How to Speed Up Xiaomi Redmi 9: A Complete Guide to Optimization in 2026

Why Xiaomi Redmi 9 is slowing down and what to do about it

Xiaomi Redmi 9, released in 2020, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its balanced characteristics: the MediaTek Helio G80 processor, 3/4 GB of RAM and the MIUI shell. However, over time, even this reliable device begins to “hang”, slowly open applications or bask in simple tasks, the reason for this is accumulated digital garbage, background processes and outdated software.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 proven ways to speed up the Redmi 9 without root rights and complex manipulations. From basic cache cleaning to hidden MIUI settings, you’ll learn how to get your smartphone back to its former speed. And if the problem is hardware, we’ll give you a hint of when to think about replacing your battery or visiting a service center.

Important: All methods are tested on current versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 based on Android 12/13) and do not require special knowledge. But before you start optimizing, be sure to check the free space on the device - if it is less than 10%, first free up memory.

1.Cache and garbage cleanup: the first step to speeding up

App cache and system debris are the main brakes for any Android smartphone. On Redmi 9, with its modest 32/64 GB of storage, cache can take up to 5-8 GB, which is critical for performance. Fortunately, MIUI offers built-in cleaning tools.

How to clear the cache:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management
• 🔍 Select the Cleanup tab (or click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Sort by Size)
• 🗑️ Click Clear Cache for each major app (especially instant messengers, social media, and games)
• 🧹 For complete cleaning, use the built-in utility Security → Cleanup

For deep cleaning of system debris:

1. Open the Security app (Icon with shield)
2. Go to the "Cleaning" tab.
3. Click on “Deep Clean” and wait for the scan to be completed.
4. Delete unnecessary files, especially in the “Residual Files” and “Big Files” sections.

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If after cleaning the cache, applications start to load longer, it is normal. Cache is needed to speed up, but its excess slows down the system. After 1-2 days of use, the smartphone will again “learn” optimally cache data.

⚠️ Note: Do not clean the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) manually through Settings → All applications. This could cause malfunctions. MIUI.

2. Disconnecting autoboot and background processes

MIUI is known for its love of background processes. Many apps (especially from Xiaomi) run automatically when the phone is turned on and continue to run in the background, consuming RAM. On Redmi 9 with its 3-4 GB of RAM, this is critical.

How to turn off autoboot:

• ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management
• 🔄 Select the Autoboot tab
• ❌ Turn off autoboot for all unnecessary apps (especially games, instant messengers, and social media)

To limit background activity:

• 📊 In the same application management menu, select the desired application
• 🔋 Press Battery → Limit Background Activity
• 📵 For a radical solution, set a limit on mobile traffic in the background (Settings → Connections → Data Use → Background data)

3. Optimization of animation and visual effects

MIUI is known for its beautiful animations, but on the weak hardware of Redmi 9, they only slow down the interface. Fortunately, the animation speed can be reduced or turned off completely through the developer mode.

How to turn on the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Press 7 once in a row on the item "MIUI Version"
3. Enter the password from the lock screen if required.
4. Ready! Now in Settings → Additional item "For developers" will appear

Optimization of animation:

• 🎨 Go to Settings → For developers
• 🔍 Find the points: Window Animation Scale → Set 0.5x or Recursion Animation Scale → 0.5x Animator Duration Scale → 0.5x
• 🔄 Reboot your phone to apply changes

⚠️ Warning: Turning off animations will make the interface less visually smooth, but it will significantly speed up the opening of applications and the transitions between windows. If you care about aesthetics, set the value 0.5x instead of completely shutting down.

4 Update MIUI and System Core

Redmi 9 slowdowns are often due to outdated firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases MIUI updates that optimize resource consumption and fix bugs.

How to update MIUI:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system
• 🔍 Click on "Check Updates"
• 📥 If an update is available, download and install it (preferably via Wi-Fi)

If automatic updates don’t find new versions, but you know they are:

• 🌐 Download the latest firmware for Redmi 9 (codenamed Lancelot) from Xiaomi's official website
• 📁 Place the file in the root of internal memory (not in the folder!)
• 🔧 Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Select a Firmware File

1. Turn off the phone.

2.Clutch Power + Volume up

3. Select Install update.zip

4. Confirm installation

This method saves data, but requires a pre-downloaded firmware in.zip format.-->

5. Factory reset: a radical solution

If all the previous methods didn't work, and Redmi 9 is still slowing down, it's time to consider a hard reset, which will delete all the data from the phone, but return it to the factory speed.

Backup photos and videos | Save contacts to Google account |Write down passwords from Wi-Fi |Remove memory card (if any) |Recharge phone at least 50%-->

How to reset:

1. 🔄 Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset
2. 🗑️ Select "Settings Reset"
3. ⚠️ Confirm the action (you will need to enter the password from the lock screen)
4. 🔄 Wait until it is completed (it will take 5-10 minutes)

After discharge:

• 📱 Don’t restore all data at once – check the speed of a clean phone first
• 🔧 Install only the most necessary applications
• 📊 Turn off autoboot and background activity immediately after setting up

⚠️ Warning: If the phone still brakes after reset, the problem could be a worn-out battery (it starts to fool the power controller) or a damaged memory, in which case only the service center will help.

6.Alternative launchers and lightweight applications

The standard MIUI launcher is quite heavy for the Redmi 9, and replacing it with a lighter alternative can give you a 15-20% increase in speed.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher is fast and customizable (free version is quite functional)
• ⚡ Lawnchair is a launcher based on the Android Open Source Project (minimalistic and lightweight)
• 📱 Microsoft Launcher – Optimized for weak devices, Windows integration

Also replace the “heavy” applications with lighter versions:

How to install an alternative launcher:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play
2. Open the application after installation
3. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually click “Install as default launcher”)
4. Reboot your phone for better optimization

7. Battery optimization and processor cooling

Overheating and improper battery settings can artificially limit the performance of the Redmi 9. The Helio G80 processor, when heated above 60°C, begins trottling (reducing frequency), which leads to lags.

How to prevent overheating:

• 🌡️ Do not use your phone while charging (especially playing)
• ☀️ Avoid direct sunlight
• 🧊 Remove the case during intense work
• 🔋 Turn off Fast Charging in Settings → Battery (it heats the battery more)

Battery settings for maximum performance:

• ⚡ Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Mode
• 🔋 Select Performance (instead of Balanced or Charge Saving)
• 📊 Enable Adaptive Battery (optimizes background processes)

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If the phone is getting too hot for no apparent reason, check the charger. Non-original high-current charges (over 2A) can cause the power controller to overheat.

8.When it's time to bring in service: hardware problems

If you've tried all the software methods, but the Redmi 9 is still slowing down, it's the hardware.

• 🔋 Worn-out battery (capacity below 70% of nominal) → starts to “fool” the power controller
• 💾 Bad flash memory → the system is constantly overwriting data
• 🔥 Overheated processor (dried thermopaste) → permanent trottling
• 📶 Faulty communication module (constantly searching for network) → high power consumption

How to diagnose hardware problems:

• 📊 Check battery status via ##4636## → “Battery Information” (capacity should be close to 5020 mAh)
• 🔧 Use the CPU Throttling Test app from Google Play to check for trolling
• 📉 See the heating charts in Settings → About Phone → System Status → Temperature

The cost of repair in 2026 (average prices in Russia):

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is slowing down after the battery is replaced, it probably has a non-original battery with a low capacity. Check it out at ##4636##.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 9 acceleration