Accelerating Android on Xiaomi smartphones: from simple settings to deep optimization

Xiaomi smartphones based on Android with a shell MIUI And even flagship models, they get slowed down over time, and there's a variety of reasons, from overloaded memory to unoptimized background processes, but what exactly does "acceleration" mean? Not only is it increasing performance in games or benchmarks, but it's also smooth interfaces, speed of app openings, gesture response. It's important to understand that not all acceleration methods are safe -- some can shorten battery life or cause overheating.

In this article, we will discuss legal and risky ways of speeding up, from basic (available to any user) to advanced (require root rights or unlock the bootloader). MIUI 14/15 and models on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 Dimensity 9000+, If your smartphone is slower after the upgrade, you'll find solutions that are tailored to the latest firmware versions. 2026 year-end.

1.The reasons for the slowdown of Xiaomi smartphones: why even the flagship is slowing down

The first step to speed up is diagnostics, and Xiaomi's slowdown is rarely accidental.

• 📱 Overloaded memory: Less than 10% of the free space on the internal drive leads to lags due to fragmentation of data.
• 🔄 Background processes MIUI: The shell aggressively caches applications (even closed ones) and runs services com.miui.analytics, com.xiaomi.midrop.
• 🔥 Thermal trottling: overheating above 45°C processor automatically reduces the frequency (especially important for the processor). POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 Pro+).
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: New versions often add unnecessary features (e.g, MIUI 15 Implemented Real-Time AI Background Processing).

To pinpoint the problem, use the built-in tools:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone. → System status and check the operating time (if it exceeds the operating time) 2-3 Day without rebooting - possible memory leakage).
2. Launch Security → Optimize and see which apps consume the most resources.
3. Install. CPU Monitor from Google Play to track processor frequency in real time.

⚠️ Note: If the smartphone suddenly began to brake after falling or getting moisture, the problem may be hardware (detachment of the memory chip or damage to the motherboard.

Basic Optimization: What Can Be Done Without Root Rights

Start with simple actions that don’t require deep technical knowledge. 10/11, POCO X4/X5, Xiaomi 12/13 Lite and other devices on the MIUI 12-15.

2.1 Clearing cache and unnecessary files

Application cache and system junk files take up to 5-10 GB of memory. Clean them regularly:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Click Deep Clean and select all items except Download and Image (if there are important files).
3. To clean the cache of individual applications: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Select the application] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Pay special attention to system applications:

• 🗑️ com.miui.gallery (Gallery) – caches miniatures of photos and videos.
• 🗑️ com.android.browser (Browser) – stores data of web pages.
• 🗑️ com.xiaomi.mipicks (Themes) – downloads preview themes and wallpapers.

Disable animations and visual effects

MIUI She's known for her animations, which look beautiful but slow down weak devices to speed up the interface:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and install:

Windows animation: 0.5x or Disable


Transition animation: 0.5x or Disable




Duration of the animator: 0.5x or Disable




Scale of animation: Disable

For models with AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, POCO F5 Pro) also disable Adaptive Brightness in the display settings – this will reduce the load on the processor.

Autoboot and background management

MIUI aggressively holds apps in your memory, even if you're not using them, to limit it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Autorun.
2. Turn off auto-run for all applications except instant messengers and system services (e.g. com.android.phone).
3. In the same menu, select “Restricting Background Activity” and set a limit for unnecessary apps.

For models with 6 GB of RAM and less (Redmi Note 10, POCO M4 Pro) also enable "Extended Memory Mode" in Settings → Additionally. → Advanced memory settings: This will allow you to use part of the internal memory as virtual RAM (up to 3 GB).

⚠️ Note: Do not disable background activity for Google Play Services and MIUI System – This will lead to errors in the system.

3. Advanced settings: overclocking and optimization of the core

If the basic methods didn't work, you can try to change the parameters of the processor and the graphics accelerator, which are very careful and suitable for advanced users. Let's take two approaches: through the engineering menu and using root rights.

Change of scheduler CPU and GPU (rootless)

On some Xiaomi models, for example, POCO F3, Redmi K50) You can manually select a task scheduler for the processor:

1. Activate the Developer Mode (as in Section 2.2).
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers → I/O scheduler.
3. Choose “cfq” (for balanced work) or “deadline” (for maximum performance).

For the graphics accelerator (Adreno on Snapdragon or Mali on Dimensity):

1. Install the app GPU Driver Updater (available on Google Play).
2. Select your smartphone model and update drivers GPU last-minute.
3. In the application settings, turn on “Performance Mode”.

These changes will increase the 5-15% In games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile), but can increase battery consumption. 10-20%.

Overclocking of the processor (requires unlocking of the bootloader)

For real overclocking, you will need:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (the official Xiaomi utility).
2. Install a custom core (e.g., FrancoKernel or Kirisakura).
3. Use Kernel Adiutor or EX Kernel Manager for Frequency Configuration.

Example of secure settings for Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F5 Pro):

⚠️ Attention: Overclocking shortens processor life and increases heat output. on Xiaomi 12S Ultra with overclocked Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 temperature 55-60°C under load, resulting in trottling (automatic frequency reduction).

4. MIUI optimization: disabling unnecessary functions

MIUI It's overloaded with functions that are rarely used but consume resources. 20-30% on weak devices (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3).

4.1. Disconnection MIUI-service

Some system applications can be safely disabled:

• 🚫 com.miui.analytics – collection of usage statistics (sends data to Xiaomi).
• 🚫 com.xiaomi.midrop – a service for transferring files over Wi-Fi Direct (if not used).
• 🚫 com.miui.hybrid – responsible for floating windows (if not needed).
• 🚫 com.miui.miservice – sync service with Mi Account (unless you use the cloud).

To disable:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application by the name of the package (see the list above).
3. Click "Disable" (not "Delete"!).

4.2. Game Turbo setup for non-gaming applications

Game Turbo mode in MIUI Optimizes performance for games, but it can be applied to other applications:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Game Turbo
2. Add to the list not only games, but also resource-intensive applications (for example, Chrome, CapCut, Lightroom).
3. Enable the options:

• ⚡ «Improved performance – Increases frequency CPU.
• 📶 «Network Priority – Reduces ping in online gaming.
• 🔇 «Blocking notifications – disables background processes.

For models with 120 Hz screens (Xiaomi) 12T, POCO F4 GT) Also enable “Adaptive refresh rate” in the display settings – this will reduce the load on the display. GPU statically.

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If gestures or notifications stop working after you shut down your system services, return the settings back. MIUI (For example, “Smart Assistant” depends on background processes.

5. Cleaning and replacing firmware: extreme measures

If the smartphone is slowing down even after all the optimizations, there are radical methods: reset to factory settings or install custom firmware. Let's consider both options.

5.1 Hard Reset: When and how to do it

Resetting to factory settings helps in cases of:

• 🔄 System Lags after Update MIUI.
• 🦠 Suspicion of a virus or malware.
• 📱 Memory overload with junk files (over 80% occupied).

Instructions:

1. Make a backup of the data through Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm.

After discharge:

• ✅ Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It may contain "garbage».
• ✅ Install only the necessary applications (avoid cluttering»).
• ✅ Turn off auto-update apps on Google Play.

Installation of custom firmware (AOSP, LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

Custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) lacks a “heavy” shell MIUI They often work faster, but they do:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (loss of warranty).
• 🛠️ Custom recovery installations (TWRP Or OrangeFox).
• 📥 Compatible firmware for your model (check on the XDA Developers).

Example for the POCO X3 Pro:

1. Download Pixel Experience 13 from the official website.
2. Flow through TWRP (Instruction: Wipe → Format Data → Install ZIP).
3. Install NikGapps for Google services.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 11T Pro, Redmi K40) Custom firmware can break the camera or 5G-Check the reviews before installing. 4PDA or XDA.

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Custom firmware is the most productive, but it requires technical knowledge, and for most users, factory resets and basic optimization are enough.

6 Hardware methods: when software does not help

If the smartphone slows down even after all the software optimizations, the problem may be in the hardware:

• 🔋 Worn-out battery (capacity below 70%) – leads to sudden performance drawdowns.
• 🔥 Overheating due to thermal paste - on old models (Xiaomi Mi) 9, Redmi Note 8 Pro) paste dries for 2-3 year-end.
• 💾 Damaged flash memory – leads to lags when reading/writing data.

Diagnosis:

1. Check the battery status via ##4636## (test menu) or the AccuBattery app.
2. Use it. CPU Throttling Test from Google Play to check if CPU frequency is declining due to overheating.
3. Test your memory with the help of A1 SD Bench – Reading speeds below 150MB/s are a problem.

Decisions:

• 🔋 Replace the battery (cost for Xiaomi — 1500-3000 ₽).
• 🔧 Refuse the heat paste (relevant for gamers like Black Shark 4 Pro).
• 💾 If memory is damaged, contact the service center (repair costs in the case of a repair). 50-70% smartphone).

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If your smartphone starts to brake after a fall, check the integrity of the motherboard. Microcracks on the tracks can cause periodic lags that are not fixed by diagnostic programs.

7. Myths about Xiaomi acceleration: what not to do

There are a lot of Xiaomi speeding tips on the Internet that not only don't help, but also harm the device.

7.1. "Closing all background apps speeds up the smartphone"

In fact, Android and MIUI Optimized for multitasking: Forced application closure through Clear Everything in the menu of recent tasks:

• 🔄 Leads to re-downloading applications the next time you open (which is longer than recovering from cache).
• 🔋 Increases battery consumption due to constant restart of processes.

Exception: If the app is frozen (such as Facebook or TikTok), it can be closed manually via Settings. → Annexes → [Annex] → Stop it.

7.2. “Disabling system updates speeds up work”

Updates MIUI They are often criticized for “braking” but:

• 🛡️ They fix security vulnerabilities (e.g., in the MIUI 14.0.4 closed the gap in MediaTek chips).
• ⚡ In new versions optimize the use of memory (for example, in the MIUI 15 reduced RAM consumption by 15%).
• 🔧 Driver updates improve compatibility with new games and apps.

If you have a lag after the update, try:

1. Clear the cache through Settings → Storage → Cleanup.
2. Reverse to the previous version (if there is a backup).

7.3. "Memory cleaning apps speed up smartphone"

Programs like Clean Master, CCleaner or DU Speed Boosters are not only useless, they are dangerous:

• 🚫 They often delete important system files, which leads to crashes.
• 🕵️ Many of them collect user data (for example, Cheetah Mobile’s Clean Master was removed from Google Play for spying).
• 🔄 Their “optimization” is reduced to cleaning the cache, which can be done manually (see section 2.1).

The only exception is Xiaomi’s built-in Security app, which doesn’t delete system files or spy.

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The best "booster" for Xiaomi is the right settings and regular cache cleaning manually.Third-party acceleration apps are more likely to hurt than help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi acceleration