How to Make Xiaomi Fast: From Basic Settings to Deep Optimization

Your Xiaomi has slowed down, apps have been slow to open, and the interface twitches when scrolling? These are typical symptoms of "clutter" system that appear even on flagships after 1-2 years of use. The reasons can vary from overloaded cache to unsuccessful MIUI updates. The good news is that in 90% of cases, the speed can be restored without replacing iron.

We tested all the current methods on models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra and selected only those that give real performance gains. In this article, step-by-step instructions from simple (clear the background) to advanced (build.prop setting), as well as a table comparing the effectiveness of each method. Importantly, some tweaks require unlocking the bootloader - we separately noted such items.

1.Diagnostics: Why Xiaomi is slowing down?

Before optimizing, you need to understand the root of the problem. Brakes on Xiaomi are divided into 3 categories:

• 📱 Software: overloaded cache, background processes, viruses or update curves MIUI.
• 🔧 Hardware: wear of the drive (especially on budget models with eMMC), overheating of the processor.
• 🔄 System: memory fragmentation, partition errors /data or /system.

Quick test: open Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 5 times on the line with the build number. If the notification “You became a developer” appears, then the system is still “live” and the brakes are software. If the phone freezes for 10+ seconds already during this action, the problem is deeper (possibly damaged system files).

For accurate diagnosis, use the hidden menu of engineering tests:

1. Please dial the phone application ##4636##.
2. Go to the tab "Battery Information".
3. See CPU Use graph** – if the CPU load exceeds 30% in plain, look for a virus or a “gluttonous” application.

Basic cleaning: cache, debris and background processes

Start with the simplest thing, deleting temporary files. Even if you clean your phone manually regularly, MIUI leaves up to 3 to 5 GB of invisible garbage in your system folders.

• 🧹 Cleaning the application cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Filter (all) → Clear the cache. To speed up, select sorting by cache size.
• 🗑️ Disposal of garbage MIUI: Security → Cleanup → Deep cleaning. Turn on the "Residual Files" and "Cache of mini-programs" check boxes».
• 🚫 Disabling Autostart: Settings → Battery and productivity → Autorun control. Turn off autorun for instant messengers, games and social media.

Pay special attention to /MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder – it stores backups of system applications that can weigh up to 1-2 GB. Delete it through any file manager (for example, Mi File Explorer) with root rights or connect the phone to a PC.

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After cleaning the cache, restart the phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → “Reboot in Safe Mode”). If the phone is faster in safe mode, the problem is in one of the user applications.

3. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Settings and Tweaks

MIUI has a lot of hidden features that can be enabled via the Engineering Menu or ADB. These tweaks do not require root rights, but give a noticeable increase in speed:

The most effective tweak is disabling MIUI Optimization, which is responsible for “beautiful” transitions and animations, but often conflicts with the Android kernel. Once it is turned off (reboot required), the interface will become less glamorous, but noticeably faster. In tests of the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, the speed gain in the benchmark Geekbench was 12-15%.

Radical measures: dumping and firmware

If the basic methods didn't work, it's time to move to "heavy artillery." Resetting to factory settings deletes all user data, but returns the phone to a "sink" state. Do this only after you back up!

Save contacts in Google Account | Copy photos/video on PC | Record usernames/passwords from apps |Delete your Mi Account (if you sell your phone)

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Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Delete all data” (do not “Reset settings!”).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After reset, don't restore data from the MIUI backup - it may contain the same errors that caused the phone to brake. Install the apps again and configure the phone from scratch.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Poco) X3, Redmi 9) post-discharge IMEI. To avoid this, check for files before resetting. /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/MP0B_001 root-wire.

If the reset doesn't work, you just have to reflash the phone. Only download the official firmware from MIUI Download. Use the Mi Flash Tool for Fastboot, and the standard update menu for Recovery.

5. Hardware restrictions: when nothing helps

On budget models (Redmi 8A, Poco C3), the brakes can be associated with hardware: a weak processor (Snapdragon 439) or a slow memory eMMC 5.1. In such cases, even a reset will give a temporary effect.

• 🔋 Battery replacement: Worn-out battery (capacity) < 70%) makes the processor run in power saving mode, which reduces performance.
• 💾 Transfer of applications to SD-Map: Use the class map A2 and transfer heavy games to it through Settings → Annexes → Warehouse.
• ❄️ Cooling: If the phone overheats (above 45)°C), remove the cover and use a cooling stand.

For models with eMMC (not UFS), defragmentation will help. Install Storage Analyzer and check the /data partition fragmentation level. If it exceeds 20%, defragment with ADB:

adb shell


su




e2fsck -f /dev/block/mmcblk0pXX

(Replace the mmcblk0pXX with your data section)

⚠️ Warning: Defragmentation on worn eMMC memory can speed up failure.Do this no more than 1 time in 6 months.

6. Alternative firmware: custom ROMs

If stock MIUI doesn't suit you, consider custom Android firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience) that lacks the heavy MIUI interface and often works faster.

• ⚠️ Requires unlocking the bootloader (resets all data!).
• 📱 Certain functions (IR-blaster, NFC) may not work.
• 🔄 Updates are less frequent than in the official MIUI.

Instructions for installing Pixel Experience:

1. Unlock the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock.
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model.
3. Download the firmware from the Pixel Experience website and upload it to your phone.
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (enter yes).
5. Install firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

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Custom firmware gives performance gains of up to 40% on older models (Redmi 5, Mi A1), but requires technical skills. On new flagships (Xiaomi 12 and above), the difference with MIUI is minimal.

7.Prevention: How to avoid brakes in the future

To prevent Xiaomi from slowing down again, follow the simple rules:

• 📵 Do not install cleaners (such as Clean Master) – they consume resources and often contain advertising.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI once every 2-3 months (but not immediately after release – wait for reviews about bugs).
• 📦 Use the “light” versions of applications (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 🔋 Do not discharge the phone to 0% - this accelerates the wear of the drive.

For automatic optimization, set up scheduled maintenance:

1. Open Security → Cleanup → Settings (cogs) → Planner.
2. Turn on Auto Clean and set a schedule (e.g. every Monday at 3:00).
3. Activate “Memory Optimization” – this closes the background processes when the screen is locked.

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Regular reboot (1 every 2-3 days) resets the kernel cache and prevents system processes from hanging. Set up automatic reboot via MacroDroid.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi speed