How to Clean RAM on Xiaomi Redmi 9: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even its 3-4 GB of RAM eventually begins to “clog” with background processes. If your phone slows down, applications suddenly close or the system gives a notification “Not enough memory”, the problem lies in overloaded RAM. Unlike flagships, Xiaomi budget models are more aggressively manage resources, but there are ways to manually optimize work.

In this article, you will find 7 proven methods of cleaning RAM, from basic (close applications) to advanced (set up MIUI Optimized Settings and disable system services). We will also discuss why it is critical to keep at least 500-700 MB free for stable operation on Redmi 9 with 3 GB of RAM, and how to avoid typical errors in manual optimization.

Why is Redmi 9 slowing down due to a lack of RAM?

The RAM on Redmi 9 is used to temporarily store data for active applications. When memory is scarce, the system starts to “reset” background processes, which leads to:

• 🔄 Unintentional closure of applications (for example, Telegram or YouTube reboot when switching).
• ⏳ Slow down animations and freezes when opening menus or switching between tasks.
• 📱 Overheating of the device - the more processes in RAM, the more active the processor works.

The Redmi 9 with MIUI 12/13 is further complicated by:

• 🤖 Aggressive optimization MIUI: The system kills processes too early, but it doesn’t always release memory effectively.
• 📦 Pre-installed services: Xiaomi integrates applications that are unnecessary to many users (Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps) into the firmware, which occupy RAM even in the background.
• 🔄 Autoloads: Some apps (like Facebook or TikTok) automatically start when your phone is turned on.

Before you start cleaning, check how much memory is occupied right now:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Memory status.
2. See the RAM usage schedule (Memory Use section).
3. If less than 20% of the total is free, it is time to act.

Method 1: Manual cleaning through the “Recent Apps” menu

The fastest, but also the most superficial method, which covers only the processes visible to the user, but does not affect system services.

How to clean:

1. Click on the recent apps button (square in the bottom navigation bar).
2. Scroll through the list of open tasks left/right.
3. Smash up the apps you want to close, or click on the basket/cross icon (depending on the MIUI version).
4. To clean it completely, tap Clean it all (usually at the bottom of the screen).

⚠️ Note: This method does not completely free up memory – many system processes (Android System, MIUI Daemon will remain active, and some apps (like WhatsApp or Viber) can automatically restart after a few minutes.

💡

If the “Clear Everything” button is missing, pin your finger on any app in the list of recent tasks and pull down – the option of a complete cleanup will appear.

Method 2: Using the built-in MIUI optimizer

MIUI has a built-in memory cleaner that works better than manually closing applications, removing not only user processes, but also part of system processes.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Cleaning (or Security → Cleaning in older versions).
2. Click Clear Memory (usually the button at the bottom of the screen).
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take 10 to 30 seconds).

What the optimizer does:

• 🧹 Closes background applications, including those not displayed in "Recent».
• 🗑️ Remove the cache of system processes (but do not touch user application data).
• 🔄 Re-launching some services MIUI, which could have "hang».

⚠️ Attention: After cleaning with the optimizer, some features may temporarily run slower (e.g. Google Play Services will reboot.

Method 3: Disabling Autoboot Applications

Many apps (social networks, instant messengers, games) automatically start when you turn on your phone or after you reboot, and they take up RAM even if you don't use them.

How to turn off autoboot:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app from a list (like Facebook or AliExpress).
3. Slip AutoRun and turn off the slider.
4. Repeat for all unnecessary applications.

List of applications that can be safely disabled:

⚠️ Note: Do not turn off the autoload for:

• 📱 System applications (MIUI System, Android System).
• 🔔 Messengers if you are interested in push notifications (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 🔒 Antivirus or password managers (if you use them).

Method 4: Limiting Background Application Activity

Even if an application doesn't start automatically, it can consume RAM in the background through background processes. MIUI has a hidden setting to limit this activity.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management
2. Choose App Choices (or Battery Optimization in Newer Versions).
3. Find the app in the list and select Restricted or Strict mode for it.

What does it mean?

• 🛑 The app will not be able to work in the background after closing.
• 📵 Background updates will be disabled (for example, uploading news to Facebook).
• 🔋 Reduced battery consumption.

⚠️ Note: Limiting background activity for instant messengers (Viber, Skype) will result in no notifications for new messages until you manually open the application.

Method 5: Use of Light Mode (Light Mode)

Redmi 9 has a hidden Light Mode feature (or Light Mode in newer versions of MIUI) that simplifies the interface and reduces the use of RAM, which is useful if the phone is slowing down.

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Light Mode.
2. Activate the slider.
3. Reboot your phone (required!).

What's changing:

• 🎨 Simplified interface: removed animations, shadows, complex transitions.
• 🔄 The number of background processes is limited.
• 📱 Some visual effects are turned off MIUI (for example, smooth scrolling).

⚠️ Note: In light mode may not work:

• 🎮 Some games (requiring OpenGL or Vulkan).
• 📸 Camera effects (AI-mode, Portrait mode).
• 🌐 Some websites (with complex animations).

💡

Light mode is a temporary solution, and if the brakes return after it is turned off, the problem lies deeper (for example, in overloaded internal memory or corrupted system files).

Method 6: Reset system cache (without data loss)

Cache systems are temporary files that Android and MIUI use to speed up work, and over time they can become corrupted or swell, taking up RAM and slowing down the phone.

How to reset the cache:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power and Volume buttons up at the same time until the Mi logo (Recovery Mode) appears.
3. Use volume buttons to navigate and select Wipe Cache Partition.
4. Confirm the action with the power button.
5. After completion, select Reboot System.

What does it mean?

• 🧹 Clears temporary system files that may have taken up RAM.
• 🔧 Corrects minor mistakes in the work MIUI.
• 📱 Does not delete personal data (photos, messages, applications).

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse Wipe Cache Partition with Wipe Data! The second option (Factory Reset) will delete all data from the phone.

Method 7: Advanced Optimization through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can manually limit the use of RAM for individual applications through the Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

What you need:

• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Commands for optimizing RAM:

adb shell am kill-all Closing all user processes


adb shell setprop ro.config.low_ram true # Includes low RAM consumption mode




adb shell pm trim-caches 500m # Limits app cache to 500MB

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB may lead to:

• 🚫 System failure (if critical process is killed).
• 🔄 Data loss (when cleaning the cache of some applications).
• 📵 Notification refusal (if you limit background processes of messengers).

💡

ADB is a powerful tool, but it requires caution. If you are not sure about the commands, use the standard cleaning methods from this article.

Frequent errors in cleaning RAM on Redmi 9

Many users make mistakes that not only don't help, but make things worse.

1. Use Google Play memory boosters. Apps like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster often consume RAM themselves and show false notifications about the phone's "critical state."
2. Shutting down all processes manually every hour. Android and MIUI are optimized for memory management. Constantly shutting down applications causes the system to waste resources restarting them.
3. Disable system services via Titanium Backup or Root. On Redmi 9, this can result in a bootloop (cyclic reboot) or camera/network failure.
4. Ignore MIUI updates. Newer versions of firmware often fix memory leaks. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

If after all the manipulations the phone still brakes, the problem may be:

• 🔋 Worn-out battery (at a discharge below 20%, the system artificially limits performance).
• 🛠️ Damaged internal memory (check through Settings) → Memory. → Diagnostics).
• 🦠 Viruses or malware (scan your phone through Malwarebytes or Dr.Web).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions