Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which run MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, come with powerful processors and impressive RAM. However, even the top-end models can slow down over time and apps can unload faster than desired, a natural process of cache and background services that requires periodic user intervention to maintain maximum device performance.
Unlike desktop computers, where RAM release is often automatic or requires a reboot, Android mobile systems have their own resource management nuances. Proper cleaning allows you not only to speed up the launch of games and heavy applications, but also to extend battery life, since the processor is less burdened with processing unnecessary background tasks. In this article, we will discuss all effective methods, from regular system tools to advanced settings for developers.
Many users mistakenly believe that to clean up memory, you must download third-party "cliners" from Google Play. In fact, the built-in tools of Xiaomi work much more correctly and safer, since they have deep access to system processes and do not violate the stability of the operating system, which often happens with third-party software.
Standard cleaning products in MIUI and HyperOS
The easiest and safest way to free up resources is to use the built-in Security app, which is pre-installed on every device in the brand and optimized specifically for the shell architecture, and to start the procedure, you need to find an icon called Security on your desktop or in the Tools folder and run it.
Once you open the app, you'll see a circular indicator that shows the current state of the system. Clicking on the "Clean up" or "Speed" button will trigger an automatic process of scanning and deleting temporary files, as well as forcing the background applications to stop, and the system will decide which processes can be closed without compromising the user's current work.
But standard cleaning doesn't always affect deep-seated services, so for more careful processing, you can go to the Memory section inside the Security app, and it shows detailed statistics on RAM usage and a list of the heaviest applications that are consuming the most resources right now.
☑️ Checking before deep cleaning
It's important to understand the difference between cleaning the application cache and unloading processes from RAM. If your goal is to speed up work right now, you need to unload the processes. If you want to make room for a new program to install, you should use a storage cleanup function that deletes temporary files but does not affect real-time performance.
Use of extended memory settings
Modern firmware versions from Xiaomi have introduced a RAM extension feature known as Memory Extension, which allows you to use part of the built-in storage (ROM) as additional virtual RAM, activating this feature can help devices with a small amount of physical RAM (for example, 4 GB or 6 GB) better cope with multitasking.
To access this setting, go to Settings → Additional Settings → Expansion of Memory. Here you can choose the virtual add-on size: 2, 4 or more gigabytes are usually available depending on the smartphone model. Once the setting is changed, the device will require a reboot to take effect.
The effect of memory expansion on speed
It’s worth noting that activating memory expansion increases the wear and tear of the built-in drive as the write cycles get faster. If you have a model with 8 GB or 12 GB of physical memory, it’s best to leave this feature off to save storage life and not sacrifice space for photos and videos.
Another hidden tool is the Developer Menu. To get there, you need to quickly click on the build number in the About Phone section several times. In the menu that opens, find the Background Limit, where you can forcely limit the number of simultaneous applications that run simultaneously, which will radically clean up RAM, but can disrupt messengers and navigators.
Autostart and Background Process Management
One of the main causes of memory overflow is uncontrolled auto-run of applications. Many programs, such as social networks or marketplaces, prescribe themselves to auto-boot to deliver notifications instantly, but they are constantly “hang” in memory, consuming resources.
This can be managed through the Settings menu → Apps → Auto Run. This list recommends disabling all applications that do not have critical notifications. Keep only messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and email clients active so you don’t miss important messages.
In addition, there is an application freeze mechanism in the MIUI shell. If you rarely use a program but it is constantly updated in the background, go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Activity Control. Select an unnecessary application and set a background activity limit to Hard or Freeze.
Also worth checking is the "Resolutions" section for suspicious programs. Often games or flashlights request access to geolocation and background work, which keeps GPS modules and the processor active, indirectly affecting the RAM occupancy with related services.
Memory consumption analysis through engineering menu
For advanced users who want to get accurate information about what is eating up memory, there is an engineering menu that provides detailed statistics that are not available in normal settings. Enter the Phone app code ##6485##.
In the list of options that opens, look for a line that indicates free memory (usually marked as Available RAM or similarly, although different versions of MIUI may have different markings), and you can see the total capacity and volume occupied by the system.
| Parameter | Description | Normal value. |
|---|---|---|
| Total RAM | Total physical memory capacity | Depends on the model (4, 6, 8, 12 GB) |
| Available RAM | Free right now. | 20-40% of the total volume in simple |
| System Usage | Occupied by Android | 2-4 GB |
| Cache Usage | Cache-taken. | Less than 1 GB |
It's safe to use the engineering menu if you're just reading the metrics, but changing the hidden parameters without understanding their purpose can cause the device to function in an unstable way, and it's recommended that you use this tool only for diagnostics.
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If Available RAM is consistently below 500MB immediately after turning on, check the list of installed applications for viruses or miners.
The Influence of Widgets and Live Wallpaper on RAM
The MIUI shell is famous for its visual component, but beautiful widgets and live wallpaper require constant computation and part of the RAM to store its data. If your smartphone does not have top-end hardware, the abundance of animation on the desktop can cause lags.
Live wallpaper is basically a running app that renders real-time graphics. It can take up 100 to 300 MB of RAM all the time, and replacing dynamic wallpaper with a static image is one of the fastest ways to free up resources.
The same thing happens with weather widgets, currency rates, and newsfeeds, each widget has its own process of updating and storing data in cache, and removing extra widgets from the home screen will not only clean up RAM, but also reduce battery consumption.
⚠️ Attention: Aggressive removal of system processes through third-party accelerators can lead to restarting the interface (launcher) or temporary disappearance of Wi-Fi icons and network. Android itself manages memory more efficiently than any third-party programs.
Also, consider that some themes contain heavy graphic elements, and if you notice that the phone has started to slow down after changing the theme, try going back to the standard Classic or Default design.
Radical methods and resetting settings
If the software methods fail and the phone continues to work slowly even after cleaning, it may be a problem with accumulated system debris or a patch conflict, in which case a full reset to factory settings (Hard Reset) can help.
Before you do this, be sure to back up all your important data, as all photos, contacts, and apps will be deleted from your phone. Go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Erase all data.
Once reset, the phone will return to a store-like state, and RAM will be completely cleared, the most effective way to combat software errors that cannot be fixed by a conventional cleaning.
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Regularly restarting the device (every 3-4 days) is more effective than any cleaners, since it completely cleans the cache of the system core.