Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with powerful fast charging that allows you to restore battery power in minutes. However, the constant use of high charging currents can reduce the life of lithium-ion batteries. Slow charging (or “spare charging”) mode is a special feature that limits the power of the charger, reducing the load on the battery and extending its life by 20-30%.
In this article, we will discuss how to enable slow charging on different Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models running MIUI 12, 13 and 14. You will learn about hidden settings, alternative methods and nuances that will help you to use this feature efficiently.
What is a slow charge and why you need it
Slow charging or trickle charging is a mode in which a smartphone limits the current consumed to 5V/1A (5W) instead of the standard 18-120W on modern Xiaomi devices, the main goal is to reduce heat generation and chemical stress for the battery, which directly affects its durability.
Research has shown that lithium-ion batteries lose up to 20% of their capacity after 500 charging cycles using fast chargers, and slow charging can increase this number to 800-1000 cycles, which is equivalent to 3-4 years of active use instead of the standard 2 years, especially critical for flagship models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi K60 Pro), where the cost of replacing the battery can reach 30-50% of the price of a new phone.
- 🔋 Extending battery life – reducing degradation by 30-40% with regular use.
- 🌡️ Less heating – the battery temperature does not exceed 30-35°C (versus 40-45)°C for fast charging).
- 🛡️ Recharge protection – Automatic shutdown when you reach 100% (in some firmware).
- 📉 Reducing the risk of bloating – reducing internal pressure in the battery cells.
However, there are downsides to this mode: full charge time increases from 30 to 60 minutes to 3 to 5 hours depending on the model, and some users note that when using the phone actively during charging (games, video calls), there may be a drawdown due to insufficient power.
Official ways to enable slow charging on Xiaomi
Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi has added a built-in option to activate a gentle charging mode. However, its location and name may vary depending on the firmware version and device model. Below is a universal algorithm for most of the brand’s modern smartphones.
If you don’t have a menu item on your phone, it doesn’t mean that the feature isn’t available, but it may be hidden in the MIUI lab or require activation via ADB (we’ll talk about this in the next section).
☑️ Step-by-step instructions for MIUI 12.5–14
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| Xiaomi model | The Way to Slow Charging Setup | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 12/13/14, Mix 4 | Settings → Battery → Charging settings → Slow charging | There is also an option “Optimized charging” for night mode. |
| Redmi Note 11/12 Pro, POCO F4/F5 | Settings → Battery → Charging modes → gentle | Some firmware requires you to first enable Show additional settings. |
| Redmi 10A/9A, budget models | Settings → System → Additional → Charging modes | The function may not be available on the cheapest models. |
| POCO X3/X4 Pro | Settings → Battery → Settings → Slow charging. | POCO often requires firmware upgrades to the latest version. |
⚠️ Note: On some devices (Redmi) 9T, POCO M3) If you turn on slow charging, you may lose the fast charging indication in the statusbar. That's okay, the phone just limits the power.
Hidden Methods: How to Enable Slow Charging via ADB and Engineering Menu
If your firmware does not have an integrated option, it can be activated via ADB-These methods are suitable for advanced users and require caution, because incorrect actions can lead to malfunctions of the phone.
To use ADB, you will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and USB debugging enabled on your phone. If you have never worked with ADB, we recommend that you first read our instructions for setting up ADB for Xiaomi.
adb shell settings put global battery_charging_control 1This command activates the hidden slow charging mode. To return the standard mode, replace 1 with 0. On some devices (Xiaomi 11T Pro, Redmi K50 Gaming), an additional command may be required to fix the settings:
adb shell settings put global battery_charging_limit 5You can also use the EngineerMode menu to adjust the current limit.
- Type the code ##4636## on your phone keyboard.
- Go to the Information section → Battery Information.
- Find the Charging Control setting and set the Slow value.
What to do if ADB is not working?
⚠️ Note: On devices with a blocked bootloader (bootloader) some ADB-If after you run the commands, the phone stopped charging at all, reset the settings through Settings. → Reset or restart the device in safe mode.
How to Check if Slow Charging Really Works
Many users are switching on the mode, but are not sure if it is actually being used, and there are several ways to check it out:
- Through the AccuBattery app, the utility shows the real charging speed in mA (milliamps). With a slow charge, the value should be in the range of 300-800 mA, whereas with a fast one, it should be in the range of 2000-5,000 mA.
If you use wireless charging, note that most Xiaomi models do not have a slow mode for Qi charging, in which case the current is limited only when connected via cable.
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For maximum accuracy, turn off all background processes (Wi-Fi, mobile data, geolocation) before charging, this will eliminate the influence of third-party factors on energy consumption.
What Chargers Are Suitable for Slow Charging
The current limit is at the firmware level of the phone, so you can theoretically use any charger.
- ⚡ Xiaomi’s original charging.Even if you plug in the 120-watt RAM from the Xiaomi 13 Pro, the phone will consume no more than 5 watts.
- 🔌 Third-party charging with Quick Charge support.Some devices (such as those from Samsung or Anker) may ignore the restrictions MIUI In this case, it is recommended to use "stupid" charges without fast protocols.
- 🔋 Power Bank.Most external batteries automatically reduce power if the phone doesn't support fast charging.
- 💻 Charging from USB-PC port/laptop. Standard USB 2.0 gives a maximum of 500 mA, which automatically activates the slow mode.
If you want to be 100% sure, use 5V/1A fixed output chargers (like old Nokia or Sony Ericsson RAMs) that are guaranteed to keep up with the current.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When using slow charging, users face several typical problems, and here’s how to solve them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone is not charging at all. | Failure after ADB-commands or updates | Reset or roll back changes via adb shell settings delete global battery_charging_control |
| The mode shuts down itself. | Automatic firmware update | Check settings after the update or disable auto updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update |
| The phone is warming up despite slow charging | Background processes or damaged battery | Close all applications, check the battery at the service center |
| It doesn't work with wireless charging. | Firmware restriction | Use only cable charging or upgrade MIUI to the latest version |
If the phone starts to run out when you connect to a charge after activation, check the cable and the power supply, they may be damaged and do not provide even minimal current. It is also worth checking the battery status through the CPU-Z application (Battery section). If the Health value is below 80%, the battery needs to be replaced.
Myths and Truths About Slow Charging on Xiaomi
There's a lot of rumors going around this function, and let's look at the most common ones.
- 🔄 Myth: "Slow charging completely stops battery degradation." Truth: It only slows down, but it doesn't stop it. Even in gentle mode, the battery loses its power. ~10% capacity per year.
- ⚡ Myth: "If you turn on slow charging, the phone will run slower." Truth: Charging mode does not affect processor or memory performance. Slowdown can only occur when you play and charge simultaneously due to lack of power.
- 📱 Myth: "The feature is only available on flagships." Truth: Slow charging is available even on budget models (Redmi) A1, POCO C40), It can be hidden in the engineering menu.
- 🔋 Myth: “You should always keep the charge at 40-80%.” Truth: This is a recommendation for maximum life, but modern Xiaomi controllers automatically optimize charging, even if you hold 100%.
Another common misconception is that slow charging is only for older phones, and in fact, it’s even more relevant for newer models with large-capacity batteries (5,000 to 6,000 mAh) because it costs more to replace them.
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Slow charging is not a panacea, but one of the most effective ways to extend the life of a battery without replacing it is to use it optimally at night or when the phone is connected to power for a long time (for example, at work).