Background mode on Xiaomi: how to unlock the work of applications in 2026

Xiaomi smartphones based on the shell MIUI They are known for aggressive battery optimization, which often blocks application background activity. Users face problems: notifications from messengers stop coming, mail does not update, file downloads are interrupted, and activity trackers lose data. In this article, we will analyze all ways to enable the background mode - from basic settings to hidden parameters for experienced users.

It is important to understand that MIUI It divides applications into categories by power consumption, and by default, most programs fall into "hard" constraints. MIUI 12 to MIUI 15 (including HyperOS), and also tell about the nuances for specific models – from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi 14.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the background of applications

The main reason is the extension of battery life. MIUI They analyze the activity of applications and suspend those that the system believes are "consuming too much:

• 📱 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) if they are not included in the white list of the system.
• 📧 Email clients (Gmail, Outlook) who stop syncing emails.
• 🎵 Music services (Spotify, Yandex Music), which “fly out” when the screen is blocked.
• 📊 Fitness trackers (Google Fit, Mi Fitness) that lose step data.

The second reason is that optimization algorithms are not working properly, MIUI It can mistakenly classify a frequently used application as “rarely running” and limit its background activity, especially after system updates or resets.

The third reason is the firmware features of different regions, like the global versions. MIUI (for example, MIUI Global) restrictions are milder than in Chinese (MIUI China, where battery optimization is as aggressive as possible.

Basic settings: unlocking background activity

Let’s start with the standard methods that work on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the model and firmware version, which do not require super-user rights (root) and will be suitable for most users.

1. Disable battery optimization for the application

The easiest way is to add an application to the optimization exceptions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram).
3. Use the battery optimization (or energy saving in newer versions).
4. Choose No Limits.

If you don't have Battery Optimization, you're already on the whitelist. Try the following method.

Authorization of auto-start

Many applications can't run in the background if they've turned off auto-start.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select App].
2. Slip on Autostart and activate the switch.

On some firmware (e.g, MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 12) Autostart may be hidden:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Improvements.
2. Activate Show Hidden Settings (if any).
3. Return to the app menu – Auto Start should appear.

3. Background data resolution

Even if battery optimization is disabled, the app may be prohibited from using mobile traffic or Wi-Fi in the background.

1. Go to Settings. → SIM cards and mobile networks → Transfer of data.
2. Select the Use of Data by Applications.
3. Find the right application and activate the Background data.

For Wi-Fi, a similar setting is in Settings. → Wi-Fi → Additional settings → Data management of Wi-Fi.

Advanced settings: hidden parameters MIUI

If the basic methods don't work, we'll have to dig deeper. MIUI there are hidden settings that are not shown by default, but allow you to fine-tune the background work.

1. Unlimited Mode for Individual Applications

In the new versions MIUI (starting MIUI 13) expanded battery management mode:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Battery Management.
2. Select the application and set the No Limits mode.

If this is not the case, try an alternative route:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the background restrictions and turn it off for the desired application.

2. setting up "Memory Protection" (Memory Protection)

V MIUI 14+ And we have a memory protection feature that forcibly closes applications when they don't have enough RAM to turn it off for a particular application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application and tap on memory protection.
3. Set it up without limits.

On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5) This item may be called a lock in memory.

3.Use of ADB loose-limit

If the interface methods do not work, you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires a phone to be connected to a PC.

First, turn on USB debugging:

1. Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times).
2. Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB.

Then run the command in the terminal (or PowerShell on Windows):

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.example.app

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

Once you've done the command, restart your phone. MIUI for the specified application, but requires repetition after resetting settings or updating the firmware.

Features for different MIUI versions and models

The background settings may vary depending on the firmware version and device model, and the key differences below.

On HyperOS devices (such as the Xiaomi 14 Pro), the path to battery settings has changed.

1. Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity.
2. Select Performance Mode and set High Performance.
3. Manually add applications to exceptions through Application Battery Management.

💡

Nana POCO-devices (e.g., devices, POCO X6 Pro) often helps reset battery settings: Settings → Battery → Three dots (menu) → Resetting battery settings.

What to do if nothing helps

If you’ve tried all the methods, but the app is still blocked in the background, consider the following steps:

1. Firmware update

In some versions MIUI (particularly MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13) there were background work bugs that were patched in subsequent updates:

1. Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If there are no updates, try manually downloading the firmware from the Xiaomi Firmware website.

2.Reset battery settings

Sometimes you get your optimization settings down.

1. Go to Settings. → Battery → Three dots (menu) → Resetting battery settings.
2. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

💡

Resetting battery settings does not delete application data, but returns all optimization parameters to factory values.

3. Installation of global firmware (for Chinese devices)

If you have a Chinese version MIUI (MIUI China, background restrictions could be tougher, so the solution is to flash the global version:

1. Download Fastboot ROM for your model from the official website.
2. Use the Mi Flash Tool for firmware (instructions are available on the 4PDA forum).

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot firmware resets all data. Pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

4. Use of third-party utilities

If manual settings don’t work, you can use apps like AutoStart (to manage autostart) or Greenify (to adjust optimization flexibly).

• 🔧 AutoStart requires root rights on new versions MIUI.
• ⚠️ Greenify may conflict with built-in optimization MIUI.

How to check if the application works in the background

To make sure that the settings are applied correctly, follow the following steps:

1. Verification through the "Last Appendices"

Open the recent app menu (swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen) and:

• 🔍 Make sure the app doesn’t disappear from the list after locking the screen.
• 🔄 If it's gone, it means, MIUI forcefully shuts it down.

2. Monitoring through Developer Options

Turn on the display of background processes:

1. Activate Developer Mode (as described above).
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Turn on Do Not Close Apps and Show Background Processes.

Now, the menu of recent apps will show which ones are active in the background.

3. Notification test

For messengers and email clients:

• 📩 Ask a friend to send you a message or letter.
• 🔕 Lock the screen and wait 5-10 minutes.
• 🔔 If the notification is received, the settings are applied correctly.

💡

If notifications only come when the screen is unlocked, then the background sync is turned off. Repeat the settings from the Basic settings section.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make the same mistakes when setting up the background, and here are the most common:

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Battery Optimization and Energy Saving Mode. The first option is customized for each application separately, and the second one has a global effect on the entire system. If Power Saving Mode is enabled, background work will be blocked regardless of individual settings.

Another common mistake is ignoring app updates, such as when WhatsApp or Telegram updates, their battery optimization settings may reset. Always check after updates.

Also, users often forget about mobile data permissions in the background, and even if Wi-Fi is working correctly, the application may not sync over the mobile network.

1. Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Use of data by applications.
2. Make sure that background data is included for the desired application.

Finally, don't add all the apps to the optimization exceptions, it will lead to increased battery consumption, and the optimal is to leave only critical programs (messengers, mail, fitness trackers) without restrictions.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions