How to speed up Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: from simple settings to radical methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones, despite the release of newer models. Its reliability and functionality have been appreciated by millions of users, but over the years even this “iron horse” begins to slow down. If your device becomes slower to respond to touch, applications are loaded for a long time, and animations twitch — do not rush to buy a new phone. 90% of the time, the problem can be solved by software methods.

In this article, we'll look at all the speeding options available, from basic ones (cache cleaning, animation shutdown) to advanced ones (firmware swap, processor overclocking). Each method is tested on real devices and validated by user feedback. Importantly, some actions require root or unlocked bootloader rights, which may be unwarranted. We'll point out the risks in advance so you can choose the best path.

Start with the safest and easiest ways, which will be good for beginners, and if you're ready to experiment, at the end of the article you'll find instructions for power users, including custom firmware and cores.

1. Cleaning the system: remove garbage and cache

The first thing you should do with the brakes is to free up space in memory and delete temporary files. Redmi Note 4 has only 16/32/64 GB of internal memory (depending on the modification), and when you fill more than 80% of the system begins to slow down noticeably.

• 🧹 Cleaning the app cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → Select the application → Warehouse → Pay special attention to messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), social networks and browsers — they accumulate gigabytes of unnecessary data.
• 🗑️ Remove unused apps: Remove games and programs that haven't been used for more than a month. → Annexes → All applications – there may be hidden pre-installed services Xiaomi, which can not be removed by standard means (more about this below).
• 📁 Storage optimization: Use the built-in Cleanup app (Security) → Cleanup. It finds duplicate photos, large files and residual debris after uninstallation of software.

For deep cleaning, you can use third-party utilities, for example, SD Maid or CCleaner. They delete the system cache (/cache), Update residues and empty folders. /data manually, this will result in a phone reset!

If the phone still brakes after cleaning, the problem may lie in the background activity of applications. Many programs continue to run in the background, consuming CPU and RAM, and this is discussed in the next section.

2. Optimization of background processes and autoboot

MIUI is known for its voraciousness, which is that it uses background processes for notifications, synchronization and analytics, and fortunately some of them can be turned off.

1. Go to Settings → Permissions → Autostart.
2. Turn off auto-run for all applications except critical ones (calls, SMS, instant messengers).
3. Return to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management and select Charge Saving mode – this will limit background activity.

For more fine-tuning, use the Security section:

• 🔄 Sync Limitation: Turn off automatic sync for unnecessary accounts (Settings) → Accounts and synchronization).
• 📵 Disable Analytics: Go to Settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Send usage data and deactivate the option.
• 🛑 Background activity prohibition: C Settings → Annexes → Select the application → Battery set limit Limit background activity.

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If notifications from messengers have stopped coming after restrictions, add them to the exceptions in the Settings section → Notifications → Priority Notifications

For power users, there is a radical way to disable MIUI system services via ADB. This requires connecting the phone to a PC and executing commands:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.ab




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.daemon

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system services can cause the phone to malfunction.Before executing commands, back up via Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

3. Customization of animation and visual effects

MIUI uses a lot of animations to seamlessly transition between screens. On weak devices (and the Redmi Note 4 with a Snapdragon 625 processor is no longer powerful by modern standards), this creates additional stress.

For this:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the items: Window animation scale → set 0.5x or Disable; Transition animation scale → 0.5x; Animation duration → Disable.

The effect is immediately noticeable: applications will open faster, and the interface will become more responsive. If the animation is completely disabled, you can zoom back to 0.5x, which keeps the visual smoothness, but without delay.

You can also simplify the visual style of MIUI:

• 🎨 Go to Settings. → Screen. → Screen style and choose Simple instead of Animated.
• 🖼️ Turn off the live wallpaper: Settings → Wallpaper. → Static wallpaper.
• 🌓 Enable a dark theme (Settings) → Screen. → Dark theme – it reduces the load on GPU interface-drawing.

4. Update firmware and reset to factory settings

If the Redmi Note 4 hasn't been updated for a long time, the brakes may be related to an outdated version of MIUI. The manufacturer regularly optimizes firmware, closes vulnerabilities and improves performance.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If you have a new version, install it (preferably via Wi-Fi).

If there are no updates or they don't work, the next step is factory reset.This is a radical method, but it removes all accumulated errors, application conflicts and debris in the system.

For discharge:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Confirm the action (the phone will restart and start the process).

⚠️ Warning: Once reset, the phone will be like new - all data will be deleted without recovery! If you forget the password from the Mi Account tied to the device, you will not be able to activate it after reset (you will need to unlock through Xiaomi).

5. Performance optimization through engineering menu

The Redmi Note 4 has a hidden engineering menu where you can fine-tune your CPU, network and memory. Careful: improper changes can lead to unstable operation!

To enter the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code: ##4636###.
3. Select Phone Information.

On this menu:

• 📶 Network setup: If you have problems with mobile internet, try changing the type of network with the Internet. LTE/WCDMA on WCDMA only (saving charge and reducing load on the modem).
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: In Battery Information, check which applications consume the most power. These can be limited through basic settings.
• 🔄 Network Statistics Reset: Click Reset Statistics in the Wi-Fi Information section – this can help with connection hang-ups.

For advanced users, advanced CPU settings are available through applications like CPU Tuner or Kernel Adiutor (require root rights).

• Limit the maximum frequency of the cores (reduces heating and prolongs the life of the battery).
• Change the task scheduler to interactive or ondemand for better responsiveness.
• Disable unused CPU cores (for example, on the Snapdragon 625, you can disable 2 cores out of 8 without losing performance in everyday tasks).

⚠️ Warning: Changing the core settings can cause your phone to overheat or unexpectedly shut down.Start with minimal changes and monitor the temperature through the app AIDA64.

6. Installation of custom firmware (for advanced users)

If all previous methods failed, the radical solution is to install an alternative firmware, which would remove MIUI and its intrusive services and replace it with a lighter, faster system, like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ⚡ Absence of “extra” Xiaomi services (analytics, advertising, duplicate applications).
• 🆕 More recent versions of Android (e.g. Android 11 instead of Android 7 in the latest official firmware for Redmi Note 4).
• 🔧 Flexible interface and performance setting.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Apply for unlocking via en.miui.com/unlock (you will need a tied Mi Account). Download Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions (the phone will switch to Fastboot mode).
2. Install custom recovery: Download TWRP For the Redmi Note 4 (mido model) from the official website twrp.me.Sweep it through fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2_mido.img fastboot boot twrp-3.6.2_mido.img

Sweep through the custom firmware

• Download firmware (e.g. LineageOS 18.1 for mido) and GApps (Google services).
• In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
• Install firmware and GApps via Install.

Recommended firmware for Redmi Note 4:

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware will void warranty and may result in a brick device. Check model compatibility before firmware (Redmi Note 4 is coded as mido – don’t confuse it with other versions!).

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Custom firmware gives a second life to old smartphones, but requires technical skills. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to consult a specialist or stay on the official MIUI with optimized settings.

Hardware methods: replacement of thermopastes and batteries

If software methods haven't worked, the problem could be the physical wear and tear of the components.The Redmi Note 4 often suffers from:

• 🔥 Overheating of the processor due to dried thermopaste (especially after 2-3 years).
• 🔋 Battery degradation – when worn over 60%, the phone starts to brake due to performance limitations.

How to check the wear of the battery:

1. Install the AccuBattery app.
2. Charge the phone to 100% and discharge to 0% (calibration).
3. If the battery is below 70%, the battery needs to be replaced.

To replace the thermal paste:

1. Take the phone apart (you need a plastic mediator and a cross screwdriver).
2. Remove the radiator from the processor, remove the old paste with alcohol.
3. Apply a new thermopaste (such as Arctic MX-4) with a thin layer.
4. Collect your phone, check the temperature in AIDA64 under load (should be ≤60°C).

Replacement cost:

• Battery: ~1500–2500 ₽ (original).
• Thermopaste + job: ~1000–1500 ₽ service-centre.

⚠️ Attention: Do not damage the plumes when you disassemble them yourself, they are fragile and can come off.

8.Alternative methods: disabling MIUI Optimizations and nuclear optimization

For users with root rights, additional acceleration methods are available:

1. disabling MIUI Optimizations

This is a function that keeps the interface smooth, but it often causes lags to turn it off.

1. Install Termux from F-Droid.
2. Enter the commands: su pm disable com.miui.home Then reboot the phone.

2. Core optimization

Using the FrancoKernel Manager or EX Kernel Manager application, you can:

• Change the I/O scheduler to fiops or deadline to speed up reading/write.
• Activate CPU zoning – link background processes to slow cores, and applications to fast ones.
• Turning off thermal throttling (heating performance restriction) is risky, but it gives an increase in FPS in games.

3.Use of the Xposed Framework

Xposed modules allow you to deeply modify the system without replacing the firmware.

• Amplify Battery Extender – limits the processor’s wake-ups.
• Greenify – forcibly “freezes” background applications.
• App Settings – allows you to change the DPI and resolution for individual applications (accelerates their work).

These methods require deep knowledge and can lead to unstable operation, and we recommend that you try them first on a backup system!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi Note 4 acceleration