Xiaomi phone slows down and lags: what to do in 2026?

Your Xiaomi is slow, apps are slow to open, and animations are twitching? This is a common problem even on relatively new models like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5. The brakes can be caused by both software failures of MIUI and hardware limitations. In this article, we will discuss 10 proven ways to speed up the phone, from basic cache cleaning to radical measures like resetting to factory settings.

First, determine when exactly the lags occur:

• 🔄 After updating MIUI — This is a common cause, especially if the firmware is "raw».
• 📱 When launching specific applications (games, social networks, camera).
• 🔋 Low battery life – Android automatically limits performance.
• 🌡️ When overheating - the processor trottlates (resets frequencies).

If the phone starts to brake suddenly, start with simple steps. If the problem grows gradually (for example, the Redmi 9A after 2 years of operation), it is most likely to be the memory filling or battery wear. Older models like the Mi A1 or Redmi 4X may need to replace the thermopastes or batteries.

1. Clean up RAM (RAM) and cache

The most common reason for brakes is a lack of RAM, and MIUI aggressively uses RAM for background processes, but sometimes forgets to release it.

• 🧹 Manual cleaning: Hold the button Recent applications (square at the bottom of the screen) → Click Clear Everything. Some firmware has a button to Clear Memory in the drop-down menu.
• ⚙️ Auto Cleanup: Go to Settings → Annexes → Clean and enable Auto Clean when blocked.
• 🗑️ Cleaning the application cache: In Settings → Memory. → Clean up, select the app cache and delete it. Don't confuse it with the app data, it will delete logins and settings!

For deep cleaning, use the built-in Security app (shield icon). Go to Optimize → Deep Clean. Here you can delete unnecessary files, remnants of deleted applications and duplicate photos.

⚠️ Note: Do not clean the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) manually through Settings → All applications. This can cause interface failures.

2. MIUI optimization: disabling unnecessary functions

MIUI is overloaded with functions that eat up resources, many of which can be safely disabled:

• 🎨 Animation and transitions: Go to Settings → About the phone, tap 7 times on the version MIUI, To activate Developer Mode. Then to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, set: The scale of the window animation → Off. Scale of transition animation → Duration of the animator → Off.
• 📊 Background activity: C Settings → Battery → Battery mode select Performance (instead of Balanced). Also turn off Adaptive Brightness in Settings → Display — it's constantly polling the light sensor.
• 🔍 Search and recommendations: Turn off App Search in Settings → Main screen and disable recommendations in Settings → Confidentiality → Special permits → Recommendations.

Another hidden resource eater is MIUI advertising, to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Put it on the icon. ⚙️ top-right.
3. Turn off Recommended Content and get recommendations.

3. Application Management: What to Remove and How to Disable Autoboot

Many brakes are caused by the background processes of applications, even closed programs can start automatically and load the system.

• 🚫 Remove Unnecessary Applications: Go through the list in Settings → Apps and remove: Pre-installed games (Mi Game Center, POCO Launcher, etc.) Duplicate applications (e.g., two browsers: Mi Browser and Google Chrome), social networks that you do not use (e.g., Facebook, if you only use VKontakte).
• 🔄 Stop Autoboot: Go to Settings → Annexes → Manage Auto Start and disable Autoboot for all applications except instant messengers and system services.
• 🛑 Restriction of background activity: C Settings → Battery → Battery use apps select Limit background activity for unnecessary programs.

Pay particular attention to Google Play Services and Miui Daemon, which are often left in the background to reduce their impact:

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find Google Play Services and click Limit Background Activity.
3. For Miui Daemon, turn off auto-start (but don't delete!).

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable autoboot for com.android.phone (telephony) and com.miui.securitycenter (security) – this can disrupt the operation of calls and SMS.

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To find the most voracious apps, go to Settings → Battery → Battery Use and sort by CPU Use.

4. Resetting: When and How to Do

If the previous methods didn't work, maybe the system is full of configuration errors, and then resetting will help.

• 🔄 Soft reset (saves files): Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Reset. It'll only return the system settings to the factory, without affecting the photos and apps.
• 🧹 Hard reset (full cleaning): Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Delete all data. This way will delete everything, including accounts, photos and apps. → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud Backup!

After discharge:

1. Do not restore the backup immediately – check if the brakes are still there.
2. Install applications one at a time, watching the performance.
3. Do not update all apps directly through the Play Market – some updates may contain bugs.

If the reset didn’t help, the problem could be in the hardware (see Section 6).

5. Update firmware: how to properly and without risks

Sometimes the brakes are caused by firmware bugs. Xiaomi releases updates regularly, but not all of them are stable.

• 🔄 Check the current version: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If the version is older than the official website, update it.
• ⚠️ Update rules: Connect to Wi-Fi (mobile updates may be interrupted) Battery charge must be at least 50%.Close all applications before starting.
• 📥 Manual installation: If OTA-update does not come, download the firmware from the official site and install through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Select a firmware file.

If the phone is still more slow after the update:

1. Wait 24 hours – the system can be optimized in the background.
2. Make a cache reset via Recovery (clamp Power + Volume up when turned on → Wipe Cache).
3. Reverse to the previous version via the Mi Flash Tool (instruction below).

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Update your firmware only through official channels. Insufficient installation of custom firmware (like LineageOS) can lead to a brick (complete inoperability) of the phone.

6.Iron check: battery, thermopast, memory

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be the hardware.

• 🔋 Battery: Install the AccuBattery app and check battery health. If the capacity drops below 70%, the battery needs to be replaced. At a rate below 15%, Android begins to limit performance.
• 🌡️ Overheating: Use CPU Monitor to check the temperature of the processor.°C in plain, up to 65.°C under load. If the phone heats up above 70°C, thermopastes or heat pads need to be replaced.
• 💾 Memory (ROM): If it's less free 10% If you're going to have a volume, you're going to slow down. Check the read/write speed with AndroBench. 100 MB/s, It may be worn out (especially for older models with eMMC).

For the diagnosis of "iron" suitable applications:

• Throttling Test CPU – checks whether the processor is resetting frequencies due to overheating.
• DevCheck – shows detailed information about the processor, memory and battery.
• 3C Toolbox – monitors the use of CPU, RAM and network in real time.

⚠️ Warning: If you're unsure of your skills, don't disassemble the phone yourself - risk damaging plumes or motherboard.

7. Alternative firmware: should you switch to caste?

If standard MIUI is slowing down, you might want to consider alternative firmware, but consider the risks:

To install custom firmware:

1. Unlock bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (you need a Mi Account and phone binding).
2. Install TWRP Recovery via fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. Make a backup of the current firmware in TWRP (Backup section).
4. Sweep through the new firmware and GApps (Google services).

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will reset the phone to factory settings! Also note that on some models (for example, the Redmi Note 9 Pro) Widevine will stop working after unlocking. L1 — Netflix and other services will only show videos in the 480p.

Extreme measures: replacement of components

If all the software methods are exhausted and the phone still brakes, then you have to repair the hardware.

• 🔋 Battery: Cost: from 800 ₽ (for Redmi 9A) before 2500 ₽ (for Mi 11). Signs of wear: quickly sits down, turns off on 30-40%, swell.
• 💾 Storage (eMMC/UFS): Relevant for older phones 3 Symptoms: slow recording/reading, lags at gallery opening. 3000 ₽ (work).
• 🌡️ Thermopaste/thermolayer: Symptoms: overheating at the slightest load, processor trottling. Cost: from 1000 ₽ (independently up to 2000 ₽ (service).
• 🔧 Motherboard: Extremely, if the phone glitches after falling or getting moisture.Fund: from 5,000 ₽ (model).

Where to repair:

• 🏠 Xiaomi’s official service is a 6-month warranty, but more expensive.
• 🔧 Local service centers are cheaper, but check reviews.

For older models (like the Redmi 4X or Mi 5), repairs may not be cost-effective, in which case consider buying a new phone - even the budget POCO M6 Pro will run faster.

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Before replacing components, check the phone through the diagnostic menu: dial ##4636## and select Battery Information and Use.

FAQ: Frequent questions about brakes on Xiaomi