How to speed up Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: from software tweaks to hardware upgrades

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is still a popular budget device even in 2026, but its performance inevitably declines over time. Lags when switching apps, long camera load, sudden hang-ups are familiar symptoms? The problem is not the “weak hardware” (the Helio G85 processor and 4 GB of RAM are still relevant for everyday tasks), but the accumulated digital garbage, outdated software and suboptimal MIUI settings.

This article is not about magic buttons or questionable optimization utilities. We will analyze 7 proven methods, from basic (cleaning the cache, disabling animations) to advanced (overclocking the processor, replacing the firmware with Pixel Experience). Each method is tested on Redmi Note 9 with current versions of MIUI 14 and Android 12. Importantly, some actions require unlocking the bootloader - we will warn you about this in advance.

The speed of a smartphone depends on three factors: software optimization (70% of the effect), hardware constraints (20%) and external conditions (temperature, battery charge 10%), starting with the simplest and safest.

1. Cleaning the system: remove the garbage that slows down the smartphone

The first thing to do is to free up space and delete unnecessary data. Redmi Note 9 often suffers from crowded memory, especially if you use the 64 GB option. When there is less than 10% free space, the system begins to slow down due to file fragmentation and lack of space for the cache of applications.

Start with the built-in MIUI tools:

• 🧹 Cleaning up garbage: go to Settings → The phone. → Memory. → Clean up. Delete the cache of applications, temporary files and residues of deleted programs. Attention: do not touch the "System Data" section - this can lead to crashes.
• 🗑️ Remove duplicates: in the same memory menu, select Files" →"Duplicate". MIUI automatically find repeated photos, videos and documents.
• 📱 Optimization of applications: in Settings → Annexes → App management sort programs by size. Remove those that haven't been used for more than a month.

For deep cleaning, use third-party utilities:

⚠️ Please note: Do not use "optimizers" such as Clean Master or DU Speed Booster. Not only does it not speed up your smartphone, but it can also increase battery consumption through background activity. SD Maid is the only open source utility in this segment.

2. disable MIUI animation and visual effects

MIUI is known for its beautiful yet resource-intensive animations, which can reduce delays in opening applications by 15-20%, and it doesn't require root rights, and it takes less than a minute to turn off unnecessary visual effects.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times. You’re a developer notification will appear.
2. Return to the main settings, open the section Additional → For developers.
3. Find the block "Animation" and set the following values: 🎞️ The scale of window animation → Off or 0.5x 🔄 Scale of transition animation → Off or 0.5x ⚡ Duration of the animator → Off.

You can also disable unnecessary MIUI effects:

• 🌈 Super Wallpaper: Go to Settings → Wallpaper and select a static image. Animated wallpaper eats up to 10% of CPU time in the background.
• 🔍 Unlocking Effects: In Settings → Lock the screen disable "Unlock animation".
• 🎵 System sounds: in Settings → Turn off "Touch Sounds" and "Vibration when pressed".

Turn off window animation |Scale down transitions |Select static wallpaper |Switch off touch-->

These changes will make the interface less liveable, but will speed up the system’s response by 10-30% (depending on the current CPU load). If you care about visuals, set at least 0.5x instead of completely shutting down.

3. Optimization of autoboot and background processes

One of the main reasons for the brakes is applications that run in the background. Even after closing, many programs continue to consume resources: update data, show notifications, sync with servers. On the Redmi Note 9 with 4 GB of RAM, this is critical.

How to limit background activity:

• 🚫 Disabling Autostart: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Autorun. Turn off autoboot for all applications except instant messengers and system services.
• 🔄 Limitation of synchronization: in Settings → Accounts and syncs: Turn off automatic sync for unnecessary accounts (e.g. Mi Account if you don’t use the Xiaomi cloud).
• 📵 Block notifications: in the settings of each application (Settings) → Annexes → [name] → Notifications) turn off unnecessary alerts. Each notification wakes up the processor.

For advanced users:

If after this manipulation, some programs stopped updating (such as the weather or mail), add them to the exceptions.

4. Firmware update: vs Custom assemblies

Outdated firmware is one of the main reasons for the brakes. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for the Redmi Note 9, but many users ignore them. Meanwhile, new versions of MIUI include optimizations for the Helio G85 processor and fixing "holes" in memory.

How to update the official firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click "Check Updates." If a new version is available, download it (preferably over Wi-Fi).
3. Before installing, make sure the battery is >50% or the process will stop.

If the official updates don't help, consider custom firmware.The best options for the Redmi Note 9 (merlin):

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware will reset all data and require unlocking the bootloader. On Redmi Note 9, it takes 7 days to wait after linking the Mi Account.

If you don't want to take a risk, try a rollback on the old version of MIUI. For example, many users note that MIUI 12.5 is faster than MIUI 14 on this device.

5. Overclocking the processor and GPU: risks and real benefits

Redmi Note 9 is equipped with a processor MediaTek Helio G85 with a clock speed of up to 2.0 GHz. In theory, it can be overclocked to 2.2-2.3 GHz, but in practice it gives a minimal increase in performance (5-10%) with a significant increase in heat and battery consumption.

How to overclock the processor (for experienced users only):

• 🔧 Requirements: Unlocked Root Right Loader (Magisk) Installed Overclocking Core (e.g. KernelSU)
• 📈 Tools: Kernel Auditor (for frequency settings) CPU Throttling Test (for stability testing)

Recommended settings for the Helio G85:

• 🔥 Maximum frequency CPU: 2100 MHz (not higher than!)
• ⚡ Minimum frequency CPU: 600 MHz (for battery saving)
• 🎮 Frequency GPU: 1000 MHz (standard) 950 MHz)

⚠️ Warning: Overclocking shortens processor life and can lead to overheating above 60°C, which will cause trottling (automatic performance decline) Use only with quality cooling (e.g., a game cooler) and turn off acceleration when charging.

The alternative to overclocking is undervoltage, which reduces heat and battery consumption without losing performance. Use a Magisk module called CoolDown.

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Before overclocking, check the current CPU temperatures in the AIDA64 app. If they exceed 45°C in idle time, overclocking will only make things worse.

Hardware Improvements: What Can Be Replaced in the Redmi Note 9

If software methods don’t help, consider hardware upgrades.The Redmi Note 9 has a modular design that allows you to replace several key components:

What can be improved:

The most effective improvement is to replace the eMMC with a faster chip. The Redmi Note 9 uses 5.1 eMMC memory, which can be replaced by UFS 2.1 (from the Redmi Note 10 Pro).

• 📱 Download applications - by 40%
• 🖼️ Photo processing - by 25%
• 🎮 Launch of games - on 15-20%

For a replacement, contact a service center with experience with Xiaomi. Self-replacement can damage the motherboard. 2000-3000 ₽.

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Replacing the eMMC with UFS is the most notable upgrade for the Redmi Note 9, but requires professional skills.

7. Alternative methods: when nothing helps

If all of the above methods have failed, consider extreme measures:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings: this will delete all data, but return the smartphone to its original speed. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 📱 Use as a "second phone": If performance is not enough for everyday tasks, transfer the Redmi Note 9 to the role of a backup device (for example, for music, navigation or other devices). IP-camera).
• 💰 Sale/exchange for a new model: in 2026 Redmi Note 9 You can exchange it for Redmi Note. 12 surcharged 5000-7000 ₽ in official Xiaomi salons.

If you decide to sell the device, first:

1. Perform reset to factory settings.
2. Untie your Mi Account in Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
3. Delete everything. SIM-memory-cards.

Average price of Redmi Note 9 (4/64 GB) in the secondary market in 2026 year — 6000-8000 ₽, For comparison, the new Redmi Note 13 worth 15 000 ₽.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 9 acceleration