How to Improve Xiaomi Redmi 9A Performance: The Complete 2026 Guide

Why Redmi 9A is slowing down and how to fix it

Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones due to the ratio of price and functionality. However, over time, even this unpretentious device begins to slow down: applications open for a long time, animation twitches, and the battery goes down in half a day, the reason for this is a weak MediaTek Helio G25 processor, only 2 GB of RAM and features of the MIUI firmware, which actively consumes resources in the background.

In this article, we'll look at 10 proven ways to get the Redmi 9A back to factory speed, from basic settings to deep optimization. No root or risky manipulations: only safe methods that won't take away your warranty. And if you've tried cache cleaning and it hasn't worked, at the end of the article, you'll find solutions for the most neglected cases.

Spoiler: the greatest increase in performance gives the switch off background activity of Xiaomi system applications and the transition to lightweight firmware MIUI Lite – This can speed up your smartphone 30-40%. But everything in order.

1. Cleaning up memory and cache: the first step to speeding up

To start with, the obvious is to vacate space. The Redmi 9A has only 32 GB of internal storage (of which ~22 GB is available), and when less than 10% of the available space is left, the system starts to slow down. Here's what to do:

• 📱 Remove unnecessary apps: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management and sort by size. Remove games you don't use and duplicate instant messengers (for example, if you have WhatsApp, Telegram, and Viber installed).
• 🗑️ Clear the cache: in the same app management menu, select Clear the cache for each of them. Pay special attention to Google Play Services, YouTube and Facebook — they take hundreds of megabytes.
• 📁 Move files to your memory card: If you have a microSD installed, move photos, videos and music to Settings → Warehouse → Data portability.

Important: Do not manually clean the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) through Settings → All applications → Show system. This can cause interface failures.

Remove unused apps (especially games)

Clean the cache manually for top-5 "heavy-handed

Transfer media files to microSD (if any)

Check the "Downloads" folder for junk files

Disable autosave photos in messengers-->

After cleaning, restart your smartphone. If you have more than 15% of the available space, but the brakes are still there, move on to the next step.

2. MIUI optimization: disabling unnecessary functions

MIUI is not just an Android shell, it's an entire ecosystem with a bunch of background processes, many of which can be safely turned off without breaking the system.

• 🔄 Turn off auto-update: go to Settings → The phone. → System update and deactivate Auto boot over Wi-Fi. Updates weigh up to 2GB and brake the phone during installation.
• 📊 Turn off the collection of statistics: in Settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Special permits → Usage statistics, turn off all switches. This will reduce background activity.
• 🎵 Remove animation: activate Developer Mode (click 7 times on Version) MIUI In About Phone, then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers install: Animation windows = Off. Transition animations = Duration of the animator = 0.5x

Auto-update of applications

Interface animation

Xiaomi statistics collection

Background synchronization

It's okay. I like it. MIUI how-->

Warning: Do not disable Google Play Services, which will cause most apps to fail. Instead, limit its background activity in Settings → Apps → Google Play Services → Battery → Background Activity → Limit.

⚠️ Attention: if after disabling the animation, the screen began to twitch when scrolling - return the settings to 1x. On the Redmi. 9A helio-processor G25 Complete shutdown of animations can cause artifacts.

3. Setup of autoboot and background processes

One of the main reasons for the brakes is the apps that start when you turn on your phone and hang in the background, and MIUI has hidden tools to control this:

1. Turn off autoboot: Go to Settings → Apps → App Management. Select an app (e.g. Facebook) → Autorun → Turn off. Repeat for all social media, messengers (except those you need critically) and games.
2. Limit background activity: In the same application management menu, select Battery → Background activity → Limit for unnecessary applications. This will prevent them from using CPUs when they are folded.

For advanced users, if you want to completely block background activity for all applications except a select few, use the Greenify app (ADB requires).

4. Lightweight firmware: MIUI Lite vs Stock

If your Redmi 9A runs on standard MIUI, then switching to a lighter version can give a performance boost of up to 40%. Xiaomi officially releases MIUI Lite for weak devices - it is devoid of unnecessary animations, unnecessary services and optimized for 2 GB of RAM.

How to determine:

1. Download the latest version of MIUI Lite for Redmi 9A (codename dandelion) from Xiaomi’s official website (select Stable → MIUI Lite).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Select a firmware file.
3. Select the downloaded file and wait for the check. ~10 minutes).

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Before installing MIUI Lite, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. Lightweight firmware can reset some application settings.

The difference between MIUI Lite and the standard version is:

• ✅ No heavy widgets and animations.
• ✅ Simplified launcher without effects.
• ✅ Unnecessary system services disabled (for example, Mi Cloud by default).
• ❌ There are no features (e.g. Game Turbo and Second Space).

⚠️ Attention: if after installation MIUI Lite has stopped working banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online) - go back to standard firmware. Some applications check system integrity and are blocked on modified versions.

5. Battery and processor optimization

The Redmi 9A has a default performance mode that overclocks the processor and quickly lands the battery, to balance speed and autonomy:

• 🔋 Select the power mode: go to Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery mode and set Balanced.This will limit the maximum CPU frequency to 1.8 GHz (instead of 2.0 GHz in Performance mode), but reduce heating and brakes.
• ❄️ Turn off the heating: if the phone overheats (above 45)°C), activate Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Shut down. HW-It'll reduce the load on the overlays. GPU.
• 🔄 Reset the battery adaptation: if autonomy has fallen to 4-5 Calibrate the phone: Charge the phone before 100% and hold on to the charger. 2 Turn it off and discharge it until 0% (Charge again before it turns off. 100% non-interrupted.

To check the temperature and load, use the CPU Monitor app. Normal readings for the Helio G25:

• Temperature: up to 40°C in plain, up to 60°C under load.
• CPU usage: Up to 20% in the background, up to 70% in games.

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If the CPU temperature is consistently above 50°C, it's either a system overload or a battery failure, and the first is a factory reset, the second is a battery replacement.

6.Alternative launchers and lightweight applications

The standard MIUI launcher consumes up to 300 MB of RAM even in simpler times.

• 🏠 Launchers: Nova Launcher (configure with animations disabled); Lawnchair (optimized for weak devices); Microsoft Launcher (works well with 2GB of RAM).
• 📱 Lightweight apps: Replace Facebook with Facebook Lite. Use Messenger Lite instead of the main messenger. For YouTube, install NewPipe (no Google Services required). How to install an alternative launcher: Download APK from the official website (e.g. Nova Launcher) Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Install unknown applications. Click Home and select the new launcher as your primary. After you replace the launcher: Disable the widgets (they load the system). Set static wallpaper instead of live. Turn off Smart Assistant in the launcher settings. 7. Reset to factory settings: Last chance If all previous methods didn't work, do a hard reset. It will delete all the data, but it will return the phone to its original state. Important: Before reset: Back up photo/video on PC or cloud Record logins/passwords from accounts (Mi Account, Google) Make sure you know the password from Mi Account (required after reset) Remove the memory card (if there is one)--> Resetting Instructions: Go to Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Setting reset. Select Erase all data. Confirm and wait for the reboot. ~5 After reset: Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It will bring back the old settings and the garbage. Install only the necessary applications (no more). 10-15). Turn off auto-update and background activity immediately (see section) 3). ⚠️ Warning: If after resetting the phone requires you to enter the Mi Account password, and you do not remember it, do not try to guess. 5 Incorrect attempts to block the device 72 hour. In this case, contact Xiaomi Support with proof of purchase. 8. Hardware solutions: if software methods do not help if Redmi 9A slows down even after resetting and optimization - the problem may be in the "iron": 🔋 Battery wear: if the phone turns off when 30-40% The battery has lost capacity. Replace it (cost) ~1500-2000 ₽). Signs of wear: Bloating of the body. Rapid discharge (c) 100% before 0% post 2-3 Overheating when charging. 🛠️ CPU overheating: if the phone heats up without load (for example, in a simple to 50°C, maybe the heat paste has dried up. ~1000 ₽. 💾 Memory problems: if applications suddenly close or there is an error "Insufficient memory" 10+ GB of free space is a sign of wear and tear on the eMMC drive. Solution: Replacing the motherboard (~3000-5000 ₽). To diagnose the "iron" use: AccuBattery - check the status of the battery. CPU Throttling Test (reduced processor frequency due to overheating). AIDA64 — If the diagnostics show problems with iron and the phone is warranty, contact the authorized service center Xiaomi. FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi acceleration 9A Can I overclock the processor on Redmi? 9A No, no, no, no, no, no. MediaTek Helio processor. G25 redmi 9A In fact, even a forced increase in frequency through the kernel adiutor (requires root) will lead to overheating and trottling, the phone will brake even more. MIUI Lite (see section 4) Will installing custom firmware (like LineageOS) speed up your phone? In theory, yes, but in practice, it is for Redmi. 9A It's risky: There are no official LineageOS builds for dandelion, only unstable ports from the community. Without root and unlocking the bootloader, custom firmware cannot be installed (and unlocking will reset all data and can lead to a brick). Castom firmware often breaks the camera, Wi-Fi or mobile network on MediaTek chips. If you're not a seasoned user, you'd better stay on the phone. MIUI Lite. Why after the update? MIUI Xiaomi often adds new features in updates that increase the load on weak devices. MIUI 12.5 Heavy animations of Super Wallpapers appeared. MIUI 13 added background optimization for games that eats up RAM Solution: roll back to the previous firmware version via Fastboot or install MIUI Lite (see Section 4) How to Check Which Application Is Loading the CPU? Use the built-in monitor: Activate Developer Mode (7 taps according to Version) MIUI). Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers → Monitor CPU. Enable the display of use CPU Or install Simple System Monitor from Google Play, which will show you the top loading processes. 9A Is it 2026 or better to take something new? 9A 2026 is suitable only for basic tasks: ✅ Calls, messengers, watching videos. ✅ Not demanding games (Brawl Stars, Clash Royale). ❌ Not suitable for Genshin Impact, PUBG high-set. ❌ Not recommended for multitasking (e.g., YouTube at the same time) + Chrome + Alternatives in the same budget (up to 10,000) ₽): Redmi A2+ (4GB of RAM, a newer processor). POCO C50 (redmi 9A, But with a clean Android Go. Samsung Galaxy M04 (Better optimization, but weaker iron).