Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones are known for their functionality, but many users face problems: apps open for a long time, animations “pop”, and sometimes the device freezes for 10-30 seconds. The reasons can lie in both software settings and hardware limitations. In this article, we will analyze the unique optimization methods that work even on low-end models of Redmi and POCO with 3-4 GB of RAM – without buying a new phone.
It's important to understand that freezes aren't always associated with weak hardware, and more often than not, MIUI background processes, overloaded cache, or incorrect updates are to blame. We've tested all of these on Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro, and Mi 11 Lite models, the results in the table below. If your phone freezes when you make calls, slows down in games, or spontaneously reboots, follow the instructions in order, from simple to radical.
1. Diagnostics of the cause of the freeze
Before you optimize your system, determine what exactly is slowing down your phone. Xiaomi has built-in analysis tools:
- 📊 Performance Monitor: Go to Settings → The phone. → System monitor. This shows the load on the CPU, RAM and battery in real time. If the RAM graph is constantly "clogged" at 90%, the problem is in the background software.
- 🔍 Error log: in the same section About the phone → Error logs look for notes marked ANR (Application Not Responding is a signal about the hanging of specific applications.
- 📱 Sensor test: sometimes the lags are caused not by the system, but by a faulty display. Check the screen response by using ##6484## (dial in dial number).
If you see on the system monitor that com.miui.home or com.android.systemui consume >30% of the CPU, the firmware problem will help, in which case, resetting the cache through Recovery (section 5) or rolling back to a stable version of MIUI will help.
⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi phone only freezes when connected to Wi-Fi or mobile network, the problem may be in the case of a phone. DNS-ISP servers. Try changing. DNS at 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 in network settings.
2. MIUI optimization: disabling unnecessary functions
MIUI is overloaded with background processes that eat up RAM and battery power.
- 🚫 Animation and transitions: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode. Then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, set: The scale of the window animation → Off. Scale of transition animation → Off, animator time. → 0.5x
- 📵 Background activity: C Settings → Annexes → Application management → Autorun disable autorun for all applications except instant messengers and banking services.
- 🔄 Updates in the background: in Settings → The phone. → System update disable Automatic boot over Wi-Fi – this will prevent hanging during firmware download.
Pay special attention to the weather widget and dark theme. MIUI It is updated every 15 minutes, consuming up to 10% of CPU. AMOLED-screens (Mi 11, Redmi) K40) It saves charge, but on LCD (Redmi Note 9 only adds to the load GPU.
☑️ Optimization MIUI 5 minutes
3. Cleaning up cache and garbage
App cache and system debris are the main culprits of freezes. Xiaomi has two ways to clean up:
- Built-in Security: Open Security (shield icon). Tap Clean → Deep Clean. Select App Cache, Residual Files and Large Files. Click Clear (can be free up to 3-5 GB!).
Manual cleaning through Recovery:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
- Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
- Confirm the action and restart.
For models with eMMC microcontrollers (Redmi 8A, Redmi 9C), cleaning the cache through Recovery gives a greater performance gain than through Security, due to the peculiarities of the eMMC memory, which over time is “contaminated” with fragmented data.
| Cleaning method | Efficiency | Implementation time | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning through Security | Medium (releases 1-3 GB) | 2-5 minutes | All models. |
| Cleaning up the cache in Recovery | High (acceleration by 15-20%) | 5-10 minutes | Models with eMMC (Redmi 7/8/9) |
| Reset to factory settings | Maximum (like a new phone) | 15-20 minutes. | Only when critically suspended |
4. Application management: what to delete and what to leave
Many freezes are caused by poorly optimized applications or their conflict with MIUI.
- 🗑️ Remove system debris: com.miui.analytics (Xiaomi statistics collection) com.xiaomi.midrop (Mi Drop - rarely used) com.miui.videoplayer (standard video player) To remove use ADB (instructions below or App Inspector from Google Play.
- 📱 Replace the standard apps: Launcher: Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher (less lags than lags) MIUI Gallery: Google Photos or Simple Gallery (does not load the CPU when scrolling). Browser: Chrome or Kiwi Browser (built-in Mi Browser brakes due to ads).
- 🔄 Reverse updates: some apps (like Google Play Services) start eating RAM after the update. -k --user 0 com.google.android.gms adb shell pm install -r --user 0 com.google.android.gms.apk (where com.google.android.gms.apk — archetype APK-file).
List of “heavy” applications for Xiaomi (remove or limit their activity):
- Facebook and Instagram consume up to 500 MB of RAM in the background.
- TikTok – heats the processor even in a folded state.
- Clean Master / DU Speed Booster – they slow down the system under the guise of “optimization”.
- Unreal Engine 4 (PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty) games leave the processes behind.
💡
To prevent the application from running in the background, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → [App Name] → Battery → Limit background activity.
5. Resetting: When and How to Do
If Xiaomi's phone is stuck on the logo, doesn't respond to touch, or overheats for no reason, a hard reset will help.
- Reset via Settings (soft): Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset. Select Reset all settings (does not delete files) or Delete all data (complete clean). Confirm action.
It is suitable if the phone is turned on, but slows down.
Reset via Recovery (hard):
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
- Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
- Confirm and wait for the reboot.
- Fastboot reset (for experienced): fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot Requires an unlocked bootloader and PC with the Mi Flash Tool installed.
⚠️ Note: After a hard reset on some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F1) mayhem IMEI. To restore it, use the command: su setprop sys.usb.config rndis,diag,adb (root rights required).
What to do if the phone asks for a Mi Account after a reset?
6. Update or roll back firmware
Hazes often start after the MIUI update. For example, Redmi Note 10 users complained about lags after switching to MIUI 14 due to bugs in the kernel.
- 🔄 Sustainable version rollback: Download firmware from the official website (choose Stable, not Developer). update.zip And put it in the root of the phone's memory. Log in to Recovery and select Install. update.zip.
Manual installation of update:
If the automatic update freezes, download the full firmware package (.tgz) and run through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode.
Installation of custom firmware:
For models with unlocked loader (POCO X3, Mi 9T) suitable:
- Pixel Experience (Pure Android without MIUI)
- LineageOS (stable, but without branded Xiaomi features).
- Xiaomi.eu (MIUI without Chinese software)
Before the firmware check the version of the bootloader with the command:
fastboot getvar antiIf the value of anti is 3 or anti is 4, the official permission from Xiaomi will be required to unlock it (the process takes up to 72 hours).
💡
Updating via OTA (over the air) often results in freezes due to incomplete file installation.Always download the full firmware package (.tgz) and stitch through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode.
Hardware causes of freezes
If the software methods did not help, the problem may be in the hardware:
- 🔋 Worn-out battery: at capacity < 70% of the phone starts to turn off or brake arbitrarily. Check battery status in ##4636## → Battery information. If the wear level > 30%, replacement is required.
- 💾 Memory problems: on eMMC phones 5.1 (Redmi 7, Redmi 8) after 2-3 In the years of use, the reading/write speed drops in the 2-3 Check your memory health with AndroBench (speed) < 100 MB/s - critical).
- 🌡️ Overheating: If the phone is heated above 50°C (check through) CPU Monitor, throttling (automatically lowering CPU frequency) causes lags. Causes: clogged radiator (clean once a year) faulty thermal paste (relevant to the CPU) POCO F1, Black Shark: Use of non-original RAM (especially with fast charging).
To diagnose hardware problems, use tests:
# Test of RAM (RAM)
##36446337## → RAM Test
Flash memory test
##6437## → Storage Test
Camera and sensor test
##0*## → LCD & Camera Test⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi phone freezes while charging, check the cable and power supply. Cheap Quick Charge-enabled RAMs can give off unstable voltages, causing the power controller to reset the system. Use only original accessories or certified ones. Anker/Baseus.
8. Alternative acceleration methods
If the standard methods do not work, try:
- 🔧 Shutdown MIUI Optimization: In Settings → Additionally. → For developers, turn off: Optimization MIUI (Reboot the phone after that!!! Animation when on/off. Check GPL-Compatibility (accelerates application launch). ⚡ Use of the GPU-Rendering: In the same developer settings, enable: Forced GPU-rendering (improves interface smoothness). GPU-Redirects (removes artifacts in games). 4x MSAA (Only for games, in normal mode, turn off!). 📡 Change of the firmware region: firmware for India (IN) China (CN) Optimized better than global (EEA). To change the region: Download the firmware for IN From xiaomifirmwareupdater.com. Swipe through Fastboot with the fastboot flashall team. Extreme method: if Xiaomi phone brakes due to a weak processor (e.g. Redmi) 5A with Snapdragon 425), install a light firmware like MIUI Lite or Android Go. These builds disable background processes and use a simplified launcher. FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi hangouts ❓ Why Xiaomi is slowing down after the update MIUI? Updates are often incorrectly installed due to: Interrupted file download (for example, if Wi-Fi turned off during the update); conflict with old settings (especially if there was custom firmware before); errors in the new version MIUI (for example, MIUI 13.0.4 was a bug with lags in com.android.systemui.Solution: make Wipe Cache in Recovery or roll back to the previous version. ❓ How to speed up Redmi Note 8 Pro? it lags in games.Redmi Note 8 Pro on Mediatek Helio G90T warming and braking due to: Trottling (automatic frequency reduction when overheating). Weak single-core performance (in games like Genshin Impact) FPS fall 10-15). Problems with drivers Mali-G76 MC4. Solution: Install Game Turbo from Settings → Special facilities → Game mode. Turn off VSync in the developer settings. Use cooling pad to cool. ❓ Phone freezes when calling - what to do? problem typical of models with Mediatek (Redmi) 9, POCO M3) and related to: VoLTE and VoWiFi conflict; com.android.phone error; modem malfunction (if the phone is not yet catching the network); Solution: Turn off VoLTE in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Use VoLTE. Reset network settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting network settings. If the problem persists, run the modem separately through Fastboot: fastboot flash modem. NON-HLOS.bin fastboot erase modemst1 fastboot erase modemst2 ❓ Can you speed up Xiaomi without resetting? Yes, try: Disable secondary spaces in Settings → Special facilities → Secondary space (they eat RAM). Install Greenify to hibernate background applications. Use SD Maid for cleaning system debris (root required). Enable Performance Mode in Settings → Battery → Modes. These methods give you a performance boost on the 10-15% data-free. ❓ Which Xiaomi models are the least slowed down? Based on the test results (2026 year), most stable models: Model Processor RAM Lag Level (1-10) Xiaomi 13 Lite Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 8 GB 2 POCO F5 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 8/12 GB 3 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Mediatek Dimensity 1080 8 GB 4 Xiaomi 12T Pro Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 12 GB 1 Worst in stability: Redmi 10A (lag-score 8/10), POCO M4 Pro (7/10), Redmi Note 11 Snapdragon on Snapdragon 680 (6/10).