Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones based on the MIUI proprietary shell are known for aggressive energy saving and security policies. Often users are faced with the fact that applications are spontaneously closed, not notified or blocked by the system. The reasons can vary from the operation of the MIUI Optimized function to the limitations of background processes. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock applications, from basic settings to advanced methods for experienced users.
It’s important to understand that Xiaomi is blocking apps not out of harm, but to save battery power and protect against potentially dangerous software. However, sometimes these measures become excessive. For example, messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp may not show notifications, and games or navigators may close after a few minutes in the background. We will look at solutions for different scenarios, from simply adding an application to exceptions to disabling system optimizations that interfere with normal operation.
This article is relevant for all modern Xiaomi devices on MIUI 12-14 (including HyperOS), as well as for models Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, Xiaomi 12/13/14 and others. If your application is blocked not by the system, but, for example, by the employer (via MDM) or parental control – these methods will not help, other approaches will be required.
1. Check basic settings: permissions and auto-run
Before you resort to drastic measures, make sure that the application is given all the necessary permissions, and that it is added to the autorun list, which is the easiest and safest way to return the functionality of most programs.
Open Settings → Applications → Application Management and select the one you want. Check the following points:
- 🔓 Permissions: Enable access to contacts, storage, camera, microphone and geolocation (if required), especially for instant messengers and social networks.
- 🔄 Autorun: Allow the application to run automatically. Without it, it won't be able to run in the background.
- 📱 Notifications: Make sure they are not turned off globally or for a specific chat/channel.
- 🔋 Energy saving: Turn off the "Limit background activity" option (if available).
If the app is still blocked, move on to the next step, and note that some system applications (like Google Play Services) may reset after the updates, so you'll have to repeat the procedure.
Check the permissions in the application settings |
Add the app to the auto-start list |
Turn off background activity restriction |
Restart the device after the changes-->
Disable MIUI Optimized (for power users)
MIUI Optimized (or MIUI Optimization in global firmware) is responsible for aggressive memory and process management, which often causes applications to shut down spontaneously, especially when they are running in the background, and can only be disabled via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
You'll need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB (You can download from the official Google website).
- 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and do:
adb shell
settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1After that, restart the device. This method can lead to increased battery consumption and unstable operation of some system functions (such as gestures or animations). If problems arise, return the setting back with the command:
settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 0💡
If after disabling MIUI Optimized, there are lags, try to clear the system cache in Recovery mode.
3. Energy saving and background activity setting
Xiaomi defaults to limit the background of apps to save battery power, which causes instant messengers to not receive messages, activity trackers to not capture data, and music players to stop after a few minutes.
Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Power Management and:
- Select the app from the list (or click on "Other Apps" if it's not in the main list).
- Set up a "No Limits" mode.
- Enable the "Run in the Background" option (if available).
- Turn off MIUI Optimization for this application (if there is a switch).
Some applications (such as Google Maps or Strava) may require additional geolocation settings in the background. Go to Settings → Privacy → Permits → Geodata and select the Always mode (not Only during use) for the application.
Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)|
Social media (Instagram, TikTok) |
Navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps) |
Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact)|
Other-->
4. Use of the "Safe Mode" for diagnosis
If an application is blocked immediately after installation or update, the problem may be in conflict with other programs (such as antiviruses or optimizers) to check this, run the device in Safe Mode, where only system applications run.
For activation:
- Press the power button before the off menu appears.
- Press and hold the "Switch off" option (or "Switch off power" on some models).
- Confirm the transition to safe mode.
In this mode:
- 🔍 Check if the problem application is working.
- 📱 If yes, the conflict is caused by third-party software. Remove newly installed applications (especially SEOs like Clean Master or Clean Master). DU Speed Booster).
- 🔄 If not, the problem is in the application itself or system settings (see previous sections).
To get out of Safe Mode, simply restart the device.
What to do if the safe mode is not turned on?
5 Unblocking through “Special Permits”
MIUI has a hidden section called "Special Permissions" where you can manually configure applications to access system functions, which is useful if standard settings don't help, for example, you can allow:
- 📍 Permanent access to geolocation (for navigators).
- 🔊 Recording sound in the background (for voice recorders or streaming applications).
- 📱 Display over other windows (for chatbots or gaming overlays).
- 🔄 Automatic start after restart.
To open this section:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Special Permits".
- Find the right application and turn on all the necessary options.
Some applications (like VK or Facebook) may require permission to "Modify System Settings," and be careful to give it to trusted programs.
| Permission | What applications are needed for | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| Display over other windows | Messengers (chat heads), gaming overlays | May interfere with the operation of the interface |
| Launch on boot | Antiviruses, optimizers, launchers | Increases the start-up time of the system |
| Permanent geolocation | Navigators, fitness trackers | Increased battery consumption |
| Modification of system settings | Lawnchair, Tasker, automatic scripts | Could disrupt MIUI stability |
6. Resetting the settings of the application or cache
If the application previously worked normally, but Suddenly stopped opening or was blocked, the problem may be in the damaged cache or data, in which case the reset will help:
Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, select problem and click:
- 🧹 "Clear cache – deletes temporary files without affecting account data.
- 🔄 "Clear the data" - resets the application to the factory settings (all settings and logins will be deleted!).
- 🚫 "Remove Updates – useful if the problem has occurred after the update (available for system applications).
After the data reset, you may need to re-enter your account, and if the application is system-based (for example, Gallery or Music), its data will be restored after the reboot.
⚠️ Note: Do not clear the data of Google Play Services, Services Framework or Google Play Applications MIUI System – This can cause your phone to be unstable and you may lose communication with Google servers.
7. Alternative methods: Magisk and custom firmware
If none of these things worked, and the app is critical to you, you might want to consider more radical measures, one of which is getting root rights through Magisk and installing modules that disable MIUI restrictions.
Popular modules for Magisk:
- 🛡️ MIUI Battery Optimizer Disabler – Disables Battery Optimization for All Applications.
- 🔓 MIUI Debloater – removes unnecessary system applications that may conflict with your programs.
- 📱 Universal SafetyNet Fix – fixes SafetyNet errors if they interfere with banking applications.
The process of obtaining root rights includes:
- Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a wait of 7-15 days).
- Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox)
- Magisk firmware through recovery.
⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights causes all data on the device to be reset and the warranty is canceled.In addition, some applications (such as banking or Google Pay) may stop working due to the SafetyNet trigger.
An alternative to root is to install custom firmware based on AOSP (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which does not have MIUI limitations, but may lack some features (like full-power camera support or Xiaomi gestures).
💡
Before installing custom firmware, make sure it supports your phone model. Incompatible software can turn the device into a brick.