How to speed up Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: from software settings to hardware tricks

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, released 2019 It is still a popular budget smartphone due to its balanced characteristics: Snapdragon processor. 660, 3/4 GB RAM and battery on 4000 But over time, even this workhorse starts to slow down, with apps opening for a long time, animations twitching, and friezes appearing in games, not only because of the aging of hardware, but also because of clogged firmware. MIUI, background processes and unoptimized settings.

In this article, we will discuss 10 proven ways to speed up the Redmi Note 7 — from basic (cleaning the cache, turning off animations) to advanced (overclocking the processor, replacing the thermal paste). MIUI 14 and Android 12, but most will work for older builds, and it's important that some tricks require unlocking the bootloader or root rights -- we'll mark them separately.

1.Diagnostics: Why is the Redmi Note 7 slowing down?

Before optimizing a smartphone, you need to identify bottlenecks.The brakes on the Redmi Note 7 are usually associated with:

• 📱 Overloaded RAM: Background apps eat away at RAM, leaving little resources for active tasks.
• 🗑️ Clogged storage: Less than 10% of the free space on internal memory leads to lags.
• 🔥 Overheating: Snapdragon 660 processor trottlits (reduces frequency) at temperatures above 60°C.
• 🤖 Older versions: Older versions MIUI They contain bugs and are not optimized for modern applications.
• 🎮 Graphical settings: enabled mode 60 FPS in games or high-resolution screen load GPU Adreno 512.

To pinpoint the problem precisely:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and check the relevance of the firmware.
2. Run Settings. → Memory and see how much free RAM remains in the simple (normal: 1-1.5 GB out of 3-4 GB).
3. Install the app AIDA64 (Free on Google Play and check the temperature of the processor under load.

⚠️ Warning: If the temperature of the Snapdragon 660 exceeds 70°C in normal use, the problem may be a dry heat paste or a dust-clogged speaker grille, in which case only disassembling the device will help.

System Cleanup: Removing garbage and background processes

The first step to speed up is to free up RAM and storage. On the Redmi Note 7, with 3GB of RAM, every megabyte counts. Let's start with the simplest one:

2.1 Clearing cache and unnecessary files

• 🧹 App cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select any app (like Facebook or Instagram) and click Clear Cache. Repeat for all heavy programs.
• 🗑️ System garbage: Use the built-in Cleanup utility (broom icon in the Settings menu) → It deletes temporary files, deleted application residues and duplicates.
• 📁 Unnecessary APK: In a file. /sdcard/Download Installation files (.apk) are often accumulated. Delete them manually through Explorer.

Disabling background processes

MIUI It's known for aggressively holding apps in memory to limit them:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select the Applications Selection and for each application (except messengers) set the mode to Limit background activity.
3. Turn off AutoRun for unnecessary programs in the same menu.

For radical cleaning, use the developer mode:

1. Activate it by pressing the MIUI version 7 times in Settings → About phone.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and install:
3. Limit of background processes → Maximum 2 of the process.
4. Don't stay active → Enable (remove all background tasks when locking the screen).

3. Firmware optimization: from updates to custom builds

Standard. MIUI Redmi Note 7 is often overloaded with unnecessary Xiaomi services (advertising, analytics, duplicate applications:

Update to the latest version MIUI

While Redmi Note 7 doesn’t officially get new Android versions, it’s still a big deal. MIUI They come out regularly. They're optimized for old devices:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check Updates and install the latest stable version.
3. If the update weighs more than 1.5 GB, download it via Wi-Fi to avoid wasting mobile traffic.

Important: After the update, reset the cache (not data!).

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Cache (movement – volume buttons, choice – power).

Installation of custom firmware (for advanced)

If it's standard MIUI brakes even after cleaning, consider alternative firmware:

• 📱 Pixel Experience: “pure” Android without a shell MIUI, All features of the Redmi Note 7 (camera, NFC, gesture).
• ⚡ LineageOS: light and stable firmware, but without Xiaomi’s signature chips (for example, Game Turbo).
• 🔧 MIUI Pro: a modified version of the standard firmware with remote bloatware (unnecessary applications).

To install custom firmware will require:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (can take up to 7 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery (Castom Recovery)
3. Make a backup of data (firmware erases internal memory!).

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware voids warranty and can lead to a device blink if the sequence of actions is disrupted. Use only verified forum builds 4PDA or XDA Developers.

4. Performance setting: overclocking and trottling

The Snapdragon 660 in the Redmi Note 7 has the potential to overclock or limit it to save battery life.

Overclocking of the processor (requires root)

With Kernel Adiutor (available on Google Play), you can increase the clock speed of cores:

1. Install Kernel Adiutor and provide root access.
2. Go to the CPU section.
3. For Kyro 260 cores, set a maximum frequency of 2.2 GHz (standard - 2.0 GHz).
4. In the section GPU Increase Adreno 512 to 710 MHz (standard 650 MHz).

Results: Increase in synthetic tests (AnTuTu, Geekbench) up to 10-15% in games (PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty) FPS It's going up by 5 to 8 frames, but it's going up:

• ⚠️ Heat rises - the temperature can reach 75-80°C.
• 🔋 Decreases the time of autonomy by 15-20%.

Restriction of trottling (without root)

If the Redmi Note 7 is very warm and because of this brakes, you can manually reduce the load:

1. Activate the Developer Mode (see Section 2.2).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the option to Limit Background Processes and install No Background Processes (temporary solution for critical lags).
4. Turn off window animation, transition animation, and animation scale (set the value to turn off animation).

💡

If after disabling animations, the interface seems too sharp, set the value 0.5x It's not a complete shutdown, it's going to keep it smooth, but it's going to take away the delays.

5. Memory optimization: from formatting to microSD

Lack of space is one of the main causes of brakes. - Redmi Note 7 s 32/64 This is especially true for GB memory, and we'll look at ways to free up space and speed up reading/writing.

5.1. Transfer of applications to a memory card

If you have a microSD (class recommended) A1 or A2 for speed, transfer part of the applications to it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as WhatsApp or Spotify).
3. Click Warehouse → Change → Memory Map.

Important: Not all applications support portability. MicroSD also runs slower than internal memory, so only transfer programs that are not critical to speed (messengers, music players).

5.2 Formatting as an internal memory

For maximum speed, format microSD as internal storage:

1. Put the card in the slot.
2. In the notification, click Set up → Internal memory.
3. Confirm the formatting (the data on the map will be erased!).

After that, the system will use microSD as part of the main memory, speeding up reading/write.

• 🔒 The map cannot be retrieved without data loss.
• 📉 The speed will still be lower than that of the built-in memory eMMC 5.1.

5.3. Cleaning Dalvik cache (after updates)

After installing updates or new apps, clear the Dalvik cache:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe. → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

💡

Formatting microSD as internal memory gives you a 15-20% increase in speed, but makes the card "tied" to the phone (UHS-I, A2).

6. Hardware improvements: thermal paste and battery

If software methods didn't help, the problem could be the hardware.Over time, the Redmi Note 7 suffers from:

• 🔥 Thermopaste drying – the processor overheats and tlots.
• 🔋 Battery degradation – with a capacity below 70%, the phone begins to brake sharply when the discharge is below 30%.
• 📶 Bad antenna contact – weak network signal loads processor.

Replacement of thermopaste

This will require:

• 🔧 Screwdriver. T3 and T5 disassemble.
• 🧴 Thermopaste Arctic MX-4 or KPT-8 (1-2g).
• 🧻 Alcohol and a lilaless napkin for cleaning.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and remove the tray for SIM-map.
2. Heat the back cover with a hair dryer (temperature 60-70 ° C) and put it under a plastic spatula.
3. Unscrew 12 screws on the motherboard.
4. Remove the metal screen from the processor, clean the old paste with alcohol.
5. Apply the new paste with a thin layer (thickness) ~0.3 mm) and assemble the phone.

Effect: Processor temperature under load will decrease by 10-15°C and trolling will come later (at 70)°C instead of 60°C).

Replacement of the battery

If the battery capacity has dropped below 2,000 mAh (checked by AccuBattery), it's time to change it.

• The phone turns off at 20-30% charge.
• Charging occurs in jerks (for example, from 0% to 80% in 20 minutes, then slowly).
• When you run heavy apps (Genshin Impact, Camera), the phone immediately discharges by 5-10%.

The cost of the original battery for the Redmi Note 7 — ~1500–2000 ₽. Replacement is best entrusted to the service center, as it is required:

• Disconnect the battery plume before retrieval.
• Check the charging controller on the board.
• Calibration of the new battery (3 full charge/discharge cycles).

7.Game settings: how to squeeze the maximum FPS

Even with the Snapdragon 660 on the Redmi Note 7, you can comfortably play. PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty, or Genshin Impact, if you set up your graphics correctly. Use these tricks:

Optimal graphic settings

7.2 Use of Game Turbo

MIUI It has a built-in game mode that optimizes performance:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Game Turbo
2. Add the game to the list and activate the modes:
3. Productivity → Extreme (maximum frequency) CPU/GPU).
4. Network → Priority of traffic (reduces ping).
5. Display. → Turn off autobrightness (saves battery).

Reduced screen resolution

Redmi Note screen 7 permit 2340×1080 (FHD+), But many games support lowering resolution to increase resolution. FPS:

1. In the game settings, find the resolution or scale option.
2. Install. 720p (HD) or 90% of the standard.
3. Turn off the Smoothing and Dynamic Shadows.

Example: B PUBG Mobile down from FHD before HD FPS grows from 25 to 40 frames.

8.Alternative methods: from cooling to factory discharge

If none of the above has worked, try radical measures:

External cooling

Overheating is the main cause of trottling, to lower the temperature:

• 🧊 Use a cooling cover with a fan (e.g. Black Shark FunCooler).
• 🧊 Attach a radiator for smartphones to the back cover (metal plate with thermopaste).
• 🧊 Play in a cool room (temperature below 25)°C).

Plant dumping

If the phone is slowing down “on the level”, perform a hard reset:

1. Make a backup of your data via Mi Cloud or Google Account.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Don’t restore all apps at once – install them one at a time.
• 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play.
• 🔄 Use lightweight alternatives to heavy software (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of Facebook).

Disconnecting unnecessary functions

Some chips MIUI steal resources:

• 📡 5G/Wi-Fi 5 GHz: If your router doesn't support 5 GHz, turn it off in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally.
• 📍 Permanent. GPS: B Settings → Location set Device Only (without network).
• 🔊 Vibration when touching: Turn off in Settings → Sound and vibration → Press vibration.
• 🖼️ Live Wallpaper: Use static pictures instead of animated ones.

💡

The factory reset is the last chance to “reanimate” the Redmi Note 7. After that, the phone works faster by deleting all temporary files and resetting the default settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 7 acceleration