How to improve the performance of Xiaomi Redmi 9: from simple settings to deep optimization

Xiaomi Redmi 9 remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even years after its release, but over time, many users face brakes, hanging and slow interface. The reasons lie in the accumulation of garbage, outdated firmware, overloaded memory and suboptimal settings. MIUI. The good news is that in 90% of cases, performance can be returned to (or even surpassed) factory levels without iron replacement.

This article is not just a collection of tips, but a structured methodology that focuses on specific Redmi weaknesses. 9: Helio G80, 3/4 GB of RAM and eMMS, we'll break it down as software tricks (including hidden functions) MIUI 12/13/14), All methods are tested on current versions of firmware and do not require root rights.

Important: the results depend on the current state of the device. If the smartphone dies from battery wear or physical damage, software optimization will only have a temporary effect.

1.Diagnosis: Why is Redmi 9 slowing down?

Before optimizing, you need to identify bottlenecks. Redmi 9 has typical public sector problems:

• 🔋 RAM shortage: 3-4 GB are quickly clogged with background processes, especially in the MIUI 12+ multitasking.
• 🗑️ Memory: app cache, residual files after updates, duplicate photos in the Gallery.
• 🔄 Fragmentation of eMMS: Cheap memory “wears out” over time, especially with frequent records (for example, in messengers).
• 🤖 Outdated software: firmware older MIUI 13 contain memory management errors.
• 🔌 Hardware wear: discharged battery (<80% Capacity) forces the processor to work in energy saving mode.

To pinpoint the problem precisely:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and check the relevance of the firmware.
2. Run Settings. → Annexes → System status (or use Security App) → Optimization. You can see the RAM and CPU loading here.
3. Install AccuBattery (from Google Play) to check the battery health.

Critical information: if in Settings → So you see the battery saying, "Battery condition: bad," and you can only optimize the software for 20 to 30 percent improvement, and the priority is to replace the battery.

Memory Cleanup: Remove garbage without harming the system

EMMS memory at Redmi 9 (32/64/128 GB) has a limited record life, and the more trash, the slower it gets. Let's start with cleanup safely:

Integrated tools MIUI

• 🧹 Cache cleaning: Settings → Warehouse → Clear cache (deletes temporary files of all applications).
• 🗑️ Removal of duplicates: Gallery → Albums. → Duplicate (MIUI automatically finds repeated photos).
• 📁 Large files: Settings → Warehouse → Analysis of the vault → Large files (delete unnecessary videos and APK).

Manual cleaning (for advanced)

Some files are not visible through the standard interface. Use the File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer) and check the folders:

• /storage/emulated/0/Download — downloaded.
• /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — cache of games and applications (can be manually cleaned).
• /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Backup — backups.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in folders /system, /vendor or /data/data It's rootless. It's going to crash the system!

2.3 Optimizing storage for games

If you play heavy games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile), transfer them to the memory card (if supported):

1. Insert microSD (class) UHS-I higher).
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → Memory card and select Format as internal storage.
3. In Google Play, select a game → Warehouse → Change. → Memory map.

Warning: Once formatted as internal storage, the card cannot be used on other devices without being completely cleaned.

3. RAM control: how to free up memory without closing applications

Redmi 9 with 3 GB of RAM suffers from a memory shortage more than the version with 4 GB. But even 4 GB are quickly clogged due to features MIUI: The system aggressively caches applications, leaving few resources for active tasks:

Background activity shutdown

• 🚫 Limiting Background Processes: Activate Developer Mode: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times. Go back to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, find the Background Process Limitation and select Process Maximum 2.
• ⚡ Disabling Autostart: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Auto-Start (Disable for Unnecessary Applications).

4.2. Transition to a lightweight topic

Dark themes and minimalist wallpaper reduce the load on the GPU. Recommendations:

• 🌑 Install. AMOLED-black theme (Settings) → Screen. → Topics).
• 🖼️ Use static wallpaper instead of live (Settings) → Screen. → Wallpaper).
• 🔍 Turn off interface blur: Settings → Screen. → Blurring background → Shut down.

Disconnecting unnecessary functions MIUI

Many chips MIUI They are in the background and slow down the system:

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Disabling Second Space and XiaoAI gives the greatest performance gains – up to 15-20% on tests in AnTuTu.

5. Application optimization: what to remove and how to set up

Even after cleaning up the system, some applications continue to steal resources, and we'll figure out how to deal with them.

List of the most voracious applications

These programs are most often to blame for the Redmi 9 brakes:

• 📱 Facebook and Facebook Messenger – Always working in the background, even if you don’t use them.
• 🎮 High-demand games (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire – Leave processes in memory.
• 📺 TikTok and YouTube – caching video in high resolution.
• 📊 Avast (Avast, 360 Security) - scan the system in real time.

5.2 Alternatives to heavy applications

5.3 Greenify setup for automatic hibernation

Greenify is a utility that freezes unnecessary applications, preventing them from working in the background.

1. Install Greenify from Google Play.
2. Provide access to Special Opportunities (Settings) → Special opportunities → Greenify).
3. Add to the hibernation list: Social media (Facebook, Instagram), Messengers (Viber, Skype), Games and heavy services (Google Play Services - careful!).

Aggressive regime

⚠️ Warning: Do not add system applications (MiuiHome, Security) to Greenify – this will lead to the collapse of the interface!

6 Update and Firmware Reflash: When It Really Helps

Outdated firmware is one of the main causes of brakes. MIUI 12 and older have optimizations for Helio G80, But it's not always easy to upgrade.

Verification of the current version

The current version of the firmware can be found in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Up-to-date versions for Redmi 9 (codenamed Lancelot):

• 📱 MIUI 14 (Android 12) - the latest official version.
• 📱 MIUI 13 (Android 11) – Stable but less optimized.
• ❌ MIUI 12 and below – contain critical memory management bugs.

6.2 How to update if OTA doesn't come

If you are automatically updated (Settings) → Software update) not working:

1. Download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website (link).
2. Select a region EEA (Europe) or Global.
3. Download the file with the.zip extension.
4. Go to Settings. → Update of the PO → Three points. → Select a firmware file.
5. Select the downloaded file and wait until it is completed.

6.3 Castom firmware: is it worth the risk?

Installing custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can give you performance gains, but there are risks:

• ✅ Pros: Cleaner Android without “garbage» MIUI. Regular security updates.
• ❌ Cons: Loss of warranty, possible camera or sensor bugs, installation difficulty (requires unlocking the bootloader).

If you do, follow the instructions on XDA Developers for the lancelot model. recommended firmware: Pixel Experience Plus (based on Android 13).

7 Hardware Limitations: What Can Be Done With Iron

If software methods didn’t help, the problem could be in hardware.The Redmi 9 has the following hardware weaknesses:

• 🔋 Battery: After 300-500 charging cycles, the capacity drops to 70-80%, forcing the processor to work in energy saving mode.
• 💾 EMMS: Cheap chips lose read/write speed after 1-2 years of use.
• 🔥 Overheating: Helio G80 warms up under load, which causes trottling (automatic frequency reduction).

Replacement of the battery

If the battery capacity has dropped below 80% (checked by AccuBattery), it is worth replacing. BM47 (5020 mAh Replacement cost at the service center: ~1500–2500 rubles.

⚠️ Warning: If you replace yourself, only use batteries with a thermal sensor. Cheap analogues without a sensor can cause overheating!

Cooling of the device

Overheating reduces productivity by 30-40%.

• 🧊 Use a cooling stand when playing games.
• 📴 Remove the case during charging or heavy use.
• 🔄 Clean the charger connector from dust (it blocks the heat sink).
• 🛠️ Replace the heat paste (in the service center). -5–10°C under load.

Optimization of eMMMS memory

If the memory is worn out (checked through the AIDA64 → Warehouse → Health conditions, will help:

• 🔄 Formatting (full reset via Settings) → Resetting settings).
• 📥 Transfer applications to a memory card (see section 2.3).
• 🛑 Opting out of frequent recordings (for example, disable auto-save on WhatsApp or Telegram).

8 Optimization for Games: How to Make the Most of Helio G80

MediaTek Helio G80 Redmi 9 can pull modern games at low settings, but requires the right setup. FPS and reduce friezes:

8.1. Customization of graphics in games

The best settings for popular games:

8.2 Use of Game Turbo

MIUI Game Turbo optimizes resources for games:

1. Open the game.
2. Swipe down from top to top to open the notification bar.
3. Slip on the Game Turbo icon (gamepad icon).
4. Enable options: Performance Mode Block notifications Background Clearance (closes unnecessary processes).

Reduced screen resolution

Redmi 9 screen has a resolution 720p, But some games render the graphics in higher resolution to reduce the load:

1. Activate Developer Mode.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the Minimum Width and set the value of 360 dp (instead of the standard 392 dp).
4. Reset the device.

This will reduce the resolution of the interface and games, which will give +10–15% FPS.

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Combination of Game Turbo + lowered-permission + Graphic settings “Low” can increase FPS 30-50% games without loss of gameplay.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi optimization 9