How to fix the application in the background on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: the complete guide

Why apps are closing on Redmi 9A and how to fix it

Xiaomi Redmi 9A running MIUI actively optimizes battery consumption by automatically closing background applications. This saves charge, but creates problems: messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) stop coming notifications, music players (Spotify, VK) are interrupted, and games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact) are reset when switching. In this article, we will analyze all ways to fix the application in the background – from basic settings to hidden functions of MIUI 12/14.

The main cause of the problem is Xiaomi's aggressive energy saving policy, which divides applications into categories of importance and limits background activity for "unnecessary" programs. For example, if you rarely open Viber, the system will consider it secondary and will force it to close 5-10 minutes after curtailing. Fortunately, this logic can be circumvented.

It’s important to understand that on Redmi 9A with firmware below MIUI 14 Global, some menu items may be missing, replaced by alternative paths that we’ll also consider, and note that once you reset or update the system, all permissions are reset and you’ll have to repeat the procedure.

Method 1: Allowing Auto-Run of the Application

The first and most obvious step is to enable auto-start for the desired application, which allows the program to automatically start when the phone is turned on and run in the background without restrictions.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the desired application (for example, Telegram) in the list and tap it.
• 🔄 Scroll down to Autostart and activate the switch.
• ⚙️ If there is no option, go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Auto-Run Applications Management and turn it on there.

On the Redmi 9A with MIUI 12, the path may be different: sometimes autorun is hidden in Settings → Special features → Battery optimization. If you don’t find it, use a search by settings (the magnifier icon at the top of the screen).

⚠️ Warning: Once you have auto-run, the app will consume more battery. Don't activate this feature for all programs in a row, only for mission-critical programs (messengers, navigators, music players).

Appendix added to battery optimization exceptions |

Auto-run enabled in the settings of a specific application |

There are no duplicate restrictions in MIUI settings (see Method 3)|

Phone reloaded to apply changes-->

Method 2: Disabling Battery Optimization for an Application

Even with auto-run enabled, the system can limit background activity through battery optimization, which force applications to freeze if they're not in use for a long time, to turn it off:

Steps:

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Battery consumption management.
• 📊 Select the App tab and find the program you want in the list.
• 🔄 Tap it and select the No Limits option (or High Performance on Newer Versions MIUI).
• 🔒 Confirm action if the system requests a password or fingerprint.

On a Redmi 9A with MIUI 11 or lower, the path might look like this: Settings → Additional → Battery Optimization → Menu (three dots) → All apps. If you don’t find an item, try an alternative method through Settings → Apps → [Select App] → Battery → Battery Optimization → Disable.

⚠️ Warning: On some Xiaomi firmware, after disabling battery optimization, the app can start using up to 20–30% of its charge per day. Follow the statistics in Settings → Battery → Battery Use and, if necessary, return the restrictions.

MIUI 14 Global|

MIUI 12/13|

MIUI 11 or lower |

I don't know my version.-->

Method 3: Affixing the application to the multitasking menu

If previous methods didn’t work, try pinning the app to the recent task menu, which prevents it from closing when you clean up RAM.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the app you want (like YouTube Music).
• 🔄 Roll it (Home button or gesture of holding up).
• 📌 In the recent task menu, click and hold the app icon, then select Secure (pin icon).
• 🔒 Now the app will remain in memory even after clicking Clear Everything.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Only one application can be attached at a time.
• ❌ After restarting the phone, the fixing is reset.
• ❌ Does not work for system processes (e.g. Google Play Services).

This is a temporary solution, for example, if you want Google Maps to continue to run in the background while traveling, but don’t want to change the global settings.

💡

If you don't have a pin, upgrade to MIUI 12 or later. On older versions, app attachment is not available.

Method 4: Using the Developer’s Hidden Settings

For advanced users, there's a developer mode method that allows you to disable the limitations of the background processes at the system level, which is the most radical way, but it requires caution.

Instructions:

1. 🔧 Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → Version MIUI and tap it 7 times until you become a developer!
2. 🔄 Go back to the main settings menu and open a new Developer section (usually at the bottom of the list).
3. 🔍 Find parameters: Background Process Limitation → Set No Limits. Don't Stay Activated → Disable (this will prevent applications from closing when switching). Optimize MIUI → Disable (if any).

🔒 Reboot your phone to apply the changes.

Warnings:

• ⚠️ Disabling optimization significantly increases battery consumption (up to 40% in 8-10 hours of standby).
• ⚠️ Some applications may start to update or send notifications more frequently.
• ⚠️ On Redmi 9A with 2GB of RAM, this can cause the interface to slow down due to memory overload.

⚠️ Warning: After the MIUI update, all developer settings are reset. Also, some banking applications (e.g. Sberbank Online) may block access when a developer mode is detected, in which case temporarily disable it in Settings → For Developers (switch at the top).

Method 5: Use of third-party utilities (without root)

If system settings don't work, you can use specialized applications that don't require root rights, but give you more control over background processes.

Top-3 utilities for Redmi 9A:

• 🛠️ Greenify -- freezes unnecessary applications, leaving resources for important ones, supports rootless, but with limitations.
• 🔄 AutoStart manages autoruns for all applications, including system applications (e.g. Google Play Services).
• 📊 Battery Optimizer – allows you to manually configure battery optimization for each application.

How to set up Greenify:

1. Download the app from Google Play and provide all the permissions you request.
2. In the main menu, select + and add apps that should not be closed (like WhatsApp).
3. Activate the Boost Now option for immediate use.
4. In the settings, enable Aggressive Doze (MIUI requires a ADB- command that the application will prompt).

Limitations:

• ❌ Greenify will not fully lift the restrictions MIUI It only minimizes their influence.
• ❌ On Redmi 9A with 2 GB of RAM, the utility can conflict with system processes.
• ❌ Once the MIUI update is complete, you’ll have to reconfigure everything.

💡

The utility side is a temporary solution. For stable operation, it is better to combine them with system settings (Methods 1-3).

Method 6: Alternative methods for specific applications

Some applications have built-in settings for background work that are independent of MIUI.

For instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber):

• 📩 In the application settings, look for the Notifications or Background section.
• 🔄 Enable options: Show notifications (priority: High). Autoboot (inside the app, not to be confused with system autostart!) Work in the background (e.g. in Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Background work).

For music players (Spotify, YouTube Music, VKontakte):

• 🎵 Enable music caching (this reduces the processor load).
• 🔊 In the player settings, activate Playback in the background.
• 📴 Turn off Sound Optimization in the MIUI settings (Settings → Sound → Sound Quality).

For navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator):

• 🗺️ In the navigation settings, enable Economy Mode (this is paradoxical, but reduces background activity without interrupting the route).
• 📍 Give the application permission to Permanent Location (Settings → Privacy → Permits → Location).

For games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, Brawl Stars):

• 🎮 In the game settings, enable High Performance Mode (usually in the Graphics section).
• 🔋 Disable Battery Optimization for Play (see Method 2).
• 📱 Use Game Mode in MIUI (Settings → Special Features → Game Turbo Mode).

💡

There is a hidden feature for Google Maps: if you turn on Navigation Mode (even without a route) before folding the application, the system will less often close it.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Redmi 9A users face typical problems when setting up background apps, and here are the most common errors and solutions:

Error 1: Settings are reset after the MIUI update

• 🔄 Solution: Repeat Methods 1-3 after each update. Save screenshots of the settings to recover them faster.

Error 2: The app will close after 5-10 minutes.

• ⏱️ Reason: Adaptive battery is turned on (Settings → Battery → Adaptive battery).
• 🔧 Solution: Disable it or add the app to the exceptions.

Error 3: Notifications from messengers do not work

• 📩 Reasons: Notifications disabled in the app itself. Do Not Disturb Mode is enabled in MIUI. App added to Notification Blacklist (Settings → Notifications → Blacklist).
• 🔊 Solution: Check all three and give the app permission to show notifications.

Error 4: Music is interrupted when the screen is locked

• 🎵 Reason: Music apps optimization enabled (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → Music apps).
• 🔇 Solution: Disable the player optimization and activate the background playback in its settings.

Error 5: The game crashes when a call is made

• 📞 Cause: Conflict between Game Mode and Call Mode.
• 🎮 Solution: Turn off Game Interrupts when calling Settings → Sound → Interrupts.

⚠️ Warning: If the app is closed after all the manipulations, check if it is a clone (for example, a second WhatsApp account via Parallel Apps). Clone apps have strict restrictions on background work that cannot be circumvented without root rights.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions