How to check background applications on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: hidden processes and their control

Your Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is running too fast, even though you barely use it? Apps are slowing down, and you can't see anything suspicious in the Task Manager? The problem is background processes — programs that continue to work even after closing. They consume CPU resources, RAM and battery power, reducing the performance of the device.

In this article, we’ll look at 7 proven ways to identify all background applications on the Redmi Note 9 Pro, from standard MIUI tools to hidden developer and ADB settings. You’ll learn which processes can be safely turned off and which ones shouldn’t be touched so as not to disrupt the system, and we’ll analyze why some applications run on their own and how to prevent it.

1. The standard MIUI task manager: what it actually shows

The most obvious way is to open Task Manager, and on the Redmi Note 9 Pro, just swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold your finger in the center for 1-2 seconds, and you'll see a list of newly opened apps.

• 🔍 The Manager only shows programs you have manually run. Background services (such as system updates or account sync) are not displayed here.
• ⚡ Rights annexes android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE (Messengers, activity trackers can work in the background, even if they are not on the list.
• 📊 To see the full list of processes, you need to go deeper - in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launched.

This section shows all active processes, including system processes. However, MIUI by default hides some services (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter) so that the user does not accidentally disable them. To see everything, turn on the display of system applications in the upper right corner (three dots → Show system).

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable processes called miui., android. or qualcomm. These are critical components of the system. MIUI.

2. Hidden developer settings: Advanced monitoring

If standard tools aren't enough, activate developer mode, which will give you access to detailed statistics on all processes, including hidden ones.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times in a row on the line MIUI version (you will be notified "You became a developer!").
3. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.

Here you are interested in three parameters:

• 📊 Don't keep up → Background Process Limit: Shows how many applications can run in the background at the same time (default: 4).
• 🔧 Debugging → Process statistics: displays CPU, RAM The energy consumption of each process in real time.
• 🛠️ Inactive applications: a list of programs that MIUI may be suspended to save charge.

And if you look at the Process Statistics section, you can see which apps are using the most resources, for example, if Facebook or TikTok are 30 percent CPU in the background, you should limit them.

💡

To quickly find a “gluttonous” application, sort the list in Process Statistics by CPU column (click on the column header).

ADB teams: professional background analysis

For advanced users, the best way to do this is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to get a complete list of all the running processes, including those that MIUI hides.

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Redmi Note 9 Pro with Debugging enabled USB (Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line:

adb shell ps -A | grep -E 'u0_a|system'

This command will list all user and system processes. To see only background tasks, use:

adb shell dumpsys activity processes

In the output, look for lines with FG (foreground active) and BG (background) for example:

Process LRU list (sorted by oom_adj, 12 total, non-act at 1, empty at 6):


0: Pers #0: sys   F/ /T  trm:  0 444:system/1000 (fixed)




1: Pers #1: pers F/ /T  trm:  0  67:com.android.phone/1001 (fixed)




2: Fore  #2: top  F/ /T  trm:  0 1234:com.miui.home/10123 (top-activity)




3: Vis   #3: vis  B/ /T  trm:  1 5678:com.google.android.gms.persistent/10010 (visible)




4: Perce #4: perc B/ /T  trm:  7 9101:com.facebook.katana/10203 (background)

In this example, Facebook (com.facebook.katana) works in the background with a priority perceptible, that is, actively consumes resources.

⚠️ Please note: Do not kill the process with adb shell kill. [PID], If you're not sure what they're doing, for example, com.android.phone is responsible for the cellular connection, and if you don't know what they're doing, you'll lose the network.

Install ADB Tools on PC|Enable debugging on USB phone-on|Connect your phone to the original cable|Start the command line on behalf of the administrator|Check the connection with the adb device command-->

4. Third-party apps: top-3 monitoring tools

If you're having a hard time working with ADB, use specialized applications that visualize background data and offer tools to manage it.

For example, GSam Battery Monitor will show that WhatsApp consumes 15% of the charge in the background due to constant synchronization of contacts, and Servicely will allow you to disable the autorun of AliExpress or Mi Video, which often wake up to check for updates.

Important: Apps like Greenify or Brevent require root rights to run MIUI, and without them, they can only show a list of processes, but not manage them.

5. AutoRun Analysis: Why Apps Wake Up on Their Own

Many programs run automatically in the background, even if you haven't opened them.

• 🔄 Data synchronization (mail, contacts, calendar).
• 📱 Push notifications (messengers, social networks).
• 🔄 Check updates (Play Market, Mi App Store).
• 📍 Background location (maps, weather).

To see which apps are eligible to auto-run:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the appropriate app (such as Instagram).
3. Press Autostart.

You can turn off auto-start for unnecessary programs here.

• ✅ Safe to Disable: Games, stores (e.g. Wildberries), rarely used utilities.
• ❌ Do not disable: Google Play Services, Mi Cloud, Phone, Messages.

Battery Optimization: How MIUI Manages Background Processes

MIUI has a built-in battery optimization system that automatically limits background activity, but by default it doesn't work well.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
2. Select Energy Saving or Balanced (Performance mode disables all restrictions).
3. Click on App Selection and manually add programs that can be restricted (such as games or social networks).

Also check Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Use. This shows the exact charge consumption of the applications. If any of them consumes more than 10% in the background, limit it:

• 🔋 Click on the app. → Limit background activity.
• 🚫 Turn off Auto Start and Exact Location (if not necessary).

On the Redmi Note 9 Pro, they are particularly voracious in the background:

• 📱 Mi Video (checks for content updates).
• 🎵 Mi Music (synchronizes playlists).
• 📦 Mi App Store (downloads updates for system applications).

⚠️ Note: After limiting background activity, some features may not work properly.For example, WhatsApp will stop showing notifications for new messages until you manually open it.

💡

The optimal battery mode for the Redmi Note 9 Pro is Balanced. It limits background activity without critically affecting performance.

7 System Logs: How to Find Hidden Background Processes

If you suspect that malware or unauthorized services are running on your phone, check the system logs. They contain records of all the processes running.

1. Install the Logcat Extreme app.
2. Start log recording (start button).
3. Wait 5-10 minutes, then stop recording.
4. Filter the logs by keywords: startProcess, Background, WakeLock.

For example, a line:

05-20 14:30:45.123 1234 5678 I ActivityManager: Start proc 12345:com.sec.android.app.launcher/u0a1001 for background pre-top

It says that the process is running com.sec.android.app.launcher (in this case, this is an example, there will be a different package on the Redmi Note 9 Pro).If you see suspicious names (for example, com.ads.service or com.tracker.app), check them through VirusTotal.

Also, look at WakeLock, the mechanism that wakes the processor up to perform tasks, and overuse of WakeLock leads to battery drain, and to see which applications are using it, do it in ADB:

adb shell dumpsys power

Look for the section. WAKE_LOCKS. If a particular application keeps WakeLock for too long (more than that) 10 minutes, should be limited or removed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about background processes on Xiaomi