What takes up RAM on Android in the Xiaomi phone: a full analysis + 7 ways to clean

You've noticed that your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO is slowing down, apps are slow to open, and there's a dozen background processes in the Task Manager? The culprit is overloaded RAM. But what exactly is it? Spoiler: it's not just running games or messengers.

In this article, we will discuss in detail 5 main “eaters” of RAM on Xiaomi smartphones (including models from 2023-2026 on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS), show how to diagnose a memory load without root rights, and give 7 working ways to free it – from basic to advanced.

Important: If you have a phone with 4-6 GB of RAM (like a Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5), even 70-80% of the memory load is normal, but if it is free less than 500-800 MB, it is time to act.

1. Systemic processes MIUI/HyperOS: Why do they eat before 30% RAM

The first and most underrated culprit is built-in MIUI services (or HyperOS on new models), even on a clean phone with no apps installed, the system takes 1.5 to 2.5 GB of RAM.

• 🔄 MIUI Daemon (com.miui.daemon) is a service that is responsible for background optimization. It can inflate up to 300-500 MB if there are many accounts on the phone (Google, Mi Account, social networks).
• 📊 System UI — interface MIUI/HyperOS. In the models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 13) borrow 10–15% More memory due to animations and Always-On Display.
• 🔒 SecurityCenter (com.miui.securitycenter) — antivirus and activity monitoring. On Redmi with budget processors (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1) can “hang” and take up to 400 MB.
• 🌐 NetworkStack: Network management (Wi-Fi, mobile Internet) If the phone switches between networks frequently, the process swells».

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to manually stop these processes through ADB It could lead to a system crash, reboots, or loss of features (such as notifications or mobile internet).

2. Invisible apps: top-5 background programs that you don’t notice

You think you shut down Instagram or TikTok, but they're still hanging in your memory? That's just the tip of the iceberg. There are apps that never shut down completely -- even after swiping in Task Manager.

🔍 How to check: Open Settings → Annexes → Application management → Memory. Sort by RAM consumption. If you see something in the top of the list above, that's OK. The danger is unknown flow processes. >200MB (e.g. com.android.xxx or random.name.app) – these can be viruses.

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To reduce the RAM consumption from Google Play Services, turn off unnecessary sync: go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync and leave only critical points (Contacts, Gmail).

3.Cache and junk files: why they take up RAM rather than internal memory

Many people confuse the RAM cache with the disk cache. One is the temporary data that applications store in RAM for quick access. The other is the files on the internal drive.

• 🎮 Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG) They cache textures and levels to RAM so they don't load them off the disk every time. On Xiaomi Black Shark, this can take up to 1-1.5 GB.
• 📷 The camera (com.android.camera) holds the last snapshot for quick viewing. On flagships (Xiaomi 14 Ultra) - up to 300 MB.
• 🎵 Music apps (Spotify, Yandex Music) buffer tracks in RAM for smooth playback.
• 🌍 Maps (Google Maps, Yandex Maps) store loaded areas in memory so as not to reload them.

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the cache through Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache only deletes files on the disk, but does not free RAM! To clear the cache in RAM, you need to:

Reboot your phone (the most reliable way)

Close all applications through Task Manager (double pressing the Home button)

Disable and turn on the developer mode again (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version 7 times)

Use the command adb shell cmd activity clear (requires PC)-->

4. Viruses and malware: how they masquerade as system processes

If your Xiaomi is suddenly slowing down and there are unknown processes in the Task Manager with names like com.android.system.update or service.host.secure, that’s a cause for concern.

• 🛡️ Fake antiviruses (e.g. Security Master or Cleaner Pro) show false virus notifications and ask to buy a premium version».
• 📱 Fake system applications with names similar to real ones (e.g. com.google.play.store.update instead of com.android.vending).
• 💰 Banking Trojans that are watching SMS and intercept the confirmation codes (spread through APK-game-files).
• ⚙️ Cryptocurrency miners that load the processor and RAM in the background (determined by the constant heating of the phone).

🔍 How to check: Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light from Google Play and run a deep scan. ADMIN or ACCESSIBILITY (In Settings → Special facilities → Special facilities services).

5. MIUI Optimization and Smart Cleaning: Why They Are Sometimes Harmful

Xiaomi likes to brag about the Smart Cleanup feature (newer versions of MIUI Optimization), which supposedly frees up RAM, but in practice it often impairs performance.

• ⚡ Aggressive closure of applications: MIUI It kills background processes 3-5 minutes after folding, because of this, messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) stop updating, and the music in the headphones is interrupted.
• 🔄 Constant Service Reboot: The system turns Google Play Services on and off, leading to lags when opening apps.
• 📉 False economy: Cleaning RAM doesn't speed up the phone if there's enough memory. Empty RAM is inefficient because the system has to constantly load data from the disk.

🛠️ How to turn off the “smart cleaning»:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the items: Do not remain active - disable. Process restriction - select Standard Limit. MIUI Optimization - disable (reboots).

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Disabling MIUI Optimization can result in a faster battery discharge of 5-10%, but will significantly improve multitasking and application stability.

6.How to Free RAM on Xiaomi Without Harming the System

Here are 7 proven ways to free up RAM, from the safest to the most advanced (with risk to stability):

🔹 Basic methods (without root)

• 🔄 Reboot: Frees 30-50% of RAM. Do this every 2-3 days.
• 🗑️ Remove Unnecessary Apps: Remove social networks you don’t use (such as Facebook or TikTok) and replace them with Lite or Web versions.
• ⚙️ Disabling Autoboot: In Settings → Annexes → Application management → Auto Start Disable Autoboot for Unnecessary Programs.

🔹 Advanced methods (require caution)

• 🛠️ Background Process Limitation: In Developers, Set Process Limitation: Maximum 2–3 (but it will kill multitasking!).
• 📱 Use of alternative firmware: Firmware based AOSP (Pixel Experience, for example, takes 30-40% less RAM than MIUI.
• 🔧 Disable animations: For developers, set the Windows/Switch animation scale: Disable. This won't free up RAM, but speeds up the interface.
• 🚫 Ad Blocking: Install Blokada or AdGuard – These will reduce the load from background ad network requests.

⚠️ Note: Do not use “radiation boosters” from Google Play (such as Clean Master or Google Play). DU They don't clean up memory more efficiently than the standard tools, but they collect your data and show you ads. At best, it's a placebo, at worst, malware.

7.When the brakes are not because of RAM: Other causes of lags on Xiaomi

If the phone still brakes after all the manipulations, the problem may not be in the RAM.

• 🔋 Battery status: If the capacity has dropped below 70%, the processor begins trottling (decreased performance.
• 🔥 Overheating: At temperatures above 45°C system enforces performance restrictions. Clean the charging connector and don't use your phone in the sun.
• 📉 Completed storage: If less than 10% of internal memory is left, Android starts to slow down.Empty space or transfer files to SD-map.
• 🔄 Outdated firmware: On MIUI 12 and older can be memory management bugs. Update to the latest version in Settings → Update of the PO.

🔧 Diagnosis: Install CPU Monitor or DevCheck and check it out:

• CPU occupancy (if >70% in simple, look for a virus).
• Temperature (>50°C - overheating).
• Read/write internal memory speed (if <100 MB/s, the drive is worn out).

FAQ: Frequent questions about RAM on Xiaomi