How to speed up Xiaomi Mi A3: from software settings to hardware tricks

Why Xiaomi Mi A3 is slowing down and how to fix it

The Xiaomi Mi A3, released in 2019, is still popular thanks to its clean Android One, compact size and high-quality camera. However, over time, even this device begins to “hang”: applications open for a long time, animations twitch, and the battery goes down in a few hours, due to a combination of outdated iron (Snapdragon 665 processor and 4 GB of RAM), clogged memory and firmware features.

Unlike flagships, budget smartphones suffer from architectural limitations: the Mi A3 uses 5.1 slow memory instead of UFS, which slows down data loading. To this, Google Services background processes, automatic updates and “junk” from installed applications. But don’t rush to buy a new phone – competent optimization can return the speed.

In this article, we’ll look at 12 proven ways to speed up the Mi A3, from basic (cache cleaning) to advanced (developer settings and hardware tricks) methods tested on current firmware versions and do not require root rights or unlock the bootloader.

1. Cleaning the system: remove garbage and cache

The first step is to free up space in memory and delete temporary files. The Mi A3 with Android One doesn’t have Xiaomi’s proprietary Optimizer, but standard Android tools do just as well.

Start with manual cleaning:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Free up space. The system will analyze unnecessary files (cache, downloads, duplicates).
• 🗑️ Remove the cache of individual applications: Settings → Annexes → [Select the application] → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 📂 Check the Download folder (through any file manager) – there are often gigabytes of unnecessary files.

Pay special attention to the cache of Google Play Services and Google Play Store – they can take up to 1-2 GB. It is also useful to clear the data in messengers (for example, in Telegram or WhatsApp, a cache of media files accumulates).

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If the application is unstable after cleaning the cache (for example, YouTube loads a video for a long time), restart the phone - the system will restore the necessary temporary files.

To automate the process, install Files by Google (the official Google app).

• 📸 Repeated photos and screenshots;
• 🎵 Large files (video, APK, archive);
• 📅 Old files (not used for more than 30 days).

Clear the cache of system applications |Delete files from the Download folder |Check messengers for junk media |Run analysis in Files by Google |Reboot phone-->

2. Optimization of background processes

The Mi A3 suffers from excessive activity of background services, especially if many applications are installed.Even in standby mode, they consume RAM and processor, which leads to lags.

How to reduce the load:

• 🚫 Turn off auto-run of unnecessary apps: Go to Settings → Annexes → [Select the application] → Battery → Background activity. Select Restricted for underutilized programs (e.g., games or social media that are not needed in the background).
• ⏸️ Limit synchronization: Open Settings → Accounts: Turn off automatic sync for unnecessary services (e.g. Google Photos or Drive).

1. Include in Settings → Battery → Adaptive battery.
2. This will limit the activity of rarely used applications.

For advanced users: Activate the developer mode and limit the number of background processes:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Build Number (click 7 times to unlock Developer Mode).
2. Back to Settings → System system → For developers.
3. Find the Background Process Limitation and select Process Maximum 2.

Once a week |Only when it starts to brake |Never clean |Use automatic optimization-->

⚠️ Attention: Limiting background processes to 2 may cause some apps (such as instant messengers) to be slower to receive notifications.

3. Update firmware and reset settings

Often the brakes are caused by outdated firmware or conflicting settings. Mi A3 receives updates as part of the Android One program, but not all users install them.

How to update software:

1. Go to Settings → System → System Update.
2. Click Check Updates and install the latest version.
3. If the upgrade weighs more than 1GB, connect to Wi-Fi and charge your phone up to 50%.

If the smartphone gets worse after the upgrade, reset to factory settings. This is a radical but effective method:

• 🔄 Save important data (photos, contacts, messages) on Google Drive or computer.
• 📱 Go to Settings. → System system → Resetting settings → Delete all data.
• 🔐 After reset, do not restore data from the backup – install only the necessary applications manually.

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial firmware (e.g. LineageOS) can speed up Mi A3, But they will lose warranties and may cause problems with Widevine. L1 (no HD into Netflix/YouTube). Only install them if you are prepared for the risks.

4. Optimization of animation and interface

Android One in the Mi A3 uses standard animations that can be speeded up or turned off.This visually makes the interface faster, although the real performance will not change.

How to set up animation:

1. Activate the Developer Mode (as described above).
2. Go to Settings → System → For developers.
3. Find the points: Windows Animation Scale → Set 0.5x or Disable; Transition Animation Scale → 0.5x; Animator Duration Scale → 0.5x.

Also useful:

• 🌓 Switch to a dark topic (Settings) → Display. → Dark mode – this reduces the load on the processor when rendering the interface.
• 📱 Turn off live wallpaper and animations on the home screen (use static pictures).
• 🔍 Reduce the number of widgets on the desktop – they are constantly updated in the background.

5. Hardware tricks: how to "disperse" iron

The Xiaomi Mi A3 has modest specs, but even these can be used more efficiently. Here are some hardware tricks:

Processor cooling:

• 🌡️ Overheating leads to trottling (automatically lowering the CPU frequency).To avoid this: Remove the case while playing or charging; Do not use the phone in the sun or near heat sources; Install the app CPU Monitor for temperature monitoring.

Memory optimization:

• 🧠 In Mi A3 It only has 4GB of RAM, but some of it is backed up by the system. To free up memory: Close unused apps manually (swipe up the multitasking menu); Use "light" versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of the main Facebook); Disable RAM-boost in games (in the graphics settings, select 60) FPS 90 FPS, if there is such an option).

GPU setting:

• 🎮 For games, you can manually limit frame rate to reduce the load: Enable developer mode; Find Debugging GPU and select Disable the overlaps HW; In games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty graphics Balanced or Low.

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Hardware limitations of the Mi A3 (Snapdragon 665 processor and eMMC memory) will not allow for flagship performance, but proper cooling and resource management can improve smoothness by 30-40%.

6. Alternative firmware and cores

If standard methods don't work, consider custom firmware, which can speed things up, but require unlocking the bootloader and carry risks.

Popular options for the Mi A3:

• 📱 LineageOS is pure Android without unnecessary Google services. Pros: high speed, minimalist interface. Cons: no Google services by default (you need to install separately).
• 🔧 Pixel Experience — firmware with interface and features from Google Pixel. Pros: current security updates. Cons: possible bugs with the camera.
• ⚡ Custom Kernel (like Kirisakura) - allows you to fine-tune the processor and memory.

How to install custom firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader via fastboot (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
2. Install TWRP Recovery (unofficial version for Mi A3).
3. Make a backup of the current firmware (Nandroid Backup in TWRP).
4. Sweep through custom firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware will void the warranty and may result in a device blink (inoperability). laurel_sprout (codename A3).

If you are not ready for the risks, try the lightweight launchers:

• 🏠 Nova Launcher – fast and customizable;
• ⚡ Lawnchair – Minimalist Launcher with gesture support;
• 📱 Smart Launcher 6 – automatically sorts applications and reduces the load on RAM.

7. Optimizing the battery for better performance

The energy saving modes in the Mi A3 often limit the performance of the processor.

Turn off unnecessary restrictions:

• ⚡ Go to Settings. → Battery → Battery mode.
• Choose Performance over Energy Saving or Adaptive Mode.
• Add frequently used apps (messengers, games) to the battery optimization exceptions.

Adjust adaptive brightness:

• 🌞 Turn off automatic brightness control (Settings) → Display. → Adaptive brightness).
• Set a fixed brightness value at 40-60% – this will reduce the load on the processor.

Check battery consumption by application:

• 📊 Go to Settings. → Battery → Battery utilization.
• Find apps with abnormal consumption (e.g. Facebook or Instagram can eat up 20-30% of the charge).
• Limit their background activity or remove them.

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If the phone is running out too quickly, check the battery status with the AccuBattery app. If capacity has dropped below 70%, consider replacing the battery - a worn-out battery can cause sudden shutdowns and brakes.

8 Additional Advice and Frequent Mistakes

Some of the tricks that will help speed up the Mi A3 are:

• 📶 Turn off automatic app updates in Google Play: Open the Play Store → Settings → Auto-Update Apps. Choose Never or Only via Wi-Fi.

plug-in

Blokada

AdGuard

NFC

Bluetooth

GPS

phone-boot

Common mistakes that slow down the Mi A3:

• ❌ Installation of "optimizers" and "boosters" from the Play Store, which consume resources themselves and often contain advertising.
• ❌ Using live wallpaper or animated themes – they are constantly loading GPU.
• ❌ Store thousands of photos in a gallery. Move them to Google Photos or an external drive.
• ❌ Simultaneously running heavy games (e.g. Genshin Impact) and background tasks (file downloads, video streaming).