How to speed up Xiaomi phone: a complete guide to optimization MIUI

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI They are known for their functionality, but over time, even flagship models like Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro.+ The causes range from overloaded memory to firmware errors, and the key problem is that the system is gradually clogged with background processes, cache and unnecessary data that eat up the CPU and RAM resources.

Many users mistakenly believe that the only way to get back to speed is to reset completely to factory settings, but it's a radical solution that deletes all the data, and in practice, 80 percent of the time, it's enough to optimize intelligently without losing files. In this article, we have proven methods of acceleration, from basic (cleaning the cache) to advanced (configuring the processor core), taking into account the features of the processor. MIUI 14 and newer.

We tested all the ways on Xiaomi models of different lines — from the budget Redmi to the premium Mix and Black Shark. The results showed that the integrated approach (combination of software and hardware settings) gives performance gains up to the highest level of the standard. 30-40% Importantly, some methods require superuser rights (root), but most work without them.

If your phone is slower after the update MIUI, It's not always the raw software that's to blame. Most often, the problem is that Google services are not working properly, that the processor is overheating or that the memory is defragmenting. Then there's step-by-step instructions explaining why this or that method works.

1.Diagnostics: Why is Xiaomi slowing down?

Before optimizing, you need to identify the bottleneck. Xiaomi provides built-in tools for analyzing the system, but they are hidden in the depth of the menu.

• 🔋 Battery charge and temperature: when heated above 45°C Snapdragon or Mediatek processor automatically reduces the frequency (trottling). → Battery → Battery status.
• 🖥️ Use of RAM: if less free 1 GB 6-8 GB, the system starts swaping (using the paging file), which slows down. → The phone. → Memory.
• 🗑️ Storage occupancy: when loading memory more than on 85% Read/write speed drops in 2-3 It's best to keep it free. 10-15 GB.

For detailed diagnosis, use third-party utilities:

1. CPU Throttling Test (Trottling Test of the Processor).
2. AccuBattery (monitoring battery discharge and temperature).
3. DevCheck (hardware performance analysis).

⚠️ Note: If you see in DevCheck that the processor is running at a frequency below maximum (for example, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 shows 1.5 GHz instead of 3.2 GHz), this is a sign of trottling).

System cleanup: cache, debris and background processes

The most common cause of brakes is clogged app and system cache. MIUI The cache is not completely cleared through standard settings, so you have to use workarounds.

Step 1: Cleaning the app cache

Go to Settings. → Annexes → App management, select the heaviest app (like Facebook or TikTok) and click Clear Cache:

1. Open Security. → Cleanup.
2. Choose Deep Cleanup.
3. Check the Cash applications and Garbage files.
4. Press Clean (can take up to 5 minutes).

Step 2: Removing unnecessary background processes MIUI aggressively holds apps in memory even when they're not in use to limit it:

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Mode.
2. Choose Performance (for maximum speed) or Balanced.
3. Enable Background Activity Limitation for Unnecessary Applications (e.g. AliExpress or Yandex.Maps).

Step 3: Turning off autoboot

Many apps are launched when the phone is turned on and hang in the background to turn off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Autoboot.
2. Turn off auto-run for all applications except system (Phone, Messages, Google Play Services).

3. Optimization MIUI: slack-ups

MIUI It has a lot of hidden features that make it faster, and most of them are undocumented, but they're used by enthusiasts.

Method 1: Initiation of the performance mode

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 5 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate Do not turn off the screen while charging (for tests) and GPU-acceleration.
5. In the Limitations section, select No Limits.

Method 2: Disabling animations

Animations make the interface look more beautiful, but they slow it down.

1. In Developer Settings, find the items: The scale of window animation → Animation disabled.Scale of transition animation → Animation disabled. Scale of animation duration → Animation disabled.

Method 3: Set up a task scheduler MIUI It uses a personal planner that can be optimized:

1. In the Developer Settings, find Background Process Limitation.
2. Set a value without background processes (risky for stability) or a maximum of 2 processes.

⚠️ Note: Disabling background processes can cause notifications from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) to arrive with a delay.If you depend on operational communication, use the Maximum 4 value of the process.

4.Memory Management: How to Free Up Space and Speed Up Reading/Write

The drive in a smartphone is not only a place for files, but also a "running memory" for the system, MIUI Begins to slow down due to data fragmentation and slow recording.

Step 1: Freeing up the place

• 📸 Photos and videos: transfer them to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) or to PC. Use Gallery → Albums. → Smart cleaning to remove duplicates.
• 🎵 Music and podcasts: remove cached tracks in Spotify, Yandex Music or VK Music.
• 📱 APK-Files: Check the Download folder for outdated app installers.
• 🗑️ System garbage: Use Security → Cleanup → Deep cleaning.

Step 2: Defragmentation of memory

Unlike PCs, smartphones do not have a built-in defragmentation utility, but you can manually start the process:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (File Transfer Mode).
2. Copy all important data to the computer.
3. Format the drive through Settings → Memory. → Format (this will delete all data!).
4. Return the files back.

Step 3: Transfer applications to a memory card

If you have a microSD, transfer some of the applications to it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select an app (like Netflix) and click Storage.
3. Click Change and select Memory Card.

⚠️ Note: MicroSD class memory cards A1 or A2 They're good for porting applications, but they're still slower than internal memory. For games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, this is not a good way to do it, because they require high read speed.

5. Update firmware and roll back to stable version

Sometimes the brakes appear after the update. MIUI. The manufacturer regularly releases patches, but some versions contain bugs that affect performance. MIUI 14.0.3 for Xiaomi 12T There was a bug with overheating of the Mediatek Dimensity processor 8100-Ultra, trottling.

How to check the relevance of the firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If you have a new version, install it. If the current version is the latest version, but the phone is slowing down, try rolling back.

How to get back to stable firmware:

• 🔗 Download the firmware archive for your model from Xiaomi’s official website (choose Stable, not Developer).
• 📁 Move the file to the root folder of the phone and rename it to update.zip.
• 🔄 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Three dots (menu) → Select a firmware file.
• ⚠️ Confirm installation. The phone will restart and install the old version.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware rollback resets all settings to factory! pre-return via Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. Also note that after rollback some features (for example, new gestures in the backup) MIUI 14) may disappear.

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If the phone is warming and slowing after the update, check the CPU settings in developer mode. Sometimes resetting the Preferred refresh rate to the default value solves the problem.

6 Advanced methods: root, custom firmware and cores

If the standard methods didn't work, there are radical measures that require unlocking the bootloader and obtaining the rights of the superuser (root), which cancels the warranty, but gives you complete control of the system.

Method 1: Installation of a custom core

Castom cores (e.g. FrancoKernel or Kirisakura) optimize processor performance, improve power management and reduce trottling.

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires linking the Mi Account to the device).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Download the kernel for your model from the forum XDA Developers.
4. Flush the core through recovery.

Method 2: Optimization with Magisk and Magisk modules allows you to install modules to fine-tune the system.

• 🛠️ Universal SafetyNet Fix – bypasses Google’s restrictions on rooted devices.
• ⚡ Power Efficiency Tweaks – Optimizes battery consumption and performance.
• 🗑️ Systemless Hosts – blocks ads and trackers, unloading the processor.

Method 3: Transition to custom firmware

Firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS are devoid of a “heavy” interface MIUI The downside is the loss of Xiaomi branded features (like Second Space or Game Turbo).

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware can lead to brick if the wrong version is selected. Always check compatibility with your model on the phone. XDA Developers or 4PDA. Also note that after firmware will not updates “over the air” – you will have to install them manually.

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Custom firmware and cores are the most productive, but they require technical skills. If you're not confident, you'd better limit yourself to standard optimization methods.

7. Hardware causes of brakes: when to carry in service

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be the hardware. Here are three hardware malfunctions that cause the slowdown:

• 🔋 Battery: When the battery is degraded to 70-80% The phone starts to limit performance from the original capacity. Check the status in AccuBattery or replace the battery.
• 💾 Damaged flash memory: If the phone reboots frequently or freezes when reading files, memory cells may be damaged. AIDA64.
• 🌡️ Overheating of the processor: if the phone heats up even in simple, check the thermal paste (you need to disassemble the device) or clean the charging and dynamics connector from dust.

How to check for hardware problems:

1. Battery test: Use AccuBattery to check wear. If the capacity has dropped below 80%, it's time to change the battery.
2. Memory test: run ##4636## In the dialer, go to Testing → Storage and check the read/write speed. UFS 2.2 — 500-700 MB/s.
3. Processor test: in AIDA64 Look at the temperature in plain. Normal is up to 35-40°C.

If the phone suddenly began to brake after falling or getting moisture, do not try to optimize it software - carry to the service. Damage to the motherboard or plumes can not be corrected by cleaning the cache.

8.Alternative solutions: cloud phones and lightweight firmware

If your Xiaomi is outdated (e.g. Redmi) 4X or Mi A1), But you don't want to change it, consider alternative approaches:

Solution 1: Cloud Phone

Services like Shadow or GeForce NOW They allow you to run games and applications on a remote server, broadcasting a picture to your smartphone, and you only need a stable Wi-Fi network or a stable Wi-Fi network. 5G.

Decision 2: Lightweight firmware

For weak devices (for example, with a Snapdragon 435), firmware based on Android Go or lightweight versions of LineageOS will suit. They turn off unnecessary services and use a simplified interface.

Solution 3: Connecting to a PC in DeX mode

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi 10 or Mi 11) support desktop mode when connected to a monitor.This unloads the phone, since the basic calculations are performed on a server or PC.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi acceleration