How to make Xiaomi smartphone smoother: step-by-step guide 2026

Even Xiaomi's most powerful smartphones slow down over time. Apps open for a long time, animations hang over, and the interface reacts with a delay. The reasons can range from overloaded memory to failed MIUI updates. But don't rush to buy a new phone - 90% of the time, performance can be restored by software.

In this article, we’ll look at 7 proven ways to make your Xiaomi smoother without losing data. From basic settings to advanced tweaks, choose the right difficulty level. All methods have been tested on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13T models, but will also work for other devices on MIUI 14/15.

Important: Before any manipulation of the system, back up important data. Use the built-in Xiaomi Cloud or third-party services like Google Drive.

1. Cleaning the system: remove garbage and cache

The first step to smooth operation is to free up memory space, and a full storage of 80 percent+ automatically slows down the system because of data fragmentation.

Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see the categorization of memory. Pay special attention to the Garbage and App Cache sections. Click Clear next to each.

For deep cleaning, use the application "Security" from Xiaomi:

• 🧹 Quick Cleanup – Deletes temporary files and remnants of deleted applications
• 🔍 Deep scanning – finds duplicate photos, large files and unused APK
• 📦 Cache Clearance – Resets cache for all applications (without data loss)

Professional advice: if after cleaning less than 10 GB is free - transfer photos and videos to the cloud or to a memory card. MIUI begins to slow down noticeably with a shortage of free space.

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Clean the cache of apps you don’t use daily (such as games or rare messengers) regularly, which will free up up to 1-3 GB of space.

2. Optimization of autoload and background

Many apps run automatically when you turn on your phone and run in the background, consuming resources.

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Auto Run. Here you will see a list of all programs with the ability to disable autoboot. Leave only messengers, calls and critical services (for example, banking applications) on.

To limit background activity:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management
2. Select Balanced or Charge Saving mode (the second one more restricts background processes)
3. In the “Background Limitation” section, add apps that shouldn’t work in the background (like games or social media)

On models with MIUI 15, Deep Optimization is introduced. Activate it in Settings → Special Options → System Optimization. This option automatically allocates resources between active and background tasks.

3. Customization of animation and visual effects

MIUI uses 1x latency animation by default, which creates the illusion of "brakes" even on powerful smartphones. Reducing animation time makes the interface visually faster:

Activate the Developer Mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified that you are a developer)
3. Go back to the main settings and open a new section for developers.

In the developer section, find:

• 🎞️ "The scale of the window animations - set 0.5x or disable (Animation disabled)
• 🔄 "The scale of transition animation is the same value 0.5x
• ⚡ "The duration of the animator" — 0.5x

For models with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) additionally disable "Screen On/Off animation" in Settings → Screen. → Animation of the system, which will speed up the response to unlocking.

4. Update firmware and reset to factory settings

Often the brakes are caused by bugs in the current version of MIUI. Check for updates:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update
2. Click "Update Check"
3. If a new version is available, install it (preferably via Wi-Fi)

If the updates don’t help, do “Soft Reset” (no data loss):

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings
2. Select "Resetting" (not to be confused with a full reset!)
3. Confirm the action – the phone will restart with clean settings, but stored data

For a cardinal solution, make a full reset (Hard Reset):

⚠️ Warning: This will delete ALL data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. → Xiaomi Cloud or Google Account.

Instructions for Hard Reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10 seconds
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion

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Factory reset eliminates 70% of software brakes, but should only be used after other optimization methods.

5. Optimization through ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods do not help, use them. ADB-This is a technique that requires a computer and basic knowledge:

Preparation:

1. Download Platform Tools from Android
2. Turn on "Debugging by" USB" In Settings → For developers
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the device

Basic commands for optimization (enter in the command line):

adb shell settings put global window_animation_scale 0.5


adb shell settings put global transition_animation_scale 0.5




adb shell settings put global animator_duration_scale 0.5




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics # Disables Analytics Gathering




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.ab # Disables advertising services

For models with MIUI 14+, add:

adb shell settings put global force_fps 90 # Forced includes 90 Hz (if supported)


adb shell settings put global miui_optimize_memory 1 # Memory optimization

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not disable system services called com.android. or com.qualcomm. - these are critical components.

6. Alternative firmware (for enthusiasts)

If your Xiaomi is still slowing down, consider installing custom firmware.

Installation process:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (Xiaomi account required)
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox)
3. Download the firmware from the official website (for example, xiaomi.eu)
4. Fly through recovery with full Wipe (Wipe → Format Data)

Important: Installing custom firmware will void warranty and may result in a brick device. Use only proven sources.

7 Hardware Methods: When Nothing Helps

If the software methods did not give a result, the problem may be in the hardware:

• 🔋 Worn-out battery – when degraded below 80%, performance drops due to system constraints
• 🔥 Overheating – Check the temperature in Settings → The phone. → Battery status
• 💾 Destroyed memory – run the test using ##6484## (Manual Test) → eMMC Test)

Decisions:

• Replace the battery (original for Xiaomi is worth it) 1500-3000₽)
• Clean the dust charger connector (use a wooden toothpick)
• Reinstall the heat paste on the processor (for models over 2 years old)

For diagnostics, use the CPU Throttling Test app from the Play Market. If the test shows constant trottling (performance restriction) of more than 30%, the problem is precisely overheating or the battery.

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Hardware problems can't be solved software-based. If you have brakes left after all the manipulations, contact the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions