How to remove the lock of applications on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: all ways of 2026

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones, but owners often face a problem: the system automatically blocks applications in the background. This leads to missed notifications, interrupted downloads and “hang” messengers. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to disable the lock, from standard MIUI settings to radical methods like reset to factory settings.

The reasons for blocking can be different: battery optimization, MIUI limitations for third-party applications, or even errors in the work of Google services. It is important to understand that Redmi Note 8 runs on the basis of MIUI, where aggressive energy saving mechanisms are enabled by default. They are useful for autonomy, but often interfere with the normal operation of applications. We tested all methods on MIUI 12.5-14 and selected only those that are guaranteed to work.

Why MIUI is blocking apps on the Redmi Note 8

The MIUI system uses several mechanisms that can lead to a blockage:

• 🔋 Battery Optimization: By Default MIUI It limits the background activity of apps to save power, even for popular messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram.
• 🛡️ Data protection: some applications are blocked due to suspicious activity (for example, frequent Internet requests or geolocation).
• 📱 Restrictions for Third-Party Applications: MIUI By default, trusts only system services and applications from the Mi App Store.
• 🔄 Failures in operation MIUI Optimized: This service is responsible for optimizing the system, but sometimes it starts blocking even the allowed applications.

On the Redmi Note 8, the problem is compounded by the fact that the smartphone was released in 2019 and initially not optimized for modern applications.After the MIUI updates, many users complain about self-closure of programs, even if they are added to exceptions.

⚠️ Note: If the battery starts to run out much faster after the optimization is turned off, check the background activity of the applications in the settings. Some programs (for example, Facebook or TikTok) can consume up to 30% of the charge per hour.

Method 1: Disabling Battery Optimization for a Specific Application

The easiest and most secure method is to add an app to the exclusion list, which does not require superuser rights and works on any version of MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Viber or Google Chrome).
3. Slip on the energy consumption item.
4. Choose No Limits.
5. Go back and turn on the Autostart switch.

If there is no Energy, the application is already optimized by default.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management by Apps.
2. Find the app in the list and select for it without restrictions.

Appendix added to battery exceptions|Auto-start is on.|Background activity in the application settings is allowed|No restrictions on "Special Permits"-->

This method works for 90% of applications, but some system services (like Google Play Services) may continue to be blocked.

Method 2: Disable MIUI Optimized (for power users)

MIUI Optimized is a system application that is responsible for optimizing MIUI. It often causes applications to be blocked, but it requires caution to disable it.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find MIUI Optimized and turn it off.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection MIUI Optimized can lead to increased battery consumption (up to 15-20%) and slow down animations. If after the shutdown there are lags, return the setting to its original state.

If MIUI Optimized is not on the developer menu, then your version of MIUI does not support disabling it.

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

This command must be entered through ADB (the connection instructions are in the next section) and unlocks hidden settings, including MIUI Optimized.

Method 3: Using ADB for deep unlocking

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but gives you maximum control over the background processes.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Initiated debugging mode USB smartphone.

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Connect Redmi Note 8 to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
3. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type:

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear.)

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist + package.applications

Replace the package.applications with a real identifier (e.g. com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).To find out the package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | find "name"

To completely disable battery optimization for all applications, do:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1


adb shell dumpsys deviceidle force-idle

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB It gives you deep access to the system. It can cause your smartphone to crash or delete important data if you're not sure what you're doing, skip it.

💡

To avoid manually typing commands, create a text file with the.bat extension and save all the necessary commands in it. Run it on behalf of the administrator.

Method 4: Resetting settings to factory

If none of these methods worked, the last resort is factory reset, which will delete all the data, but return the smartphone to its original state, where there are no application locks.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After discharge:

• 📱 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — This can bring back the old lock settings.
• 🔧 Disable battery optimization for critical applications immediately (see Method 1).
• 🔄 Update all apps to the latest versions via Google Play.

💡

Factory reset is the last chance if other methods fail, and once you reset, the locks disappear, but you have to reset your smartphone.

Method 5: Alternative firmware (for advanced)

If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can install custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, which would remove the limitations of MIUI completely, but would require:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 🛠️ Established recaveri TWRP.
• 📥 Compatible firmware for Redmi Note 8 (codenamed Ginkgo).

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ No aggressive battery optimization.
• ✅ More recent version of Android (for example, Android 13 instead of Android 10 in standard firmware).
• ✅ Ability to fine-tune productivity.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• ❌ Risk of “bricking” of the smartphone in case of an error.
• ❌ Possible bugs with camera or sensors (depending on firmware).

If you do, follow the official instructions on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums. Redmi Note 8 is suitable for firmware based on Android 11-13 with full support for iron.

Additional Tips for Preventing Blocking

To minimize the risk of blocking applications in the future:

• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI. In new versions, Xiaomi fixes errors with the background work of applications.
• 📵 Turn off the "Adaptive Battery" in the settings (Settings) → Battery → Adaptive battery).
• 🚫 Don’t use “memory cleaners” like Clean Master – they force background processes to close.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery every 2-3 months (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions).

If the blocking only occurs on certain apps (such as Instagram or YouTube), try:

• Reinstall the app.
• Clear its cache (Settings → Apps → Storage → Clear the cache).
• Disable traffic savings for this application.

💡

The newer version of MIUI, the less problems with blocking applications. However, on the Redmi Note 8 updates are less frequent, so the best option is MIUI 12.5 or 13.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking apps on Redmi Note 8