Cleaning up RAM on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: the full guide

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

Your Xiaomi Redmi 9T has started to hang around when switching between apps? The reasons are often overloaded RAM. This model is equipped with 4 GB of RAM, but even this volume is not long enough if the background processes eat up resources. For example, messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp can take up to 300-500 MB of RAM each, and games like PUBG Mobile can take up all 1.5-2 GB.

The MIUI system on Redmi 9T tries to optimize memory automatically, but it doesn't always work. When less than 10% of RAM is free, the smartphone starts to "hang": long downloads of applications, jerking animations, spontaneous reboots. Worst of all, when critical memory deficits (less than 500 MB) MIUI forcibly closes active tasks, which can lead to the loss of unsaved data in editors or games.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to clean RAM, from basic to advanced, including hidden MIUI 12/13 features and manual methods without root rights. No “magic applications” – only working solutions with explanations of why they help.

Method 1: Built-in memory cleanup in MIUI

The fastest method is to use the Cleanup tool built into MIUI. It removes the application cache and stops background processes, but does not touch system services (so as not to disturb stability).

How to start:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Cleaning.
2. Click Clear Memory (the garbage icon in the lower right corner).
3. Confirm the action – the system will show how much memory is freed.

This method frees up 200-800 MB of RAM at a time, but the effect is temporary: after 10-15 minutes, the background processes will fill up the memory again.

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If the Clean Up button is inactive, there are no heavy processes in the background. Try to close all applications manually first through the multitasking menu (swipe up).

• ✅ Quick (takes 5-10 seconds)
• ✅ Secure (does not delete important data)
• ❌ Does not clear the system cache
• ❌ Short-term effect

Method 2: Manually Closing Background Applications

Many users mistakenly think that swiping up the multitasking menu (Recent apps) completely shuts down the program, but in fact MIUI just folds it, leaving it in memory, to force the application to stop:

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Facebook or Instagram).
3. Press Forced Stop. → OK.

This will free up to 1 GB of RAM at a time if you close 3-4 voracious applications, but beware: some programs (such as Google Play Services) will restart automatically after 1-2 minutes.

Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)

Messengers (Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp)

Games (PUBG, Call of Duty, Genshin Impact)

Navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps)

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⚠️ Warning: Do not stop system processes with the names com.android. or miui. – This can cause malfunctions in the smartphone. For example, stopping com.android.phone will turn off the mobile network.

Method 3: Disabling Autoboot Applications

Many programs (AliExpress, Wildberries, banking apps) run automatically when you turn on your phone or connect to the Internet, and they take up RAM even if you're not using them, to prevent you from booting:

Steps:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an application (such as Avito).
3. Press Autostart → turn off the slider.
4. Repeat for all unnecessary programs.

After disabling the autoboot for 10-15 apps, you will notice that after the reboot, the Redmi 9T runs faster – free RAM will be 300-600 MB more.

Social networks (Facebook, Instagram)

Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact)

Navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps)

Others-->

Method 4: Cleaning the application cache

Cache is temporary files that apps save for fast work, and over time it grows to gigabytes, taking up not only internal memory, but also indirectly affecting RAM. For example, the cache of Google Chrome can weigh 1-2 GB, and YouTube can weigh up to 500 MB.

How to clear the cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app (start with the "heaviest").
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For mass cleaning:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Select Cache Data → Confirm the cleanup.

This won’t free up RAM directly, but it will reduce the memory load the next time an application is launched, for example, after cleaning the cache, Facebook will consume 20 to 30 percent less RAM when it opens.

Method 5: Using the Performance Mode

MIUI has a hidden Performance mode that optimizes RAM and CPU usage. In Redmi 9T, it is available through Battery Settings, but it needs to be set up properly.

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Performance Mode.
2. Choose High Performance (not to be confused with Balance or Economy).
3. Activate the option of memory optimization.

In this mode, the system more aggressively closes the background processes, but consumes more battery (10-15% faster), but RAM is released more actively: for example, when you close the game, memory is cleared in 2-3 seconds instead of 10-15.

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High Performance mode is good for gamers, but not for everyday use — the battery goes down much faster, and it is better to turn it on only before launching heavy applications.

Method 6: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods failed, and the Redmi 9T is still slowing down, there may be a problem with the system debris that has accumulated over the months of use, in which case Hard Reset — a complete reset to factory settings — will help.

⚠️ Warning: This method will delete all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

How to reset:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Enter your password (if installed) and confirm.
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the Redmi 9T will be like new: 3-3.5 GB (out of 4 GB) of free RAM, and speeds will increase by 30-50%. But remember: the effect will only last until you load the phone with unnecessary apps again.

Method 7: Advanced Methods (for Power Users)

If you’re willing to go beyond standard settings, here are 3 advanced techniques that take longer to get, but give you better results:

• 🔧 Disable animations: Reduces the load on RAM when switching between applications. Enabled via Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Click 7 times to open Developer Settings, then find the Animation Scale and select No Animation).
• 📱 Use Lite versions of apps: Replace Facebook with Facebook Lite, Messenger with Messenger Lite. They consume 2-3 times less RAM.
• 🔄 Update MIUI: New firmware versions have optimized memory management algorithms. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

For the most advanced users, there is another method, which is to overclock RAM through the kernel, but it requires root rights and can lead to a loss of warranty. We do not recommend it without experience, since incorrect settings can bring the phone down.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning RAM on Redmi 9T