How to Improve Xiaomi Phone Performance: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI They're known for their price-performance balance, but even the most powerful models start to slow down over time, and the reasons can range from overloaded memory to unoptimized system settings. This article will help you understand how to return the previous “drive” to your device without radical measures such as resetting to factory settings.

We will look at both software methods (cleaning the cache, turning off animations) and hardware nuances (battery optimization, heating control). 10 Pro to Xiaomi 14 Ultra and relevant to MIUI 12-14. We pay special attention to hidden functions. MIUI, which the manufacturer does not advertise, but which can radically speed up the operation of the interface.

Important: If your smartphone is older than 2019 (like the Redmi Note 7 or Mi 9), some methods may require root rights or custom firmware — we’ll note these cases separately.

1. Diagnosis of the current state: what exactly is inhibiting?

Before optimizing, you need to understand bottlenecks. MIUI There are built-in tools for analysis:

1. Performance Monitor: Go to Settings → The phone. → All characteristics → System status. This is the loading display. CPU, Real-time storage and storage.
2. Battery report: in Settings → Battery → Battery usage can be seen which applications are using up the most resources.
3. Speed Test: Use the AnTuTu Benchmark app (free on Google Play) to evaluate performance CPU, GPU memory.

Typical “symptoms” of an overloaded smartphone:

• 🐢 Delays in opening applications (more than 2 seconds)
• 🔥 Overheating for simple tasks (for example, in messengers)
• 📉 A sharp drop FPS in games (from 60 to 30 frames)
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge (more than 10% per hour in standby mode)

If you see in the system monitor that com.miui.home (launcher) consumes more than 15% CPU — This is a signal to clear the cache or change the shell, and if the mediaserver has a problem (over 20% of the download), it is likely that the damaged media files are to blame.

⚠️ Note: If the AnTuTu indicator UX (User Experience below 50,000 – Your smartphone needs comprehensive optimization, not spot fixes.

2. Cleaning the system: remove garbage and cache

The first step to speed up is to release memory. MIUI There's a built-in cleaning tool, but it only removes surface debris:

Remove the app cache manually|Clean the Downloads folder|Remove duplicate photos/video|Disable the autoload of unnecessary applications|Check the Thumbnails folder-->

Manual cleaning of the cache (more effective than the built-in tool):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort by size (cache size).
3. For each cache-based application >100MB press Clear Cache.

Pay particular attention to:

• 📱 Facebook/Instagram — cache can reach 1-2 GB
• 🎮 Games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact – up to 5GB
• 📷 Gallery (Google Photos, Mi Gallery) – miniatures occupy hundreds of MB

Use it for automation. SD Maid (requires root) or Files by Google (no root:

• Residual files after uninstallation (.obb,.apk)
• Empty folders
• Duplicate media files

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications like com.android.systemui – this can cause interface failures.

3. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Settings for Acceleration

MIUI It contains dozens of hidden parameters that affect performance, some of which are available through the Developer Settings (include tap on version). MIUI 7 times).

Key settings for acceleration:

• 🛠️ Windows → Animation. = Off (removes delays when opening applications)
• 🖥️ Transitions → Animation. = Off. (accelerates screen change)
• 🔄 Background processes → Standard Limitation (Limits Application Activity)
• 🎯 GPU-acceleration → Enable Forced (for games and heavy applications)

For models with Qualcomm Snapdragon (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F4) Option Restriction of heat in Developer Settings → Performance restriction: Set the value Do not limit if the smartphone does not overheat.

Optimization RAM:

V MIUI 13/14 It's called Expand Memory (which uses a portion of the internal memory as RAM) to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Expand memory.
2. Select the volume (recommended) 2-3 GB for devices with 6-8 GB RAM).
3. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with UFS 2.1 (For example, Redmi Note 10) Expanding memory can reduce the speed of reading/write 10-15%. Nana UFS 3.1 (Xiaomi 13) There's no effect.

4. Background and autoboot management

One of the main advantages MIUI — But by default, the system is too "smooth" with applications, which leads to a very flexible management of background tasks:

• 🔄 Constant sync (e.g. WhatsApp updates every 5 minutes)
• 📱 Automatically launch applications when connected to Wi-Fi/mobile
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption

How to limit background activity:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Permits required → Auto-start.
2. Turn off auto-run for all applications except instant messengers and system services.
3. In the same menu, select Background Activity and set Restricted mode for unnecessary applications.

For deep optimization, use adb commands (you need a PC connection):

adb shell cmd appops set <package_name> RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND deny


adb shell cmd appops set <package_name> RUN_IN_BACKGROUND deny

Replace. <package_name> to the application ID (e.g. com.facebook.katana for Facebook).

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To find the name of any application package, install App Inspector from Google Play. It shows not only the package name, but all active permissions.

Exceptions for important applications:

• ✅ Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) – leave auto-run
• ✅ Navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps) – allow background geolocation
• ❌ Social Media (TikTok, Instagram) – Limit
• ❌ Games – Turn off auto-start completely

5.Storage optimization: from formatting to file system selection

Xiaomi performance is heavily affected by internal memory status, even on devices with a high-end memory. UFS 3.1 (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) a fragmented file system may reduce the read/write speed of 20-30%.

How to check the state of memory:

1. Install the A1 SD Bench from Google Play.
2. Run a Read/Write Test (Random) 4K QD32).
3. Compare the results with the references for your model (for example, for UFS 2.2 norm — 300/150 MB/s).

If the speed is below normal:

• 🔧 Format as internal memory (if used) SD-map)
• 🗑️ Clear the folder. /Android/obb (It's the caches of games)
• 🔄 Move heavy applications to SD-card (if supported)

Optimal memory structure:

⚠️ Attention: On devices with eMMC 5.1 (Like Redmi. 9A) It is not recommended to store games on SD-This reduces productivity on the map. 40-50%.

To completely reset the file system (if the speed is critically low), do:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleaning → Deep Cleaning.
3. Select Format as New (Delete All Data!)

6.Firmware and kernel updates: when it really helps

Updates MIUI But it's not just new features that often bring in performance optimizations, but not all updates are equally useful:

• 📲 Stable versions (e.g., stable versions, MIUI 14.0.5) – undergo long-term testing but may contain stripped-down functions.
• 🧪 Beta versions (e.g, MIUI 14.1.23.4.10.DEV) — They contain the latest optimizations, but can be unstable.
• 🔧 Custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu, Pixel Experience) – remove bloatware but require unlocking the bootloader.

How to properly update:

1. Check the current version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Download the full service package (.zip) from the official website MIUI Downloads.
3. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Select an Service Pack.

For older devices 2020 years (e.g. Mi) 9T or Redmi Note 8 Pro) current firmware based on Android 12/13 from the community xiaomi.eu:

• 🚀 Removing all Chinese services (saving up to 1 GB of memory)
• 🔒 Weekly security updates
• 🎨 Icon themes and fonts from Google Pixel

Update of the kernel (for advanced users):

The Linux kernel in Xiaomi can be replaced with custom (for example, FrancoKernel or Kirisakura).

• ⚡ Improved management CPU/GPU (on 10-15% higher-performance)
• 🔋 Optimized energy consumption
• 🎮 Support KCAL (color-rendering)

⚠️ Warning: A mismatch between the kernel and firmware versions can lead to bootloop.Always check for compatibility on the forum XDA Developers.

7 Hardware methods: when software does not help

If all of the above methods fail, the problem may be iron.

• 🔋 Worn-out battery (capacity) < 70%) → limit productivity
• 🔥 Clogged radiator → This leads to trottling (reducing frequency). CPU)
• 💾 Damaged memory (eMMC/UFS) → read/write errors

How to check the status of the battery:

1. Install AccuBattery from Google Play.
2. Charge the phone to 100% and discharge to 0% (calibration).
3. Check the Health (Battery Health) setting.

If the capacity is lower 70%, Replacement is recommended.For Xiaomi models 2020-2023 (e.g. Redmi Note) 11) Original batteries are worth it. 1 500–2 500 ₽. Important: Use only batteries with labels ATL or SDI — cheap-assisted 2-3 less.

Cooling and trottling:

Overheating above 45°C causes the processor to lower the frequency (trottling:

• 🧊 Use a cooling case (e.g. Black Shark Cooling Backplate)
• 🪛 Replace the heat paste (relevant to the POCO F3/Xiaomi 11T)
• 🌬️ Clean the air vents (especially on Black Shark)

Use the trolling test to check the CPU Throttling Test from Google Play. If the test shows a frequency drop below 50% of the maximum, your smartphone overheats.

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Replace thermopaste with Xiaomi with Snapdragon 888/8 Gen 1 (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro) may reduce the temperature by 8-12°C and increase the operating time at high frequencies on 20-30%.

8. Alternative firmware and custom ROM

If standard methods don't help, consider installing custom firmware. Popular options for Xiaomi:

How to choose firmware:

• 📱 For everyday use: xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience
• 🎮 For gaming: CrDroid or Evolution X (optimized for performance)
• 🛡️ For maximum stability: LineageOS

Step-by-step installation (on the example of xiaomi.eu):

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires linking the Mi Account to the device).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model (you can download it on twrp.me).
3. Download the firmware xiaomi.eu (for example, miui_HMNote10Pro_EEA_V14.0.1.0.SKFMIXM_v14-13.zip).
4. V TWRP run the Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik, Cache, Data, System.
5. Install the firmware through Install.
6. Reboot (first launch takes place) 10-15 minute).

⚠️ Note: On devices with Dynamic Partition (e.g. Xiaomi) 12) Fastboot delete-logical-partition product_a, Invalid sparse file format at header.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi optimization