Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vince) is still a popular budget smartphone due to its price-to-performance ratio: Snapdragon 625 processor, 3/4 GB of RAM and capacious battery. However, over the years, even this reliable device begins to “brake”, especially after updating MIUI or installing dozens of applications. In this article, 7 proven ways to return the former speed, from basic settings to radical measures.
It's important to understand that performance depends on two factors: software (OS load, background processes) and hardware (battery status, heat generation, wear and tear of flash memory). We'll take both directions, with some methods (such as disabling MIUI Optimization) giving an increase in 5 minutes, while others (replacing the thermopast) will require disassembly of the device.
1. Cleaning the system of digital garbage
The first step is to remove unnecessary files and cache that clog up memory and slow down over time. On Redmi 5 Plus, with its modest 32/64GB of storage, this is especially critical.
- 🗑️ Cleaning the application cache: go to Settings → Annexes → Select the application → Warehouse → Pay special attention to messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and social networks — they can take up gigabytes.
- 📁 Remove duplicates: Use Google Files (free in Play Market) to find repetitive photos, videos, and documents.
- 🚮 Systemic cleaning: in MIUI There is a built-in tool – Security → Cleanup. It deletes temporary files, remnants of deleted applications and junk. APK.
If less than 10% of memory is free after cleaning, the smartphone will slow down due to lack of space for temporary files. In this case, transfer the photo / video to a memory card or to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
⚠️ Warning: Do not use “optimizers” like Clean Master or CCleaner – they often delete important system files and can impair performance. MIUI All the necessary tools are already in place.
Delete the cache of all applications |Transfer the photo/video to the memory card |Check the Downloads folder for unnecessary files |Disable the autoloading of garbage in instant messengers-->
2. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Settings for Acceleration
MIUI is known for its heavy interface and background processes, and fortunately, many of them can be turned off. Start with these settings:
- 🔄 Disabling animation: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times to turn on Developer Mode. Then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, set: The scale of the window animation: 0.5x Scale of transition animation: 0.5x Animator Duration: Off. This will speed up app openings by 15-20%.
- 🚫 Shutdown MIUI Optimization: Find the option in the same menu for developers MIUI Optimization and turn it off. This will reduce the number of background processes, but it may disrupt some of the chips. MIUI (for example).
- 📵 Restriction of background activity: C Settings → Battery → Select applications set for unnecessary programs mode Limit background activity.
On Redmi 5 Plus with 3GB of RAM, disabling MIUI Optimization gives you up to 30% increase in multitasking, but can cause notification bugs. If you notice problems, return the settings back.
| Setting up | The effect | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| Cancel animations | +15-20% of the speed of opening applications | The interface will become less smooth |
| MIUI Optimization → Off. | +25-30% performance in the background | Notifications and gestures may break |
| Limitation of background activity | +10-15% battery life | Applications will be updated longer |
MIUI 9|MIUI 10|MIUI 11|MIUI 12|Castom firmware-->
3. Firmware update: should I switch to caste?
The official updates to the Redmi 5 Plus have long since ceased (the latest stable version is MIUI 12 based on Android 9).
- 🔄 Official. MIUI: if you're still on MIUI 9/10, refresh MIUI 12 through settings → Software updates. This will improve compatibility with new applications.
- 🛠️ Castom firmware: LineageOS 16/17 (Android 9/10) — Minimalistic and fast. Pixel Experience is pure Android with features from Google Pixel. Havoc-OS is flexible setup for power users.
- ⚡ Core and Mod: for advanced – the kernel of FrancoKernel or ElementalX with support for vince.
Before you set the caste, check:
- The boot loader is unlocked (fastboot oem unlock).
- Is there a backup of data (use TWRP)?
- Is the firmware compatible with the Vince model (not to be confused with the Redmi Note 5!)
⚠️ Note: Redmi 5 Plus with unlocked bootloader does not work Google Pay, Netflix HD and some banking applications due to the lack of Widevine L1.
How to check the compatibility of the firmware?
4 Hardware Improvements: What Can Be Done Physically
If the software methods don't help, it's time to look "under the hood." Redmi 5 Plus is easy to understand, and even a novice user can cope with two key upgrades:
- 🔋 Battery replacement: After 3-4 years, the battery capacity drops by 30-40%, which causes the processor to trottle (automatic performance decrease — LBN41 (4,000 mAh. Replacement cost: ~1500–2000 ₽.
- 🌡️ Thermopaste replacement: Snapdragon 625 warms up when loaded and over time the factory paste dries.Use Arctic MX-4 Or Kryonaut. The temperature after the replacement will drop by 5-10.°C, which will prevent trottling.
- 💾 Flash memory replacement: if the smartphone is severely slowing down when writing files, the memory may be worn out (check in the file). AIDA64 The Redmi 5 Plus uses eMMC 5.1, which will cost between 3000 and 4000 to replace. ₽.
You'll need to take this apart.
- Plastic mediator (so as not to damage the body).
- The PH00 cross screwdriver.
- A dryer or thermoplatform for unfeeding the battery.
💡
Before disassembly, completely discharge the battery (up to 0%) and wait 1-2 hours - this minimizes the risk of fire in case of accidental circuit.
5. Overclocking and undervolting: playing with frequencies
The Snapdragon 625 in Redmi 5 Plus has the potential to overclock or lower the voltage to save power, and it requires root access and applications like Kernel Adiutor or FrancoKernel Manager.
Tuning options:
- ⚡ Dispersal CPU: You can raise it to 2.2 GHz, but it will increase the heat. Use the 50 MHz step and test the stability in Geekbench.
- 🔽 Undervoltage: 25-50 mV reduction will reduce heating and extend running time, but can cause crashes at high load.
- 🎮 Optimization GPU: Adreno 506 can be overclocked to 750 MHz (standard – 650 MHz) for improved performance in games.
Example configuration for performance and battery balance:
CPU: 4x1.8 GHz (max.), undervolt -25 mV
GPU: 650 MHz, undervolt -15 mV
I/O Scheduler: cfq (for smoothness)⚠️ Attention: Overclocking reduces the life of the processor. on Redmi 5 Plus with worn-out thermopaste, overclocking above 2.1 GHz can lead to overheating and sudden shutdowns.
6.Alternative launchers and lightweight applications
MIUI Launcher consumes a lot of resources because of animations and widgets, and replacing it with a lighter version can give you an increase in speed of 10-15%.
- 🏃 Nova Launcher is fast, with flexible settings. Turn off animations in Nova Settings → Animation. → Speed: Off..
- ⚡ Lawnchair 2 – launcher in the style of Pixel, supports gestures and runs smoother than the standard.
- 📱 Smart Launcher 5 – automatically sorts applications and reduces the load on RAM.
Also replace the “heavy” applications with lighter versions:
| Annex | The alternative | Saving RAM |
|---|---|---|
| Hermit Lite or Frost | ~150MB | |
| Chrome | Bromite or Firefox Lite | ~100MB |
| Instand (informal client) | ~80MB |
💡
Replacing the launcher and lightweight apps is the only way to speed up the Redmi 5 Plus without root rights and disassembly.
Extreme measures: dumping and flashing
If nothing works, radical methods remain: they will return the smartphone to the factory state, but it will take time to adjust.
- 🔄 Hard Reset: Reset to factory settings via Settings → Additionally. → Warning: Pre-backup with Mi Cloud or Titanium Backup (root required).
- 📱 Fastboot flashing: if the system “flyed off”, swipe the official MIUI Instructions: Download the firmware for vince from the official website. Unpack the archive and launch it. flash_all.bat Fastboot mode. Wait until it's done (5–10 minute).
Installation GSI-firmware
Android 10/11
Phh-Treble
MIUI
Project Treble
On Redmi 5 Plus with 3 GB of RAM, flashing to pure Android (for example, LineageOS) gives an increase of up to 40% in multitasking due to the absence of background MIUI processes.