How to increase the performance of Xiaomi Redmi 9 to the maximum: from cleaning the cache to hidden settings MIUI

Why your Redmi 9 is slowing down and how to fix it without root rights

Xiaomi Redmi 9 with a MediaTek Helio processor G80 and 3/4 GB of RAM was originally positioned as a budget smartphone for basic tasks, but over time, even this model begins to “hang”: applications open for a long time, animations twitch, and games appear friezes. The reason for this is a clogged system, background processes and unoptimized settings. MIUI.

In this article, we will discuss the unique methods of acceleration Redmi. 9, They don't require unlocking the bootloader or installing custom firmware. MIUI 12–14 and relevant to Redmi models 9/9A/9C/9T (If your phone choked after a year of use, the next steps will bring it back to its former sluggishness.

The causes of brakes usually lie in three things: (1) Overloaded memory (cache, junk files, duplicates), (2) Aggressive optimization MIUI, which kills background tasks, 3) Heat throttling due to clogged cooler or thermal paste.

Let’s start with the simplest thing: cleaning the system.

1. Deep cleaning of the system: remove debris that you can't see

The first thing you need to do is to make room in storage, and when internal memory is packed, Android starts using it as a swap partition, which is critically slowing down, and on Redmi 9 with 32-64 GB of storage, this is especially true.

Open the Settings. → Storage and look at the "Other Files" section, if it takes up more than 5 to 7 GB, that's a signal to action:

• 🗑️ App cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select the hardest one (like Facebook or TikTok) and click Clear Cache. Repeat for top-10 weight-appendix.
• 📁 Downloads: folder /storage/emulated/0/Download It often contains gigabytes of unnecessary APK, Move the important stuff to the PC or the cloud, delete the rest.
• 🎮 Game data: games like this PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact store the cache of maps and textures. In the game settings, find the option “Clear Data” (not to be confused with deleting an account!).
• 🔄 Duplicate Photos: Use Files by Google (free in Play Market) to find and delete repetitive photos.

Once cleaned, reboot your phone. If you're over 10GB or 15GB of space, you should feel the speed gain. If you're not, move on.

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Don't manually delete the Android folder! It contains application data, and cleaning it can break the program. Use the built-in Cleanup tool to safely remove it. MIUI (broomstick).

Optimization MIUI: Disable unnecessary functions and background processes

MIUI — One of the heaviest shells of Android, and it's full of features that eat up Redmi 9 resources.

First, go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Battery management and:

• ⚡ Disable the “Adaptive battery” – it aggressively closes the background tasks, which is why applications are constantly rebooted.
• 🔄 Include “Optimization” MIUI», But set the "Balanced" mode (not "Energy Saving»).
• 📵 Remove unnecessary apps from auto-run: Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps and other pre-installed Xiaomi services.

Next, go to Settings. → Special facilities → Notifications and status panel and disable:

• 🔔 «Show notifications on the lock screen" (saves resources when unlocking).
• 🌐 «Show notification icons for unnecessary apps (such as games or social media).

The last step is to turn off the animation, and it's going to make the interface work faster visually.

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI» In Settings → The phone).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the items “Scale of window animation”, “Scale of transition animation” and “Duration of animation” – set the value “Without animation” for everyone.

Overclocking of the processor and GPU: Hidden settings for games and heavy tasks

MediaTek Helio G80 Redmi 9 has hidden potential that can be unlocked without root rights.

Attention! These methods put more strain on the processor and can cause overheating. Don't use them all the time, just for games or resource-intensive tasks.

First, turn on the performance mode:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Performance Modes.
2. Select “High Performance” (if there is no such item, skip the step).

Next, we use the engineering menu for acceleration GPU. Open the phone app and enter the code:

##36446337##

On the menu that opens:

• Go to the tab «GPU».
• Find the parameter «GPU Renderer and set the value to OpenGL (if available).
• In the section «GPU Frequency: Increase the frequency by 10-15% of the standard frequency (for example, from 850 MHz to 950 MHz).

To fix the changes, restart the phone. 3DMark Geekbench – the increase in games can reach 10-20%.

4. Optimization of RAM: how to make MIUI don't kill the app

The main problem of Redmi 9 with 3-4 GB of RAM — MIUI aggressively closes the background applications, even when there is enough memory, which leads to a constant reboot of programs when switching between them.

To fix this, you need to manually configure your experiences for critical applications.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app that should not be closed (such as Telegram or YouTube Music).
3. Press "Battery» → «No restrictions».
4. Go back and press “Autostart» → Allow auto-start.

For advanced users, there is a way to increase the limit of background processes through ADB. Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB Tools and execute command:

adb shell settings put global settings.enable_multitasking true

Then increase the process limit (e.g., to 8):

adb shell settings put global bg_process_limit 8

These teams will force MIUI Keep more apps in memory, but can slightly increase battery consumption.

5. Physical optimization: cooler cleaning and heat paste replacement

If your Redmi 9 heats up even on simple tasks (like watching YouTube), the problem could be a clogged cooler or dried thermal paste.This leads to thermal throttling - the processor automatically lowers the frequency so as not to overheat, which causes lags.

To clean the cooler, you will need:

• 🔧 Screwdriver. T3 (rear-cover).
• 🪛 Plastic blade (so as not to damage the plumes).
• 🌬️ compressed air cylinder or soft brush.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (for cleaning contacts).

Step-by-step:

⚠️ Warning: When disassembling, don't pull the battery plume - it breaks easily! If you're not sure of your abilities, contact the service center. The cost of cleaning the cooler in the workshop is about 500-800 rubles.

If the temperature is still high after cleaning (more than 45).°C in plain, you should replace the thermopaste:

• Arctic MX-4 (most popular).
• Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (for extreme cooling)
• DeepCool Z5 (budgetary alternative).

After replacing the heatpast and cleaning the cooler, check the temperature in the app AIDA64 or CPU Monitor, normal:

• In plain: 30-38°C.
• When loading (games, benchmarks): 45-55°C.
• Critical temperature (throttling begins): 60°C+.

6. Alternative firmware: when nothing helps

If all of these methods fail, the last option is custom firmware, which is a radical way to do it, but it could bring Redmi 9 back to life.

The most stable firmware for Redmi 9 (lancelot):

• 📱 Pixel Experience (Pure Android without unnecessary services) MIUI).
• ⚡ LineageOS (lightweight, optimized for weak devices).
• 🔧 Xiaomi.eu (Light version) MIUI free of advertising and unnecessary applications).

To install custom firmware will require:

1. Unlock the bootloader (via Mi Unlock Tool).
2. Install TWRP Recovery (version for lancelot).
3. Make a backup through TWRP (necessarily!).
4. Switch the selected firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will reset the phone to factory settings! Also, it will void the warranty (if it is still valid). 9T (Lime is not suitable for Redmi 9 (lancelot).

After installing custom firmware, you will receive:

• ✅ Clean Android without background services MIUI.
• ✅ Regular security updates.
• ✅ Ability to fine-tune performance (e.g. via Kernel Adiutor).

Cons:

• ❌ Loss of certain functions, for example, IR Blaster may not work).
• ❌ Risk of “bricking” in case of firmware error.
• ❌ No official support from Xiaomi.

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Custom firmware is the most productive, but it requires technical skills. If you're a beginner, try all the other methods first.

7 Software Utilities for Automatic Optimization

If you don't want to go through the settings manually, you can use specialized applications that automatically clean up garbage, optimize RAM and control background processes.

Top.-3 utility 9:

1. Greenify (paid version) 🔹 Why: Freezes unnecessary applications, preventing them from auto-run. 🔹 How to use: Add Facebook, Mi Browser, Clean Master and other “gluttonous” programs to the list.
2. SD Maid (Free version with limitations) 🔹 What: Deep cache cleaning, removal of empty folders and duplicates. 🔹 How to use: Launch once a week, pay special attention to the “CorpseFinder” section (removes the remnants of remote applications).
3. AccuBattery (free of charge) 🔹 What: Monitoring of battery consumption and processor temperature. 🔹 How to use: Watch the Battery Health section – if the capacity has dropped below 80%, it’s time to change the battery.

You can also use the built-in MIUI The Security app (the shield icon) has it:

• 🧹 Press "Cleaning up» → «Deep cleaning (removes up to 1-2 GB of garbage).
• 🔋 In the Acceleration section, turn off auto-start for unnecessary apps.
• 🛡️ In Privacy Protection, restrict access to location and contacts for suspicious programs.

Automatic utilities are convenient but do not replace manual setup.Greenify, for example, will not be able to disable system services MIUI, SD Maid won't clear the cache of apps that are protected from change. use them as an addition to the basic techniques.

8 When to Admit Failure: Signs of a "Dying" Phone

If you've tried everything, but the Redmi 9 is still slowing down, there may be a hardware problem, and here are the signs that it's time to change or repair the phone:

• 🔋 The battery holds a charge of less than 2-3 hours (capacity below 60% of the original).
• 🔥 Overheating to 60.°C+ In simple (even after cleaning the cooler).
• 🐢 Lags when opening standard applications (for example, “Phone” or “Messages»).
• 📉 Performance drop in benchmarks (for example, in AnTuTu less than 100,000 points).
• 🚨 Spontaneous reboot or shutdown.

If you see at least 2-3 items from the list, the following problems are likely:

If the repair costs more than 30-40% of the cost of a new phone, it makes sense to consider an upgrade. In 2026, worthy alternatives to the Redmi 9:

• Redmi 12 (with Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 and 90Hz screen)
• Poco M6 Pro (with Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 and stereo speakers).
• Realme Narzo 60 with Dimensity 6100+ and AMOLED-screen).

Before buying a new phone, check it for throttling in reviews – some budget models (like those with Helio processors). G36/G85) They are even hotter than Redmi. 9.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 9 acceleration