Xiaomi is braking and lagging: what to do to speed up the phone in 2026

Xiaomi smartphones are known for their price-performance ratio, but even the most powerful models eventually start to “hang over.” If your Redmi, POCO or Mi slowly open applications, think long when switching between tasks or suddenly “freeze” during games, this is a signal to optimize. The reasons for the brakes can be both software (cumulative memory, background processes) and hardware (battery wear, overheating). In this article, we will analyze all possible ways of acceleration, from basic to radical, taking into account the features of MIUI firmware and Xiaomi hardware.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi’s brakes after 2-3 years of use are not always the manufacturer’s fault, but the result of improper user optimization. Many owners overlook that even budget models (such as the Redmi Note 10 or the POCO M4 Pro) can work quickly when properly set up. We won’t advise “buy a new phone” – instead, we’ll offer specific steps that will return your device to its former agility.

1. Cleaning up memory and cache: the first step to speeding up

The most common cause of brakes is a filled storage and an overloaded cache. MIUI firmware actively uses the cache to speed up work, but over time it turns into "junk" that only gets in the way. Start with basic cleaning:

• 📱 Cleaning the application cache: go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select the hardest one (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) and click Clear Cache. Repeat for all apps that are >500MB.
• 🗑️ Disposal of waste through “Security”: in MIUI Have a built-in cleaner - open the Security app → Clean up and run a deep check. APK, temporary files and duplicates.
• 📂 Manual folder check: Use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer) to find large files in Download folders, DCIM (photo/video and Android/data (game-cash).

If less than 10% of memory is free after cleaning, delete unnecessary applications or transfer files to a memory card (if supported). On models with 64 GB of storage (for example, Redmi 9A), it is critical to leave at least 3-4 GB of free space.

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Do not clear the cache of system applications (such as MIUI System or Google Services) – this can cause firmware to crash.

2. Disable animation and visual effects

MIUI is famous for its beauty: smooth transitions, animations when opening apps, unlock effects, but all this eats up the CPU resources and slows down, especially on weak chips (for example, Snapdragon 4xx or Helio Gxx).

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the items: Windows animation scale → select No animation; Transition animation scale → No animation; Duration of animation → Off..

And these changes are applied immediately, and you'll notice that the phone is opening apps instantly and switching between tasks. AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi 12 or Xiao) POCO F4) It is also recommended to disable Adaptive brightness in the display settings - this will reduce the load on the sensors and the processor.

3. Optimization of background processes and autoboot

MIUI aggressively manages background processes, but often it works against the user: apps don't shut down completely, but fall asleep, continuing to consume memory.

• 🔄 Limit background activity: in Settings → Battery → Select Battery Mode for Unnecessary Applications (Messaging, Social Networks) Mode Limit Background Activity.
• 🚫 Turn off autoboot: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Autostart and deactivate autoboot for all applications except system.
• ⚡ Use "Light" mode: in Settings → Special facilities → Lite mode: Enable the option to simplify the interface (relevant for weaker models like Redmi). 8A).

Pay special attention to Google Play Services and MIUI Daemon, which are processes that often hang the system. If the phone still brakes after optimization, check the use of RAM in Settings → About Phone → Memory Status. If less than 1 GB is free, it's time for radical measures.

4. Resetting: When nothing helps

If the phone is slowing down even after cleaning and optimizing, a factory reset could be the last chance.

Make a backup copy in Settings → Additionally. → Backup|Save photos on Google Photos or PC|Record logins/passwords from accounts|Get out. SIM and SD-card (if any)

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For discharge:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Erase All Data (on some models – Delete Everything and Reset Settings).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (can take up to 10 minutes).

After resetting, the phone will be like new, but do not restore data from the backup immediately - first check the speed of the "clean" system. If the brakes are gone, the problem was in the software. If not, the "iron" (battery, overheating, wear and tear of flash memory) is to blame.

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Resetting deletes all data, including your linked accounts (Google, Mi Account) and make sure you remember your passwords or you risk losing access to your phone!

5. Update firmware and rollback to stable version

Brakes can appear after the MIUI update, especially if you are using a beta or firmware for another region. Check the current version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

If the problem occurs after the update, try:

1. Reset settings via Settings → Additional → Reset settings → Reset network settings (sometimes helps with interface lags).
2. Install stable global firmware via the Mi Flash Tool (instructions are available on the 4PDA forum).
3. Turn off MIUI Auto Update in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

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Before firmware check the phone model with the command fastboot getvar product – using the wrong firmware can “brick” the device!

Hardware causes of brakes: battery, overheating, memory

If the software methods didn't work, it's the hardware.

• 🔋 Battery wear: at capacity <50% The phone starts trottling the processor (restricting performance). Check the battery status through the AccuBattery app.
• 🔥 Overheating: if the case is hot, and in games there are lags - replace the heat paste or clean the phone from dust (relevant to the game). POCO X3 Redmi Note 10 Pro).
• 💾 Wear of flash memory: on budget models (for example, Redmi) 9C) Cheap eMMC memory degrades over time. Check the read/write speed with AndroBench.

If the battery is worn out, it must be replaced – modern smartphones with low battery capacity artificially reduce performance. To replace, choose the original Xiaomi batteries or certified counterparts (for example, from Baseus).

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On models with Snapdragon 8xx (for example, POCO F4 GT), overheating can be caused by a malfunction of the cooling system. If the brakes are left after cleaning and replacing the thermal paste, contact the service.

7.Alternative firmware: When MIUI is too heavy

If standard MIUI brakes even on flagships (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro), try alternative firmware:

• 📱 Pixel Experience: “clean” Android without unnecessary services MIUI. It is suitable for weak models (Redmi 9, POCO M3).
• ⚡ LineageOS: stable, open source firmware. Requires unlocking the bootloader.

Installing custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader (via the Mi Unlock Tool) and may take away warranty.

• Data loss;
• Unstable operation of the camera or sensors;
• Problems with OTA-update.

If you are not sure about your abilities, contact experienced users on the forums (4PDA, XDA-Developers).

8. when it's time to bring in the service or buy a new phone

If none of the methods worked, your Xiaomi may have run out of resources.

• 🛠️ The phone turns off at 20-30% charge (critical battery wear);
• 🔥 The processor is trolled even in simple tasks (checked through the CPU Throttling Test);
• 💀 Apps dye when opened (memory or motherboard problems).

Cost of repair:

If your Xiaomi is older than 3-4 years (like the Redmi Note 7 or POCO F1), it may be time to consider buying a new model. In 2026, even budget smartphones (like the Redmi Note 13) offer 2-3 times more performance than the flagships of 2019-2020.

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Before buying a new phone, check it on the GSMArena website – compare benchmark results (AnTuTu, Geekbench) with your current model.

FAQ: Frequent questions about brakes on Xiaomi