How to improve your Xiaomi: from software optimization to hardware upgrades

Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their value for money ratio, but even flagship models eventually begin to “brake”, discharge faster or overheat. Fortunately, most problems are solved without going to the service center – just know which settings to optimize, which applications to remove, and where hardware intervention is required.

This article will suit both owners of budget Redmi and POCO, and users of premium Xiaomi 13/14 or Mix Fold.

• 🔧 Software tricks to speed up MIUI (including hidden functions)
• 📱 Hardware improvements that really work (and don’t require soldering)
• 🔋 Ways to extend battery life without replacing battery
• 🚀 Alternative firmware and their pros/cons for different models

All recommendations have been tested on the current versions of MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS, but most tips work on older devices (starting with the Xiaomi Mi A1 in 2017).

1.System Cleaning: What to Remove to Make Xiaomi Fly

The first thing that slows down any Xiaomi is the pre-installed software and background processes, and even after resetting to the factory settings, the system is clogged with unnecessary services.

• 🗑️ Built-in applications MIUI, which you do not use: Mi Video, Mi Music (if you use YouTube) Music/Spotify) Mi Browser (replace on Chrome or Firefox) Mi Pay, Mi Credit (do not work outside of China/India) Game Turbo (unless you play mobile games)
• 👻 Hidden System Processes: Disable the Miui System Ads (MSA) ADB: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolutionRemove Analytics (statistics collection): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics
• 📦 Cash and garbage: Use Settings → Memory. → Clean (but don’t trust the built-in “optimizer” – it often deletes the necessary data). SD Maid (requires root or ADB-access).

⚠️ Note: Do not manually remove system applications through Settings → Apps – This Could Lead to a Crash MIUI. Use only. ADB-commands or specialized utilities like Universal Android Debloater.

Remove unnecessary MIUI-applications ADB|Disable auto-run for social networks and messengers|Clean the cache manually (do not trust automatic cleaning)|Check the list of background processes in Settings → Battery → Battery utilization-->

2. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Settings for Speed

The MIUI shell (and the new HyperOS) offers dozens of hidden features that can be enabled to speed things up, most of which don’t require root rights, but some are hidden in the Developer Settings.

To activate them:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified “You became a developer”).
3. Return to the main settings menu and a new section for developers will appear.

Now turn on these options:

💡 Useful advice: If after the shutdown MIUI Optimization has stopped navigation gestures, return the setting back and use a third-party launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher).

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To return standard MIUI animations after experimentation, reset the settings in For Developers → Reset settings.

3. Hardware Improvements: What Really Works

If software optimization doesn't work, it's time to think about hardware upgrades. Not all improvements require soldering or disassembly -- some can be done on their own in 10 minutes.

• 🔋 Battery replacement: Xiaomi's average battery life — 2-3 If the phone is running out of power 3-4 It's time to change, for models with a non-removable battery (like the Redmi Note). 10 Pro) use original batteries with a chip NTC — Otherwise, the phone will not show the percentage of charge.
• 💾 Memory enhancement: In models with microSD support (e.g., microSD, POCO X3) set up a class map A2 or UHS-I For phones without a card slot (e.g. Xiaomi 13) use OTG-supportive USB 3.0.
• 🌡️ Thermopaste for the processor: If the phone overheats (especially Snapdragon) 888/8 Gen 1), replace the heatpaste with MX-4 or Arctic Silver. ⚠️ Warning: Do not use liquid metal – it conducts electricity and can close the board!

📌 Key Conclusion: The Most Effective Hardware Improvement for Older Models (Redmi Note) 8/9) — battery replacement + dust cleaning, it will bring back 30% productivity.

4. Alternative firmware: whether to switch from MIUI

If you're annoyed by MIUI ads, lags, or no updates, you can install custom firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware resets the warranty and can lead to a brick (breakdown) of the phone:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a wait of 7-15 days).
2. Make a backup through TWRP or adb backup.
3. Check firmware compatibility with your model on the XDA Developers forum.

🔹 For beginners: Start with Xiaomi.EU is a modified MIUI without advertising, which retains all the features of the original firmware.

5. Battery Optimization: How to Prolong Battery Life

The battery is the weakest part of any smartphone, and even if you don't change the battery, you can slow it down by a little bit. 20-30% through these methods:

• 🔌 Proper charging: Avoid charging before 100% and discharge below 20% — range: 30-80%. Use original chargers (especially for models with Fast Charge).
• ⚡ Energy saving settings: Enable Settings → Battery → Power saving mode (but not ultra mode, it disables background tasks) Turn off Permanent sync for unnecessary accounts (Google, Mi Account).
• 🌡️ Temperature control: Do not use your phone in the sun or when charging - overheating above 40°C kills the battery. Remove the case while charging (especially for models with wireless charging).

📊 Test: Check battery health through AccuBattery app. If capacity has dropped below 80% of its original capacity, it's time to think about replacing it.

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The most harmful scenario for the battery is to play heavy games (such as Genshin Impact) when connected charging. The temperature can rise to 50 ° C, which reduces the battery life by 2-3 times.

6. Camera Improvement: Software and Hardware Hacks

Cameras in Xiaomi are often criticized for overprocessing (especially in budget models), but even the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Mix Fold 3 can be improved:

Programmatic methods:

• 📸 GCam (Google Camera): Set a GCam port for your model (search on the GCam port). XDA or 4PDA). Set up a config for better color reproduction (for example, BSG Wichaya for Snapdragon models).
• 🎛️ Manual settings MIUI Camera: Turn it off AI-scenes and enhancements HDR — They often spoil the pictures. Use the format. RAW post-processing in Lightroom.

Hardware improvements:

• 🔍 Additional lenses: For macro photography: Xenvo Pro Lens (mounted to the main camera) For wide-angle shots: Moment Wide Lens (compatible with the main camera) POCO F4 newer).
• 💡 External flash: Connect LED-panel through USB-C (Use a softbox for even lighting.

⚠️ Note: Not all GCam ports are stable, and some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 with MediaTek) may not run Night Sight or Portrait Mode.

7.Game settings: how to squeeze the maximum FPS

If you play Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG or Genshin Impact, standard MIUI settings won’t give you maximum performance.

For Snapdragon processors:

1. Enable Developer → Debug GPU → Enable 4x MSAA.
2. Install Game Booster 5 (built into MIUI) and activate Pro mode.
3. Use ThrottleStop (requires root) to overclock the CPU/GPU (but watch the temperature!).

For MediaTek processors:

1. Turn off MIUI Optimization (see Section 2).
2. Install the MTK Engineering Mode and upgrade the Min Clock CPU to 1.2 GHz.
3. Use Coolify for forced cooling (requires root).

📊 Comparison FPS on POCO F5 (Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 in Call of Duty Mobile:

8 Security and Privacy: How to Protect Xiaomi from Spying

Xiaomi has been involved in scandals over data collection and vulnerabilities in MIUI to protect its data.

• 🔒 Turn off statistics collection: Go to Settings → Memory. → Autorun and disable msa, Analytics. delete via ADB: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics
• 🛡️ Protection against malicious applications: Install NetGuard (network traffic blocker without root). Disable installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special access).
• 🌐 VPN and DNS: Use Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) or AdGuard DNS To block ads, for complete anonymity, install Orbot (Tor for Android).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi is required to provide data to authorities on request in China. If you are concerned about privacy, consider LineageOS without Google services.

FAQ: Frequent questions about improving Xiaomi