Why Xiaomi is closing apps in the background: 7 reasons and how to fix it

You run YouTube or Telegram, you switch to another chat, and after a minute the app flies out of memory, forcing it to be reopened from scratch. Familiar situation? Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones regularly face the problem when the system aggressively closes the background processes, even if the device has enough resources. What is the reason for this behavior? Is it a feature of MIUI, a firmware bug or a consequence of battery optimization?

In this article we will discuss in detail 7 Key reasons Xiaomi is forcibly shutting down applications, from standard power saving settings to hidden features MIUI Optimization. You will also learn how to diagnose a problem on your device (including Xiaomi models). 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5) and apply proven solutions – from manual auto-start settings to use ADB-Teams for experienced users.

Spoiler: 80 percent of the time, it's not the curved firmware that's to blame, but the combination of MIUI factory constraints and incorrect user settings, and that can be fixed without root rights or firmware.

1. MIUI Energy Saving: Why the System Stifles Applications

The main reason for the spontaneous shutdown of applications on Xiaomi is the built-in battery optimization system that works too aggressively. Unlike “pure” Android, where background processes are controlled flexibly, MIUI by default limits application activity through three mechanisms:

🔋 Power saving mode: automatically activates at low charge (20% and below) and forcibly closes all background tasks.
⚡ Adaptive Battery Optimization: Analyzes User Habits and Freezes Rarely Used Apps.
🛑 AutoRun Limit: Blocks the automatic launch of applications after a restart or on schedule (for example, to sync WhatsApp or Gmail).

The problem is compounded by Xiaomi hiding some of these settings. For example, in MIUI 14, the Adaptive Optimization option is hidden in the Settings menu → Battery settings → Battery Optimization → Battery Usage Optimization, and it is enabled by default for all applications except system ones. Even if you manually add the app to exceptions, the system may ignore your choices after the upgrade.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Snapdragon processors 4xx/6xx (Like Redmi. 10A or POCO M4 Pro) limitations are even tighter because of the hardware limits of RAM, and in such cases even turning off the power saving might not help, but you'll need to manually adjust it. RAM-manager.

📊 What kind of model do you have? Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO?

Xiaomi 13/14 Series

Redmi Note 11/12

POCO F4/F5

Redmi 10/9 Series Series

Another model

Lack of RAM: myth or reality?

Many users write off the closure of applications on a small amount of RAM. Indeed, on budget models with 3-4 GB of RAM (for example, the Redmi A2 or POCO C50), the system is forced to “kill” background processes to free up memory for active tasks. However, even on flagships with 12 GB of RAM (like Xiaomi 13 Ultra), applications can be closed – not hardware limitations, but the memory management policy in MIUI are to blame.

How to check if your device has enough memory?

Open Settings → About Phone → Memory and see the RAM usage schedule.
If the free memory is less than 500-700 MB, the system will begin to force the task to close.
Run Developer Options (how to turn on – see below) and look for Memory → Memory used by apps. Here you can see how much memory the background apps take up.

RAM volume	Minimum free stock	Recommendations
3-4 GB	300-500 MB	Turn off auto-run for unnecessary applications, use the “Light” version of messengers.
6-8 GB	700 MB-1 GB	Add critical apps to battery exclusions, turn off animation in Developer Options.
12+GB	1.5–2 GB	The problem isn’t memory – check the MIUI Optimization settings (see section 4).

If there is enough free memory, but applications are still closed, move to the next section - the problem lies in the background activity settings.

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To temporarily free up memory without closing applications, use the swipe down with retention gesture on the Home button (navigation bar) which clears RAM but keeps the task state open.

3. Autostart and Background Activity Settings: What You're Missing

Even if you add an app to the battery exceptions, MIUI can block its background operation through other mechanisms.

🔄 Autorun: Allows an application to run automatically after a reboot or by triggers (e.g., Wi-Fi connection) Disabled by default for most third-party applications.
📱 Background activity: allows the application to run in the background (for example, for notifications or synchronization). MIUI 14+ This is called Background Activity Management.

How to set up:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Select the desired application (for example, Viber) → Autorun → turn on.
Go back and tap Permissions → Background Activity → Select No Limits.
For MIUI 14: Go to Settings → Battery → Application Selection and set up No Limits mode for critical applications.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Google Play Services or Mi Push) have hidden restrictions. ADB-teams (see section 6).

Autorun enabled for messengers |Background activity allowed without restrictions |Application added to battery exceptions |Previewed notification settings-->

4: MIUI Optimization's Hidden Function: Why It Breaks Everything

Few people know, but in MIUI There is a hidden function called MIUI Optimization (optimization) MIUI), It's the one that's responsible for aggressive memory and process management, and it's on by default, and it doesn't have a graphical interface to turn off -- just through the computer. ADB or third-party utilities like MIUI Hidden Settings.

It is MIUI Optimization that is to blame for 60% of cases of spontaneous closure of applications on flagship models with a large amount of RAM. The function forcibly “kills” processes, even if there is enough memory, following the internal algorithms of Xiaomi, which do not take into account the real needs of the user.

How to check if it affects your device:

Install the MIUI Hidden Settings app (available on Google Play).
Go to MIUI Optimization section.
If the option is on (value 1), it is active.

You can only turn it off via ADB (instructions in section 6) or using the Disable MIUI Optimization Magisk module (requires root).

✅ Applications stay in memory longer.
✅ Notifications are received in a timely manner (for example, in Telegram or Signal).
❌ Possible slight increase in battery consumption (5-10%).

What happens if you turn off MIUI Optimization?

Disabling this feature will make the system behavior closer to “pure” Android, but can lead to: 3–4 GB RAM (due to lack of memory optimization. - Increased battery back consumption 5–15% (Possible lags for multitasking on weak processors (e.g. Snapdragon) 4xx). On flagships (Snapdragon) 8 Gen 2/3, Dimensity 9000+) There are usually no negative effects.

5. MIUI Updates and Firmware Bugs: When Software Is to Blame

Sometimes the problem with closing applications appears after the MIUI update. For example, MIUI 14.0.4 for Xiaomi 12T was a bug that forced the system to reset all background processes every 10 minutes. and MIUI 13.0.6 for POCO F3 was observed “offs” Google Play Services, which led to the closure of dependent applications (eg, Gmail or Maps).

How to diagnose the problem:

Check the firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
Search for complaints on forums (4PDA, XDA-Developers) for the type “MIUI [version] closes applications”.
If the bug is massive, wait for the patch or roll back to the previous version (instructions below).

Solutions:

🔄 Firmware rollback: Download the stable version from the official website and run through Recovery.
🐞 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear cache (does not delete data, but can fix temporary crashes).
📲 Resetting: In extreme cases, reset through Settings → Additionally. → Resetting settings (save data!).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Global ROM, Check to see if the system is blocking applications due to regional restrictions, such as some firmware in India or China, where Google services are artificially restricted.

6. ADB-Power User Teams: How to Disable Restrictions

If standard settings don't work, you'll need to use ADB, a low-level system management tool that's suitable for users who are willing to work with the command line.

You'll need:

🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
📱 Developer mode on the smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → tap 7 times).
🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Commands to disable restrictions:

Disable MIUI Optimization (requires a reboot)


adb shell settings put global miui_optimization 0




Disable background activity restriction for a particular packet (e.g. Telegram)



adb shell cmd appops set org.telegram.messenger RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND allow




Add the app to the battery whitelist (replace "com.example.app" with your app package)



adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.example.app

After you execute the commands, restart the device.

✅ Apps will stop closing in the background.
✅ Notifications will be received without delay.
❌ Increased battery consumption (by 10-20%).

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ADB-Teams are the most effective way to remove restrictions MIUI, But it requires caution. Improper use can cause system failures. Always back up before you make changes!

7.Alternative solutions: from third-party launchers to custom firmware

If none of the above has worked, consider drastic measures:

📱 Installing a custom launcher (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion) Some launchers have built-in memory management tools that are less aggressive than the ones used in the launcher. MIUI.
🔧 Custom-based firmware ROM (This will completely remove the limitations of Xiaomi, but will require unlocking the bootloader and loss of warranty.
🔄 Using Light versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) that consume fewer resources and are less likely to be closed by the system.
📴 Disabling unnecessary system applications through ADB Or Titanium Backup, which will free up memory for background tasks.

Before using these methods, assess the risks:

Method	Pluses	Cons
Castom louncher	It does not require root, it improves multitasking.	It does not solve the problem completely, lags are possible.
Custom ROM	Full control of the system, no MIUI restrictions.	Complex installation, loss of warranty, possible bugs.
"Light" versions of applications	Less RAM is spent, less often closed.	Reduced functionality, not all applications have versions.

If you decide to firmware custom ROM, follow the instructions with XDA-Developers and be sure to make a backup through TWRP.

FAQ: Frequent questions about closing apps on Xiaomi

❓ Why Xiaomi is closing apps even with free memory?

This is due to MIUI’s process management policy, which prioritizes battery saving over multitasking, and the system shuts down tasks not because of a lack of RAM, but because of MIUI Optimization and Background Activity Management algorithms, which consider background processes “unnecessary.”

❓ How to check which application is closed most often?

Use the built-in activity monitor: Enable Developer Mode (7 taps on MIUI Version). Go to Settings → Additional → Developer → Activity Monitor. This displays all recently closed processes and the reasons for their completion. You can also use third-party utilities like Greenify (requires root for full functionality).

❓ Will there be problems if you turn it off? MIUI Optimization?

On flagship devices (for example, Xiaomi) 13 pro POCO F5 Pro) disabling this feature usually does not cause problems, on the contrary, multitasking and notification stability improve. 10C s 3 GB RAM) possible: Minor lags when switching between applications. Faster battery discharge (on the 5–15%). Rare system service failures (e.g. Mi Share) If problems occur after a shutdown, return the setup with the command: adb shell settings put global settings miui_optimization 1

❓ Why After Updating MIUI Applications are closing more often?

This is typical: Xiaomi often tightens its energy saving policies in new firmware versions. For example, MIUI 14 introduced Deep Sleep Optimization, which even more aggressively freezes background tasks. Solutions: Reverse to the previous version of MIUI (if the bug is massive). Wait for the patch (usually released within 2-4 weeks).

❓ Can the problem be solved without ADB root?

Yes, standard settings help in most cases: Add the app to battery exceptions (Settings → Battery → Application Selection). Enable autostart and background activity (see Section 3). Turn off adaptive battery optimization (Settings → Battery → Battery settings → Battery Optimization) Use the Light version of apps (like Facebook Lite). If these methods don't work, you'll have to resort to ADB or custom solutions.