How to improve the performance of the Xiaomi phone: proven methods of 2026

Your Xiaomi is slowing down, apps are slow to open, and animations are twitching? This is a common problem even on powerful models like the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+ or POCO F5. The reasons for the slowdown lie not only in the "aging" of iron, but also in the features of firmware. MIUI, In this article, 10 proven ways to return the smartphone to its former speed, from basic to advanced.

We won't recommend "buy a new phone" or "reset to factory settings" (although the latter sometimes works), instead we'll give you specific instructions explaining why each step is important. MIUI Optimization in developer settings can speed up animation by 20%? or that the cache of some system applications (e.g. Security) takes up to 1 GB without your knowledge?

This article is relevant for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO on MIUI 12–14 HyperOS (including budget Redmi) 10A and flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. if your phone is released before 2019 Note the limitations of older Snapdragon processors 6xx/7xx — there's nuance.

1.Diagnostics: Why is the phone slowing down?

Before you optimize, you need to understand the source of the problem. There are three types of brakes:

• 🔋 Hardware – battery wear (if capacity has fallen below 70%), processor overheating or flash memory malfunction (often on cheap models with eMMC instead of the battery). UFS).
• 📱 Software – overloaded firmware, application conflicts, viruses or cache errors.
• 🧹 Systemic - lack of RAM (RAM) or clogged storage (less than 10% of free space).

How do you check?

1. Open the Settings. → The phone. → Battery condition: If the capacity is below 80%, replace the battery, and the voltage drawdowns cause artificial performance limitations.
2. Run Settings. → Memory and see the usage schedule RAM. If it is less than 1 GB free, you need to clean the background processes.
3. Install the app AIDA64 (Free on Google Play) and check the temperature of the processor in the Sensors section. Normal - up to 45.°C in plain, above 60°C - overheating.

Critical point: if in AIDA64 In the Storage section, the type of eMMC memory is specified. 5.1 (not UFS 2.1/3.1), Even after all the optimizations, the speed gain will be minimal. 9A or POCO C31.

System Cleanup: What Can Be Removed Without Risk

The first thing that comes to mind is to clean up the cache and the files that are not needed, but there are pitfalls here, like clearing the Google Play Services cache can break notifications and deleting data. MIUI Security -- disable the virus scanner. Here's the safe checklist:

How to clean:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory. → Clean and press Deep Clean.This will delete temporary files of system and user applications.
2. For manually cleaning the cache of individual applications: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [select the application] → Memory. → Clear the cache.
3. Delete unnecessary files through Xiaomi Files (the Analysis tab will show large and rarely used files).

Note: Do not clean data from system applications such as MIUI System, Google Play Services or Telephony. this could lead to loss of IMEI or network failure.

3. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Settings for Acceleration

MIUI — It's one of the heaviest shells on Android, but it has hidden overclocking features, and most users don't know about them because they're hidden in the developer menu or they demand it. ADB-team.

Activate the Developer Mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.

Now turn on these options:

• ⚡ Shut down. MIUI Optimization – speeds up animation and reduces delays (can slightly increase battery consumption).
• 🖥️ GPU-Acceleration - turn on Acceleration 2D-Rendering (good for weak processors).
• 🔄 Limit background processes – select a Maximum 2 process (saves) RAM, But some apps will be rebooted).
• 🚀 Windows animation, transition animation - set the value 0.5x Or shut it down completely.

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If after the shutdown MIUI Optimization has glitches with themes or fonts, return the setting back and try the alternative – in the ADB Adb shell settings put global settings hidden_api_policy 1 unlock API.

For advanced users: if your phone supports Game Turbo (e.g., Game Turbo, POCO F4 GT Black Shark, turn it on manually through ADB:

adb shell am start -n com.miui.gameturbo/.ui.GameTurboActivity

This activates a performance mode that normally only works in games.

4. Background Process Management: What Can Be Disabled

MIUI It aggressively caches apps in the background, even if you don't use them. Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps can consume up to 300MB. RAM It's just because they're "systemic." Here's how to fix it:

Method 1: Manual shutdown of autostart

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Press Autostart and turn off the slider.
4. Do the same for Background Activity and Show Notifications.

Method 2: Global Constraint of the ADB (PC):

adb shell cmd appops set com.miui.securitycenter android:run_any_in_background deny


adb shell cmd appops set com.android.vending android:run_any_in_background deny

These teams will ban Google Play and Security Center from working in the background without your knowledge.

What can I not turn off:

• ❌ Google Play Services – Responsible for notifications and syncs.
• ❌ MIUI System – manages the basic functions of the shell.
• ❌ Telephony – without it there will be no mobile network.

5.Memory optimization: how to free RAM storage

If your phone has 4GB RAM or less (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro or POCO X3 NFC), And that's because the lack of RAM is the main reason for the brakes:

Step 1: Use the "Extension" function RAM" (available on HyperOS models or MIUI 13+):

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Memory.
2. Select Extension RAM and set the value of 2 GB or 3 GB (due to internal memory).

This will create a virtual swap file that will help with a lack of physical RAM.

Step 2: Set up "Memory Cleanup":

• 🔄 Enable Auto Cleanup in Settings → Memory. → Cleaning (it is recommended to set an interval each day).
• 🚫 Disable Cleanup when blocked – this can close the desired applications (for example, a music player).

Step 3: Move the applications to SD-card (if supported):

1. Insert the class microSD A1/A2 (For example, SanDisk Extreme).
2. B Settings → Apps select the application and click Transfer to SD-map.

Attention: Not all apps support portability. SD-The card must be formatted as internal memory (the data on it will be encrypted and will not be available on other devices).

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Expansion RAM It's a temporary solution, because it's internal memory, and it helps with rare hang-ups, but it doesn't replace physical RAM. 9C 2GB RAM) It is better to buy a device with 4+ GB than relying on soft crutches.

6.Firmware and kernel updates: when it helps

Sometimes the brakes are caused by bugs in the firmware. MIUI 12.5 had a memory management problem on Snapdragon phones 720G, HyperOS 1.0 has scroll lags because of the new animation engine.

How to update correctly:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If a new version is available, download it over Wi-Fi (not mobile!).
3. Before updating, check the reviews on the forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA) — Sometimes new versions introduce new bugs.

If the official update doesn’t help or doesn’t, you can try the custom core (for advanced users only!):

• 🔧 Install. TWRP Recovery and download the core from XDA Developers (e.g. FrancoKernel or Kiran Kernel for Snapdragon).
• 📦 Flow through TWRP (Look for instructions for your model!).

Attention: Custom kernels may:

• ✅ Increase productivity by 10-30% (by optimizing the task scheduler).
• ❌ Break the camera, sensors, or mobile network (if the kernel is incompatible).
• ⚠️ Deprive the warranty (if you do not return the stock core before visiting the service).

7. Alternative firmware: whether to switch to AOSP

If all methods did not help, the last option is to install custom firmware on the basis of AOSP (It's a radical move, but it could bring back even old phones like the Xiaomi Mi. A2 Or the Redmi Note 5 Pro.

Pluses AOSP:

• ⚡ Faster work (no heavy shell) MIUI).
• 🆕 Up-to-date versions of Android (even on 2018 phones).
• 🔒 No unnecessary system applications and data collection.

Cons:

• 📸 The camera may not work (you need separate modes like GCam).
• 🔋 Possible battery problems (not all cores are optimized).
• 🛠️ Complicated installation (needs an unlocked boot loader and TWRP).

If you do, follow this instruction:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Xiaomi account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model.
3. Download the firmware from the official website (for example, LineageOS).
4. Flow through TWRP (I'll make sure you backup!).

8 Hardware Solutions: When Software Doesn't Help

If all the software methods have been tried and the phone is still slowing down, the problem could be the hardware.

1. Battery.

• 🔋 If the capacity drops below 70 percent, replace the battery.
• 🔌 Use an original or certified power supply (cheap charging spoils the power controller).

2. Flash memory

• 💾 If the phone often “hangs” when reading / writing files, check the memory through the AIDA64 (storage → Reading test: Speeds below 100MB/s indicate wear and tear.
• 🔧 On eMMC phones (e.g. Redmi) 8A) The speed of writing decreases over time. There is no solution - only a replacement of the memory module (expensive and not always possible).

3. Overheating

• 🌡️ If the phone is hotter than 50°C in plain, check the thermopaste (on older models it dries out).
• 🧊 Use a cooling case or fan stand for games.

4.Memory (RAM)

• 🔄 On phones with 2-3 GB RAM (Like Redmi. 7A) Even after all the optimizations, there will be lags. The only solution is to buy a new device with 4.+ GB.

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If your phone is older than 4-5 years (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 5 or Redmi Note) 4X), Don't waste time on deep optimization. Modern applications (especially games and social networks) require more resources than old processors can give, POCO X6 Pro or Redmi Note 13 Pro+).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi acceleration