How to Improve Xiaomi Redmi Phone Performance: The Complete Guide

Why Xiaomi Redmi is starting to slow down and how to fix it

Even the most powerful Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are slowing down over time, ranging from overloaded memory to outdated firmware, but 90 percent of the time, you can solve the problem without going to a service center — optimize the system wisely enough.

The main culprits for the performance decline are background applications that consume CPU resources and littered memory, where temporary files accumulate, especially on the budget models of the Redmi Note and Redmi A series, where hardware resources are limited, but even the flagship Redmi K is not immune to slowdowns if you do not monitor the state of the system.

In this article, we’ll look at the practical methods that really work in 2026, from basic MIUI settings to hidden features for power users. No water, just proven solutions that explain why they work.

1.Cache and garbage cleanup: the first step to speeding up

The fastest way to get back responsive is to delete unnecessary temporary files, which MIUI has a built-in tool for this, but many users neglect it, while app cache can take up to 5-10 GB of storage, which is critical for devices with 64 or 128 GB of storage.

How to clean the cache correctly:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Cleaning (or Settings) → Annexes → Cleaning in new versions MIUI).
• 🧹 Click “Clean” – the system will automatically delete unnecessary files (cache, residual data, empty folders).
• 🔍 For deep cleaning, select Deep Clean and confirm removal (this is safe, but may reset some app settings).

Important: Don't confuse cache cleaning with application data deletion! Cache is temporary files, and the data contains your settings, logins, and game progress. If the app is unstable after cleaning the cache, just restart it.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is even slower after cleaning the cache, it may be a problem with memory fragmentation, in which case a complete reset (see section 6) or transferring data to a memory card (if supported) will help).

2. Optimization of background processes: what can be turned off without harm

MIUI is known for aggressively controlling background processes, but even that doesn’t always save you from lags. Many applications (especially social networks and instant messengers) continue to run in the background, consuming CPUs and RAM. They need to be tamed.

Ways to limit background activity:

• 🚫 Turn off auto-run of unnecessary apps: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Autorun. Turn off everything except system services and instant messengers.
• 🔄 Limit background activity: Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management → Selection of applications. For most applications, select Restricted Mode.
• 📵 Disable notifications from unnecessary apps: Settings → Notifications and status bar → Management of notifications.

Pay particular attention to Google Play Services and Miui Daemon — these services often eat up to 20% of battery life and significantly load the processor. They can not be turned off completely, but you can limit activity through Settings. → Annexes → All applications → [service] → Battery → Limit background activity.

3. firmware update: when it really helps

Many users are afraid to update MIUI for fear that the new version will be “heavier” than the old one, but in most cases updates optimize the system, close vulnerabilities and add features to save resources, for example, MIUI 14 introduced the “Extreme Performance” mode, which prioritizes resources for an active application.

How to properly update the firmware:

1. Check the current version: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Download the update: Settings → About Phone → System Update. If the update doesn’t come automatically, check manually.
3. Before installation, be sure to back up the data (via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset).
4. Install the update by connecting the phone to charge (the battery must be charged at least 50%).

If the phone gets worse after the upgrade, try resetting to factory settings (see section 6).

4. Customize animations and visuals: Hidden reserve speed

MIUI is famous for its colorful animations, but they significantly slow down work on weak devices. Shutting down or reducing the speed of animations can give performance gains of up to 15-20%, especially on Redmi 9/10/Note 11 with Snapdragon 6xx processors.

How to speed up the interface:

• 🎨 Turn off animations completely: Settings → Special facilities → Remove animations (turn on the switch).
• ⚡ Reduce the speed of animations (for power users): activate Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI in the phone settings, then go to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and install:

Window: Animation of scale - 0.5x


Transition: Transition animation - 0.5x




Duration animation -- Off.

It is also recommended to turn off live wallpaper and paralax effects (in wallpaper settings), which not only slow down the system, but also increase battery consumption by 5-10%.

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If after disabling animations, some applications began to open in “twisted”, try to return the default settings and instead activate the “Light” mode in Settings → Screen → Display Mode.

5.Memory optimization: what to do if RAM is constantly clogged

Lack of RAM is one of the main reasons for the lags on Xiaomi Redmi. Even if you have 6 or 8 GB of RAM, unoptimized applications can eat up to 70-80% of resources.

• 🔄 Regular cleaning of RAM through Settings → Memory. → Cleaning memory (or through a widget on the desktop).
• 📱 Use of the function "Memory Extension" (available on models with MIUI 13+): Settings → Memory. → Expand memory: The system will use part of the drive as virtual RAM (up to 3 GB).
• 🚀 Enabling Game Turbo mode to prioritize resources: Settings → Special facilities → Game turbo.

If your Redmi supports microSD cards, transfer heavy applications (such as games or video editors) to it.

1. Insert a memory card (A2 or UHS-I class is recommended).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the application → “Storage” → “Change” → specify the memory card.

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support microSD portability, system utilities and some games (such as Genshin Impact) will remain in internal memory. 4/6) They may slow down the work even more.

6.Reset to factory settings: when it's the only way out

If all previous methods have failed, it's time for a crackdown on the phone, a radical but effective way to get Redmi back to "initial speed," especially if:

• The phone started to slow down after the MIUI update.
• The memory is full of unknown files that cannot be deleted.
• Applications are constantly flying out or not opening.

How to reset your settings without losing important data:

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Move photos and videos to your PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
3. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
4. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.

Once reset, the phone will reboot and be like new. Don't restore data from the backup right away -- check the performance of the clean system first. If the lags are gone, gradually install the apps one by one to identify the brake "culprit."

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Factory reset removes ALL data, including accounts, photos and messages. If you don't sync with Mi Account or Google, important data will be lost forever!

7. Fastboot Flash-through: for power users

If your Redmi is slowing down due to a “curve” firmware (for example, after a failed air update), clean flashing through the Mi Flash Tool can help, USB-cable and knowledge of the basics of working with ADB/Fastboot, But it gives you a guaranteed result.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your PC.
3. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode.
5. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
6. Select the firmware folder and click "Flash".

It takes 5-10 minutes, and after flashing it, the phone automatically restarts, and it also helps if you:

• The phone is not turned on (hangs on the MI logo).
• Artifacts appeared on the screen after the update.
• The system is constantly overheating for no apparent reason.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot flashing removes the bootloader lock, which can cause data loss on the internal drive, and it also voids the warranty if it is still valid.+) You will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions