How to Enable or Disable MIUI Optimization on Xiaomi Devices?

One of the most controversial features on Xiaomi devices is “MIUI Optimization.” As the name suggests, it is an optimization tool that, when enabled, enforces Xiaomi’s proprietary implementation of apps and services according to the guidelines set by the company’s developers.

This feature allows the phone to automatically make software adjustments to improve performance and reduce battery drain. It does this at the backend by managing background services and improving running efficiency for certain apps. As a result, the battery may also see a better, and more efficient output for the same level of relative workload.

How Does It Work?

MIUI Optimization reduces stress on the device’s hardware by limiting background activity. This not only improves battery life but is especially important in devices running on low-end hardware. It also limits third-party apps and services, prioritizing Xiaomi’s own system services like MIUI SystemUI, MIUI Screenshot, and MIUI Notifications.

Should I Disable MIUI Optimizations?

Although it’s generally not recommended to disable this feature unless necessary for a specific purpose, it’s important to understand the potential issues it may cause. For one, disabling it could lead to unusual app behavior, and may also expose your device to security vulnerabilities.

Here’s what happens if MIUI Optimization is turned on:

1. The system forces Xiaomi’s implementation of apps, instead of using native AOSP services.
2. All app preferences and permissions are reset to their default settings.
3. App data isn’t synced in the background. This means options like live location, downloading apps, and background updates may be restricted.
4. Some third-party music players and widget animations may not update in real time.
5. The UI may become laggy after an app has been opened from the background.
6. Some mods or apps may not be authorized to install from third-party sources.

How to Turn off MIUI Optimization?

This section outlines the procedure to disable the MIUI Optimization feature, but keep in mind that certain steps may vary based on your phone’s region, and software version.

1. Open Settings and tap on “About phone.”
2. Tap on “MIUI version” repeatedly until you see a pop-up message saying “You are now a developer!“
3. Head back to Settings and scroll down to “Additional settings.”
4. Look for “Developer options” and tap on it.
5. Scroll down to the end till you see “Turn on MIUI optimization.” Tap on the toggle in front to disable the feature on your device.

NOTE: For phones that are running MIUI 13 or later, the option to “Turn on MIUI optimizations” may not be visible. Furthermore, on HyperOS-supported devices, this setting has been renamed to “Turn on system optimization.” To unhide the toggle, you may have to:

1. Go to Settings > Additional settings > Developer options.
2. Scroll down until you see the option to “Reset to default values.” Tap on this to unhide the optimizations tab.
3. Within the Developer options, scroll down to the very bottom of the page. You’ll now see “Turn on system optimization.”
4. Toggle off the setting to disable MIUI optimizations.