How to turn off background messages on Xiaomi: 7 proven ways

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi smartphone is running out faster, and messaging apps are constantly hanging in the Task Manager? The reason lies in the background work of messengers — WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber and even standard SMS. These services are actively consuming device resources even when you are not using them: synchronize data, download media files and send notifications in real time.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to disable background messages on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from standard MIUI settings to hidden developer features. You’ll learn how to completely block background activity for individual applications or limit it without losing important notifications. And we’ll also explain which messengers can be disabled without the risk of missing an important message (spoiler: this is not Telegram with its cloud storage).

Why background messages eat up battery and traffic

Background work of messengers is not just "checking new emails" modern applications perform dozens of operations in hidden mode:

• 🔄 Automatic synchronization of chats with servers (every 5-15 minutes)
• 📥 Pre-uploading of media files (photos, videos, stickers)
• 🔔 Survey servers for new notifications (push messages)
• 📊 Collecting analytics and sending data to developers (even if you’ve turned off statistics)
• 🔋 Support for a permanent connection for instant messaging

According to Xiaomi Community tests, WhatsApp’s background activity can consume up to 15-20% of battery power per day, and Telegram can consume up to 10%, even if you haven’t opened the app, while standard SMS (through the Messages app) spend minimal resources, but can also work in the background to deliver MMS.

The most insidious feature of MIUI is that the system by default allows unlimited background activity for all messengers, considering them “systemically important”, which means that even after closing the application through the multitasking menu, it will continue to work in hidden mode.

Method 1: Turn off background activity in MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use built-in MIUI optimization tools.This method is suitable for all models, starting with the Xiaomi Mi 8 (2018) and later, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 and flagships of the Xiaomi 14 series.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a messenger (such as WhatsApp).
3. Slip on the Battery (or Charge Consumption in newer versions of MIUI).
4. Choose the option to limit background activity.
5. Turn on the switch to limit background data (if any).

After that, the application will not be able to:

• 🔄 Synchronize data in the background
• 📥 Download media files without your involvement
• 🔔 Receive push notifications (but they will be delivered when you open the application)

The correct application is selected|The "auto-launch" parameter is disabled"|Background data restriction activated|Rebooted smartphone to apply changes-->

⚠️ Note: After you turn off background activity, you will only receive new messages when you manually open the messenger.For Telegram, this is not critical (messages are stored in the cloud), but on WhatsApp or Viber, you can miss important notifications.

Method 2: Use of the "charge saving" mode

If you need to temporarily suspend the background of all applications (for example, overnight), use the mode Saving charge. Unlike a complete shutdown, this method retains the basic functionality of messengers, but severely limits their activity.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select Charge Saving Mode.
3. Activate the option to limit background activity.
4. Click Charge Savings Settings and add messengers to the list of limited apps.

💡 Useful advice: In the mode of saving charge you will still receive SMS And calls, but messengers like WhatsApp or Viber will only be updated when you open, and this is ideal for night time if you don't want to miss an important call, but you want to save battery.

Method 3: Disabling Autostart and Background Processes

MIUI has a hidden auto-run feature that allows apps to automatically start when you turn on your smartphone or when you close, and disabling this option completely blocks the background work of messengers.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a messenger (for example, Telegram).
3. Slip on AutoRun (or Run in the background in new versions).
4. Turn off all switches: 🔄 Auto-start 📱 Secondary launch (if any) 🔋 Background activity

OK.

⚠️ Warning: Once you turn off auto-run, the app won’t start automatically even after you restart your smartphone. You’ll have to open it manually.This method is only suitable for instant messengers you rarely use (like Viber or Skype).

Method 4: Using the No Distractions (DND) mode

If you need to temporarily disable all notifications, including background messages, use Do Not Disturb (DND) mode. Unlike previous methods, this method does not block background activity completely, but only suspends notification delivery.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Notifications and Status bar.
2. Choose Not to Disturb.
3. Set up the rules: 🕒 Time – Specify the period (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00) 🔔 Exceptions – Add important contacts or apps 📵 Turn off all notifications – activate for complete silence

Save the settings.

In DND mode:

• ✅ Messengers continue to work in the background (synchronization, downloading media).
• ❌ Notifications are not displayed on the screen and do not emit sounds.
• ✅ Incoming calls are blocked (unless exceptions are added).

💡

If you only need to turn off notifications for one messenger, go to its settings and turn off the "Show notifications" option. This will not block the background work, but will eliminate intrusive pop-ups.

Method 5: Manual disabling via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use the ADB tool to force background processes to be turned off, a method that is suitable for advanced users and requires connecting a smartphone to a computer.

📌 Preparation:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on the Developer Mode on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
3. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.

🛠️ Commands to disable background activity:

adb shell cmd appops set < application package > RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND deny


adb shell cmd appops set < application package > RUN_IN_BACKGROUND deny

Examples of packages of popular messengers:

• 📱 WhatsApp: com.whatsapp
• 📱 Telegram: org.telegram.messenger
• 📱 Viber: com.viber.voip
• 📱 Standard. SMS: com.android.mms

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They turn off background activity at the system level, and once they run, the application will not be able to run in the background, even if you turn on auto-start in the settings. MIUI. To get it all back, replace deny with allow in teams.

💡

Use ADB only if standard methods don't work. Wrong commands can disrupt the system, especially on firmware below MIUI 12.

Method 6: Remove or freeze messengers

If you don’t use a messenger, but it still works in the background, the best way to do this is to remove it. For system applications (such as standard SMS), you can use freezing through the developer settings.

🗑️ Removal:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose an unnecessary messenger.
3. Click Remove (or Disable for System Applications).

❄️ Freezing (for system applications):

1. Activate Developer Mode (see Method 5).
2. Open Settings → Additional → Developers → Inactive applications.
3. Add the messenger to the list and select Freeze.

🔹 What happens after removal/freezing:

• ✅ The application will completely stop consuming resources.
• ✅ All related notifications and background processes will disappear.
• ❌ You can’t use the messenger until you restore it.
• ⚠️ WhatsApp and Viber will require re-authorization.

💡 Tip: Before deleting, export chat history (in Telegram this is done through Settings) → Data and memory → Export history. WhatsApp backup is created automatically if saved to Google Drive is enabled.

Method 7: Using third-party applications to optimize

If you need to flexibly manage background processes, but manual settings seem complicated, use specialized utilities that allow you to:

• 🔧 Turn off background activity for individual applications.
• 📊 Monitoring battery consumption in real time.
• ⏳ Set up a schedule of restrictions (for example, overnight).

📌 Top.-3 apps:

⚠️ Note: Most SEOs require special access permission (included in Settings) → Special permits → Battery optimization. Without that, they won't be able to control background processes. Also be careful with apps that request root access, which can disrupt stability. MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about background posts on Xiaomi