Why Xiaomi is slowing down on Android and how to fix it: the full guide

Your Xiaomi is slowing down, apps are slowing down, and animations are twitching? These are typical symptoms of Android devices being slowed down, which are found even on flagship models Redmi, POCO or Mi. The reasons may lie in both software failures of MIUI and hardware limitations. But in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved without going to the service center — just set up the system correctly and clean it of digital debris.

In this article, we'll look at 12 effective ways to get your smartphone back on track, from basic steps like cleaning the cache to advanced tricks to turn off background processes and optimize the kernel. All instructions are adapted to the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and tested on models from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Importantly, some methods require administrator or unlocked bootloader rights, we'll mark them with special warnings.

1. Diagnostics the cause of brakes: what exactly is slowing Xiaomi

Before you start optimizing, you need to identify the root of the problem, and the brakes on Xiaomi are usually due to one of four reasons:

• 📱 RAM overload – too many background applications (especially relevant for devices with 4-6 GB of RAM).
• 🗑️ Cluttered memory – cache, residual files of remote programs, duplicate photos.
• 🔄 Failures in MIUI — update errors, themes or launcher conflicts.
• 🔋 Battery wear – when the battery is degraded below 80%, the system forcibly limits performance.

To check the current status of the smartphone:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System status.
2. See the schedule of RAM use in the Memory section.
3. Run the built-in performance test (available on models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3).

If the battery status is below 85%, the problem may be a worn-out battery, in which case the software optimization will have a temporary effect – you have to change the battery or calibrate it through the engineering menu (we will talk about this in the section on hardware reasons).

System Cleanup: Removing Digital Garbage

The first and easiest step is to free up memory and clear the cache. On Xiaomi, this is done through the built-in MIUI tools, but there are nuances.

Clearing the application cache

Cash speeds up the programs, but over time it accumulates and starts to slow down the system, to clean it up.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app (start with the most “heavy” ones – Facebook, Instagram, TikTok).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

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Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) – this can cause MIUI to malfunction.

2.2. Deletion of unnecessary files

Use the built-in Optimizer:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab.
3. Choose Deep Cleaning and wait for analysis.
4. Delete temporary files, application residues and duplicates.

For advanced cleaning, use SD Maid (requires root rights) or Files by Google – they find hidden files that a standard optimizer skips.

3. Optimization of RAM

Lack of RAM is the main reason for the brakes on budget Redmis and old flagships. MIUI aggressively kills background processes, but sometimes it's not enough.

Background activity shutdown

Many apps continue to work in the background even when you're not using them.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an application (for example, VKontakte or Telegram).
3. Press Permissions → Autostart and turn it off.
4. Go back and select Battery → Background Activity → Limit.

3.2. virtual memory setting (RAM Expansion)

On devices with MIUI 13+, the function of expanding RAM due to internal memory is available.

1. Settings → Additional → Expansion of memory.
2. Select volume (recommended 2-3 GB for models with 6 GB of RAM).
3. Reboot the phone.

Attention! Do not enable memory expansion on eMMC devices (instead of UFS) – this will accelerate the wear of the drive. Check the type of memory in Settings → About Phone → Full specs.

4. Customization of animation and visual effects

MIUI is known for its colorful animations, but they consume resources.Switching off or speeding up visuals can give you up to 20 percent smoothness.

4.1 Disable animation through the developer

Activate the Developer Mode:

1. Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the items: Window animation scale → Off. Transition animation scale → Off. Animation duration → No animation

Transition to lightweight launcher

The standard MIUI launcher consumes up to 300 MB of RAM. Alternatives:

• 📱 Nova Launcher (Tunestable, Lightweight).
• ⚡ Lawnchair (with gesture support).
• 🔄 POCO Launcher (optimized for Xiaomi).

After installing an alternative launcher, disable the standard one through Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher (click Disable).

5. Update firmware and reset settings

Mishapes in MIUI often occur after incorrect updates or conflicts of topics. If the brakes appeared after the update, try these steps:

Compulsory verification of updates

Sometimes updates get stuck in the queue to run manual checks:

1. Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Update the package.
3. If an update is available, download it and install it.

5.2 Resetting settings to factory

Extreme measure, but effective. Before reset, make sure to back up through Settings → Additional → Backup – this will save contacts, SMS and application settings.

1. Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

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Setting reset deletes all data, including photos on the internal drive. SD-card or PC before the procedure.

6. Advanced methods: for experienced users

If the basics didn't work, it's time to go deep optimization, which requires an unlocked bootloader or root rights.

6.1. disabling MIUI Optimization

The miui.optimization function is designed to improve performance, but often backfires to turn it off:

1. Activate the Developer Mode (see Section 4.1).
2. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.powerkeeper

Change of I/O scheduler

On devices with UFS 2.2/3.1, you can improve read/write speed by changing the schedule.

1. Install Kernel Adiutor (root required).
2. Go to section I/O Scheduler.
3. Choose maple or kyber instead of standard cfq.

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Before changing the kernel settings, backup through TWRP. Incorrect settings can lead to bootloop (a looped reboot).

Hardware causes of brakes

If the software methods didn't work, the problem might be the hardware.

Attention! If your Xiaomi is under warranty, do not open it yourself - this will void warranty obligations.

8.Alternative firmware: When MIUI brakes too much

If the optimization didn't work, and the hardware is fine, consider installing custom firmware.

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary services.
• ⚡ Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel features.
• 🔄 ArrowOS – Balance between performance and functionality.

Installing firmware requires:

1. Unlocked bootloader (via Mi Unlock Tool)
2. Installed custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Backup of the current firmware (via TWRP → Backup).

Warning! Installing unofficial firmware may result in loss of warranty and unstable operation of the NFC module or camera. Before the procedure, check the firmware compatibility with your model on the XDA Developers forum.

FAQ: Frequent questions about brakes on Xiaomi