Xiaomi Redmi 8 was a hit of its time, offering great value for money, but over time, even powerful processors can start to stumble under the weight of updated applications and accumulated garbage. If you notice that the MIUI interface has become delayed and the launch of familiar programs has turned into a test of patience, do not rush to look for a new gadget in the store. In most cases, the problem can be solved by software methods, returning the device to its former a jump without unnecessary financial costs.
Slowing down the Android operating system and the MIUI shell is a natural process caused by file system fragmentation and constant background data exchange. However, smart optimization can work wonders, freeing up CPU and RAM resources for really important tasks. In this article, we will discuss proven methods that will help to revive your device and extend its comfortable life.
Analysis and release of internal memory
The first and most critical factor affecting the speed of the Redmi 8 is the internal storage capacity. When the free space runs out, the system has no place to create temporary files and cache, which leads to strong brakes and even freezes. The optimal indicator for stable operation is the presence of at least 15-20% free memory from the total volume of the device.
Start by removing unwanted apps you’ve stopped using. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps and carefully review the list. Often users forget about old games or duplicates of programs that continue to hang in the background and consume resources. After removing heavy applications, restart the device so that the system redistributes the space that has been vacant.
Special attention should be paid to messengers such as WhatsApp and Telegram, which tend to grow to giant sizes due to accumulated photos and videos. In the settings of these applications, find the item “Data Use and Storage” and clear the cache. It is also useful to check the Downloads folder, where.apk installation files and forgotten documents often accumulate.
To clean up the system, you can use Xiaomi’s built-in Security app. Click on the Cleanup button and the system will prompt you to delete temporary files, remnants of deleted programs and advertising debris. Don’t neglect this tool, as it can find hidden files that are not visible when you browse folders.
Managing Autoboot and Background Processes
Many apps tend to start right after you turn on your smartphone and continue to run in the background, using up battery power and loading the processor. To make Redmi 8 work faster, you need to tightly control autoload. Open the application manager and force you to stop those programs that you do not need right now.
There's a back-end limit feature in MIUI settings. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun. Here you'll see a list of programs that start with the system. Leave only messengers and alarms on, and turn off everything else. This will significantly reduce the load on RAM immediately after the screen is turned on.
⚠️ Warning: Do not disable auto-start for Xiaomi and Google Services Framework system services, or notifications, contact sync, and geolocation may stop working.
Also, check your application-specific energy saving settings. From the Battery and Performance menu, select the app you want and set background activity limits to Hard Limit, which will keep the program from hanging in memory when you're not using it, which is especially true for heavy social media.
☑️ Optimizing autoloading
Developer settings for maximum productivity
In the hidden Developer menu, there are tools that can visually and actually speed up the interface response, and to get there, you have to click on the MIUI version number several times in the About Phone section, and after activating the menu, a new item will appear in the settings where you need to find the Drawing section.
And there are three parameters that affect animation: Windows animation, transition animation, and animation duration. They're set to 1x by default. Change them to 0.5x or shut them off completely. This won't increase the CPU power, but it will create an instantaneous response, because there will be no delays when switching between windows.
Should I include “GPU Processing Acceleration”?
Another important setting is to limit background processes. In the same developer menu, find the item "Limit of background processes." Set the value "No more than 2 processes" or "No background processes" if you want maximum performance in games. However, remember that this can lead to restarting applications every time you switch.
Disabling system advertising and unnecessary services
One of the reasons why Xiaomi Redmi 8 can run slowly is the constant loading of advertising modules of the MIUI Ads system. Advertising is not only annoying, but also consumes Internet traffic and CPU resources, and you can turn it off in the Security settings and system settings.
To completely disable, you need to go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to personal data. Here you need to find the msa service (MIUI System Ads) and turn off the access slider. The system will warn you of danger several times, but you need to insist on your own and wait 10 seconds to confirm the disconnection. It is also worth turning off the getapps service if you do not use the app store from Xiaomi.
| Service/Process | Impact on the system | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| msa | Responsible for advertising | Disable access |
| Analytics | Collection of usage statistics | Turn off in the settings |
| MDM | System-based management services | Don't touch it. |
| MIUI Daemon | Collecting data to improve MIUI | Turn off in the settings |
Additionally, each system application (Conductor, Downloads, Music) has its own Receive Recommendations switch, and go to the settings of each application and remove the boxes that contain the words "Recommendations" or "Receive news," which will make working with files and media instant.
Cleaning the cache and optimizing the operation of applications
Cache is temporary data that speeds up the loading of frequently visited pages and apps used. However, over time, the cache can become corrupted or too large, leading to errors and slowdowns. Regularly cleaning the cache is a simple but effective procedure for Redmi 8.
Don't use the dubious accelerator apps from Play Market that promise miracles. They consume resources and display ads themselves. Better use the built-in cleaning tool in the Security app or manually clear the cache of heavy apps through settings. For example, the cache of the Chrome browser or Facebook feed can take up gigabytes of space.
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Use the Extended Cleanup feature in the Security app once a week to delete residual files that are not deleted during a standard cleanup.
Also try resetting apps that are not working properly. From the app menu, select the problem program, click Memory, and select Clear All (not just cache, but all data) to return the app to state immediately after installation, which often solves freeze problems.
Update the system and reset to factory settings
If software methods didn’t work, consider updating the firmware. Xiaomi developers regularly release security and optimization patches for older models. Go to Settings → Phone → System Update and check for new versions. Sometimes the new version of MIUI is more stable than the old one.
The most radical but effective way to speed up any Android smartphone is to completely reset your data, photos and contacts, so make sure to back up your important information to your computer or Google’s cloud.
⚠️ Before resetting, make sure you remember the password from your Google account, otherwise, after turning on the phone may be locked due to security. FRP.
To do the reset, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset → Reset. After this procedure, the phone will be like a new one from the store: no junk, with a clean file system and maximum response speed. This often gives a second life to devices like Redmi 8.
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Full resetting eliminates 95% of software errors and returns the original speed of the smartphone, but requires prior data storage.