How to improve the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: a complete guide to optimization

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (The codename whyred is still a popular smartphone due to its reliable hardware: the Snapdragon processor. 636, 3/4 GB RAM and battery on 4000 But over the years, even this machine begins to slow down, especially after the updates. MIUI Unlike the newer models, the Redmi Note. 5 It doesn’t support the latest version of Android, but its performance can be returned to its original level — or even improved — with system settings, cleaning, and smart optimization.

In this article, 7 proven ways to speed up the phone, from basic (cleaning the cache, turning off animations) to advanced (overclocking the processor, flashing to custom software). All methods are tested on the Redmi Note 5 with MIUI 12.5 and Android 9/10, but will also be suitable for other Xiaomi devices on the Snapdragon 600 series.

1. Cleaning the system: remove garbage and unnecessary files

The first step is to free up space in memory. The Redmi Note 5 has only 32/64 GB of internal memory (of which ~10 GB is used by the system), and when it is filled by 80%+, the phone starts to brake.

• 🧹 Cleaning the application cache: go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select any application (e.g. Google Play Services) and click Clear Cache. Repeat for all commonly used programs.
• 🗑️ Removing unnecessary files: C Settings → Memory. → Clean up, click Deep Clean up – this will delete temporary files, logs and remnants of remote applications.
• 📁 Transfer of files to SD-card: if you have a microSD model (up to 256 GB), transfer photos, videos and music to Settings → Memory. → Data portability.

For deeper cleaning, use third-party utilities:

⚠️ Note: Do not use “optimizers” like this DU Speed Booster or Clean Master – they consume resources themselves and often show false warnings about “viruses.” MIUI sufficient for basic cleaning.

2. MIUI optimization: disabling animation and background processes

MIUI is known for beautiful animation, but on the Redmi Note 5, it only slows down.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Go back to Settings → More → For developers and find:

Auto-update system

USB debugging

Next, we will limit the background processes:

• 🔄 B Settings → Battery → Select “charge savings” to limit background activity.
• 🚫 B Settings → Annexes → Application management → Autorun disable autorun for unnecessary programs (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music).
• 📵 B Settings → Communication and exchange → Mobile network disable "Data Autoboot in the background».

Disable animation in the developer settings|Limit background processes in "Auto-Run"|Select "charge saving" mode"|Reconfigure auto-update applications-->

These changes will immediately accelerate the opening of applications and reduce the heat of the processor, but if the phone is still lying, then move on to the next step.

3. Update of firmware: official and custom options

Redmi Note 5 officially supports MIUI 12.5 based on Android 10 (last updated in 2022).If your version is older, update it:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on “Check Updates” and wait for the download (weight ~1.5-2 GB).
3. Connect the phone to charge and click "Install".

If the official firmware does not suit (for example, due to advertising in MIUI), consider custom options:

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware resets all data and can lead to loss of warranty.Be sure to unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool before firmware is installed and make a backup in the app. TWRP.

If you don't want to take the risk, try a rollback on the older version of MIUI (like MIUI 11 on Android 9).Some users note that it runs faster on the Snapdragon 636.

1. Download the desired version from Xiaomifirmwareupdater.com.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the memory.
3. In System Update, click on three points → “Select a firmware file.”

4. Overclocking and optimization of the processor (for advanced only)

The Snapdragon 636 in the Redmi Note 5 has 8 cores (4×1.8GHz + 4×1.4GHz), but it defaults to energy-saving mode. You can slightly increase performance through nuclear settings, but it will reduce battery life and increase heating.

This will require:

• 🔧 Unlocked bootloader and root rights (instructions: XDA Developers).
• 📱 Kernel Adiutor or FrancoKernel.

Recommended settings (caution!):

• 🔥 Increase Max. Raise the frequency. CPU up to 1958 MHz (by default 1800 MHz).
• ⚡ Turn it on. CPU Boost and set the Boost Time for 5-10 seconds.
• 🌡️ Turn off thermal throttle (but watch the temperature!).

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Before overclocking, check the current temperature of the processor in the AIDA64 app. If it is above 40 ° C in the idle, first clean the phone of dust (see section 6).

⚠️ Attention: Overclocking shortens the life of the processor and can lead to thermal throttling (automatic frequency reduction when overheating — +100-150 MHz to standard frequency.

An alternative to overclocking is undervoltage, which reduces heat and increases run time without loss of performance. To do this, in Kernel Adiutor, find the Voltage Control section and reduce values by 25 to 50 mV for each core.

5. Application Management: What Can Be Removed Without Risk

MIUI contains many pre-installed applications (bloatwers) that cannot be removed by standard means, but they take up memory and resources. Here is a list of secure applications for uninstalling system applications (root or ADB required):

pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer  # Mi Video


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player        # Mi Music




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.notes # Notes




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.scanner # Scanner




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser #Browser




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.weather2 #Weather




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.payment      # Mi Pay




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.cloudservice # Mi Cloud (if not used)




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.cloudbackup # Backup




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop        # Mi Drop

For removal without root:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging via USB.
2. Download ADB AppControl.
3. Select apps from the list above and click “Uninstall”.

Do not delete:

• ❌ com.android.settings (Settings)
• ❌ com.miui.home (Luncher)
• ❌ com.miui.securitycenter (Security)

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Removing system applications does not affect the warranty unless root is used. The ADB method is completely safe and reversible (applications can be recovered through reset).

After cleaning, restart your phone. You'll notice that:

• 📱 Increased space in the section /system.
• 🔄 The number of background processes will decrease.
• 🔋 Battery consumption will decrease (5-10%).

6.Physical Optimization: Battery, Cooling and Battery

Redmi Note 5 is often overheated due to:

• 🔥 Dust radiator (especially if the phone falls).
• 🔋 Battery worn out (after 2-3 years of use).
• 📶 Long-term networking 4G/LTE.

How to fix it:

1. Dust cleansing: Turn off your phone and remove the back cover (need a mediator or suction cup). Gently blow the radiator (above the processor) with compressed air or a soft brush. Check the thermopaste - if it's dry, replace it with the Arctic MX-4.
2. Battery replacement: Original battery for Redmi Note 5 — BM47 (4000 mAh, 3.85 V. Replacement cost at the service center: ~1500–2500 ₽. Signs of wear: the phone turns off at 20-30%, quickly discharges into idle.

Optimizing charging

• Use the original power supply (5V/2A or 9V/2A).
• Turn off Fast Charging in Settings → Battery if the phone is warming up.
• Charge up to 80% – this will extend the battery life.

To check the status of the battery:

• 📊 Install AccuBattery and analyze battery health (normal 80%+).
• 🔋 Enter the code #4636 in the engineering menu## → «Battery information».

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If the phone turns off at 15-20% charge, calibrate the battery: fully discharge (before switching off), then charge to 100% without interruptions. Repeat 2-3 times.

7.Alternative launchers and lightweight applications

The standard MIUI launcher consumes up to 300-400 MB of RAM, which is critical for the Redmi Note 5 with 3 GB of memory.

Also replace the “heavy” applications with lighter versions:

• 📷 Google Go instead of Google Chrome (savings) ~100MB of RAM).
• 📸 Facebook Lite instead of Facebook.
• 💬 Messenger Lite instead of the standard Messenger.
• 🎵 Spotify Lite or YouTube Music instead of Spotify.

For maximum productivity:

• 🖼️ Use static wallpaper instead of living.
• 🎨 Turn off the transition animation in the launcher settings.
• 📂 Remove widgets (especially weather and news) – they are constantly updated in the background.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi Note optimization 5

Formatting SD as internal memory

• Put it in. SD-card (class 10 or UHS-I).
• Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map → Configure as an internal storage.
• Follow the instructions (the data on the map will be erased!).