How to clean RAM on Android Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are all known for their availability and functionality, but over time, even powerful devices are beginning to lack system resources. When the phone starts to slow down when switching between apps or games, the first thought of the user is often to free up RAM, which is a logical action, since it is the amount of free RAM that determines the speed of multitasking and the stability of heavy programs.

In the current MIUI shells and the new HyperOS, memory management algorithms are significantly different from pure Android, which often puzzles owners. Standard methods may seem unobvious, and intrusive "accelerators" sometimes only give a temporary effect. In this article, we will discuss proven methods of cleaning RAM that actually work and do not require superuser rights.

You will learn how to use the built-in tools of the system, what hidden functions activate additional memory and why a complete cleaning is not always useful for the operation of the gadget. Understanding the principles of the Android system will help you keep the device in good shape without installing questionable software.

Analysis of the current state of memory and identification of problems

Before you start taking drastic measures, you need to assess how critical the situation with the resources of your device. Owners often confuse the filling of internal memory and the lack of RAM, although these are completely different concepts that affect different aspects of the smartphone. To begin with, you need to visually assess the behavior of the system: if the applications fly out a few seconds after folding or the interface twitches when scrolling, then there is a shortage of RAM.

Current status checks can be done through the standard settings menu, which displays the average load over the last hours. Pay attention to which processes consume the most resources, as this will help identify the "culprit" of the brakes. It often turns out that background activity is devoured by one particular service or social network.

For more detailed analysis, we can use built-in diagnostics that show the allocation of resources in real time, which will allow us to understand whether memory shortages are a constant problem or only occur during peak CPU loads.

  • πŸ“Š Check the About Phone section to view the total volume RAM.
  • πŸ“‰ Pay attention to the frequency of rebooting background applications.
  • ⚑ Evaluate the speed of the interface response after a long period of work.
  • πŸ” Identify applications that consume resources in the background without your knowledge.

⚠️ Note: Don’t panic if the load indicator shows 80-90% Android is designed to make the most of the available memory by cacheing frequently used data for quick access.

If you notice that there is little or no free memory left even after a reboot, it may indicate a software error or malware. In such cases, simple cleaning may not be enough and you will need a deeper intervention in the system settings.

Use of the built-in "Security" application

The easiest and most affordable way to free up resources is to use the regular Security app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi devices.This tool is integrated deep into the system and has the necessary rights to force the process to stop, which is not available to the average user through the standard menu. Starting a cleanup takes only a few seconds and often gives a tangible increase in performance.

When you click on the Cleanup button in the main menu of the application, the system analyzes the running processes and closes those that are not critical to the operation of the OS. It is important to understand that the algorithm of this tool may vary depending on the version of the firmware, but the basic principle remains unchanged. After the procedure, you will see a notification of the released volume, which confirms the success of the operation.

πŸ“Š How often do you manually clean your memory?
Several times a day
Once a week.
Only when the phone is slowing down.
Never clean.

For those who prefer automation, the Security app settings can activate Memory Acceleration, which allows you to set a fill threshold, at which the system will clean itself without you, which is especially convenient for users who do not want to constantly monitor the state of their gadget.

β˜‘οΈ Proper cleaning through security

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Memory Extension (Memory Extension)

Modern Xiaomi models are equipped with a RAM extension function that allows you to use part of the internal NAND storage as an additional RAM. This technology, known as virtual memory, can significantly improve multitasking, especially on devices with a basic RAM of 4 or 6 GB. Activating this option turns part of the permanent memory into a buffer zone for background applications.

To take advantage of this, you need to go to the settings menu and find the memory extension, and you should consider that virtual memory is slower than physical LPDDR, so the performance gains will be noticeable mainly when working with heavy applications, not in everyday tasks, and also activating this feature can slightly increase the wear and tear of the drive.

RAM volumeAvailable extensionRecommendationImpact on wear
4GB+2/+3GBRecommendedAverage.
6GB+2/+3/+4GBThe situationLow.
8 GB or moreNot requiredDon't.Minimum
12 GB or moreDisconnected.ExcessivelyAbsent.

Once the memory expansion settings are changed, the device will require a mandatory reboot to apply the changes, a standard procedure that is required to redistribute address space between physical and virtual memory, and don't ignore this step, otherwise the new settings won't take effect.

Impact on speed of work
Using internal memory as RAM can slightly reduce the speed of writing and reading data, since flash memory is slower than specialized RAM chips.

Managing Autoboot and Background Processes

One of the main reasons for fast RAM filling is excessive application activity in the background. Many programs, especially social networks and instant messengers, tend to start their services immediately after the phone is turned on to deliver notifications instantly. Control over autoboot is a key point in optimizing MIUI and HyperOS.

There's a special section in the settings menu that allows you to control the autorun of applications, and turning it off for programs that don't require a constant Internet connection will save hundreds of megabytes of free memory, especially for games and utilities that you rarely use but like to hang in the background.

Also, you should pay attention to the battery settings for each application, which is to limit the background activity in this section of prevents programs from consuming resources when the screen is off, and this approach allows you to balance the functionality of notifications and system performance.

  • 🚫 Turn off auto-start for games and heavy apps.
  • πŸ”‹ Limit background activity in battery settings.
  • πŸ“΅ Remove or freeze unused system software.
  • ⏳ Set up sleep timers for rarely used programs.

⚠️ Be careful when disabling Google system processes and services.Incorrectly restricting important components can lead to unstable notifications, contact synchronization and other critical functions.

Cleaning cache and temporary files

The accumulation of temporary files and application cache is a natural process, but it can take up a significant part of resources. Although the cache is designed to speed up the work of programs, it is inflated to gigabyte sizes often leads to the opposite effect.

Unlike memory cleaning, deleting the cache does not require rebooting applications, but can temporarily increase the time of their first launch. Xiaomi users can manage the cache both through the Security app and through the application-specific management menu in the settings.

πŸ’‘

Use the Deep Clean mode in the Security app to find large and rarely used files that can also indirectly affect overall system performance.

Special attention should be paid to the cache of browsers and messengers, as they tend to accumulate a huge number of media files. In the settings of the applications themselves, such as Telegram or WhatsApp, there are own tools for managing space, which are often more effective than system cleaners.

Developer Mode and Advanced Settings

For power users who want to take full control of the system, there is a developer mode, activating this hidden menu gives access to detailed memory management settings, including a limit to background processes, a powerful tool that allows you to forcefully limit the number of simultaneous applications.

To enable the developer mode, you need to click on the build number several times in the About section. Once the corresponding item appears in the settings menu, you can find the option "Limit of background processes." Setting the value "No more than 2-3 processes" ensures that the system will aggressively close the unnecessary applications, freeing RAM.

Settings -> About Phone -> 7 clicks on "Version MIUI" -> Additional settings -> For developers

Using these settings requires understanding how multitasking works. Too aggressive a restriction can cause the music to stop when the player is folded, and the navigator to reset the route when switching to another window. Use these tools wisely, testing the impact on your everyday use case.

πŸ’‘

Developer mode gives maximum control, but requires caution: incorrect settings can make using a smartphone uncomfortable due to the constant reboot of applications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it true that constantly cleaning RAM is harmful to the phone?
It's been argued that frequent RAM cleaning causes the processor to spend more energy restarting applications. In reality, if the memory is 95-100% full, the system starts swaping, which severely inhibits work, so cleaning is only needed when there are clear signs of a lack of resources, not as a fetish.
Does removing widgets and live wallpaper help free up memory?
Yes, live wallpaper and complex widgets are constantly consuming processor resources and taking up space in RAM to render graphics, and replacing them with a static image is one of the most effective ways to reduce the load on the system without losing functionality.
Do I need to install third-party cleaners for Xiaomi?
In most cases, this is not necessary. The built-in tools MIUI and HyperOS are optimized for specific hardware better than the universal applications from the Play Market. Third-party software often consumes resources and shows intrusive advertising.
Why does the memory re-energize after a minute?
This is normal Android behavior, because the main services and apps you run automatically load the data you need into memory for quick access, and if the phone doesn't slow down, filling up memory is a sign of working efficiently, not a mistake.