How to completely remove background apps on Android Xiaomi: safe ways

Why Background Apps Are Slowing Down Your Xiaomi and How to Fix It

Have you noticed that even after all the programs are closed, the Xiaomi smartphone continues to warm up, discharge quickly or slow down? This is due to background applications that quietly consume system resources. Unlike the active processes that you see in the multitasking menu, background services work secretly: update data, show notifications or synchronize information. On devices with the MIUI shell, this problem is exacerbated by aggressive optimization of the system, which sometimes stores unnecessary processes in memory.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove background applications from standard tools. MIUI You will learn which programs can be safely disabled and which should not be touched (even if they seem useless). ADB, It removes pre-installed services without root rights. 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and other modern devices based on Android 13/14.

Before you start, check your current system boot: open Settings → About Phone → System Status → CPU boot. If you see unknown names (e.g. com.miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.midrop) on the process list, they can be optimized. But remember, some services are critical to MIUI and deleting them can cause failures.

Method 1: Cleaning through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use built-in shell tools, which is suitable for most users and does not require technical knowledge, starting with the Security section, where the basic options for managing background processes are hidden.

Step instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show all processes".
3. In the list, find apps marked “Works in the background” (usually marked with a green indicator).
4. Select the unnecessary application → Stop → Clear the cache.
5. To completely disable, go to Permissions → Autostart and deactivate the switch.

Pay attention to the following nuances:

• 🔄 System services (e.g. com.android.systemui) cannot be stopped, which will result in a phone reboot.
• ⚡ Applications with administrator rights (antiviruses, password managers) can automatically restart.
• 📱 In some models (for example, POCO F5) The option “Show all processes” is hidden – use the search by settings.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of Google Play Services apps or MIUI System – this may disrupt Google services and Xiaomi branded features (such as Mi Share or Quick Ball).

Backup important data |Close all active applications |Connect your phone to charge (if charge < 30%) |Contact the list of auto-run programs-->

Method 2: Using the built-in Optimizer

The MIUI shell includes the Optimizer tool, which automatically closes unnecessary background processes. However, by default, it works in gentle mode to avoid interfering with the user experience. We will show you how to configure it for aggressive cleaning.

Algorithm of action:

1. Launch the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Optimizer tab. → Deep cleaning.
3. Click Set up in the upper right corner.
4. Activate all switches except for Game Optimization (unless you are a gamer).
5. Go back and tap Clean (the process will take 10–30 seconds).

For maximum effect, perform additional settings:

• 🔧 Enable "Autocleaning when locking the screen" in the optimizer settings.
• 📊 Check the "Exceptions" section and remove unnecessary apps (e.g. social media) from there).
• ⏳ Set the automatic cleaning interval: Every day or every 12 hours.

Comparison of standard and deep cleaning:

Once a day.|Once a week.|Only when the phone is slowing down.|Never clean.-->

Method 3: Disabling Autostart and Background Activity

Many apps automatically start when you turn on your phone or connect to the Internet, not only for social networks, but also for system utilities (for example, com.miui.weather2 for a weather widget), you can turn off autorun without root rights, but you need to be careful.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Facebook or AliExpress).
3. Tap Permissions → Autostart and deactivate the switch.
4. Go back and select Battery → Background Activity → Limit.
5. To completely disable, go to Notifications and stop showing alerts.

Examples of applications that can be safely restricted:

• 📱 Social networks: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok (they consume up to 15% of the charge in the background).
• 🛒 Marketplaces: AliExpress, Wildberries, Ozon (track location for notifications).
• 🎮 Games: PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact (continues to work in the background for updates).
• 📰 News aggregators: Yandex.Zen, Google News (constantly synchronize content).

⚠️ Note: Do not limit background activity for Google Play Services, MIUI Daemon or Android System: This can lead to Google account sync errors, push notification issues, and crashes. MIUI.

💡

If the app stopped showing notifications after disabling autorun, check the sync settings in its menu. For example, on Telegram you need to go to Settings → Notifications → Background Sync and turn on the option manually.

Method 4: Remove preinstalled applications without root (via ADB)

Many Xiaomi users are faced with built-in applications that cannot be removed by standard methods (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps).To uninstall them, you will need a computer and an ADB tool (Android Debug Bridge), which works on all models, including the Redmi 10, POCO X4 Pro and Xiaomi 12T.

Preparation and implementation:

1. Download Platform Tools from Google’s official website and unpack the archive.
2. On your phone, activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line in the ADB folder and type:

adb devices

If the device is identified, follow the command to remove an unnecessary packet, for example, to remove the Mi Browser:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

List of popular removal packages:

Once the commands are executed, the applications will disappear from the menu, and their background processes will no longer consume resources. To bring them back, use the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser

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

If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized programs, and they fall into two categories: those that don't have a superuser license (root) and those that require unlocking the bootloader. Let's look at both.

No root rights:

• 🛠️ Greenify — puts down background apps without removing them. Suitable for social networks and instant messengers.
• 🔍 SD Maid – Clears cache and residual files that can run processes.
• 📊 AccuBattery – shows which apps drain the battery the most in the background.

With root rights:

• 🗑️ Titanium Backup – Allows you to completely remove system applications and freeze them.
• 🔧 Lucky Patcher – Blocks background activity and removes ads (risky for security).
• 📦 Debloater – utility for mass removal of preinstalled packages.

Example of working with Greenify:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Provide access to special features (Settings → Special Opportunities → Greenify).
3. Select apps for “hybernation” (like Facebook or Twitter).
4. Activate the option "Hibernation when blocking the screen".

⚠️ Note: Software like Lucky Patcher or Freedom can disrupt Google Play Protect and ban Google accounts, and use them at your own risk, especially if your phone has payment data tied to it.

💡

The root-enabled side of a utility (like Greenify) is safer, but less effective than ADB or root programs. They don't remove applications, they only limit their activity.

Method 6: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods failed and the phone is still slowing down due to background processes, it will completely reset, which will delete all user data, but return the system to a “clean” state, suitable for devices where a lot of debris has accumulated after long-term use (for example, the Redmi Note 9 after 2-3 years of use).

How to perform the reset correctly:

1. Back up important data through Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose Delete all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, set up the phone as new, but don’t restore data from the backup – this can bring back old background processes.

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔄 Install only the necessary applications (avoid junk programs).
• 🔧 Turn off auto-start immediately for social media and gaming.
• 📵 Avoid background activity for applications that you rarely use.
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through the Optimizer (once every 3-5 days).

Comparison of discharge with other methods:

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing background apps