How to Enable Notifications on Xiaomi for Applications: The Complete 2026 Guide

The notification problem on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most common complaints users have: you wait for an important message on Telegram, a discount alert on AliExpress or a notification about a new video on YouTube, but the phone is stubbornly silent, the reasons may lie in the settings of the MIUI itself, power saving restrictions or even in the errors of a particular application.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to enable notifications on Xiaomi, from basic settings in the phone menu to hidden developer settings. You’ll learn how to check app permissions, disable battery optimization that blocks background work, and even restore notifications after resetting. The instructions are relevant for all modern models, from the Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 flagships.

We will focus on common bugs that may cause notifications to fail, such as many users who are unaware that MIUI by default limits the background activity of applications to save power, or that some messengers (such as Viber or WhatsApp) require additional permissions to display notifications on the lock screen.

If you've tried to turn on notifications through standard settings, but nothing worked, don't rush to reset your phone to factory settings. There's a section in the article with advanced methods, including setting up. ADB-commands and system log verification.

1. Basic notification settings in MIUI

To start with the obvious, check the basic parameters of notifications in the system, often a problem is solved in two clicks, but users miss these steps, immediately moving to complex manipulations.

Open Settings → Notifications and status bar. Here you will see a list of all the apps installed. Find the one you want to enable notifications (like Instagram or Gmail) and tap it. Make sure the Allow Notifications switch is active (the slider should be blue).

If the switch is gray and cannot be moved, it means that the application is locked at the system level, in which case you will need to unlock it in the security settings (more about this in the next section).

Also, pay attention to additional parameters:

• 🔔 Sound – turn on if you want to hear alerts.
• 📱 Vibration is useful for silent mode.
• 🔒 Show lock screen – without this you will not see notifications without unlocking the phone.
• 🌐 Floating notifications – pop-up banners on top of other windows.

If the app is not listed, it has not requested permission to send notifications, try reinstalling it or manually running the notification function (for example, in VK you need to go to your account settings and enable push notifications).

Permissions and Background Activity: Why MIUI Blocks Notifications

The main reason for missing notifications on Xiaomi is aggressive battery optimization in MIUI. The system automatically restricts the background operation of applications to reduce charge consumption, this applies even to popular messengers.

To fix this, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Find the right app (like Signal or Slack) and select Permissions. Make sure it's enabled here:

• 📱 Auto-Run – allows the application to start when the phone is turned on.
• 🔄 Background activity - allows work in the background.
• 🔋 Without battery limitations – disables optimization for this application.

If a permission is not on the list, you need to enable it through the battery settings. Go back to the application management menu and select Battery → No restrictions. This ensures that MIUI will not force the application to close.

Note that on some models (such as the POCO X5 or Redmi 10C), the path to these settings may be different. If you do not find the right item, search in the settings (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner).

3. Set up notifications through “Special Permits”

MIUI has a hidden section called "Special Permissions" where you can fine-tune notification behavior, which is especially useful if standard methods don't work.

Go to Settings → Applications → Special Permissions → Notifications. Here you will see three categories:

1. Regular notifications are standard alerts in the curtain.
2. Important notifications are priority (e.g. calls or SMS).
3. Floating notifications are pop-up banners.

For instant messengers (such as Telegram or WhatsApp), it is recommended to put “Important Notifications” on the service, which ensures that they will show even in “Do Not Disturb” mode.

If this menu doesn't have the right app, it didn't ask for special permissions. Try clearing the app's cache (Settings → Apps → [name] → Clear the cache) and restarting it.

4.Problems with notifications on the lock screen

A frequent complaint: notifications come but don't appear on the locked screen.This is due to the privacy settings in MIUI.

To fix the problem:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select "Notifications on the Lock Screen".
3. Set the value of "Show the content of notifications" (if you want to see the text of messages) or "Show notification icons" (if only icons are enough).

If this option is missing, it means that your Xiaomi model has it hidden elsewhere. Try an alternative path: Settings → Notifications and Status bar → On the lock screen.

Also check if Hide Sensitive Content is enabled, which can block text from certain applications (e.g. SMS or Banking) and disables this mode in the same lock screen settings menu.

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If notifications don’t show up on the lock screen even after all permissions are turned on, try changing the lock style, for example, from “Classic” to “MIUI” (in the lock screen settings).

5. Advanced methods: ADB-Developer team and settings

If standard methods haven't worked, it's time for advanced methods, which require a little more effort, but often solve problems where conventional settings are powerless.

Method 1: Disabling Optimization through ADB

You will need a computer with installed ADB-Drivers and Included Debugging USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

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

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) and find out the batch name through the App Inspector app or the APKMirror website.

Method 2: Developer settings

Enable the Developer Mode (as described above) and check the following settings:

• 🔧 "Don’t turn off screen when charging – useful for testing notifications.
• 📱 "Background processes" - set a maximum (e.g., "Standard Limitation").
• 🔄 "Do not save actions – disable if notifications disappear after reboot.

Important: After use ADB-You have to restart your phone, otherwise the changes may not take effect.

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ADB-commands are the most reliable way to force notifications on any application, but it takes care. Improper use can disrupt system stability.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even after setting up the notifications correctly, they may not work due to common user errors, and here are the most common ones:

Error 1: Unrenewed App

Older versions of apps often contain notification bugs. For example, WhatsApp version 2.21.12 and below had problems with push notifications on MIUI 13. Always update apps via Google Play or APKMirror.

Mistake 2: Conflict with other applications

Some cache cleaners (such as Clean Master) or antiviruses (such as Avast) can block notifications. Try temporarily disabling them or adding the desired application to exceptions.

Error 3: Energy saving mode

V MIUI There are two levels of energy saving, Battery and Super Power Saving, and the second mode turns off all applications except system applications. → Battery and productivity → Battery mode.

Error 4: Resetting settings without backup

If you reset your phone to factory settings, all permissions for notifications will be removed. Always back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

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If notifications have stopped coming after the update MIUI, Try to roll back to the previous firmware version via Fastboot. 4PDA model-themed.

7.Table: Notification settings for popular apps

Below is a table with optimal notification settings for the most common applications on Xiaomi, which ensures that alerts work consistently.

If your app isn't in the spreadsheet, be guided by the type of work it does. For instant messengers and email clients, always turn on auto-run and background activity. For social networks and games, only background activity is enough.

8 What to do if nothing helps?

If you've tried all the methods, but the notifications still don't come, maybe the problem is deeper.

Step 1: Verification of system logs

Install the Logcat Extreme app from Google Play and filter the logs by the Notification keyword. This will help to determine whether the system blocks notifications at the kernel level.

Step 2: Reset application settings

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Menu (three dots) → Reset application settings. This will return all permissions to factory, but will not delete the data.

Step 3: Flashing the phone

If the problem has occurred after the MIUI update, try to reflash the phone via Fastboot or Recovery.For instructions and firmware, look at the official Xiaomi or 4PDA website.

Step 4: Appeal for Support

If none of these methods worked, please contact Xiaomi via the official website or live chat at Mi Community, include the phone model, MIUI version and the problem description, and provide screenshots of the notification settings.

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Before flashing, make sure to check if the bootloader is unlocked on your phone, and some models (such as the Xiaomi 13T) require official permission from the manufacturer.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the problem may be incorrect build. MIUI check out.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models for the Chinese market (China) ROM) Notifications from Google services (such as Gmail or YouTube) may not work without manually installing Google Play Services.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions