Why Xiaomi Android Phone is Slowing Down: All the Causes and Ways to Eliminate

Your Xiaomi (be it Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Mi 11) has started to slow down, apps have been opening for a long time, and animations are twitching? This is a common problem, but its causes are not always obvious. 80% of the time the slowdown is not due to hardware, but to software settings that can be fixed without going to the service.

In this article, we will look at all possible causes of brakes, from overloaded memory to firmware conflicts, and give step-by-step optimization instructions. Particular attention will be paid to the unique “chips” of MIUI, which often become a source of lags, but about which few people know, for example, why even on top-end Xiaomi models, FPS can subside after an update, and how to fix this through the engineering menu.

If your smartphone is older than 4 years (like the Redmi 5 or Mi A2), some methods may not work due to hardware limitations, and then consider alternatives ranging from light firmware to hardware upgrades.

1. Overloading of RAM (RAM)

The most common reason for the brakes is a lack of RAM. MIUI aggressively caches applications in the background, and if there are too many, the system begins to “choke”, especially on budget models with 3-4 GB of RAM (for example, Redmi 9A or POCO M3).

How to check:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Look at the RAM usage chart. If it's less than 20 percent free, that's critical.
3. Click "Clean" (but it's a temporary solution!).

How to fix it forever:

• 🔄 Turn off autoloading of unnecessary apps: Settings → Annexes → Auto-run control. Leave only messengers and system services.
• 🚫 Freeze background processes through Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management → Select "Limit background activity" for underused programs.
• 📱 Use the "Lite" versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) and they consume 2-3 times less. RAM.

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If you have a 6+GB RAM model (like the Xiaomi 13 or POCO F5), turn on RAM Extension in Settings → Additional → Memory. It uses some of the internal memory as virtual RAM (but it’s not a panacea!).

⚠️ Note: Do not install "optimizers" RAM" Google Play – They will only make the problem worse by creating additional background processes. MIUI already has a built-in memory manager that works more efficiently than third-party utilities.

2.Clogged internal memory

When internal storage is less than 10%, the system starts to slow down due to file fragmentation and lack of space for temporary data, especially for models with 32-64 GB of memory (for example, Redmi 8A or POCO C31).

How to clean your memory correctly:

1. Delete the app cache: Settings → Storage → Cache data → “Clean”.
2. Move your photos/video to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) or to the cloud SD-card (if supported).
3. Remove duplicate files using Files by Google or Security → Cleanup in MIUI.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t manually clean your Android folder, it can break your apps. Also avoid programs like Clean Master, which often delete important system files. MIUI.

3. Firmware and update conflicts

MIUI is known for its frequent updates, but sometimes they bring more problems than good. For example, after upgrading to MIUI 14, many Redmi Note 11 and POCO X4 Pro users complained about lags due to an unoptimized core.

• 🔄 Updates through OTA (if the process is interrupted).
• 📱 Handheld firmware via Fastboot or Recovery.
• 🔧 Changes in the firmware region (for example, from global to Chinese).

How to check the integrity of the firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Click 10 times on the MIUI version to activate the hidden check menu.
3. Select “Update Checker” → “Three Dots” → “Update Package Checker”.

If the system detects corrupted files, it will suggest reinstalling the firmware. Important: before doing this, backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.

4.CPU overheating and trottling

If Xiaomi only starts to slow down when it’s loaded (games, video, navigation), it’s trottling, a forced performance loss due to overheating, which is typical of low-cooled models like the Redmi 9C, POCO M2, Mi 10T Lite.

How to diagnose:

• Install CPU Monitor or AIDA64 from Google Play.
• Run a performance test. If the CPU frequency drops below 50 percent of the maximum, that's trolling.
• Check the temperature through Settings → About Phone → Battery status (normal: up to 40 ° C).

Solutions:

• ❄️ Refrigerate your phone: Remove your case, avoid direct sunlight.
• 🔧 Turn off background processes through Settings → Battery → Performance mode (select "Balanced").
• 🎮 For gamers: Turn on Game Turbo in the settings (it optimizes cooling).
• 🔄 Reset the graphics settings: Settings → Display. → Color mode → Choose "Standard" (not "Saturated").

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If the CPU temperature is above 60°C, stop using immediately! prolonged overheating shortens battery life and can damage the chipset.

5. Viruses and malware

Yes, even Xiaomi can have viruses! especially if you've installed APKs from unverified sources or connected your phone to public Wi-Fi.

• 📱 The phone is slowing down even after resetting.
• 🔋 Battery goes down in 2-3 hours without active use.
• 📤 Unexpected traffic appears (check in Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic).

How to remove viruses:

1. Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light from Google Play.
2. Start a deep scan (not fast!).
3. If the antivirus does not find anything, but suspicions remain - reset through Settings → Additional → Reset settings.

⚠️ Note: Some Google Play "optimizers" contain malicious code themselves. Check the reviews and ratings of the app before installing.

Remove suspicious ones APK-file|Disable the installation from unknown sources|Update Google Play Protection|Check application permissions

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6.Battery problems

A worn-out battery (capacity < 70%) may cause brakes due to:

• 🔋 Unstable power of the processor (it reduces the frequency when voltage drawdowns).
• 📉 Frequent reboots when the charge drops below 15%.
• ⚡ Overheating (a swollen battery puts pressure on the motherboard).

How to check the status of the battery:

1. Enter the dialer ##4636##.
2. Select "Battery Information." See the health option (should be "Good").
3. Or install AccuBattery for detailed diagnosis.

Decisions:

• 🔄 Battery calibration: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions.
• 🔋 Replacement of the battery (if capacity) < For Xiaomi, the original batteries cost 1,500–3,000 ₽.
• ⚡ Use the original RAM (low-quality charging speeds up battery wear and tear).

Hardware malfunctions

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be in the “iron”:

• 💾 Damaged flash memory (frequent read/write errors).
• 🔌 A broken plume (for example, after a fall).
• 🔥 Burnt capacitors on the motherboard (characteristic of older models).

How to diagnose:

1. Check the phone for artifacts: stripes on the screen, spontaneous reboots, no sound.
2. Connect to the PC and launch it. ADB-Memory test command: adb shell dumpsys meminfo If there are many errors in the log E/, This is a sign of hardware problems.
3. Take it to the diagnostic service (average cost 500-1000) ₽).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone has fallen into water or been hit, don't try to disassemble it yourself! corrosion on the board can lead to short circuit.

8. Incorrect Developer Settings

Many users turn on the developer mode for tweaks, but forget to turn off unnecessary options, some of which seriously slow down the system:

• 🔄 Animation of windows / transitions (if displayed Animation disabled, MIUI start).
• 📱 Background processes (limiting to 1-2 processes kills multitasking).
• 🔧 GPU-acceleration (if disabled, games and videos will lag).

How to reset the developer settings:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Click on the MIUI version 7 times to activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Click "Reset settings" at the top right.

Animation: 1x (Do not turn off completely!)

Background Processes: Standard Limitation.

- GPU-acceleration: Incl. (except Redmi) 6/7 — There's driver bugs).-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi brakes