Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI or HyperOS shells are equipped with powerful hardware, but even it is not immune to slowdown. The main cause of brakes and sudden closures of applications is often overcrowded RAM. When free RAM runs out, the system begins to forcefully stop background processes, which leads to delays in switching between programs and long loading of games.
Users often confuse RAM with internal memory for storing files, leading to poor optimization actions. Unlike photo and video storage, RAM works with temporary data from running applications and system services. Understanding this difference is the first step to managing your Redmi or Poco device’s resources wisely.
In this article, we will explore proven ways to free RAM, ranging from standard system tools to advanced methods for power users. You will learn how to properly configure background processes to ensure that your phone works quickly and stably in any situation.
Diagnostics of the current state of RAM
Before we start taking drastic measures, we need to assess the real situation with the use of resources. Standard Android and MIUI tools provide enough information, but often it is hidden from the eyes of the average user. To start, check the overall status of the download through the settings menu, which displays the average amount of memory used over the past 3, 6 or 12 hours.
But a more detailed picture is that you're going to have the developer mode on, which doesn't require a lot of technical knowledge, but it gives you access to important metrics, and in this mode, you're going to see not only the total amount of storage, but also how much storage is reserved for the system, and how much is available for your applications right now.
To activate hidden features, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version or OS Version seven times. After you have become a developer, go back to the main settings menu and select Additional → For Developers. Here you are interested in the Memory or Running Services section.
⚠️ Warning: Do not disable system processes with unknown names in the developer menu unless you are sure of their purpose.This can lead to unstable interface operation or loss of communication.
As you look at the process list, you'll notice that social media and instant messengers are often the majority of your resources, even if you're not using them right now, and optimization begins with understanding which programs are eating your resources.
Basic cleaning methods through MIUI interface
The easiest and most affordable way to free up RAM is to use the built-in Security tool, which is a standard application pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones that automatically manages background tasks, and when you press the Cleanup button, the system closes unused processes and frees up space in the RAM.
Although simple, this method has its own MIUI algorithms. The system often aggressively unloads applications from memory to extend battery life, but sometimes it interferes with the normal functioning of important notifications.
To clean up the messaging menu, you can use a multitasking menu. Swipe up (or click the menu button, depending on the type of navigation) and call the list of open apps and click the "Clean" button (usually a cross or the letter X). This action will force the processes that are in the visible list to be completed.
📊 How often do you clean your phone’s memory?
Several times a day
Once a week.
Only when the phone is slowing down.
Never clean.
It’s important to understand that manually cleaning all apps can be counterproductive. Android is designed to keep frequently used apps in memory for quick launch.Full cleaning forces the processor to reboot data, which consumes more energy and time.
Newer versions of the HyperOS shell and recent MIUI updates have added a feature called "Memory Extension," which allows some of the internal flash memory (ROM) to be used as an add-on to RAM, especially for models with 4 or 6 GB of RAM that lack resources for heavy gaming.
Activation of this function occurs in the Settings menu → Additional → Expansion of memory. The system will prompt you to select the amount of memory you add, usually from 2 to 5 GB. Once turned on, the phone will prompt you to restart so that the changes take effect.
However, the use of virtual memory has its nuances: the speed of reading and writing internal memory (UFS) is lower than that of real RAM, so the performance gains can be negligible in everyday tasks.
The impact of memory expansion on speed
The use of virtual RAM is most noticeable in heavy games and when switching between many open tabs. In normal scenarios (social networks, calls), there is almost no difference, and in some cases, there may even be micro-twitching of the interface due to the difference in data access speeds.> It is recommended to turn this option on only if you actually encounter a game departure or if there is no application left in the background. For owners of flagship models with 8, 12 or more GB of RAM, this feature is usually redundant. Autostart and background control is one of the process, it is recommended to enable this option to run faster, or to control the main application, even if you do not use auto-run the main reasons. From the Security → Permissions → Autorun menu, you can see the full list of programs that start with your phone. It is recommended to leave autorun only for instant messengers (for messages to come) and alarms. All other applications, especially games and markets, it is better to turn off. Also worth checking the battery settings for specific applications. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, select “heavy” program (for example, Facebook or Instagram), go to “Batery” and select “No Limits” mode only if you are critical to instant work, or Background activity restriction for resource saving. ☑️ Background activity Check Open battery settings Select application Check power saving mode Limit background activity for games Leave without restrictions for messengers: 0 / 5 Competent setting of these parameters allows to significantly reduce the load on the processor and RAM There are many ways to free up resources, but the effectiveness and impact of these resources vary, and the system will stop wasting resources on keeping programs that you don't need alive right now. Below is a table that will help you choose the best method for your situation. Cleaning method Efficiency Impact on battery Recommended frequency Built-in cleaner Medium Neutral 1-2 Reboot the device once a day High Positive 1 once a week Autorun Disable High (long-term) Positive Single-sided Low/Negative Third-Party Cleaners Not recommended As you can see from the table, rebooting the device is often more effective than any software cleaners, since it completely resets everything. System errors and cache accumulated over time. Third-party cleaners, by contrast, often consume a lot of resources and display intrusive advertising, only mimicking useful activities. Using Xiaomi's built-in tools is always preferable to installing questionable software from Google Play. MIUI They know which processes can be safely completed and which are necessary for the system to work. Many users make common mistakes when trying to speed up their Redmi or Poco. One of the most common is installing accelerator applications that constantly hang in the background and “eat” the very memory that they are supposed to release. These programs create the illusion of utility, but they actually slow down the device. RAM It's a misconception that deleting files from a gallery frees up internal memory (ROM), It doesn't affect RAM, but it does not affect RAM, and it's more important to be fast, to have free disk space (at least not to be fast). 10-15%), But not just a direct cleanup of media files, and you don't want to be fanatical about making the status bar always free. 80-90% RAM. Empty RAM is wasted memory. Android is smarter than it looks and is trying to keep it in place. RAM Frequently used data for your comfort. ⚠️ Note: Do not use the "Forced Stop" feature for system applications (Google Play Services, MIUI This can cause notifications, geolocation and account synchronization to fail. FAQ: Frequently asked questions: Is it true that constant memory cleaning speeds up the phone? No, it's a myth. Frequent forced cleaning forces the processor to reload applications, which consumes battery power and can even slow down the system. Cleaning your memory is only necessary when there are obvious signs of a lack of resources. Do you need to swipe applications manually? MIUI It doesn't have to. It's the system that manages the background effectively. It only closes applications manually if they're stuck or not working properly. How much free memory should I ideally have? 20-30% free-liberty RAM from the total volume, if less free 500 MB, you might have trouble running heavy applications. Does overflowing app cache affect RAM? Cache is stored in internal memory, but when you download large amounts of data from the cache, it gets into the cache. RAM. Therefore, a crowded cache indirectly affects the speed, but directly it takes up space on the disk, not in the RAM. 💡The best way to keep Xiaomi running is to monitor app auto-starts and reboot devices periodically, not constantly manually cleaning memory.