How to speed up Xiaomi Redmi 9A: from cache cleaning to deep MIUI optimization

Xiaomi Redmi 9A — One of the most popular budget smartphones, but over time, even it begins to “slow down”: apps open for a long time, animation twitches, and the battery goes down in a few hours. G25, everything 2/3 GB of RAM and overloaded shell MIUI. Fortunately, you can return speed without root rights and complex manipulations.

In this article, 7 proven ways to speed up the Redmi 9A, from basic (cleaning the cache, turning off animations) to advanced (setting the developer, replacing the launcher). All methods are tested on current versions of MIUI 12/13/14 and do not require special knowledge. You will also learn why resetting to factory settings on the Redmi 9A often backfires - the phone starts to brake even more after 1-2 weeks, and how to avoid this.

1.Diagnosis: Why did the Redmi 9A get slow?

Before you optimize your smartphone, you need to understand the reason for the brakes. Redmi 9A usually has three:

• 📱 RAM overload: 2-3 GB of RAM is quickly clogged with background processes. Even closed applications (such as Facebook or TikTok) continue to hang in memory.
• 🗑️ Cracked cache: system cache (/cache) cache of applications (/data/dalvik-cache) They grow to gigabytes, slowing down reading/writing.
• 🤖 MIUI-Xiaomi’s pre-installed services (Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) eat up to 30% of resources even in standby mode.

To check the current status of the smartphone:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the “Kerole” line (developer mode will turn on).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and find items: CPU statistics will show the load of cores. Memory will display free RAM. Working time will indicate “voracious” applications.

Critical: If the Memory section is less than 300-400 MB free, the smartphone is running at its limit, in which case cleaning the cache and turning off the background processes will give a minimal effect - deep optimization will be required (see sections 4-6).

Basic cleaning: cache, debris and background processes

Start with simple steps that don’t require root rights and take no more than 5 minutes.

Cleaning up the app cache

Cash speeds up the software, but eventually becomes a junk dump to clean it up.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the “heavy” app (like Chrome or Instagram).
3. Slip the vault. → Clear the cache.

For automatic cleaning, use the built-in Optimization tool (the “broom” icon on your desktop) or the CCleaner app (only from the official Google Play!).

Disabling Autostart and Background Activity

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

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Autorun.
2. Disable autorun for all programs except messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and system services.
3. Go back and select Permissions → Background activity – limit it to unnecessary applications.

Warning: Do not turn off background activity for Google Play Services and MIUI System – this will cause malfunctions in the smartphone.

Systemic debris disposal

MIUI creates temporary files that are not automatically deleted.

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Select Cleanup. → Deep cleaning.
3. Check the boxes against all points and click Clear.

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If your phone is still slowing down after cleaning, try turning off Windows Animation in your developer settings, which will speed up the transitions between apps by 15-20%.

3. MIUI Optimization: Disabling Unnecessary Functions

The MIUI shell is overloaded with visuals and services that eat up resources, and turning them off will boost productivity by up to 25 to 30 percent.

Disabling animation and transitions

MIUI uses smooth animations by default, which look beautiful but slow down on a weak iron, to remove them:

1. Activate Developer Mode (see Section 1).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the items: Window animation scale — select No animation. Transition animation scale — select No animation. Animation duration — set 0.5x.

Shutdown MIUI-bloke

Xiaomi installs dozens of unnecessary apps on the Redmi 9A that can’t be removed by standard means.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find in the list: Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser; GetApps, Mi Pay, Mi Credit; Cleaner, Security (if not used).

Shut down.

Confirm

Setting up energy saving

Battery mode in MIUI limits performance, but it can be customized to suit your needs:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select Performance Mode (if available).
3. In Battery Optimization, disable restrictions for frequently used applications.

Note: If you play heavy games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact), turn on the Game mode in the notification curtain - this will allocate additional resources for the application.

4 Advanced methods: launcher, firmware and core

If the basic methods didn't work, it's time to move to "heavy artillery," which takes longer, but gives you a noticeable increase in speed.

Installation of a light launcher

The standard MIUI launcher consumes up to 500 MB of RAM, and its replacement with a Nova Launcher or Lawnchair will unload the system:

1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Set it as the default launcher (Settings → Home Screen).
3. In Nova settings, turn off animations and widgets.

Updating the firmware to the latest version

Xiaomi regularly releases updates that optimize the Redmi 9A to check the relevance of:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If you have an update, download it and install it.
3. After the update, reset the cache (see Section 5).

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Updating the firmware through MIUI Updater (the built-in app) is safer than manual firmware through Fastboot.The latter can lead to a blink if the wrong version is selected.

Change the kernel scheduler (for advanced ones only)

The Linux kernel in Redmi 9A uses the default cfq scheduler, which is not optimal for weak iron. Replacing it with bfq or deadline can speed up work by 10-15%, but requires root rights:

1. Install Kernel Adiutor from Google Play.
2. Open the CPU → I/O scheduler.
3. Select BFQ and restart your phone.

Warning: Incorrect kernel settings can cause overheating or data loss, and if you're not sure, skip this step.

5. Reset to factory settings: when and how to do it right

Hard Reset is a last resort that helps if the phone is too slow, but on the Redmi 9A, the problem is that once it's reset, it fills up again in 1-2 weeks.

Preparation for discharge

1. Save important data (photos, contacts) on Google Drive or PC.
2. Write down the logins/passwords from the accounts (they will erase!).
3. Make sure the battery is 50%+ charged.

The discharge process

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

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After reset, don't rush to install all the apps at once. Add 2-3 programs a day and monitor performance. You'll find voracious software.

6. Alternative firmware: should you switch to caste?

If all methods are tried and Redmi 9A is still slowing down, the radical way is to install custom firmware, which will remove MIUI and replace it with naked Android (like LineageOS) or optimized build (Pixel Experience).

The pros and cons of custom firmware

How do you install custom firmware?

The process requires unlocking the bootloader and installing the TWRP.

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Xiaomi account and wait 7 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi 9A (the version must match the device’s codename, dandelion).
3. Download firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) and GApps (Google services).
4. Using TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data, then run the firmware and GApps.

Warning: Failure to unlock or firmware can permanently shut down your phone. If you're not sure, see a specialist.

7. Hardware restrictions: when nothing helps

If the Redmi 9A is slowing down even after all the manipulations, the problem may be in the hardware:

• 🔋 Worn-out battery: when the degradation is below 70%, the phone begins to triple and spontaneously shut down.
• 🔥 Overheating of the processor: if Redmi 9A heats up above 50°C, triggers trottling (forced frequency reduction).
• 💾 Damaged memory: Broken sectors on an eMMC drive slow down reading/write.

To check the condition of iron:

1. Install AIDA64 and check the processor temperature in the Sensors section.
2. Use AccuBattery to diagnose the battery.
3. If the phone overheats, remove the case and avoid playing in the sun.

If the problem is in the battery or memory, the only way out is repair. Replacing the eMMC chip will cost 3-5 thousand rubles, the battery - 1-1.5 thousand rubles.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions