The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro, based on the legendary Snapdragon 650 processor, has become the king of mid-range performance. However, as time goes on, modern applications are getting heavier and the MIUI shell is getting more features, which inevitably affects the speed of even such a hardy device. Users often notice that the interface is starting to slow down and it takes longer to launch familiar programs than before.
In this article, we will discuss a comprehensive approach to system optimization that will return your gadget to its former friction. We will not offer dubious “accelerators” from the app store that only eat resources, but will focus on deep system configuration, disabling excess visual debris and competent management of background processes.
Before you start radical steps like flashing, you should try software optimization methods that are available to every owner. Properly preparing the device is the foundation of stable operation, and ignoring the basic steps makes no sense. In most cases, it is the integrated approach that gives you a tangible increase in productivity.
Primary cleaning and memory management
The first step to speed should be to review the occupied space. The built-in memory of the eMMC 5.1 device used in this model loses significantly in write and read speed when it is more than 80% full. The system begins to have difficulty creating temporary files and cache, which leads to friezes.
Use the standard security application built into MIUI. Despite the criticism, the cache clearing algorithms there work quite efficiently for basic needs. Go to the Cleanup section and delete temporary files accumulated during the use of the browser and messengers. It is also worth looking at the storage settings and removing unnecessary videos or transferring them to a memory card.
Pay special attention to instant messenger folders like Telegram or WhatsApp, which tend to grow to gigabytes, clogging memory with media files you haven't even viewed, and removing old keys from these applications often frees up critical gigabytes.
After physical file cleaning, you need to manage RAM (RAM). In the multitasking menu, press the Menu button (three bars) to open the memory acceleration settings. Add frequently used applications to the exception list (whitelist) so that the system does not unload them from memory too aggressively, paradoxically saving charge and speeding up re-start.
Disabling MIUI System Advertising and Services
One of the main reasons for MIUI firmware's slowdown is the background load of ad modules and analytics, which consume Internet traffic, load the processor when drawing banners and take up RAM, and turning off ads is not only a matter of comfort, but also a real way to speed up the system.
To start, you need to disable the msa service (MIUI System Ads). Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Access to personal data. Find the "msa" list and turn off the slider. The system will repeatedly insist on leaving the service on, agree to disconnect and wait for the timer to expire in 10 seconds.
⚠️ If you failed to disable the msa service from the first time and the timer did not appear, repeat the procedure 3-4 Sometimes it takes several attempts to get Xiaomi servers to allow the shutdown.
Next, remove personalized ads in system applications. Go to Settings → Password and Security → Access to personal data (or “Privacy”) and find the “Receive recommendations” option. Disable it. Also, go to the built-in apps: Music, Themes, Downloads and Explorer in the settings of each of them, find the “Receive recommendations” switch and deaktivate it.
Disabling these services reduces the strain on the network interface and the processor, and you'll notice that the pages in the browser are opening a little faster, and the lags when switching between windows are reduced, especially for older models, where every megahertz of the processor counts.
Customization of animations and interface
The visuals of Android and MIUI are built on animations, which make transitions smooth, but on older screens and processors can create the illusion of slow work, and speeding up or turning off animations is the easiest way to make the interface “responsive.”
To access these settings, activate the developer menu. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on MIUI Version. Once you have become a developer, go back to the main settings menu.
Now go to Advanced Settings → For developers. Find the section related to drawing (usually near the end of the list).
- 🎨 Windows animation - set the value 0.5x or "No animation».
- 🎨 Transition animation – set the value 0.5x or "No animation».
- 🎨 Duration of animation – set the value 0.5x or "No animation».
Changing these parameters instantly changes the perception of how fast a smartphone is, and the windows open abruptly, without delay in rendering transitions, but it's worth remembering that when you think of "No animation," the interface can seem twitchy.
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Try setting a 0.5x value instead of shutting it down completely, which will keep MIUI's visual style smooth, but it will speed up the system's response by half.
Also, the developer menu should find the item “Phoenymic processes” and limit their number if you do not use many applications at the same time. Setting a limit “No more than 2 processes” will free up resources for active applications, but can lead to more frequent reboot of background programs.
Optimization of screen and launcher
The standard MIUI launcher is pretty heavy on 2016 iron: it constantly indexes widgets, updates the news feed and consumes a significant portion of the graphics accelerator resources. Replacing the standard launcher with a lighter counterpart can give a tangible boost to the FPS in the menu.
It is recommended to try launchers like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair. They consume less RAM and do not have built-in advertising modules. After installing a third-party launcher, the system may try to return you to the standard, so in the settings Advanced Settings → Home Screen and Recent you need to choose the installed alternative.
Another important aspect is screen resolution and fonts. The Redmi Note 3 Pro has a FullHD screen that is hard to pull on the Adreno 510 graphics chip in heavy interfaces. The developer menu contains the Minimum Width (DPI) item, which is usually around 360-392.
Increasing this value (e.g., to 420 or 450) will make the interface elements smaller but visually unload the system, as it will have to draw fewer pixels for each element.
| Parameter | Standard value | Optimized value | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Window animation | 1x | 0.5x | Accelerates the opening of applications |
| Background processes | No restrictions. | No more than 2. | Frees RAM. |
| Min. width (DPI) | 392 | 420 | Reduces the load on the GPU |
| Dark subject matter | Disconnected. | On. | Saves charge (on AMOLED is not relevant, but reduces brightness) |
☑️ Checklist of interface optimization
Application and Autoboot Management
Many Android apps tend to run with the system and run in the background, even if you don't use them, resulting in constant CPU interruptions and battery consumption. MIUI has a powerful tool for monitoring autoboots.
Go to Security → Permissions → Auto Run. Here you will see a list of programs that start with your phone. Leave only messengers (for notifications to come) and system services on. Social networks, games and stores can be safely turned off — they will start when you open them.
It’s also worth checking the Battery and Performance section in the settings. Each application can choose to run on “Charge Saving,” “No Limits,” or “Smart Mode.” For background tasks that don’t require instant response, it’s better to choose “Charge Savings,” which will limit their background activity.
⚠️ Note: Do not disable auto-start for system components labeled with an Android icon and for applications that need to be notified instantly (such as email or work chats).
Removing unused apps is a banal but effective piece of advice: Even if the program isn’t running, its services can hang in your memory, audit the installed apps and delete everything you haven’t used in the past month.
Cardinal measures: Resetting and flashing
If software optimization didn't work, you might have accumulated file errors or conflicts after a lot of updates, and a full factory reset helps, and make sure you back up your important data before you do that.
To reset, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset → Reset. Select “Clear All.” The phone will return to the “out of the box” state, which often works wonders with the performance of older devices.
Should I put a custom firmware?
The alternative is to install a lighter official firmware, if you have a global version with a bunch of Google and Facebook services, find and install the Chinese version of the firmware (without built-in advertising and unnecessary services) or the version of "Developer", which is often optimized better stable.
It's important to understand that physical memory wear also happens, because if the phone has been around for years and it's been in heavy use, the memory write speed might have dropped at the hardware level, and no amount of adjustments would have helped, so replacing the device might be a more rational solution than fighting for every second of booting.
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Comprehensive cleaning, disabling advertising and reducing the load on animations can extend the comfortable life of the Redmi Note 3 Pro for another 1-2 years of active use.