How to permanently ban Xiaomi and Android from killing apps in the background: the full guide 2026

Android’s operating system — especially Xiaomi’s MIUI firmware — aggressively manages background processes, which is designed to save battery power, but often causes instant messengers to stop notifying, music players to break down, and navigators to lose connection. In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to disable automatic application termination, from standard settings to hidden commands for power users.

The problem is compounded by Xiaomi regularly changing the logic of the background processes in new versions of MIUI 14/15.What worked a year ago may be useless today.We tested each method on current devices (including Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO F5) and selected only working solutions for 2026.

⚠️ Note: Some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights.This can lead to loss of warranty or unstable system operation. → Google → Backup.

Why Xiaomi is killing apps in the background: the real reasons

Many users mistakenly think that the only problem is MIUI's greed for resources, and in fact, there are three key mechanisms behind this:

1. Android Battery Optimization (Doze Mode) is an Android 6.0+ built-in mode that limits the background activity of applications when the device is not in use. In MIUI, this mechanism works even harder due to additional restrictions.

2. MIUI Battery Saver is Xiaomi's proprietary technology that analyzes energy consumption and forcibly closes "gluttonous" processes. Even if you turn it off in the settings, some of the functions will remain active at the core level of the system.

3. Manufacturer Restrictions (OEM) – Xiaomi, like other brands (Samsung, Huawei), is modifying Android to suit its objectives. As a result, standard settings Do not optimize in the battery menu are often ignored.

• 🔋 Up to 30% of applications are killed by the system in the first 5 minutes after curtailment (test data on the data of the test). MIUI 14.0.5).
• ⚡ Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and navigators (Yandex.Maps, Google Maps) suffer most often.
• 📱 Redmi with MediaTek processors (Helio) G99, Dimensity 1080 - background restrictions are stricter than on Snapdragon.

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (without root)

To start with, the simplest of them is the built-in MIUI tools, which require no additional rights and work on most devices, but their effectiveness depends on the firmware version.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management and select the desired application.

1. Allow AutoRun: Go to AutoRun and turn on the switch. This will allow the application to start automatically after the device restarts.
2. Turn off battery optimization: In the app menu tap Battery Optimization → select No Limits. On some devices, this item may be called Battery Management.
3. Disable closing in background: In the same menu, find the Ending in the background and turn off the option. On MIUI 15, this item may be hidden - see the next section.

⚠️ Attention: POCO And some Redmi menu items may be different. If you don't find Battery Optimization, try the path: → Battery → Choice of applications → [attachment] → No restrictions.

Method 2: Hidden Developer Settings

If standard methods don’t work, it’s time to activate the developer mode, which gives you access to additional parameters that Xiaomi hides from ordinary users.

To activate the mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified "You became a developer!").
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional settings → Developer settings.

Now find and change the following parameters:

• 🔄 Limit background processes → Select No Limits or Standard Limit (4 Processes).
• 🚫 Don't keep up → Disable (this prevents applications from remaining in memory).
• ⚡ Optimization MIUI → Disable (can be called Smart Optimization).
• 📱 Background check → Enable (for stable operation of notifications).

💡

Once you change the developer's settings, restart the device. Some settings only apply after the reboot.

Method 3: ADB-deep optimization teams

If previous methods have failed, it’s time to connect Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for advanced users to give direct commands to the system.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Developer Settings.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
3. Open the command line (cmd) and enter:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed)

adb shell

Now, follow the commands to disable optimization (replace com.example.app with your app package, such as org.telegram.messenger):

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

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI Some teams may reset. Repeat the procedure after each major update.

Method 4: Using Magisk and Root Modules

If you have a bootloader unlocked and you have Magisk installed, you can go a step further, which gives you maximum control over the background, but requires technical skills.

Required modules:

• 🛠️ Disable Flag Secure – removes screen recording and background activity restrictions.
• 🔄 Universal GMS Doze Fix – fixes problems with Doze Mode for Google apps.
• ⚡ MIUI Optimization Disabler – Disables Optimization completely MIUI (It can reduce battery life!).

How to determine:

1. Download the modules from the Magisk repository.
2. Open the Magisk app, go to Modules and click Install from Storage.
3. Select the desired modules and confirm the installation.
4. Reset the device.

💡

MIUI Optimization Disabler may conflict with some banking applications (e.g. Sberbank Online).

Method 5: Alternative launchers and memory settings

Not everyone knows, but the launcher (Android shell) also affects memory management, such as Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher, which allows you to flexibly customize background processes.

What can be done:

• 📱 Install Nova Launcher and enable Save in Memory for Critical Applications in Settings.
• 🔄 In the Nova Settings → Memory Select Aggressive caching (will increase RAM consumption but reduce process killings).
• 🚀 Use Tasker or MacroDroid to automatically restart dead apps (requires setting triggers).

Also check the memory settings in the Developer Settings:

• Limit of background processes → Set the Standard Limit (4 processes) or No Limits.
• Do not save actions → disable (important for multitasking).

Method 6: Configure with Shizuku and AppOps

Shizuku

AppOps

Instructions:

1. Install Shizuku from GitHub.
2. Follow the instructions in the application to connect via ADB (one-time setting).
3. Install AppOps.
4. In AppOps, find your app and turn it on: RUN_IN_BACKGROUND RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND WAKE_LOCK

This works even on MIUI 15 and doesn't require unlocking the bootloader, but once the device is restarted, some resolutions may reset and have to be turned on again.

Method 7: Radical measures - change firmware

If nothing works, the last option is to switch to custom firmware, which completely removes the limitations of MIUI, but requires unlocking the bootloader and losing the warranty.

Recommended firmware for Xiaomi:

• 📱 Pixel Experience – pure Android with minimal modifications.

What to consider:

• 🔋 Battery life can be reduced by 10-20% (no aggressive optimization) MIUI).

⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek processors (Helio) G96, Dimensity 700, etc. Unlocking a bootloader often leads to loss. IMEI. Before the firmware, make a backup module NVRAM through MTK Client.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions