The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, which launched in 2018, was once considered the benchmark “king of the mid-range” and its Snapdragon 636 processor is still capable of delivering basic performance for instant messengers, navigation and video. But the time is inexorable: modern versions of apps are becoming over-coded and the MIUI shell is getting heavier over the years, which is why optimization for this device is still relevant.
Owners often face micro-twitching interfaces, fast battery drains, and intrusive advertising that appears in system applications. Deep cleaning and proper tweaking of hidden parameters can bring the device back to life. You don't need to be a programmer to perform basic system optimization.
In this article, we'll look at not only standard cleaning techniques, but also specific MIUI settings that are hidden from the eyes of the average user. Reducing the screen refresh rate to 60 Hz in the developer settings can significantly increase autonomy. We'll go from removing debris to fine-tuning animations to making your phone run as smoothly as possible.
System debris disposal and application management
The first step to speed up the Redmi Note 5 should be a total revision of installed software. Xiaomi’s standard Security app does a good job of cache, but it often skips residual files of remote programs. You need to manually check folders in the file manager.
Pay special attention to Android/obb and Android/data folders, which often store gigabytes of data from games you no longer play, and deleting those files will free up space on your internal drive, which is critical for system speed, as your almost full internal drive starts to run slower.
You don't have to remember the background processes of applications that you don't use every day. MIUI has a handy "Out-Start" feature that allows you to control which programs start with the system. Disabling unnecessary services will reduce the load on the processor and RAM.
For effective cleaning, follow this action list:
- 🗑️ Remove all unused games and heavy apps through the Settings menu.
- 📂 Go through the Downloads folder and delete the old ones. APK-installer.
- 🧹 Clear the messenger cache (Telegram, WhatsApp) through their internal settings, not just through the File Manager.
- 🚫 Turn off auto-runs for apps like Market, Music, and Video if you don’t use them all the time.
Once you delete the software, you have to reboot the system, so that the file indexing can go back and forth without any errors. SD-Make sure it is working as broken sectors on the memory card can cause strong lags throughout the system.
Fine tuning of the interface and animations MIUI
The visual part of the MIUI shell is beautiful, but it's demanding on the resources of a graphics accelerator. Standard animations of opening windows and transitions between menus create the illusion of smoothness, but on aging hardware they can cause delays. Fortunately, their speed can be adjusted.
To access these settings, activate the developer menu, make five quick clicks on the MIUI version field in the About Phone section, and a new "Developers" option will appear in the "Additional" menu after the corresponding notification appears.
Inside this menu, find the section that's associated with rendering. You're interested in three things: window animation scale, transition animation scale, and animator duration scale. The default is 1x. Change it to 0.5x or even 0.75x.
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Setting the animation scale to 0.5x makes the interface visually faster, as the time for rendering transitions between screens is reduced.
The effect will be noticeable immediately: the system response will become sharper. However, you should not turn off the animations completely (meaning "No animation"), as this can disrupt the visual logic of the interface and make navigation less understandable.
It is recommended to set the limit of background processes to a level of "No more than 2" or "No more than 3" This will cause the system to aggressively unload from memory applications that you are not using right now, freeing up resources for the current task.
Combating Advertising and System Notifications
One of the main reasons the Redmi Note 5 may seem slow is the constant background load of ad modules.The MIUI system is known for its tendency to show ads in standard applications such as Explorer, Music and Downloads.
To get rid of this, you need to turn off MSA (MIUI System Ads). Go to settings, find Password and Security → Access to Personal Data. In the list, find the msa app and turn off the slider. The system will ask you to wait 10 seconds, then you need to confirm the disconnect.
You should also go through the settings of each system application separately, for example, in the Downloads app, click three dots in the corner, select settings, and turn off "Receive recommendations." Similar steps should be repeated for the Music and Video app.
☑️ Checklist for disabling ads
Another important aspect is notifications from third-party apps: Many programs abuse push notifications that constantly wake up the screen and load the processor. Go through the list of installed applications and prohibit the display of notifications for those where they are not critical (for example, for stores or games).
Optimization of battery operation and energy saving
The battery is a consumable, and in the 2018 device it has probably already lost some of its capacity. However, software optimization can significantly extend the time without recharging.
If you see an application that consumes a disproportionate amount of power (e.g., 20-30% in the background), that's a cause for concern. Often, these processes can be "killed" or limited in their background activity. MIUI has a special Battery and Performance mode for this.
It is recommended to switch the performance profile to Balanced. The Power Saving mode greatly cuts back-end synchronization, which can lead to miss messages, and the Performance mode makes the processor run at high frequencies constantly, causing heat.
| Mode of work | Impact on CPUs | Recommendation | Impact on heating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savings | Strong constraint | Only at low charge. | Minimum |
| Balanced | Dynamic. | For daily use | Normal. |
| Productivity | Maximum. | Only for heavy games | High-pitched |
Don't ignore the settings. Brightness is one of the major energy consumers. Turn on autobrightness, but adjust the correction slider so that the screen isn't too bright in the room. Also turn off "Rise to turn on" and "Double tapping" if you don't use them very often, because they're constantly questioning the sensors.
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The right energy saving profile is more important than the constant cleaning of RAM.
Work with the network and communication modules
A weak cellular signal or unstable Wi-Fi can create the illusion of a slowing phone. When the communication module can't find a stable signal, it starts operating at high power, trying to maintain a connection that loads the processor and lands the battery.
If you are in the zone of uncertain reception of 4G, it makes sense to force the smartphone to switch to 3G (WCDMA only) or 2G. This can be done through the engineering menu or special applications, but it is easier to use the hidden Android menu. Enter the code # #4636## in the dialer (caller).
In the menu that opens, select "Phone Information" and find "Set up your preferred network type." Choose the one that suits your situation. This action can significantly reduce energy consumption on trips or in buildings with thick walls.
⚠️ Warning: Changing the settings in the engineering menu can cause the network to temporarily disappear. If the Internet stops working, just restart the device, the settings will reset or restore automatically.
It's also worth resetting the network settings if you move between carrier towers often, which will clear the connection cache and force the phone to re-register with the current settings, this is done under Advanced Settings → Recovery and Reset → Reset settings Wi-Fi, mobile Internet and Bluetooth.
What to do if the phone is warmed in standby mode?
Radical measures: Resetting and reflashing
If the software cleaning and tuning of the animations didn’t produce the desired result, the final frontier is a complete factory reset, which will delete all your data, so be sure to back up important contacts and photos.
Formatting an internal drive removes fragmented files and file system errors that accumulate over years of use.After a reset, the Redmi Note 5 often runs as fast as it did on the first day after purchase.
For more advanced users, custom firmware can be installed (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which allows you to get rid of the heavy shell of MIUI and get a clean Android that is much easier and faster to run on old hardware.
However, third-party firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, which is officially possible only 168 hours (7 days) after submitting an application to Xiaomi, and it also takes away warranty (although this is no longer relevant for the Note 5) and carries risks.
⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware requires deep knowledge. A firmware error can turn a smartphone into a brick. Do this only if you fully understand the risks and have experience with the business. ADB and Fastboot.
In most cases, a high-quality reset via the Recovery menu is sufficient. To log in, turn off your phone and press the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously. From the menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.