Xiaomi phone brakes: full instructions for eliminating lags in 2026

Your Xiaomi suddenly slowed to open apps, slowed down while scrolling or even got stuck for a few seconds? This is a common problem that can occur even on flagship models like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or the budget Redmi Note 12. The causes of brakes range from clogged cache to hardware malfunctions, but in 90% of cases the situation can be fixed without going to the service center.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible causes of slowdowns, from MIUI software bugs to battery wear that affects performance, and you’ll get step-by-step instructions with illustrations (for key steps), self-diagnostic checklists, and a method scoreboard, and a focus on the hidden MIUI features that the manufacturer doesn’t advertise, but they can bring the smartphone back to its factory-facing performance without reset.

If you're not a tech person, don't worry: all the guidelines are tailored for beginners. ADB-Developer teams and settings that go beyond standard tips.

1. Diagnosis: how to determine the cause of brakes

Before you start to "treat" it is necessary to understand what causes the lags. Xiaomi based on MIUI provides built-in tools for analyzing the system, but they are rarely used.

Open Settings → About the phone → System status. Here you can see:

• 🔋 Battery health – if it is below 80%, it is a critical indicator that affects performance.
• 📱 Memory usage – if less than 10% of the total volume is free, the system begins to slow down.
• 🔥 Processor temperature – values above 45°C at normal loads talk about overheating.
• 🛠️ Operating time – if the smartphone has not turned off for more than 7 days, it can cause crashes.

For deep diagnostics, use the hidden menu of engineering tests. Enter the code ##4636## in the Phone app, then go to the Battery Information and CPU Use tabs. If you see unknown high-power CPU applications (e.g., com.xiaomi.mipicks or com.miui.analytics) on the process list, they should be disabled.

⚠️ Note: If the processor temperature in the engineering menu exceeds 50°C if you just scrolle through your social media feed, it could indicate a thermal paste malfunction or a bloated battery. In this case, self-repair is dangerous - contact the service.

2. Cleaning the system: remove garbage and cache

The most common cause of brakes is a memory clogged with app residues, cache and temporary files. MIUI tends to accumulate garbage faster than stock Android, due to aggressive preboot of system processes. Here's how to clean up a system without losing data:

Step 1. Clean up the app cache

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Sort the list by cache size (click on three dots in the upper right corner).

• 📸 Gallery (especially if you have a lot of photos and videos)
• 🎵 Music players (Spotify, Yandex Music)
• 🎮 Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty)
• 🌐 Browser (Chrome, Mi Browser)

Step 2: Delete unnecessary files

Use the built-in Cleanup app (the broom icon on the menu). Run Deep Cleanup and delete:

• 🗑️ Residual files (remain after deleting applications)
• 📁 Large files (video, APK, archive)
• 🔍 Duplicate photos (MIUI Often creates copies when editing)

Step 3: Disabling MIUI Preboot

Xiaomi aggressively caches apps in the background, which eats up RAM. To turn off this feature:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select "App Select" and disable preloading for all applications except instant messengers.
3. Go back and turn off the option “Optimize MIUI” (it artificially limits performance).

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If you have left the brakes after cleaning, check the /sdcard/MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder - there may be gigabytes of old backups that the system does not automatically delete.

3. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Settings for Acceleration

MIUI has a number of non-obvious features that can both speed up and slow down a smartphone. Majority users are not even aware of their existence. Here are key settings worth checking:

1. Disable animations

The interface animations eat up the CPU's resources and make the interaction less responsive.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the items: "Scale of window animation" → Off. "Scale of transition animation" → Off. "Duration of animation" → No animation

2. Set up the task scheduler

MIUI aggressively closes the background processes, which can cause slowdowns when switching between applications, to balance performance:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management → Settings.
2. Select "Select applications" and for critical programs (messengers, navigators) set "No restrictions".
3. Turn off MIUI Optimization and Memory Auto Cleanup – they often kill processes at the wrong time.

4.Memory problems: what to do if there is not enough RAM or ROM

Lack of RAM (RAM) or clogged storage (ROM) are the main causes of brakes. Xiaomi with 4 GB of RAM and less are particularly susceptible. Here's how to solve the problem:

1. Expansion of RAM

Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi introduced Dynamic RAM, which allows you to use part of your internal memory as RAM.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click on "RAM Extension" and select the maximum value (usually 2-3 GB).
3. Reset the device.

Important: This feature only works on models with UFS 2.2+ (e.g. Xiaomi 11T, Redmi K50) and on older smartphones with eMMC (e.g. Redmi 9A), the effect will be minimal.

2. Transfer of applications to a memory card

If you have a microSD, you can transfer some applications to it:

1. Insert a memory card (preferably a Class 10 UHS-I).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the application → “Storage” → “Change” → “SD card”.

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support portability SD. Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and games (PUBG, Genshin Impact can't be transferred without root rights, and the speed of applications from the card will be lower than from internal memory.

3. Cleaning up the Android/obb folder

This folder stores data from games and heavy apps, and it often stores gigabytes of unnecessary files.

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
2. Go to /sdcard/Android/obb.
3. Delete folders with games you haven’t used in a long time (e.g. com.tencent.ig is PUBG Mobile).

5. Battery and overheating: How they affect performance

Many people don’t realize that a worn-out battery or overheating can cause artificial braking of the processor. Xiaomi (like other manufacturers) limits performance if:

• 🔋 Battery health below 80% (checked in Settings) → Battery → Battery status).
• 🌡️ The temperature of the processor exceeds 45°C (can be seen in the engineering menu by code ##4636##).
• 🔌 The phone charges from a non-original adapter (especially with fast charging). 30W+).

How to solve the battery problem:

1. Battery calibration: Discharge the phone to 0% (until it turns off). Charge to 100% not on (minimum 2 hours). Repeat the cycle 2-3 times.
2. Replace thermopaste (if the phone overheats): This is relevant for older models 2 years (Redmi Note) 8 Pro, Mi 9T). Cost of replacement in the service: 1000-1500 ₽.

Shutting down fast charging

• Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Fast Charging.
• Turn off the option if you are using a non-original cable/charging.

If you suspect a hardware malfunction, do not delay a visit to the service. For example, the dump of a memory chip at an early stage can be eliminated by soldering over the service. 2000-3000 ₽, In the late period, a replacement of the motherboard will be required (10 000 ₽+).

8 Prevention: How to Prevent Brakes in the Future

To prevent your Xiaomi from starting to slow down again, follow these rules:

• 📵 Do not install a cleaner (Clean Master, CCleaner) – it only makes things worse.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone once in a while. 2-3 This cleanses the working memory.
• 📥 Do not store files in the root folder – use the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) or memory card.
• 🔋 Charge your phone with the original adapter – cheap charging ruins the battery.
• 🛡️ Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play (or configure only on Wi-Fi).

Optimal settings for long work:

• 🔄 Updates MIUI: Install only stable versions (not beta).
• 📡 Network: Disable automatic connection to open Wi-Fi networks.
• 📱 Screen: Set a 60Hz refresh rate (unless you have a gaming smartphone).
• 🎮 In the graphics settings, choose "Balanced" mode, not "High quality".