How to Optimize Xiaomi Phone Performance: A Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their rich functionality, but over time, even the most productive models start to slow down. The reasons range from overloaded memory to suboptimal system settings. This article will help you figure out how to get your phone back to speed without drastic measures like factory resetting.

We’ll look at both software techniques (cleaning up cache, disabling unnecessary services) and hardware nuances (battery setup, background management) that have been tested on models from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra and are relevant to MIUI 14/15. Importantly, some features may not be available on budget devices or in regional versions of firmware.

1. Performance Diagnosis: What exactly is inhibiting?

Before you optimize, you need to identify bottlenecks. MIUI has built-in tools for analysis:

• 🔍 System Monitor: Go to Settings → The phone. → System monitor. This is the loading display. CPU, Memory and active processes: if the Android System or MIUI Daemon is constantly occupied >30% CPU — This is a sign of a programmatic conflict.
• 📊 Battery statistics: in Settings → Battery → Battery use: look at which apps are using up energy in the background. Common culprits are messengers and social media.
• 🗑️ Storage: C Settings → Storage check the "Other Files" section if it takes up >5GB - Time to clean the cache.

For deep diagnostics, use third-party utilities like DevCheck (showing processor temperature, battery status) or AccuBattery (analyzing battery wear). If the chipset temperature exceeds 50°C in plain, this is a critical overheating signal that requires dust cleaning or replacing the thermopaste (for non-disruptive models, only in the service center).

2. Cleaning the system: remove garbage without harm

MIUI has a built-in Cleanup tool (Settings → Cleanup), but it only removes surface debris.

1. App cache: in Settings → Apps → App management, select each of the frequently used apps (e.g. Instagram, Telegram) and click “Clear Cache.” Don’t clear the data – it will delete accounts!
2. System cache: Go to Settings → Storage → Cache data and confirm the cleanup. This operation is secure and does not delete personal files.
3. Residual files: After uninstalling the applications, you will have tails left, and delete them via Files by Google (Clean Up section) or SD Maid (requires root rights).

To automate the process, install Clean Master (from Google Play! only) or CCleaner, but disable “autoboot optimization” in them – this feature often breaks notifications in MIUI.

Make a backup copy of important data|Close all applications|Connect the phone to charging|Do not interrupt the cleaning process-->

⚠️ Warning: Do not use the “Fast-up” or “Cool” features in cleaners from unknown developers. They often mask advertising software and can install malicious services.

3. MIUI Optimization: Disabling Unnecessary Functions

MIUI is overloaded with background processes, many of which can be safely turned off:

For advanced users: activate the developer mode (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 clicks)) and install:

• 🔄 Limit background processes → «Maximum 2 of the process»
• 🖥️ GPU-acceleration → «Forced” (for games only)
• 📶 Disable automatic Wi-Fi connection (if not used)

4. Application Management: What Can Be Safely Removed?

MIUI contains dozens of pre-installed apps, many of which duplicate Google's features or are useless at all.

• 🚫 Mi Browser - slows down the system due to background synchronization. Use Chrome or Firefox.
• 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video are replaced by YouTube Music and VLC.
• 📦 GetApps is Xiaomi's app store with ads. Delete via ADB: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks
• 📡 Mi Remote – if you do not use the remote for technology.

To remove system applications without root, use ADB AppControl (instruction: link to the ADB guide).

• 🛑 com.android.phone (telephony)
• 🛑 com.miui.securitycenter (security)
• 🛑 Any apps with Google in the name (will cause Play Market errors)

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Before you uninstall your system applications, create a restore point in TWRP (if installed) to revert changes when you crash.

5. Battery setup: how to extend autonomy

The battery is one of Xiaomi's most vulnerable areas, and it's designed to extend its lifespan.

1. Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruption. Repeat 2-3 times. This resets the controller errors.
2. Limit the charge to 80%: in Settings → Battery → Settings (⚙️) → Battery status, turn on "Charge Limitation." This will reduce battery wear by 30%.
3. Turn off overnight fast charging: Constant use of Quick Charge reduces battery life. At night use regular charging (5W).

If the battery is below 80%, it's time to consider replacing it. On non-removable models like the Xiaomi 13T, it costs 30-50% of the phone's cost to replace it, so it's sometimes more profitable to sell the device and buy a new one.

⚠️ Note: Do not use smart chargers with Trickle Charging on Xiaomi phones.This technology is incompatible with Qualcomm Quick Charge controllers and can cause overheating.

6. Network Optimization: Accelerating the Internet and GPS

Network problems are a common cause of lags. Set up connections correctly:

• 📶 4G/5G: In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Type of network Select Only LTE (if 5G It saves battery and reduces modem heat.
• 🔄 Wi-Fi: Turn off automatic connection to public networks in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → These networks are often low speed and high ping.
• 📍 GPS: for accuracy of navigation in Settings → Location → Select Device Only (without Internet) to speed up the location determination in offline maps.

To test speed, use Speedtest by Ookla or nPerf. If ping exceeds 100 ms when connecting to 4G, the operator-side problem. Try changing the APNs in your mobile network settings.

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Disabling background data transmission for social networks (Facebook, TikTok) can increase battery life by 20-25%.

7 Hardware Optimization: When Software Methods Don't Help

If the phone continues to brake after all the manipulations, the problem may be in the hardware:

• 🔥 Overheating: use CPU Monitor for temperature checks (Snapdragon/Mediatek) heats up 60°C in simple - thermopaste replacement is required (in the service center).
• 💾 Memory. eMMC/UFS: on budget models (Redmi) 9A, Poco M3) Slow eMMC memory is used 5.1. It wears out and causes lags. Check your memory health through AndroBench.
• 🔋 Bloated battery: if the phone case is deformed and the battery is quickly discharged - urgently replace the battery.

For models with a removable back cover (Redmi 7, Note 8), you can clean the insides of the dust with compressed air on your own. On non-dismountable devices (Xiaomi 12, 13 Pro), this is only done in the parsing service.

8. Alternative firmware: should you switch to caste?

If standard MIUI doesn’t suit you, consider alternatives:

To install custom firmware will require:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (waiting 7-30 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model.
3. Make a backup through TWRP → Backup.
4. Sweep ZIP-firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware voids the warranty and can lead to a hard brick. RAM (Xiaomi 12S Ultra) Some firmware breaks memory management.

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Custom firmware gives a performance boost of 30-40% on older devices (for example, the Redmi Note 5 on LineageOS 20 is faster than the original MIUI 12).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi optimization