Smartphones Xiaomi based MIUI are known for their functionality, but many owners are faced with rapid battery drain. The reason often lies not in a “weak” battery, but in background processes, automatically enabled services and aggressive system optimization. According to tests GSMArena, the correct settings can increase battery life by 20-40% without losing key functions.

In this article - a list of safe to disable functions that really save battery but do not break the operation of the smartphone. We tested the methods on models Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Poco F5 and Xiaomi 13T with firmware MIUI 14/15 (Android 13/14). All recommendations are suitable for most brand devices, but keep in mind: some menu items may differ depending on the shell version.

Important: before changing the settings, check the battery status in Settings → Battery → Battery status. If the capacity is lower 80%, saving settings will have minimal effect - you will need to replace the battery.

1. Auto-brightness and adaptive backlight

The screen is the main charge hog in any smartphone. Even in AMOLED displays Xiaomi (for example, in Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro) adaptive brightness often works incorrectly: instead of saving, it increases the backlight in twilight, relying on data from the light sensor.

What to do:

  • 📱 Turn off auto brightness in Settings → Display → Brightness and set the value manually at level 30-40% (comfortable for the eyes and economical).
  • 🌓 Turn off adaptive backlight (in some firmware it is called “Adaptive display” or "DC Dimming") This function changes the color temperature depending on the lighting, but wastes additional resources.
  • ⏱️ Set screen timeout to 15-30 seconds (in the same "Display" menu). Even 1 minute of waiting consumes up to 5% charge per hour during active use.

⚠️ Attention: At AMOLED screens (all flagships Xiaomi and some Redmi/Poco) too low brightness (<20%) can cause flickering due to technology PWM. If you notice discomfort for the eyes, increase the brightness to 25-30%.

📊 How often do you charge your Xiaomi smartphone?
Every day
Every other day
Once every 2-3 days
Less

2. Background activity of applications

MIUI aggressively caches applications, even those that you do not use. According to XDA Developers, the background activity of instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and social networks (TikTok, Instagram) can consume up to 15% charge per day. At the same time, many applications continue to work after closing - checking notifications, updating content, synchronizing data.

How to limit:

  • 🚫 Prohibit autorun unnecessary applications: Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Autorun. Disable everything except instant messengers and banking applications.
  • 🔄 Limit background activity v Settings → Battery → Select battery mode. For most applications, select the “Limit background activity” mode.
  • 📵 Use deep optimization for rarely used apps: Settings → Applications → [Select application] → Battery → Deep optimization.
Application Recommended battery mode Why
WhatsApp, Telegram No restrictions To receive message notifications
Instagram, TikTok Limit background activity Save up to 8% charge per day
Google Play Services Intelligent control Responsible for updates, but complete shutdown will disrupt the system operation
Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG) Deep optimization Prevents background downloading of updates

⚠️ Attention: Do not limit system processes like com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.phone. This may lead to loss of mobile networks or errors in the operation of the smartphone.

☑️ What to check in the battery settings

Done: 0 / 4

3. Geolocation services and Google

Modules GPS, Wi-Fi scanning i Google Play Services are one of the main ones "energy vampires". For example, constant determination of location for Google Maps or Yandex.Map reduces operating time by 10-20%. At the same time, many applications request geodata without real need (for example, Facebook or AliExpress).

Optimization:

  • 📍 Disable permanent location detection in Settings → Privacy → Permissions → Location. time of using the application."
  • 🔍 Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning for geolocation: Settings → Location → Location method → Wi-Fi/Bluetooth scanning.
  • 🚫 Prevent Google Play Services from using location in the background: Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Google Play Services → Permissions → Location → Deny.
  • 🗺️ For navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator), leave access to geolocation, but disable background update in the settings of the applications themselves.

⚠️ Attention: After turning off Wi-Fi/Bluetooth scanning geolocation accuracy will deteriorate (error up to 500 meters instead of 10-50 If you use it). navigator in the car - turn on these options only for the duration of the trip.

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To quickly turn GPS on/off, add a “Location” shortcut to the notification panel: swipe down from the top edge of the screen → “Edit” → drag the GPS icon to the active area.

4. Synchronization and cloud services

Xiaomi by default, includes synchronization with Mi Cloud, Google Drive and other clouds. These services constantly exchange data in the background - backups, photos, contacts. For example, automatic uploading of photos to Google Photos in high quality spends up to 3% charge per hour during active shooting.

How to reduce consumption:

  • ☁️ Disable autoload. media files in Google Photos i Mi Cloud. In the first: open the application → “Settings” → “Backup and synchronization” → turn off the slider In the second: Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud → Sync media files.
  • 🔄 Set manual synchronization for contacts and notes: Settings → Accounts → Google/Mi Account → Account synchronization → disable automatic updating.
  • 📁 Limit background data transfer for cloud services: Settings → Applications → [Select application] → Mobile data and Wi-Fi → Background data transfer → Deny.

⚠️ Attention: If If you use Mi Cloud to backup SMS or calls - do not disable synchronization completely. Instead, set up a schedule: Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud → Settings → Scheduled backup (for example, once a week).

What what happens if you completely disable Mi Cloud?

If you disable Mi Cloud, you will lose access to the Find My Device functions, SMS/call backups and note synchronization. However, local data (photos, videos, files) will remain on the phone.

5. Animations, visual effects and MIUI features

MIUI is famous for its animations - smooth transitions, live wallpapers, unlocking effects. Beautiful, but resource-intensive: according to tests NotebookCheck, disabling visual effects saves up to 7% charge 8 hours of active use.

What can be removed:

  • 🎨 Switch to static wallpaper. Live wallpapers (especially those with 3D effects) constantly use the processor and graphics accelerator. Path: Settings → Wallpaper → Static.
  • ⚡ Turn on mode performance (reduces animations): Settings → Accessibility → Performance mode.
  • 🔄 Disable transition effects: Settings → About phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to open “Advanced settings” → “Window animation” → select “No animation” or “0.5x”)
  • 🌈 Turn off dark scheduled themeif you don’t use it all the time: Settings → Display → Dark theme → Manual.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (Poco F4 GT, Redmi K50 Gaming), disabling animations can lead to interface twitching in games. If you notice lags, return the settings to their place.

6. Wireless modules: NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Even when you are not using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or NFC, these modules remain active in the background. For example, Bluetooth for Mi Band or headphones consumes up to 2% charge in hour, and constant search for networks Wi-Fi - up to 5% in 12 hours.

Optimization:

  • 📶 Disable auto-connect to Wi-Fi: Settings → Wi-Fi → Advanced → Automatic connection to open networks and Notify about new networks.
  • 🔗 Turn off Bluetoothif you do not use gadgets (headphones, fitness bracelets). Available through the notification panel or Settings → Bluetooth.
  • 💳 Deactivate NFCif you do not pay with your phone: Settings → Connections and sharing → NFC. This module consumes little, but turning it on may accidentally launch Google Pay or Mi Pay in the background.
  • 🔄 Configure airplane mode at night: this will turn off all wireless modules at once. Can be automated via Settings → Battery → Sleep mode.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi s dual SIM cards (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G) turning off mobile data on one of the SIM cards does not stop its background activity. To completely deactivate the second SIM, go to Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → [Select SIM] → Disable.

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The most effective way to save money is use airplane mode in areas without a network (metro, underground parking lots). This prevents constant searching for a signal, which eats up to 30% of the charge per hour.

7. System and application updates

MIUI checks for updates every dayand Google Play Market several times a day. Each test involves transferring data, which consumes battery. In addition, background downloads of updates (especially large ones, like firmware MIUI) can drain the phone by 10-15% overnight.

How to control:

  • 🔄 Disable MIUI auto update: Settings → About phone → System update → ⚙️ → Auto download updates → select "Off".
  • 📱 Deny Auto-update applications to Google Play: open the application → “Profile” → “Settings” → “Network” → “Auto-update applications” → “Never.”
  • 📡 Limit background downloading large files: Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Data transfer → Background data transfer → disable for unnecessary applications.

⚠️ Attention: If you disable auto-update MIUI, monitor the release of critical security patches manually (once every 1-2 months). Vulnerabilities in older firmware versions can lead to data leak or virus attacks.

8. Additional functions: always-on display, gestures, voice assistant

Xiaomi adds a lot of “chips” to the firmware that are beautiful, but useless for most users. For example, Always-On Display (AOD) on AMOLED screens spends up to 1% charge per hour, and the voice assistant Xiao AI listens to the microphone even in standby mode.

What to disable:

  • 🌑 Turn off Always-On Display: Settings → Display → Always-On Display and screen lock → Always-On Display → switch the slider.
  • 🎤 Disable voice assistant (Xiao AI or Google Assistant): Settings → Applications → Application management → Xiao AI/Google → Disable.
  • 👆 Deactivate air gestures (if any): Settings → Accessibility → Air gestures. This feature uses the proximity sensor and consumes battery power even in your pocket.
  • 🔋 Turn off vibration when touching: Settings → Sounds and vibration → Vibration when touching. It’s a small thing, but it saves up to 1-2% per day.

⚠️ Attention: On models with infrared port (Redmi Note 11, Poco X4 Pro) disabling the “Remote Control” function in the settings does not stop the IR sensor from working. To completely deactivate it, you need root access or use ADB-commands.

💡

If you use Always-On Display for notifications, replace it with raise to wake (Settings → Display → Raise to wake). This will save up to 80% of the AOD consumption with the same convenience.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about saving battery on Xiaomi

❓ Why does the battery drain quickly even after turning everything off?

If, after optimizing the settings, the discharge remains high, check:

  1. Battery condition Settings → Battery → Battery status. When the capacity is below 80%, replacement is required.
  2. Presence of viruses or mining software (check through Malwarebytes or Dr.Web).
  3. CPU overheating (use CPU Monitor for diagnostics).
  4. Problems with mobile network (constant search for a signal in areas of poor coverage).

If the problem persists, run resetting settings (Settings → About phone → Resetting settings) or contact a service center.

❓ Is it possible to disable MIUI Optimization to save battery?

MIUI Optimization - a system process (com.miui.optimizer) responsible for the smoothness of the interface. Disabling it through ADB (

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.optimizer
) gives an increase autonomy on 5-10%, but leads to:

  • Slowing down animations.
  • Problems with notifications.
  • Incorrect operation of themes.

We recommend do not disable it unless absolutely necessary. Instead, limit background activity via Settings → Applications → Show all applications → MIUI Optimization → Battery → Limit background activity.

❓ Which applications drain the battery the most?

Top 5 “energy vampires” on Xiaomi (according to AccuBattery):

  1. Facebook i Instagram - up to 20% per day with active use.
  2. TikTok - up to 15% due to background loading video.
  3. Google Play Services - up to 10% (responsible for updates and synchronization).
  4. Games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) - up to 25% per hour.
  5. Mi Video or Gallery — up to 8% when viewing photos/videos.

Check statistics in Settings → Battery → Battery usage and limit background activity for these applications.

❓ Does switching to custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience) help?

Yes, but with reservations:

  • ✅ Pros: Clean Android (without MIUI) saves up to 30% charge due to the absence of background processes.
  • ❌ Cons:
    • Loss of camera functions (for example, Pro mode in Xiaomi).
    • Incorrect operation of sensors (gyroscope, NFC).
    • Lack of security updates for some models.

We recommend custom firmware only for experienced users, it is better to stay on MIUI and optimize the settings as described in the article.

❓ How to check which application is draining the battery?

Use built-in tools or third-party utilities:

  1. Built-in statistics: Settings → Battery → Battery usage → see the graph for the last time 24 hours.
  2. AccuBattery (from Google Play): shows consumption by application, battery temperature and battery health.
  3. BetterBatteryStats (requires root): detailed analysis of processor wake-ups and radio module activity.

If you see an unfamiliar application in the top consumption, check it for viruses through VirusTotal.