How to speed up Xiaomi smartphone: a complete guide to optimizing MIUI

Your Xiaomi smartphone is slowing down, apps are slow to open and animations twitch? This is a typical problem even for flagship models like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ after a year of use, due to clogged memory, background processes and the heavy shell of MIUI, which accumulates digital garbage over time.

In this article, we’ll look at 12 proven ways to speed up a smartphone, from basic (cache cleaning) to advanced (processor core settings). All methods work on devices with MIUI 12-14 and are relevant for 2020-2026 models. Importantly, some tricks require superuser rights (root), but most are available without them.

Before you start, check the CPU and memory boot in Settings → About Phone → System Status. If free RAM is less than 1 GB and the processor is loaded 70%+ in idle, your smartphone critically needs optimization.

1.Cache and garbage cleanup in MIUI

The system and apps are constantly storing temporary files — cache, log files, thumbnails — over time they take up gigabytes of memory and slow down. Xiaomi has a built-in cleaning tool, but it doesn't delete everything.

How to clean the cache completely:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Storage and click "Clean" (remove the cache of system applications).
• 🧹 For deep cleaning, use Security → Clean (Security app) Select "Deep Clean" and mark all items, including Residual Files and Large Files.
• 🔍 For manually cleaning the cache of individual applications: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Select the application] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Do not clear the cache for Google Play Services, MIUI System and Telegram, which can cause disruptions to Google services and notifications.

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If the applications load longer after cleaning the cache, it's OK. Cache speeds up the re-run, but its absence doesn't affect performance in the long run.

To clean automatically, install SD Maid (requires root) or Files by Google (works without superuser rights).

• 🗑️ Empty folders and duplicate files.
• 📁 Residual files after deleting applications.
• 🖼️ Miniatures and sketches of images.

2. Disabling background processes and autostart

MIUI aggressively manages background processes, but many apps (especially Chinese and social media) bypass these limitations, and they continue to run in the background, consuming memory and battery power.

How to limit background activity:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Facebook or AliExpress) and click on Battery Limits.
3. Set "Limit background activity" and turn off "Stop".

For mass shutdown of autostart:

• 🔧 Use the settings. → Battery and productivity → Autostart control.
• 📵 Turn off autoplay for all applications except system (Phone, Messages, Google Play Services).

Warning! Disabling Autoplay for Google Play Services or MIUI System may result in loss of push notifications and disruptions to Google services.

3. Customization of animation and visual effects

MIUI is known for its beautiful animations, but they consume CPU and memory resources. Disabling or reducing animation speed will make the interface 15-20% faster.

How to speed up animation:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the items: Windows Animation Scale → Set 0.5x or Disable. Transition Animation Scale → 0.5x. Animator Duration Scale → 0.5x.

Also, turn off unnecessary visual effects:

• 🌈 Settings → Display. → Animation of the system → Select "No animation".
• 📱 Settings → Display. → Screen resolution → set up FHD+ instead QHD (if available).
• 🔄 Turn off "Smooth scrolling" in Settings → Special facilities → Improved visibility.

Important! On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro), disabling animations can cause the screen to flicker when you open apps, in which case set a 0.5x value instead of completely shutting down.

4.Memory optimization and use RAM-disk

Lack of RAM is the main reason for the brakes. MIUI allows you to expand RAM with internal storage, but this is a temporary solution. Better optimize memory use.

How to increase the available RAM:

• 🔄 Enable "Memory Extension": Settings → The phone. → Memory. Click "Memory Extension" and select volume (1 to 3 GB). Reboot your phone.
• 📱 Turn off "Background blur" in Settings → Display. → Lock screen style (saves up to 300 MB) RAM).
• 🔧 B Settings → Annexes → Disable “Block in Memory” for unnecessary apps (such as Facebook or Instagram).
• Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
• Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
• After reset, don't restore data from the MIUI backup - it will bring back old settings and debris. Install applications manually.

For maximum productivity:

• 📱 Install. MIUI Lite (Lightweight firmware for weak devices) Available for Redmi 9/9A/9C and POCO C31.
• 🔧 Use Debloater scripts to remove system applications (required) ADB). Popular tools: MIUI Debloater or Universal Android Debloater.