Complete guide to prevent background apps from closing on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO

Learn how to prevent background apps from closing on Xiaomi. This is one of the most common questions among users of Xiaomi devices, especially those using Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO phones. These smartphones, thanks to their MIUI layer (and HyperOS on newer models), have aggressive resource management that can cause important apps to close in the background, affecting notifications, battery consumption, the synchronization of wearable devices, or simply the multitasking experience. If you've noticed that apps close on their own or stop sending notifications, this detailed article will guide you step-by-step to keep them open, understanding both the advantages and disadvantages and the most effective methods to get the most out of your device.

Why do background apps close on Xiaomi?

The MIUI custom skin—and its evolution into HyperOS—includes intelligent RAM and battery management. Its main objective is optimize resources to ensure fluidity, autonomy and performance, although on many occasions this strategy is too restrictive. Check battery status and optimization can help you better understand the impact of these adjustments.

MIUI detects apps that aren't being used in the foreground and, in an effort to save battery and free up memory, can automatically close them or limit their background activity. This includes instant messaging apps, fitness tracking apps, GPS navigators, alarms, email managers, and many others that require active activity to function properly or send real-time notifications.

This management is particularly aggressive, even compared to pure Android systems or other manufacturers' layers. Therefore, while on other Android phones you can leave several apps open and receive notifications without any problems, on Xiaomi they may stop running and you may lose important information, miss notifications, or your wearable may stop syncing.

Advantages of avoiding closing apps in the background on Xiaomi

• Ease and speed when switching between applicationsBy keeping apps open in the background, you can instantly switch between them and resume work or play right where you left off, avoiding loading times and data loss.
• Preserving application state: If you were filling out a form, writing text, viewing documents, or completing a task, you won't have to start over if you temporarily exit the app.
• Uninterrupted reception of notificationsBy preventing apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, banking apps, ordering apps, taxi apps, alarms, or reminders from closing, you ensure that important notifications arrive in real time. Messaging and notification apps are fundamental in this management.
• Continuous synchronization of wearables and devicesEssential apps like Mi Fit/Zepp Life, Google Fit, Samsung Health, and smartband and smartwatch apps depend on running in the background to transfer data and stay connected to the devices. If you close them, you lose automatic syncing and stop recording physical activity.
• Smooth gaming and multimedia experienceMany games and apps for editing photos or videos require staying in the background to complete processes or load resources more quickly.

Selectively keeping some apps running in the background contributes to a much more stable and customizable experience on Xiaomi devices.

Disadvantages of keeping many apps open in the background

• Increased battery consumption: Active apps continue to use power even when not in the foreground, which can significantly reduce device battery life and require frequent recharging.
• RAM saturation: More apps running in the background means less memory available, which can cause slowness, unexpected app closures, or the system to prioritize resources and end up forcing some apps to close on its own.
• Mobile data consumptionSome apps may use the internet in the background, updating or syncing information without you noticing. This can be a problem if you have a limited data plan or are in low-coverage areas.
• Potential privacy and security issues: If you keep unknown or potentially dangerous apps open in the background, there is a risk that they may access sensitive data, your camera, or your microphone without your consent.
• Device overheating: More active processes mean more work for the CPU, which can increase internal temperatures and, in extreme cases, damage components like the battery.
• Lower performance on heavy tasksGames and graphics editing apps require a lot of RAM and power. If you have too many apps open, the system may suffer and prioritize closing other apps.

Choosing the right apps to keep active and which ones to leave out is key to achieving an optimal balance between performance, battery life, and functionality on your Xiaomi.

Effective methods to prevent background apps from closing on Xiaomi

Below, we offer a comprehensive, integrated, and updated guide with the best methods and features available on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO (with MIUI or HyperOS) to prevent apps from automatically closing in the background. All of these methods are complementary, and you can combine them according to your needs.

1. Disable battery restrictions individually (app by app)

1. Unlock your device and find the app you want to keep active.
2. Long press the app icon to access specific settings.
3. Choose Battery within the options.
4. In the battery management section, choose the option Without restrictionsThis will prevent the system from limiting the app's activity or closing it in the background.

Council: This method is especially useful for critical apps, such as messaging, email, alarms, banking apps, optimize consumption, etc.

2. Lift global battery restrictions from Settings

1. Sign in Settings from your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO mobile.
2. Access the section Battery and then click on the gear icon in the top right corner (advanced options).
3. Go to Battery saving in applications.
4. Find the specific application and select Without restrictions to ensure that it remains running in the background at all times.

This method allows complete and personalized control over each app, preventing the system from closing them even when in power-saving mode.

3. Block applications from the task manager (multitasking)

1. Open multitasking by swiping up from the bottom or using the corresponding navigation button.
2. Press and hold the app you want to keep open in the background.
3. Click on the padlock icon that appears. When you see it activated, that application will be "pinned" and the system will not close it automatically.

Note: The lock will remain visible in multitasking as an indicator. To unlock an app, simply repeat the operation and deactivate it.

4. Allow automatic launch of applications (autostart)

1. Opens Settings and select Applications.
2. Go to Permissions and look for the option Automatic start o Autostart in the background (name may vary depending on MIUI/HyperOS version).
3. Enable autostart for apps that you want to always start and remain in the background even after restarting your phone.

This ensures that apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Mi Fit, banking, and other critical services work even after you turn off or restart your Xiaomi.

5. Use the Xiaomi Security app to lock apps

1. Open the application Security, native on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO.
2. Access the option Increase in speed.
3. Click on the gear icon (advanced settings).
4. Choose Block apps and turn on the switch for the apps you never want to close.

Ideal for those who can't see the lock feature in multitasking due to restrictions or specific MIUI/HyperOS versions.

6. Configuration from application management

1. En Settings, Accede to Applications.
2. Sign in Manage applications.
3. Select the app you want to keep active.
4. Click on Battery saving and choose Without restrictions.

This granular method is especially useful for ensuring that the system doesn't close certain apps even under aggressive power saving.

7. Restart the device as a basic solution

If you suddenly notice that apps no longer stay open when they used to, your phone may have been on for a long time, accumulating processes and cache. Reboot the phone can free up memory and resources, resolving unexpected shutdowns and re-enabling efficient multitasking.

8. Restore the MIUI/HyperOS launcher

Some issues are caused by a malfunction of the launcher responsible for managing applications. You can restore the launcher by following these steps:

• Sign in Settings > Applications > Manage applications.
• Search System launcher.
• Choose Uninstall updates and clear data/cache from the Storage menu.

This may resolve issues with sudden shutdowns, slowness, or malfunctioning of the multitasking menu.

9. Update the operating system

Update MIUI/HyperOS Updating to the latest version is key if you notice that app blocking is not working or errors appear in multitasking. Check in Settings > About phone > System updates. Older versions can often contain bugs that interfere with background app management.

10. Consider changing the battery or device if the problem persists.

If you're still experiencing app crashes after trying all of the above methods, it could be a sign of significant battery drain or the age of your device. battery degradation It forces the system to shut down processes to save power and protect the integrity of the hardware. In some cases, replacing the battery with an original one at an authorized service center can improve performance. If your phone is very old and doesn't receive updates, it may be time to consider upgrading your device.

11. Additional Tools: Advanced Options and Extra Tips

In addition to the above methods, there are advanced settings for expert users:

• Disable app suspension: On some mobile phones, within Settings > Device maintenance > Battery > Power management, you can prevent certain apps from going into deep sleep.
• Developer Options: Activate the developer menu and look for the option to limit background processes, although modifying it is recommended only for advanced users.

Finally, every time you install a new app, it's a good idea to review the auto-start permissions and battery restrictions to avoid losing background functionality.

In what cases should you NOT prevent background shutdown?

The general recommendation is to apply exceptions only to apps that are frequently used or require critical notifications. It is not advisable to keep rarely used apps open., heavy games that don't require notifications, services with low trust levels, or suspicious apps. Remember that keeping too many apps active can still cause the system to force them to close due to memory saturation.

It's also not recommended to disable all battery or RAM restrictions completely if you have a low-end or very old phone, as the hardware won't be able to handle so many apps at once.

Typical cases and common problems when preventing apps from closing

• Loss of important notificationsThis is especially true for WhatsApp, Telegram, and financial and ordering apps. If you don't configure battery management properly, you won't receive vital information until you open the app manually.
• Apps that stop syncing: Smartbands, activity trackers, smartwatches, and health apps may stop transferring information, resulting in the loss of steps, calories, or pulse data.
• Malware vulnerability: Keeping suspicious or unknown apps active can expose personal information if they have access to critical permissions.
• Resource congestion in intensive apps: Games and media editors may slow down or close other apps automatically because they consume more RAM and CPU.

FAQ about closing background apps on Xiaomi

• Why do my apps keep crashing even though I've tried these methods?
  Check that you don't have power saving mode activated, restart your device, and check for any pending MIUI/HyperOS updates.
• Can all apps be kept open at the same time?
  This is neither recommended nor practical due to memory and CPU limitations. Prioritize only essential items.
• What do I do if the lock icon doesn't appear in my multitasking?
  You can use the Security app to lock apps, update the launcher or operating system, or restore the MIUI/HyperOS launcher as explained previously.
• Do I lose the warranty if I replace the battery myself?
  Yes. Always go to an official or authorized technical service to replace your Xiaomi battery.

Extra tips to optimize background management on Xiaomi

• Check the apps on autostart from . Disable permission on non-essential apps and enable it only where necessary.
• Monitor which ones consume the most battery or data from and disable background notifications that do not require constant notifications.
• Periodically clear app cache and data to avoid problems due to memory overload, especially if you notice slowness or random shutdowns.
• If your phone is old or has little RAM, limits the number of apps running in the background without restrictions to avoid crashes and massive shutdowns.
• Be careful with the permissions of little-known apps: Check which apps have access to your camera, microphone, contacts, location, etc., to avoid privacy risks or information leaks.

Smart use of background exceptions on Xiaomi will help you Enjoy all the features of your essential apps without sacrificing your phone's battery life or performance. The trick is to find the right balance: neither closing everything nor allowing all apps to run unrestricted. This way, you'll get the best experience on your Xiaomi, with up-to-date notifications and true multitasking, without sacrificing battery life unnecessarily.