Cleaning RAM on Xiaomi Redmi 9: a complete guide for models with 2, 3 and 4 GB of RAM

Why Redmi 9 is slowing down and how it relates to RAM

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A, 9C and 9T modifications) often face slowdowns, even if the device has a clean MIUI without unnecessary applications. The main reason is a lack of RAM. Models with 2 GB of RAM suffer the most, but even versions with 3-4 GB can “gasp” when used actively.

The fact is that Android controls memory differently than Windows: the system actively caches data from frequently used applications to speed up their re-run. However, on budget smartphones like the Redmi 9 (equipped with a MediaTek Helio G35/G80 processor), this mechanism often works to the detriment of the application, not closing completely, but hanging in the background, consuming precious megabytes of RAM, the result is lags when switching between tasks, a long camera load or even sudden reboots.

The key problem with Redmi 9 is limited memory, coupled with aggressive MIUI optimization. For example, with 2 GB of RAM, the system reserves up to 500 MB for its needs, leaving the user with only ~1.3 GB. This is enough for 2-3 background applications, after which the brakes begin. Even if you did not start anything heavy, Google Play services, MIUI Daemon and instant messengers can quietly eat up to 800 MB.

How to check the loading of RAM on Redmi 9

Before we start cleaning, we need to understand how critical the situation is. MIUI has built-in tools for monitoring RAM, but they're hidden in the back of the menu.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
3. Go back to the main settings menu and select a new section for developers.
4. Scroll down to Debug → Memory. Here you will see a graph of RAM usage in real time.

An alternative way to use the hidden MIUI menu is to use:

1. In the phone app, dial the code ##4636##.
2. Select Usage Statistics (Usage Statistics).
3. Go to the Memory Usage tab – here you can find detailed information about free and occupied memory.

Pay attention to two key indicators:

• 📊 Available — how much memory is available right now. If it's below 300MB, it'll slow down.
• 🔄 Cached: data that can be released without harming the system, ideally no more than 50% of the total RAM.

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If there is no memory schedule in the Developer Menu, upgrade MIUI to the latest version. Old firmware (below MIUI 12.5) may not have this section.

Manual cleaning of RAM: 3 fast methods without ROOT

If your phone is already braking, try the manual memory freer options first. They don't require superuser rights and work on any version of Redmi 9.

1. Closing background applications through the menu of recent tasks

The easiest, but often ignored by users is:

1. Click on the square navigation button (or swipe up and hold your finger on gesture-controlled screens).
2. Blow up or sideways all unnecessary applications. Importantly, don't shut down system processes like MIUI Daemon or Android System, which can cause crashes.
3. Click on the Close Everything icon (if any) or clear tasks manually.

On Redmi 9 with 2 GB of RAM, this method has a temporary effect: in 10-15 minutes, the memory will be full again.

2.Use of the built-in MIUI cleaner

MIUI has its own memory optimization tool, but it’s hidden deep in the settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three-point menu in the upper right corner and select Memory Cleanup.
3. Click Clean - the system will close the background processes and free the cache.

This method is more effective than manually closing tasks, since it clears the system cache that is not available to the user, but it does not work with applications that MIUI considers “important” (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram).

3. Forced stop of "gluttonous" applications

Some programs (especially messengers and social networks) continue to work in the background even after they are closed, to completely stop them:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a problem app (such as Facebook or TikTok).
3. Press Forced Stop, then confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t stop system apps called com.android. or com.miui..This can cause phone malfunctions, up to “eternal” booting.

Save important data (e.g. unsent messages)

Close the application through the menu of recent tasks

Make sure it is not a system process.

Check if the application is currently in use (e.g. downloading files)

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Automatic RAM Optimization: MIUI Settings You Didn't Know About

MIUI has hidden memory management features that are disabled by default. their activation can greatly improve the performance of the Redmi 9.

1. Enable the "Light Animation" mode

The animations and transitions to MIUI are beautiful, but they take a lot of resources to turn them off.

1. Activate Settings → For developers (as described above).
2. Find options: Window animation scale → set 0.5x or turn off. Transition animation scale → 0.5x. Animator duration scale → 0.5x.

These changes will save up to 100-150 MB of RAM by reducing the load on the MediaTek Helio processor.

2. Limitation of background processes

By default, MIUI allows applications to run in the background without restrictions.

1. In the Developer Menu, find Process Limitation.
2. Select a Maximum 2 process in the background (for models with 2 GB of RAM) or a Maximum 3 process (for 3-4 GB).

This will force you to close unnecessary tasks, but it can lead to longer downloads of applications when you reopen them.

3. disable auto-run of unnecessary applications

Many programs (especially Chinese ones) are automatically triggered when you turn on your phone.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Autorun.
2. Turn off auto-start for all applications except mission-critical (calls, SMS, alarm clock).

3. SD Maid (to clear the cache)

SD Maid removes unnecessary cache files that take up space in RAM. Important: only use CorpseFinder (search for residual files) and AppCleaner (clear app cache).

⚠️ Please do not use “optimizers” like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster. They often contain adware and have no real effect. On Redmi 9, such programs can aggravate the brakes due to the extra load.

Radical methods: when nothing helps

If Redmi 9 is slowing down even after all the optimizations, it’s time to consider radical measures.

1.Resetting the partition cache (does not delete data)

This procedure clears the system cache, which can be corrupted after updates, and it does not affect personal files, but requires a restart.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe cache partition (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. After cleaning, select Reboot system now.

This method helps if the brakes started after the MIUI update.

2. rollback to factory settings (full reset)

If the phone is unbearably slow, the last chance is hard reset. It deletes all the data, so back up first.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After the reset, Redmi 9 will work as new, but you will have to reconfigure all the applications.

3. Installation of custom firmware (for advanced)

If you're willing to take risks, you can flash Redmi 9 to custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, which will remove MIUI with all its "optimizations" and replace it with pure Android.

• ⚠️ Requires unlocking the bootloader (bootloader).
• ⚠️ The risk of “bricking” the phone.
• ✅ Potential productivity gains up to 30-40%.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9 with MediaTek processor unlocking the bootloader is more difficult than on smartphones with Snapdragon. XDA Developers and use official Xiaomi tools.

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Factory reset is a last resort, and try all the other methods before you do, because after the reset, you'll have to reset the phone, and the problem may come back in a few weeks.

How to prevent RAM filling in the future

Cleaning up the memory is good, but it's even better to prevent it from filling up. Here are some rules to keep the Redmi 9 running:

• 🚫 Don’t install heavy apps like Genshin Impact or AutoCAD – they require a minimum of 3GB of RAM.
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI — In new versions optimized work with memory.
• 📵 Turn off mobile data for background applications in Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Transfer of data.
• 🛑 Use the lightweight versions of the apps: Facebook Lite instead of Facebook; Messenger Lite instead of Messenger; Twitter Lite (web version) instead of the official client.
• 🔋 Reboot your phone every 2-3 days – this resets temporary files in memory.

If you are actively using instant messengers, configure them so that they do not load media files automatically:

• On WhatsApp: Settings → Storage → Autoupload Media → Disable for Mobile Data.
• In Telegram: Settings → Data and Memory → Autoboot Media → Select “Never”.

These measures reduce background activity and save up to 500MB of RAM per day.

Frequently asked questions