Xiaomi Redmi 12 – budget smartphone with decent characteristics: MediaTek Helio processor G88, Up to 8GB of RAM and a 90Hz screen, but even these devices eventually start to slow down: apps open for a long time, animations twitch, and the battery goes down in half a day, because of clogged memory, background processes. MIUI and unoptimized settings.
In this article, 10 working ways to speed up Redmi 12 without losing data or root rights. We'll look at how to clean up the system from debris, what MIUI 14/15 features are worth turning off, and why standard "tips" like factory resetting often hurt more than they help. All methods have been tested on current firmware in 2026.
Important: if your smartphone is only “lagging” in specific applications (for example, in PUBG Mobile or TikTok), the problem may be in them – update the software or check the graphics settings. If the brakes are system (slow menu opening, getting stuck when scrolling), read on.
1.Diagnosis: Why is the Redmi 12 slowing down?
Before you optimize your smartphone, you need to understand the source of the brakes. Redmi 12 is often to blame:
- 📱 Overloaded memory: less than 10% of the free space on the internal drive leads to “suspend” the system.
- 🔄 Background processes: MIUI aggressively caches data and keeps unnecessary applications in RAM.
- 🔋 Trojan settings: interface animation, application auto-update and “smart” features eat up resources.
- 🛠️ Outdated firmware: bugs in MIUI It can cause freezes (especially in versions older than 14.0.5).
To check the system boot:
- Open Settings → About the phone → System status.
- See the graphs of CPU, RAM and memory usage.
- If RAM is loaded more than 80% in idle – the problem is in the background processes.
If the memory is less than 5 GB free, immediately clean the drive (about this in the next section). If the memory is fine, and the smartphone still “lays”, go to the setting of MIUI.
2. Memory cleanup: remove garbage and cache
The first step to speed up is to free up the internal drive. In Redmi 12, even 128GB of memory is quickly clogged due to:
- 🗑️ App cache (especially Facebook, Instagram, TikTok).
- 📁 Photo and video duplicates (automatically created by Google Photos and Gallery) MIUI).
- 📦 Residual files after deleting programs.
- 🎮 Cache games (in Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact can take up to 10 GB!).
How to clean:
- Built-in MIUI: Go to Settings → Memory → Clean. Click Deep Clean and select all items except Journals (they are needed for debugging).
- Manually clean the cache: Open Settings → Apps → App management. sort by size and clear the cache for each (especially instant messengers and social networks).
☑️ Checklist for memory cleanup
💡
If after cleaning the memory is quickly clogged again, turn off auto-save media in messengers: Telegram/WhastApp settings → Data and memory → Media autoboot
If less than 10GB is free, consider migrating files to a microSD (but not all apps support a memory card!).
3. RAM optimization: closing background processes
MIUI is known for aggressively keeping apps on RAM even when they aren't needed.It saves time when reopening, but slows down the system if memory is scarce.In Redmi 12 with 4/6GB of RAM, this is critical.
How to release RAM:
- 🛑 Turn off Autostart: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Autostart. Turn off autostart for everyone except system services.
- 🔄 Limit background activity: In the same menu (Application Management) select the app → Battery → Background activity → Limit.
- 🗑️ Use "Performance Mode": In Settings → Special opportunities → Performance mode, turn on the option. This prioritizes resources for an active application.
| Annex | Recommended setting | Why is it important? |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook, Instagram | Disable Autostart + Limit Background Activity | These apps are constantly syncing data and eating RAM |
| Google Play Services | Do not touch (systemic process) | Disabling will lead to errors in the work of Google services |
| Mi Video, Mi Music | Remove or disable | Xiaomi stock apps duplicate functions and slow down the system |
| Telegram, WhatsApp | Limit background activity, but leave auto-run | Need for notifications, but should not load the system in the background |
A critical nuance for Redmi 12: if the developer settings include the Do Not Stay Activity setting (Settings → Phone → MIUI Version (7 times) → Developers → Do Not Stay Activity), disable it! This option kills background processes too aggressively, causing applications to restart each time you open.
4. MIUI setup: disable "heavy" functions
MIUI is overwhelmed with visuals and smart chips that eat up resources. Redmi 12 is safe to turn off:
- 🎨 UI animation: Activate Developer Mode (as in the previous section), then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, set: The scale of the window animation: 0.5x Scale of transition animation: 0.5x The duration of the animator: 0.5x This will speed up the opening of menus and transitions between screens.
- 🔍 Search by device: Disable in Settings → Search by device → Disable search. This feature is constantly indexing files.
- 📡 Auto-update MIUI: B Settings → The phone. → Update the system to disable Automatic Boot.
- 🌐 Background data transfer: In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Background transmission limited to unnecessary applications.
Another "heavy" feature is the second space (Dual Apps). If you are not using it, delete it through Settings → Apps → Dual Apps. It duplicates data and consumes memory.
What happens if you turn off all animations?
5. Firmware Update: Why It Matters
Many users are afraid to update MIUI for fear of bugs. However, in Redmi 12, outdated firmware is one of the main reasons for the brakes. Xiaomi regularly optimizes the core of the system and fixes memory leaks.
How to upgrade safely:
- Check the current version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
- If the version is older than 14.0.5.0 (for global firmware) – update via Settings → System Update.
- Before the update: Battery charge > 50%; Free memory > 5 GB; Disable VPN (it can interrupt the download).
If the update “weighs” more than 1 GB – download via Wi-Fi. After installation, the smartphone will restart, and the first 10-15 minutes may work slower (application optimization is underway).
💡
The firmware update is the only way to get fixes for the Helio G88 processor, which MediaTek releases once a quarter.
6.Alternative launchers and lightweight applications
The MIUI stock launcher is beautiful but voracious. Replace it with lightweight ones:
- 🚀 Nova Launcher (configurable, without unnecessary animations);
- ⚡ Lawnchair (minimalistic, gesture-enabled);
- 📱 POCO Launcher (optimized for budget smartphones).
Also install lightweight versions of popular apps:
| Normal appendix | A lightweight alternative | Saving RAM |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook Lite or Hermit Lite Apps | 70% | |
| Instagram Lite | 50% | |
| Google Chrome | Brave or Chrome Lite (in Asia) | 40% |
For games, use Game Turbo (built into MIUI): it optimizes resources and blocks notifications during gameplay. Enables via in-game swipe or Settings → Special Features → Game Turbo.
7.Reset to factory settings: when justified
If all of the above fails, the last resort is factory resets, which will delete all data but return the smartphone to factory speed.
How to do the reset correctly:
- Save important data (photos, contacts, messages) to Google Drive or your computer.
- Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
- Choose Clear Everything (not Reset Settings – it will only remove settings, not files!).
- After reset, don't restore the data from the backup, it will return the old problems. Install the applications again.
💡
After resetting the first 2-3 days, the smartphone will work faster, but over time (after 1-2 months) the brakes may return. To avoid this, repeat cleaning the cache and RAM once a week.
⚠️ Note: If you used root or custom firmware, resetting may result in a bootloop ( looped reboot.
8. Hardware causes of brakes: when you need to service
If Redmi 12 is slowing down even after resetting, the problem may be the iron:
- 🔋 Worn-out battery: when degraded below 70%, the smartphone begins to artificially limit performance.
- 🔥 Overheating of the processor: if Helio G88 heats up above 60°C, it trottles (reduces frequency).
- 💾 Damaged memory: Bad sectors on the drive cause freezes when reading / writing.
How to check:
- Battery: Install AccuBattery and check battery health. If below 80%, replace battery packs.
- Overheating: Use the CPU Monitor or AIDA64 to monitor temperature; the Helio G88 is normal for up to 50°C in plain.
- Memory: Run the test in the A1 SD Bench. If the read speed is below 150 MB/s, there are problems with the drive.
If the diagnosis showed hardware problems, contact the service.Self-repair Redmi 12 fraught with loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
⚠️ Note: Do not use "miracle programs" to overclock the processor (SetCPU, Kernel Adiutor) without root rights. MIUI They don’t work, they just put extra stress on you.