Why Xiaomi Mi 9A is slowing down: all the reasons and solutions for accelerating the smartphone

Xiaomi Mi 9A

In this article, weโ€™ll look at all the possible reasons why the Mi 9A has become so stupid, from cache clogging to hardware malfunctions, how to diagnose a problem, what settings to optimize, and when to really think about replacing your battery or repairing it, and exclusive firmware and hidden MIUI tips to help bring your smartphone back to its former agileness.

Let me warn you right away: if the brakes came after a fall, moisture or mechanical damage, it's probably the hardware. Otherwise, read on and try solutions in order, starting with the simplest ones.

1. RAM overload: why the Mi 9A is "choking"

The smartphone is equipped with only 2 GB of RAM โ€“ enough for basic tasks, but modern applications (especially social networks and messengers) actively consume memory in the background. If you do not close programs manually, the system begins to โ€œrestโ€ in the limit, which leads to slowdowns.

How do you check? Go to Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ Memory and see the RAM schedule. If you're free less than 300-400 MB, that's the critical threshold. Solutions:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Close background apps through the "Recent" button (swipe up and hold). Does it help? Use Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Application management โ†’ Clear everything.
  • โšก Disable auto-run of unnecessary programs: Settings โ†’ Battery and productivity โ†’ Autostart control.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Activate the Light mode in MIUI: Settings โ†’ Special facilities โ†’ Lite mode (simplifies animations).

Important: if after cleaning the memory brakes return after 10-15 minutes - the problem is deeper (see section on viruses or battery wear).

๐Ÿ“Š How often do you clean up your RAM on Xiaomi?
Every day.
Once a week.
Only when it's slowing down.
Never.

2. clogged cache and junk files: "invisible brakes"

MIUI is known for actively cacheing data to speed up work, but over time, this cache becomes a dump: temporary files, remnants of deleted applications, duplicate media, and if you don't clean the system for years, it can suffocate from garbage.

How to clean:

  1. Manual: Settings โ†’ Storage โ†’ Cleanup โ†’ select App Cache and Garbage Files.
  2. Through Security App: Open the Security app, click Optimization โ†’ Deep Clean.
  3. Third-party utilities: CCleaner or SD Maid (remove them after use!).

โš ๏ธ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) โ€“ this can cause malfunctions MIUI.

Remove the cache of user applications

Cleaning up garbage through Security App

Check the Download folder for unnecessary files

Restart the phone after cleaning-->

3. Viruses and malware: hidden "parasites"

The Mi 9A is not immune to viruses, especially if you install APKs from unverified sources.The malware can run in the background, steal data and load the processor at 100%, leading to lags.

Signs of infection:

  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ Unexplained traffic consumption (check in Settings) โ†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks โ†’ Traffic).
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Quick battery discharge even in standby mode.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Appearance of unfamiliar apps on the menu.

How to treat:

  1. Download Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light from Google Play and scan the system.
  2. Remove suspicious programs in Settings โ†’ Applications (sorting by installation date).
  3. In extreme cases, reset to factory settings (see section 6).
What if the antivirus does not find viruses, but the phone slows down?
Sometimes malicious code is embedded in MIUI system files, in which case only a complete flashing through Fastboot (instruction in section 7) will help.

4.Old firmware: why updates are critical for the Mi 9A

Xiaomi regularly releases updates for Mi 9A, But many users ignore them. MIUI contain:

  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Corrections of brake-causing bugs.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Optimization of work with RAM and processor.
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Security patches (relevant to protect against viruses).

How to update:

  1. Through OTA: Settings โ†’ About the phone โ†’ System update.
  2. Manual: download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website and install through Settings โ†’ About phone โ†’ Three dots โ†’ Select a firmware file.

โš ๏ธ Attention: If after the update the brakes are strengthened - reset the cache in Recovery (clip the power supply) + Volume up when turned on, select Wipe Cache).

๐Ÿ’ก

Before updating, check firmware reviews on forums (such as 4PDA).

5. Battery wear: how the battery affects performance

After 2-3 years of operation, the battery capacity of the Mi 9A is reduced by 30-50%. When the battery degrades, the system automatically limits performance to extend the operating time, which leads to artificial brakes.

How to check the wear:

  1. Install AccuBattery from Google Play โ€“ the application will show the real capacity and degree of wear.
  2. Type ##4636## in the dialer, select Battery Information, and compare level and health.

Decisions:

Degree of wearSymptomsAction
10โ€“30%Quick discharge, light braking.Battery calibration (discharge to 0%, charge to 100% without interruptions)
30โ€“50%Strong lags, shutdown at 20-30% chargeReplacement of the battery (cost) ~1500โ€“2000 โ‚ฝ)
50%+The phone does not hold charge, overheats.Urgent replacement + diagnostics of the power controller

๐Ÿ’ก

If the battery capacity has dropped below 80%, no software optimizations will return the previous performance โ€“ only replacement.

6.Reset to factory settings: Last chance before repairs

If all the previous methods didn't work, there's a radical solution, hard reset, which will delete all the data, but it will return the smartphone to its "clean" state.

Method 1 (via menu):

  1. Create a backup: Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Backup and Reset โ†’ Local backup.
  2. Perform reset: Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Backup and Reset โ†’ Reset settings.

Method 2 (via Recovery):

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
  3. Select Wipe Data โ†’ Wipe All Data (control โ€“ volume and power buttons).

โš ๏ธ Warning: After reset, do not restore data from the backup if it was created on a "slowed" system - this will return the problems.

7. Fastboot Flashing: For Advanced Users

If the smartphone is slowing down due to a โ€œcurveโ€ of firmware (for example, after a failed update), a complete reinstallation of MIUI via Fastboot will help. This method requires a PC and knowledge of commands, but is guaranteed to solve software problems.

Step-by-step:

  1. Download the official firmware for the Mi 9A (select the Fastboot version).
  2. Unpack the archive in a folder on the disk C:\ (for example, C:\mi9a_fastboot).
  3. Install ADB and Fastboot drivers.
  4. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down when turned on).
  5. Open the command line in the firmware folder and type: fastboot flash all (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

โš ๏ธ Warning: Do not turn off your phone while you are firmware - this can lead to "bricking" (complete inoperability).

What to do if the phone does not turn on after the firmware?
If your smartphone hangs on the Mi logo after Fastboot, repeat the procedure with another firmware version. If it doesn't work, check the cable and USB port (a common cause of failures).

8. Hardware malfunctions: when it's time to go to service

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

  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ CPU overheating (Snapdragon 625 chip prone to trottling at high temperatures). AIDA64 โ€” if the temperature is greater than 70ยฐC under load, thermopaste replacement is required.
  • ๐Ÿ’พ Problems with internal memory (flash drive wear) Symptoms: slow file writing/reading, errors in application installation.
  • ๐Ÿ“ก Module malfunction Wi-Fi/Bluetooth (It can cause a freeze when connecting to the network).

Diagnosis:

Symptoms.Probable causeDecision
Brakes when chargingFaulty power controllerReplacement of fees
Artifacts on screen + lagsDetachment of the display plumeSweatering or screen replacement
Accidental rebootsProblems with working memoryDiagnostics in the service

The cost of repair in the official service Xiaomi:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Battery replacement: 1,500โ€“2,000 โ‚ฝ.
  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Thermopaste replacement: 800โ€“1,200 โ‚ฝ.
  • ๐Ÿ’พ Memory Diagnosis: 500โ€“1000 โ‚ฝ.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the brakes Xiaomi Mi 9A

Can I speed up the Mi 9A without resetting?
Yes, 70% of the time, a combination of methods helps: Clearing cache and junk files; disabling autorun of unnecessary applications; updating your firmware to the latest version; if that doesn't work, try rolling back the firmware to a more stable version (e.g., from MIUI 12 to MIUI 11).
Why is the Mi 9A a PUBG (Genshin Impact)?
The smartphone is not designed for heavy gaming due to the weak Snapdragon 625 chip and 2 GB of RAM: ๐ŸŽฎ Reduce the graphical settings in the game to a minimum. โš™๏ธ Activate Performance Mode: Settings โ†’ Battery and productivity โ†’ Performance mode. ๐Ÿ”Œ Play with a connected charger (but no longer than 1 hour โ€“ the risk of overheating!).
How to check if the processor is not โ€œtrottliteโ€ due to overheating?
Install the Throttling Test CPU from Google Play. Run the test: If the graph shows a CPU frequency drop below 1.8 GHz when loaded, there's trottling. Solution: replace the thermal paste or use a cooling case.
Should you install custom firmware (such as LineageOS)?
Castom firmware can speed up Mi 9A, but they have risks: โœ… Pros: lack of โ€œgarbageยป MIUI, Update longer than official. โŒ Cons: loss of warranty, possible bugs with the camera or sensors. We recommend the cast only to experienced users. MIUI.
What if the Mi 9A is slowing down after a fall?
Mechanical damage often leads to: ๐Ÿ”Œ Detachment of plumes (screen, battery, camera). ๐Ÿ’ฅ Microcracks on the motherboard, and it's hard to diagnose them yourself, so you can go to the service, and the cost of repairing them after a fall is from 2,000. โ‚ฝ (glass replacements up to 8,000 โ‚ฝ (fixation).