How to increase the performance of Xiaomi smartphone: the complete guide

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI They're known for their price-performance balance, but over time, even flagship models start to slow down, for reasons ranging from overloaded systems to suboptimal default settings, and performance is not just about hardware, but about how you use it.

In this article, we'll look at all the ways we can go from software optimization to hardware improvements, and it's important to understand that some methods have a temporary effect, others require regular repetition, and still others (like replacing thermopaste) can extend the life of a device for years, starting with the safest and ending with radical measures.

If you have a Redmi, POCO Or Mi is slowing down, so don't rush into buying a new gadget, and 80 percent of the time, you can solve the problem without investing, you can set up the system properly, but there are some nuances, like, an update. MIUI It doesn't always improve speed, and sometimes it makes it worse.

1.Diagnostics: Why Xiaomi is slowing down?

Before optimizing, you need to identify bottlenecks. Brakes can occur due to:

• 📱 Overloaded memory – less than 10% of free storage space
• 🔋 Processor overheating – Thermothrottle reduces frequencies
• 🤖 Background processes – autoloading unnecessary applications
• 🔄 Outdated firmware - bugs in MIUI or Android kernel
• 🎮 Resource-intensive games - Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile on weak hardware

To determine the exact cause, use the built-in tools:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → System status and check the boot CPU/RAM.
2. Launch Security → Optimization — MIUI will show a list of “glutty” applications.
3. Install. CPU Monitor from Google Play to monitor processor frequencies in real time.

Critical information: if the system temperature exceeds 60°C for simple tasks (watching videos, messengers), this is a signal to clean or replace the thermal paste.

2. Cleaning the system: remove garbage and cache

The first step to speed up is to free up memory. MIUI tends to accumulate unnecessary files, especially if you actively use social networks or streaming services:

• 🧹 Cache cleanup: Settings → Memory. → Clean the cache (do it once every 1-2 weeks).
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files: Files → Categories → Multimedia/Documents → size-sorting.
• 📦 Clean Downloads: The Download folder often contains gigabytes of forgotten files.

For deep cleaning, use third-party utilities:

• SD Maid – deletes residual files after uninstalling applications.
• Files by Google – Finds duplicates and large, unnecessary files.
• CCleaner – clears the cache of system applications (requires root for full functionality).

Attention to details: Do not manually clear the cache of system applications through Settings → Applications – this can lead to malfunctions MIUI. Use only the built-in “Clear Cache” function in the memory menu.

3. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Settings for Speed

MIUI It contains hidden features that you can activate to speed up work, some of which require you to turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on Version). MIUI In Settings → The phone).

Key settings for productivity:

In addition:

• 🔄 Turn off Autosynchronization in Settings → Accounts – this will reduce the load on the processor.
• 📵 Enable Energy Saving Mode in Settings → Battery – limits background activity.
• 🎯 Use Light Mode (Settings) → Screen. → Light mode) on devices with 2-3 GB of RAM.

⚠️ Attention: Compulsory GPU-Speeding up can cause artifacts in some apps (such as Instagram or banking programs). If you notice bugs, return the setting to its original state.

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After changing the animation settings, restart the device – this will help the system apply the changes correctly.

4. Application management: what can be disabled?

MIUI It's known for aggressively autoloading apps, even apps you don't use, to fix it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Autoboot.
2. Turn off auto-run for all applications except instant messengers and system services (Google Play Services, MIUI System).
3. For games and social networks, set a background activity limit: Settings → Annexes → [Select an application] → Battery → Limit background activity.

List of apps that you can safely disable (if not used):

• 🎵 Mi Music is the standard player (replace with Spotify or Spotify) VK Music).
• 📺 Mi Video – if you watch YouTube or Kinionik.
• 📡 Mi Remote – if you do not use the remote for technology.
• 📊 Analytics – statistics collection service (you can turn off without consequences).
• 🛒 Mi Pay – if you don’t pay through NFC china.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable system services called com.android. or com.miui. MIUI. Removing them requires root and knowledge of the consequences.

5. Updating firmware: when it helps and when it hurts

Updates MIUI subdivided:

• 🔄 Weekly betas – for enthusiasts, often contain bugs.
• 📦 Stable global – proven builds, but sometimes with a delay of 1-2 months.
• 🇨🇳 Chinese firmware – updated first, but without Google services.

When the update improves performance:

• 🐞 Fixed critical bugs (e.g. memory leaks in the MIUI 12.5).
• 🔋 Optimized battery consumption (relevant for Redmi Note 10 and older).
• 🎮 Added support for new games (e.g. optimization for Diablo Immortal).

When the update slows down the device:

• 📉 New version MIUI It requires more resources (typical for devices with 2-3 GB of RAM).
• 🔄 The beta version contains undetected bugs (e.g., bugs, MIUI 14 on POCO F3 first weeks).
• 📱 The firmware is not adapted to your model (relevant for Chinese builds on global devices).

How to upgrade safely:

1. Make a backup in Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi and charge the battery to 50%+.
3. Use the official method: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

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If after the update the device began to brake, reset the cache in Recovery: turn off the phone, press the Power. + Vol Up, select Wipe Cache Partition.

6 Hardware Methods: When Software Optimization Does Not Help

If all of the above failed, the problem may be in the “iron”:

• 🔥 Overheating - replacement of thermopaste or heat pads (relevant to the POCO F1, Redmi K20 Pro).
• 🔋 Worn-out battery – with a capacity below 70%, the device begins to limit performance.
• 💾 Slow memory: Replacing eMMC with a UFS (Maybe only in the service center).

Self-activated (for experienced users):

• 🛠️ Cleaning from dust – disassemble the device and blow the radiator with compressed air.
• 🧴 Replace thermopaste - use Arctic MX-4 Or the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut.
• 🔄 Replace the battery – only buy original batteries (codes start with the first one). MBJ or MDY).

⚠️ Warning: Disassembly of the device voids warranty. IP-certification (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) after opening, water protection is lost. POCO X3 Pro requires a full analysis of the motherboard - without experience it is better to contact the service.

Critical information: on devices with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro), overheating is a system problem due to inefficient 4nm process technology. → Battery → Performance mode → Balanced.

7. Alternative firmware: when MIUI fail

If optimization MIUI It does not work, consider the custom firmware:

• 📱 Pixel Experience – pure Android without “chips» MIUI, fast-paced.
• ⚡ LineageOS - stable firmware with minimalist interface.
• 🎯 Xiaomi.eu – modified MIUI without Chinese software and with improved optimization.

Installation requirements:

• Unlocked bootloader (official way through Mi Unlock Tool).
• Castomic recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox)
• Backup of all data (installation of firmware erases internal memory).

⚠️ Note: On Dynamic Partition devices (all models after 2021), custom firmware installation can lead to a “brick” due to incompatibility with the new partition format. XDA Developers.

Step-by-step instructions for Xiaomi.eu:

1. Download the firmware from the official website (choose the version for your model!).
2. Move it. ZIP-file-root.
3. Download to TWRP (Power + Vol Up)
4. Run the Wipe. → Advanced Wipe (Tag Dalvik, Cache, Data).
5. Install. ZIP-file via Install.
6. Restart (the first launch will take 10-15 minutes).

Extreme measures: discharge and replacement of components

If nothing has worked, radical methods remain:

• 🔄 Hard reset: returns the device to factory settings!
• 💾 Replacing the drive – relevant for eMMC devices (e.g. Redmi) 4X), where memory degrades over time.
• 🔧 Replacement of the motherboard - an extreme case of physical damage.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Save data on your PC or in the cloud (Mi Cloud, Google Drive).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose Delete all data and confirm.
4. After restarting, configure the device as new (do not restore the backup) MIUI — It may contain "garbage»).

⚠️ Note: On devices with Mi Account tied to the device, after reset, you may need to enter a login / password from the account. If you forget the data, unlocking is possible only through the official Xiaomi service (cost) ~1500–3000 ₽).

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Factory reset deletes all data, including files in internal memory.MicroSD cards are not affected, but they are also recommended to be formatted after reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi performance