background
background_check_override	Disables background process checks	Increases stability but reduces autonomy

After completing the commands, restart the phone. The effect is saved until the settings are reset or manually cancel the commands.

💡

To return the standard settings, replace the allow with deny commands and repeat them.

Alternative methods for persistent applications

If none of these methods worked, try the workarounds:

🔄 Use of the Tasker/Automate: These apps can mimic user activity, preventing suspension, for example, Tasker can send "empty" notifications every time it's done. 10 minutes to keep the application active.
📱 Greenify’s No Limits Mode: While Greenify is designed to hibernate applications, it has the option of eliminating programs from optimization.
⚡ Launching via Vysor or Scrcpy: Connecting your phone to your PC USB and running an application in display mode sometimes tricks the system into believing the application to be "active".
🔋 Battery packs: Some applications (e.g. AccuBattery) may temporarily disable optimization for selected programs.

For fitness trackers (e.g. Strava, Endomondo) there is a special trick:

Turn on the mode in the plane before the launch of the tracker.
Activate GPS after the aircraft mode is turned on.
Launch an app to record a workout.
Turn off the mode on the plane without closing the tracker.

This bypasses MIUI's restrictions on background GPS use.

Why do some apps ignore settings?

Some programs (e.g. Facebook, Instagram) have built-in optimization mechanisms that conflict with MIUI settings. They can independently suspend background processes, even if you have disabled all restrictions in the system, in such cases only update the application or use alternative clients (for example, Hermit for lightweight versions of social networks).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Problem 1: The app is killed immediately after folding.

Decision:

Check if Game Mode is on (Settings → Special Features → Game Mode) and it aggressively clears the memory.
Make sure in Settings → Battery → Battery modes Super Energy Saving is not selected.

Problem 2: Notifications are delayed (for example, in Viber or Skype).

Decision:

In the application settings, turn off Notification Optimization.
In Settings → Notifications → Additional enable Show notifications on the locked screen.
For MIUI 14+: Check Settings → Privacy → Special Access → Notifications.

Problem 3: Music apps (Spotify) are interrupted after 5-10 minutes.

Decision:

In the application settings, turn off Adaptive bitrate (switch to fixed quality).
Use VLC or Musicolet – these players work better in the background on MIUI.
Check if the Stop Playback option is enabled when the headphones are turned off.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F3) post-update MIUI 13.5+ Background activity in the application settings may disappear, in which case only the ADB-commands or rollbacks to a previous firmware version.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Can I customize the background work without ADB and developer rights?

Yes, but the efficiency will be lower. Use the combination: Turn on Autostart. Turn off battery optimization. Lock the application in multitasking. Add it to Security exceptions (Settings) → Confidentiality → Special access → Autorun: This will help 60 to 70 percent of the time, but for persistent applications (like Google Fit) it will be necessary. ADB-team.

Why do applications stop working in the background again after the MIUI update?

Xiaomi has been tightening its energy saving policies regularly, following major updates (e.g., with the company’s newest product). MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) reset: Autostart settings. Battery optimization exceptions. ADB-In HyperOS (new shell for Redmi Note 13 and later), some options are moved to Settings. → Annexes → Permits → Special access.

How do I know if MIUI is killing my app in the background?

Use Logcat or the CPU Monitor app: Install CPU Monitor. Launch the target application and turn it down. Open CPU Monitor and check your application's CPU schedule. If 5-10 minutes later, activity drops to 0%, the system has stopped it. For advanced users, connect your phone to your PC and follow: adb shell dumpsys activity | grep activities "com.example.app" If the output has a line stopped=true, the application is stopped.

Is there a universal solution for all applications?

No. MIUI It uses dynamic optimization algorithms that process applications differently depending on: Application type (messenger, player, tracker), usage frequency, current battery level, CPU temperature. The best result is the combination of the two: ADB-commands to unlock background activity, disable battery optimization, use Tasker to simulate activity.

Will it work on custom firmware (like LineageOS)?

Most custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience) have no background problems, as they don’t have aggressive MIUI optimization. However: Some builds (e.g. MIUI EU) have limitations. LineageOS may need to enable Background check in battery settings. In Pixel Experience, use Adaptive Battery in settings (Settings → Battery → Adaptive settings). If you have custom firmware installed and encountered problems, check Kernel Adiutor settings – sometimes the limitations are set at the kernel level.

💡

For maximum stability of background work on Xiaomi Redmi, you need to combine official settings MIUI, ADB-And there's no one method that gives you 100% guarantee because of dynamic optimization algorithms, but they solve the problem 90 percent of the time.