Owners of the popular budget smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face slowdown of the interface or sudden closure of applications. This is a direct consequence of the lack of free RAM resources, which in this model is limited to 3 or 4 GB. When the MIUI system is overflowing with temporary files and active processes, the device begins to work slower, and games can fly to the desktop.
Timely cleaning of RAM allows you to return the phone to its previous sharpness and stability in operation. In this article, we will discuss effective methods of freeing up memory, from standard system tools to hidden functions for advanced users.
Why is the memory of Redmi 9 running out?
RAM is a short-term storage where the processor holds data running programs for quick access. Unlike the built-in drive, RAM is cleared when turned off, but it fills up very quickly during operation. On Xiaomi Redmi 9, the situation is aggravated by optimizations of the MIUI shell, which seeks to keep as many applications as possible in the background to launch them instantly.
Social media and instant messengers are the main resource eaters, and even if you're not using Telegram or VK right now, they can hang in the background, consuming precious megabytes, and a significant portion of the resources are eaten by the system cache and geolocation services that constantly track your location.
Here are the main reasons for the lack of memory on your device:
- 📱 A large number of simultaneously running applications in the background.
- 🔄 Heavy updates to Google Play Services.
- 🎮 Running resource-intensive games that aren’t optimized for budget processors.
- 📸 The work of cameras and algorithms for processing photos in the background.
⚠️ Attention: The constant lack of RAM leads not only to lags, but also to accelerated wear of the battery, as the processor works at higher frequencies, trying to cope with the load.
Standard cleaning methods through the security menu
The easiest and safest way to free up RAM on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is to use the built-in system application. The developers have a special tool that automatically closes unused processes and clears the cache. To run this mechanism, just look for an icon on the desktop called “Security”.
Once the app is opened, the system will quickly diagnose the current state, and you'll see a pie chart showing the percentage of memory you've been using, and if you click on the big "Clean Up" button, you force the background tasks to be completed, and this action instantly releases the resources you need to run a heavy application or game.
☑️ Checking before cleaning
But it's worth considering that MIUI has an aggressive memory management policy, and once cleaned, it can quickly fill up the space again, restarting the services, so it's a good way to do an ambulance, but it doesn't solve the problem globally.
Forced Application Closure and Task Manager
If the standard cleaning does not work, you need to manually analyze the running processes. On Xiaomi Redmi 9, this is done through the menu of recent applications. A bottom-up latency swipe (or a square button depending on the type of navigation) will open a list of all active windows.
Here you can see which programs consume the most resources, and it often turns out that heavy games or video editors remain in memory even after they are released, and to close them completely, click the "Clean" button (usually a cross) or swipe a specific application.
For more in-depth control, use the built-in settings:
- 🛑 Go to Settings. → Advanced settings → Memory.
- 🛑 Click on the cleaning button in the center of the screen.
- 🛑 Check out the list of the most “heavy” apps.
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Set up auto-clean in the Security app: go to the acceleration settings and turn on the “Clear Memory When You Reach Threshold” function so that the phone monitors performance itself.
It's important to understand the difference between closing an application and deleting it. Cleaning up the task manager only unloads the program from the RAM, but it doesn't delete its data. It's safe and you can do it regularly.
Configure the memory expander and virtual RAM
Newer versions of MIUI firmware for Xiaomi Redmi 9 include RAM extension, which allows you to reserve a portion of the built-in storage (ROM) and use it as an addition to physical RAM, which is especially true for models with 3 GB of RAM.
Activating this feature can improve multitasking by allowing more tabs to be opened in the browser or applications, but it is worth remembering that virtual memory is slower than real RAM, so performance gains will not be noticeable in all scenarios.
How do I turn on the memory expander?
To activate this option, follow the following steps:
- Open the Settings menu.
- Go to the Advanced Settings section.
- Find the item Expansion of memory.
- Select the desired volume and confirm the action.
⚠️ Attention: Using internal memory as a RAM increases the number of write cycles, which theoretically can reduce the life of the drive with very active operation.
Comparison of Memory Cleaning Methods
There are many ways to optimize the Xiaomi Redmi 9, but not all of them are equally effective. Some methods give instant but short-term results, others take time but provide stability. It is important to choose an approach that suits your smartphone usage style.
The table below compares the main methods of resource release:
| Method | Efficiency | Security | Frequency of use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear button | Medium | Tall. | Every day. |
| Closure of annexes | Low. | Tall. | If necessary, |
| Reboot. | Tall. | Tall. | Once a week. |
| Repeal of updates | Tall. | Medium | At lags |
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Combining regular reboots and using an in-built optimizer gives a better result than installing third-party “accelerators.”
Don’t rely on just one method, a comprehensive approach that includes manual application management and periodic reboots will ensure the best performance of your Redmi 9.
Optimizing the Developer’s Settings
For advanced users, Xiaomi provides access to hidden settings through the Developer Menu, where you can limit the number of background processes that directly affect the amount of free RAM, a radical but very effective method for older or budget devices.
To get into this menu, you need to click on the build number several times in the About section. Once the corresponding notification appears, a new item will appear in the Advanced Settings menu. Be careful: changing the settings here may affect the stability of some applications.
Find the background limit and set a limit to, say, 2-3 processes, which will prevent the system from keeping any programs in memory, and you can also turn off the window animations, which will visually speed up the interface.
- 🔧 Enable “Do Not Save Actions” for testing (not recommended for everyday use).
- 🔧 Turn off background services that you do not use.
- 🔧 Check the work. GPS Bluetooth, turning them off when they are down.
⚠️ Note: Do not set the limit of background processes to “0” or “1”, otherwise messengers will stop sending notifications, and the music will stop when you fold.