Background mode of applications on Xiaomi: how to turn on and configure correctly

Xiaomi smartphone users often face a problem: apps suddenly fall asleep in the background, stop sending notifications or updating data, due to aggressive optimization of the battery in the MIUI shell, which by default limits the background activity of programs. But what if it is critical that messengers, trackers or working tools function without interruption?

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Xiaomi can enable the background, from basic settings to hidden features for power users, how to get around the limitations of MIUI on models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which apps require special attention, and why standard tips from the Internet often don’t work, and how to check if your application is now working in the background, and what to do if the settings are reset after the system update.

We warn you right away: Xiaomi regularly changes the layout of menu items in new versions of MIUI (especially after updating to MIUI 14/15).So if you do not find exactly the same path as in the instructions, do not panic. In this article, we will give alternative options for different versions of the firmware, as well as universal methods that work independently of the device model.

═══

Why Xiaomi is blocking the background of applications?

The MIUI shell was originally designed with a focus on energy efficiency, and in pursuit of record battery life, Xiaomi has implemented an aggressive battery optimization mechanism that automatically puts applications to sleep if they:

• 🔋 For a long time, they are not used (even if they are important to you).
• 📱 Consume a lot of resources in the background (e.g., constant synchronization messengers).
• 🚫 Not on the whitelist of system applications (e.g. WhatsApp or Mi Fit often have default privileges).
• ⚡ Run on devices with charge saving or ultra-battery mode enabled.

The problem is compounded by the fact that after the MIUI update (especially to MIUI 14+), many settings are reset, and users have to adjust everything again, and some applications (such as Telegram or Viber) can reset permissions for background work after updating through Google Play.

How does this work in practice?

• 📬 No notifications from messengers (messages only appear after opening the application).
• 📍 No longer updated location in trackers (Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator).
• 🔄 Data is not synchronized in cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox).
• 🎵 Music playback in the background (e.g., in Spotify or YouTube Music) is interrupted.

Important: On devices with Snapdragon processors (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5), background optimization is more stringent than on models with MediaTek chips (such as the Redmi Note 12), due to differences in power management at the iron level.

═══

Method 1: Allowing the application to boot up

The first step to stable background work is to add the application to the boot list, which allows the program to start automatically after the device is restarted and not close the system when the memory is cleaned.

Instructions for MIUI 12-15:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram).
3. Slip on Autoboot and switch on the switch.
4. If there is no Autoboot, go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Autoboot Management and add the application manually.

On some models (e.g. POCO X5 Pro) the path may be different:

Settings → Special features → Autoloading applications

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+, system applications (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) can automatically remove other programs from the autoboot list. To avoid this, restart the device after setting up and check if the changes are still there.

═══

Method 2: Disabling Battery Optimization

Even if autoboot is enabled, the system can block background activity through battery optimization.

Step 1: Turn off optimization for a specific application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as WhatsApp).
3. Use the battery optimization (or energy saving).
4. Choose No Limits.

Step 2: Turn off global optimization (for power users):

• Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
• Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
• Find MIUI Optimization and turn it off.
• Attention! This could cut battery life.

💡

If after turning off the optimization, the battery began to drain too quickly, return the settings back and use an alternative method - adding the application to the No Limits through the battery menu (see the next section).

⚠️ Attention: Some firmware (e.g., Xiaomi.eu or custom builds) may not have the Optimization MIUI option. In this case, use ADB- commands to disable optimization (instructions in the advanced user section).

═══

Method 3: Fixing the application in memory (blocking the cleanup)

MIUI actively cleans background processes to free up RAM, to prevent critical applications from being shut down:

Method 1: Attachment to multitasking:

1. Open the app (for example, Viber).
2. Turn it (home button or gesture) away.
3. Open the multitasking menu (swipe up with a delay).
4. Click on the app icon and select Secure (or Block).

Method 2: Configure the lock in the developer:

1. Enable Developer Mode (see previous section).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Do not delete processes.
3. Add the required applications to the list.

═══

Method 4: Set up notifications and synchronization

Often the problem is not the background work, but the blocking of notifications or the synchronization turned off.

Authorizations for notification:

• Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management.
• Find the app and turn on all the switches (Show notifications, Sound, Vibration).
• Make sure that the notification priority is high.

Data synchronization:

• Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
• Enable Autosynchronization of data.
• For a Google account, check if sync is enabled for the right services (Gmail, Contacts, etc.).

Energy saving for notifications:

MIUI 14+ has a separate point for managing notifications in saving mode:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Energy saving notifications

Add apps that you want to receive notifications from even in battery saving mode.

💡

If notifications do not come from only one messenger (for example, Telegram), check the settings in the application itself: often the problem lies in disabled options such as Background Sync or Media Autoload.

═══

Method 5: ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

If standard methods don't work, you can use the ADB- command (Android Debug Bridge) to deep tune the background, which is suitable for users who are ready to work with a computer.

Step 1: Preparation

• Download ADB Tools for Windows/macOS/Linux.
• Turn on USB debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 taps → For developers → USB debugging).
• Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.

Step 2: Commands to disable optimization:

Open the command prompt (or Terminal) in the adb.exe folder and type:

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.example.app

Replace com.example.app with your application’s batch name (e.g. org.telegram.messenger for Telegram).

adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"

Step 3: Disable MIUI Optimization (for all applications):

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

This command unlocks the hidden APIs that MIUI uses for aggressive optimization.

⚠️ Warning: Using ADB- commands may cause the system to malfunction. After applying the commands, restart the device. If you have lags or fast battery discharge, reset: adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist -com.example.app

═══

Method 6: Alternative solutions (without root)

If none of these methods worked, try these options:

1. Use of "Light Mode" for messengers:

Some apps (like Telegram X or WhatsApp Lite) consume fewer resources and are less likely to be blocked by the system.

2.Configure via Security App (China/Global Firmware only):

• Open the Security app (shield icon).
• Go to the Battery → Battery settings → Selection of applications.
• Select No Limits for the desired application.

3 Automation via MacroDroid or Tasker:

Create a rule that will wake the app periodically, such as:

4. Installation of custom firmware (for experienced):

Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience doesn’t have aggressive MIUI optimization, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and can take away the warranty.

═══

Frequent problems and their solutions

Problem 1: Settings are reset after the MIUI update.

Decision:

• After the update, re-set autoboot and battery optimization.
• Use MacroDroid to automatically apply settings after rebooting.

Problem 2: The app works in the background, but no notifications come.

Decision:

• Check the notification settings in the app itself (for example, in Telegram, turn off Traffic Saving).
• Turn off Adaptive Notifications in Settings → Notifications → More.

Problem 3: Music is interrupted in the background (e.g. in Spotify).

Decision:

• Add the player to Unlimited (see Method 2).
• Turn on the absolute volume in the Settings → Sound.
• Use VLC or Poweramp – they work better with background play on MIUI.

Problem 4: There are no points on POCO or Black Shark to adjust the background.

Decision:

On gaming and lightweight Xiaomi devices, there is often a simplified menu.

• Use ADB- commands (see Method 5).
• Install MIUI Optimization Disabler (requires root).

═══

FAQ: Answers to popular questions