Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones are known for their performance, but over time, even flagship models like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro+ start to slow down. The reasons range from overloaded memory to unoptimized background processes. Fortunately, you can speed up Xiaomi without visiting a service center β just set up the system correctly and apply several technical techniques.
In this article, weβll look at software and hardware performance improvements, including hidden MIUI features, autoboot optimization, system debris cleanup, and even replacing the thermopast to prevent trottling. Weβll focus on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 and Dimensity 9000+ models, where the overclocking potential is most noticeable. If your Xiaomi has slowed down after the upgrade or just over time, hereβs the solution.
Important: Some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which may be insecure, and we will note these methods with special warnings.
1. Diagnostics of the current state: why Xiaomi is slowing down?
Before optimizing, you need to identify bottlenecks. MIUI has built-in tools for performance analysis:
- π Resource Monitor: Go to Settings β The phone. β All characteristics β System status. This is the loading display. CPU, RAM temperature.
- π Application Analysis: C Settings β Annexes β Application management sort programs for battery and memory consumption.
- π Performance Test: Use third-party utilities like AnTuTu Benchmark or Geekbench 6 to compare your model benchmarks.
Critical: If the CPU temperature exceeds 70Β°C at normal load, this indicates problems with cooling or thermointerface, in such cases, software optimization will give a minimal effect - physical intervention is required (cleaning or replacing the thermal paste).
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Lags when opening applications | Lack of RAM | Cleaning RAM, disabling background processes |
| Hanging when scrolling the interface | MIUI's overloaded animation | Reducing the scale of animation |
| Long system loading | Fragmented memory or lots of autoboots | Cache cleanup, auto-start optimization |
| Overheating and reduced productivity | Trottling due to high temperature | Replacement of thermal paste, use of cooling stands |
β οΈ Attention: If in Settings β You can see the battery is running at over 10 percent per hour on standby, malware is running or the background is out of control.
2. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Settings for Acceleration
MIUI contains dozens of hidden performance-impacting options, most of which are available through the developer menu (activated by 7-fold tapping on the MIUI version in the About Phone section), and the Developer Item will appear after activation.
Key settings for acceleration:
- β‘ Disable animation: set the values of the animation window, the scale of animation transition and the duration of the animator on 0.5x or off..
- π Limitation of background processes: c For developers β Background process limit select Process Maximum 2 (for weak devices) or Process Maximum 4 (for flagships).
- π Inclusion GPU-Acceleration: Activate Forced Use GPU and debugging GPU-overflow (may increase the number of overflows) FPS in games, but will reduce the time of autonomy).
- πΆ Network optimization: disable Automatic network selection to the Mobile network if the signal is unstable - this will reduce the load on the processor.
Activate the developer menu |Reduce animation to 0.5x|Limit background processes to 4|Disable application autoupdate |Enable performance mode in battery settings-->
For models with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1/2 (such as Xiaomi 13T Pro or POCO F5 Pro), the performance mode is available in the battery settings. It turns off the CPU clock limits, but increases the heat. Use it only when you are actively loading (games, video editing).
What is Trottling and how does it affect speed?
3. Cleaning the system: remove garbage and unnecessary processes
One of the main brakes of MIUI is the system cache and residual files of remote applications, which can free up to 5-10 GB of memory and speed up work by 15-20%.
Step-by-step:
- App cache cleanup: Go to Settings β Apps β App management. Select an app (like Facebook or TikTok) β Storage β Clear cache. Use Settings β Memory β Cleanup (Deep Cleaning feature) for mass cleaning.
adb shell pm trim-caches 500MThis command (executed via ADB) compulsorily clears the cache of all applications, freeing up to 500 MB.
bloatware
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.weather2
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.scannerA list of safe packets to remove can be found on the XDA Developers forums for your model.
β οΈ Warning: Do not delete system applications like com.android.phone or com.miui.home, this will cause your phone to fail. Before mass deletion, back up via Settings β Additionally. β Backup and reset.
To automate cleaning, use the following utilities:
- π§Ή SD Maid β deletes residual files and empty folders.
- ποΈ Files by Google β Finds duplicates and large, unnecessary files.
- π₯ Greenify β βfreezesβ background apps, saving RAM.
Once a week | Once a month | Only when the phone starts to brake | Never clean-->
4.Manage autoload and background processes
By default, MIUI allows most applications to automatically start when the phone is turned on and run in the background. This eats up up to 30% of RAM and 15% of battery power. Disabling unnecessary autoboots can speed up the system's start-up by 20-40%.
How to manage autoload:
- Manual method: Go to Settings β Applications β Application management β Autorun. Turn off autorun for instant messengers (except the main one), games and rarely used programs.
ADB
adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist -com.facebook.katana
adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist -com.zhiliaoapp.musicallyThese commands remove Facebook and TikTok from the list of applications that are protected from battery optimization.
To control background processes:
- π Use Brevent or Island (requires root) to freeze unnecessary services.
- π Enable Energy Saving Mode in Settings β Battery β it limits background activity.
- π΅ Turn off Permanent Notification for apps like AliExpress or Wildberries, which keep the process in memory.
π‘
If after turning off the autoboot, notifications from messengers stopped coming, add them to the exceptions in the battery settings (Settings β Battery β Battery Optimization β All applications).
5. Update firmware and core: when to switch to caste
MIUI stock firmware often contains unnecessary restrictions and βextraβ code for compatibility with different regions. Alternative firmware (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.EU) can increase performance by 25-50%, but require unlocking the bootloader.
Advantages of custom firmware:
- β Lack of bloatware (pre-installed Chinese applications).
- β More aggressive kernel optimization (e.g. FrancoKernel for Snapdragon).
- β Regular security updates (as opposed to official firmware for older models).
Step-by-step instructions for installing Xiaomi.EU (on the example of Redmi Note 12 Pro+):
- Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and a wait of 72 hours).
- Install TWRP Recovery for your model (only download from the official website twrp.me).
- Download the firmware Xiaomi.EU (for example, xiaomi.eu_multi_HMNote12ProPlus_OS1.0.3.0.UMCCNXM_v14-13.zip).
- Go to TWRP, make Wipe β Advanced Wipe (select Dalvik, Cache, Data, System).
- Install the firmware through Install and restart.
β οΈ Note: Install custom firmware on models with a MediaTek processor (for example, Redmi Note 11 or POCO M5) It can cause problems with the modem (network may disappear). 4PDA.
For users who are not prepared for the risks, the alternative is to upgrade to the latest official firmware via Settings β System Update. Often new versions of MIUI contain optimizations for specific models. For example, MIUI 14 for Xiaomi 12T improved memory management, which gave an increase of 10-15% in benchmark tests.
π‘
Custom firmware gives you maximum performance gains, but it is not guaranteed and can cause problems with banking applications (due to the lack of Google Play Protect certification).
6. Hardware improvements: from thermopaste to SSD-accumulator
If software methods have not worked, physical modifications are worth considering, and this is true for devices older than 2 years, where degradation of hardware components is inevitable.
Effective upgrades:
- π‘οΈ Thermopaste replacement: Over time, the thermal interface between the processor and radiator dries up, leading to overheating and trottling. Γ’ΒΒArctic paste suits XiaomiΓ’ΒΒs Arctic paste MX-6 Or Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut. Average performance gains after replacements β 10-20%.
- π Battery replacement: A worn-out battery (capacity below 80%) makes the processor run in power saving mode. Original batteries for Xiaomi can be found by model code (e.g., model code, BM4X For the Redmi Note 10 Pro).
- πΎ Installation of microSD UFS: Memory cards UFS 3.1 (for example, Samsung PRO Ultimate work in 5-10 faster than normal microSDs, supported by Xiaomi 13 Ultra, POCO F5 and other flagships 2023-2026 year-end.
- π Use of Type-C SSD: External drives like Samsung T7 Shield (1000MB/s) allows you to store games and heavy applications without loading on internal memory.
To replace the thermal paste will require:
- Disassemble your phone (see YouTube or iFixit for instructions for your model).
- Clean old paste with alcohol (90%+).
- Apply the new paste with a thin layer (a thickness of ~0.3 mm).
- Check the temperature after assembly with AIDA64.
How to check the wear of the battery?
7. Overclocking and undervoltage: for advanced users
If you're willing to take the risk, CPU overclocking and undervoltage reduction can deliver up to 30 percent performance gains, which require root rights and are only suitable for power users.
Tools for dispersal:
- π§ Kernel Adiutor β Frequency Control CPU/GPU.
- β‘ EX Kernel Manager β Fine kernel setting.
- π FrancoKernel Updater β Optimized cores for Snapdragon.
Example of settings for Xiaomi 12 Pro (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1):
- Install Magisk and PowerHALT module for clock frequency control.
- In Kernel Adiutor, increase the maximum frequency of the large core to 3.0 GHz (standard - 2.8 GHz).
- Reduce voltage by 25 mV for medium cores (this will reduce heating).
- Turn on the Boost CPU and install Input Boost Duration at 500ms.
β οΈ Attention: Overclocking reduces the life of the processor and can cause permanent damage if not cooled. Start with minimal changes (e.g, +100 MHz to frequency, and watch the temperature. If the phone turns off when you're loading, return the standard settings.
For undervoltage (voltage reduction), use tables UV-For example, for the Snapdragon 888 in POCO F3 Safe reduction to 850 mV on small cores, which reduces heat and increases the battery life without loss of performance.
8.Alternative methods: from reset to cloud solutions
If nothing has worked, consider radical measures:
- π Hard reset: Returns the phone to factory settings. Before reset, save data via Settings β Google β Backup. After reset, do not restore the backup - install only the necessary applications.
- βοΈ Cloud Rendering: Services Like NVIDIA GeForce NOW Xbox Cloud Gaming allows you to play heavy games (such as Genshin Impact) on weak devices, transferring computations to the server.
- π₯οΈ Desktop Mode: Connect Xiaomi to the monitor via USB-C β HDMI and use MIUI Desktop Mode (available on flagships) In this mode, the system is optimized for performance.
For discharge:
- Go to Settings β Additional β Backup and Reset β Reset settings.
- Choose to erase all data.
- After the reboot, set up the phone as new without restoring a backup.
If you use Xiaomi for work, consider virtualization. Apps like UserLAnd allow you to run lightweight Linux distributions (like Ubuntu) right on your phone, which is useful for programmers or users who need desktop tools.
π‘
Resetting to factory settings is the most effective way to return stock performance, but only helps if the problem is not in the hardware (worn memory, degraded battery).