Is Your Xiaomi Phone Delaying Notifications?
It can be incredibly frustrating when you're expecting an important message, only to find the notification arrives minutes late—or not at all. You are not alone; notification lag is a common issue for many Xiaomi users. The problem often stems from the aggressive battery-saving features built into Xiaomi's MIUI operating system, which can prevent apps from running in the background.
This guide is designed to help you resolve these delays. We will walk you through several troubleshooting steps, from simple setting adjustments to more advanced solutions, to get your notifications back on track.
Why Your Xiaomi Device Delays Notifications
Before diving into the fixes, it's helpful to understand the root causes. MIUI is designed to maximise battery life, and one way it achieves this is by 'sleeping' apps that are not actively in use. While this is great for your battery, it can interfere with an app's ability to check for new messages and deliver timely alerts.
Common Causes for Notification Lag:
- Aggressive Battery Management: MIUI's Battery Saver can restrict background data and processes for certain apps.
- Disabled Autostart: If an app isn't permitted to start automatically, it can't send notifications until you open it manually.
- Network Connectivity Issues: An unstable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection can delay the receipt of push notifications.
- App-Specific Settings: Sometimes, the notification settings within the app itself are not configured correctly.
- Full Memory or Cache: When your device's RAM or cache is full, its performance can suffer, leading to delays.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Notification Lag
Work through these solutions methodically. For many users, the first few steps will resolve the issue completely.
1. Adjust MIUI's Battery Optimisation
This is the most common and effective solution. You need to tell MIUI not to put the problematic app to sleep.
- Go to your device Settings.
- Tap on Apps, then Manage apps.
- Find and select the app that is giving you delayed notifications (e.g., WhatsApp, Gmail).
- Tap on Battery saver.
- Select the No restrictions option. This will allow the app to run freely in the background.
2. Enable Autostart for Key Applications
You should ensure your most important apps are allowed to start up by themselves.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select Apps, then Permissions.
- Tap on Autostart.
- Find the apps you rely on for notifications and make sure the toggle next to them is enabled.
3. Lock Apps in the Recent Apps Menu
Locking an app tells your device to prioritise it and not close it, even when clearing memory.
- Open the app you want to receive notifications from.
- Press the 'Recent Apps' button (usually a square icon) to see all your open applications.
- Press and hold on the app's window.
- Tap the lock icon. You will see a small padlock appear on the app, indicating it is now locked and will not be closed in the background.
4. Check In-App and System Notification Settings
Ensure that notifications are correctly configured at both the system and app level.
- System Settings: Go to Settings > Notifications & Control Centre > App notifications. Select your app and ensure all its notification permissions are turned on.
- In-App Settings: Open the app itself and navigate to its internal settings menu. Find the notification section and verify that alerts are enabled.
5. Update Your Device and Applications
Running outdated software can sometimes cause compatibility issues.
- System Update: Check for a MIUI update by going to Settings > About phone > MIUI version.
- App Updates: Open the Google Play Store and check for updates to your installed apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are my Xiaomi notifications delayed? A: Delays are often caused by MIUI's aggressive battery management, which can restrict background app activity. Other causes include network issues or incorrect app settings.
Q: How do I turn off battery optimisation for an app? A: Go to Settings > Apps > Manage apps, select the problematic app, and find the 'Battery saver' option. Set it to 'No restrictions' to allow background activity.
Q: Can a factory reset fix notification lag? A: A factory reset can resolve software-related issues, but it's a last resort. Try all other troubleshooting steps first, as this will erase all your data.
Q: Could my internet connection be the problem? A: Check that your Wi-Fi or mobile data is stable. A poor or intermittent internet connection is a common reason for notifications to arrive late on your Xiaomi phone.