How to run an app in the background on Xiaomi: a complete guide to MIUI settings

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for aggressive power optimization, which often leads to forced application closure in the background, creating problems for instant messengers (no notifications come), navigators (an interrupted route), fitness trackers (no data is recorded), and even some games. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to enable background work on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices, from basic settings to hidden features for power users.

It's important to understand that MIUI blocks background processes not only because of the cost savings, but also to free up RAM. After upgrading to MIUI 14/15, optimization algorithms became even stricter, so the old instructions (for example, disabling AutoRun) stopped working. We tested all methods on current firmware and selected only those that actually help.

If you're faced with WhatsApp not showing messages without opening, Google Maps loses location after 5 minutes, and Spotify stops music when you lock the screen - this is the guide for you. ADB-Teams and settings for developers.

Basic MIUI settings: Unlocking background work

First, check the standard optimization parameters. In MIUI 12-15, they're hidden in different sections, and the combination of these two results is better than the individual actions, and let's start with the most obvious one: autostart permission and clean lock.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management and select the desired program. Here we are interested in three key points:

• 🔄 Autorun – allows the application to start automatically after restarting or cleaning the memory!
• 🛡️ Cleaning lock – protects the process from forced closure by the system when there is a lack of RAM.
• 🔔 Notifications – Enable all types of alerts, otherwise the app will not be able to “wake up” the system.

Once these options are activated, restart your phone. On some models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12), the changes only apply after the reboot. If the problem persists, move on to the next step.

Select the application in "Application Management"|Insert "Steering"|Activate "Blocking the cleaning"|Allow all notifications|Reboot your smartphone-->

2. disable battery optimization for individual applications

MIUI by default limits background activity of all programs except system programs, and to remove this limitation, you need to manually add the application to the exception list.

Method 1. Through battery settings:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Select Battery Mode
2. Choose No Limits mode (if not, use High Performance).
3. Go back and open Battery Optimization → Applications.
4. Find the right app and select No Limits.

Method 2. via a special menu (hidden in new versions of MIUI):

• 🔍 Enter the phrase special access in the search for settings.
• 📱 Select Special Access → Optimizing the battery.
• 🔄 In the list, find the application and turn off optimization for it.

Note that the path may be different on the POCO X5 Pro and Redmi K60, and if you don’t find Battery Optimization, search for settings with keywords like battery or performance.

3. Developer settings: fixing processes

If previous methods have failed, it's time to activate the developer mode, which opens up hidden parameters that allow you to attach an application to memory and prevent it from closing.

First, activate the developer mode:

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

Now, do these things:

• 🔧 Turn on Debugging. USB (will require the following steps).
• 🔄 Find Process Limitation and set a Standard Limit (or No Background if the first option doesn't help).
• 📱 In the Appendices section, enable Do not remove active applications.
• 🔒 Activate Fix Background Processes (if any in your version) MIUI).

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14+ Some items may be missing or otherwise called. For example, instead of "Fix background processes" look for Lock background processes in English localization.

4. ADB-Commands: Forced optimisation shutdown

For the most persistent cases (for example, when MIUI ignores all settings for Telegram or Yandex.Navigator), you will need to connect to a PC and use ADB. This method is guaranteed to disable all restrictions, but requires caution.

Be prepared first:

1. Install Platform Tools on your computer.
2. Enable USB debugging on your phone (see previous section).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm your trust in the device.

Now run these commands in cmd (replacing com.example.app with your app package, such as com.whatsapp):

adb shell


dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.example.app




cmd appops set com.example.app RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND allow




cmd appops set com.example.app RUN_IN_BACKGROUND allow




settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

Once you've done that, restart your phone. To find the application package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'app' name'

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not use commands for system applications (e.g. com.miui or com.android.systemui).

5. Alternative solutions: third-party utilities and workarounds

If none of these methods worked, consider these options:

For most users, the best solution is a combination of Greenify (to clear the background of unnecessary processes) and manual settings from the first three sections. If you need a 100% guarantee of the application in the background (for example, for a child’s location tracker or an important work messenger), consider a custom firmware option.

💡

Create a shortcut on your desktop to quickly launch a problem application. Press and hold its icon on the home screen, then select "Create a shortcut" to help wake up the process faster after forced closure.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users make common mistakes when setting up background work that negate all efforts.

• ❌ Turning off all restrictions for all applications will lead to a quick battery discharge and overheating.
• ❌ Use "Memory Cleanup" manually — MIUI It also closes protected processes during manual cleaning.
• ❌ Set optimization tasks on schedule (in battery settings) – this will reset all your exceptions.
• ❌ Ignore updates MIUI — In new versions, bugs with background work are often corrected.

Also remember:

• ✅ After any system update, check the settings again — MIUI drops off some parameters.
• ✅ For Viber, Skype and other VoIP messengers, additionally enable the Microphone resolution in the background.
• ✅ Nana POCO-Some of the settings are duplicated in the company application POCO Launcher.

💡

The most common reason for broken notifications is that AutoRun is disabled. Even if you allow background work, without autorunning, the application will not be able to restart after the memory is cleared.

7. Specifics for different Xiaomi models

Optimization algorithms may vary depending on the series of devices, and this is what owners of popular models need to know:

For Redmi Note 11/12 and POCO X4/X5:

• 🔋 These models have a hidden settings menu → Battery → Battery settings → Modes where you can select Performance for individual applications.
• 📱 The Security app has a separate Boost Speed section that forcibly closes the background processes.

For Mi 11/12/13 and Redmi K50/K60:

• 🔧 It's where Intelligent Optimization works in battery settings, and you have to turn it off completely or add an app to the exceptions.
• 🔄 In the developer mode, a new item Background process limit appeared - set it in the Standard limit.

For older models (Redmi Note 9/10, POCO X3):

• 🛠️ Nana MIUI 12 and below sometimes helps reset application settings (Settings) → Annexes → Reset).
• 📲 Use the utility. MIUI Optimization Disabler (requires Magisk) to globally disable optimization.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions