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

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 with its 3/4/6 GB of RAM over time begins to “brake” even with standard tasks. The reason is the clogging of RAM with background activity of applications, cache and system processes. Unlike flagship models, budget smartphones require regular “cleanup”, especially if you are actively using instant messengers, games or multimedia.

This article is not about closing applications through the multitasking menu, but will cover system methods for cleaning RAM, hidden MIUI features, and safe optimizations without compromising performance. All instructions are tested on the Redmi Note 9 with MIUI 12-14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions).

Important: on this model, critical clogging of RAM (over 90% of usage) leads to spontaneous reboots due to the features of the MediaTek Helio G85 processor.

Why Redmi Note 9 “forgets” to release RAM?

The problem isn’t with the “curve” hardware, but with MIUI memory management policy. Unlike “pure” Android, Xiaomi’s firmware aggressively caches data to speed up app re-launching. This is useful for flagships with 8+GB of RAM, but on the Redmi Note 9 with 3-4GB leads to:

• 🐢 Slowing down animations when switching between applications
• 🔄 spontaneous restart of background processes (for example, music in Spotify)
• 📱 Heating the body with multitasking
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption by 15-20% due to constant process reboot

The culprits of the RAM clogging on the Redmi Note 9:

Fun fact: The Redmi Note 9 Pro (with the Snapdragon 720G) doesn’t have the same problem, it uses a different memory management mechanism, but the Helio G85 in the base model suffers from the “gluttony” of MIUI.

Method 1: Manually close applications (correct method)

Most users just swipe apps into the multitasking menu, but it doesn't clear the RAM -- it just takes them off the list. To really free up the memory:

1. Open the Multitasking Menu (swipe up with a delay).
2. Click on the “Secure” icon (pin) in the upper right corner of the app card.
3. Select Application Information → Forced Stop.

It removes the process from memory completely, not just folds it.

Facebook

Messenger

Instagram

Games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact – up to 1 GB!)

Google Chrome

⚠️ Warning: Don’t shut down system processes (com.android.systemui, com.miui.securitycenter) – this will lead to the collapse of the interface.

Method 2: Hidden Memory Cleanup in MIUI

Xiaomi hides a deep-cleaning RAM tool that isn't visible in standard settings to activate it:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click on the MIUI version 5 times in a row (you will be notified “You became a developer”).
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate Memory Cleanup and Show Memory Use.

Now, the notification panel will have a RAM widget with a percentage of downloads. Click on it and the menu will open with the Clean button, which removes all background processes except system ones.

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If the RAM widget doesn't appear, restart your phone. Some firmware requires you to enable USB debugging in the developer's settings.

This method frees up to 40-60% of RAM at a time, but has a side effect: the next time you run an application, it will load longer (cache cleared) and use it before playing games or shooting videos when you want maximum performance.

Method 3: Optimizing the Autoboot of Applications

Many programs (VK, TikTok, banking apps) are automatically triggered when the phone is turned on and hang in the background.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an application (such as AliExpress) → Autorun.
3. Disable all switches: Autostart, Secondary Launch, Show notifications.

For mass cleaning:

• 📱 Use the AutoStart Manager app (requires rights) ADB)
• 🔧 Manually through Settings → Battery → Battery mode → Setup (turn off Autostart for unnecessary apps)

⚠️ Note: Do not turn off auto-start for:

• Google Play Services (Google Services will be affected)
• MIUI Daemon (system updates will stop working)
• SMS/calling applications (skip important notifications)

Method 4: Cleaning the cache of system applications

The cache of Google Play Services, MIUI Launcher and other system components can take up to 1-1.5 GB of RAM in the background.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three points in the upper right corner → Show the system.
3. Find and open: Google Play Services MIUI Launcher (com.miui.home) System UI (com.android.systemui)

Warehouse → Clear the cache

After cleaning:

• 🔄 Restart your phone (required!)
• 📱 The first application launch will be slower (cache recollected)
• 🔋 Battery consumption will decrease by 5-10% due to a decrease in background activity

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the data (clean all data) of system applications:

• I'll drop wallpaper and widgets
• Losing saved Wi-Fi passwords
• Errors in Google Pay and other services

Method 5: Using scripts via ADB (for advanced ones)

If standard methods don’t work, you can manually limit background activity through ADB. This doesn’t require root, but you need to connect to a PC.

Instructions:

1. Download Platform Tools from the Android Developers website.
2. Connect Redmi Note 9 to your PC via USB (enable USB debugging in the developer settings).
3. Open the command line in the folder from adb.exe and type: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.ab pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.bugreport pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.hybrid

These commands are off:

• 📊 Xiaomi Analytics Collection (Frees Up) ~100MB of RAM)
• 🔍 Background error diagnosis (more) ~50MB)
• 🌐 Hybrid web services MIUI (up to 150 MB)

To get it back, use:

pm enable com.miui.analytics

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Disabling system services via ADB gives you an increase in free memory by 20-30%, but can disrupt the operation of some functions (for example, feedback in MIUI).

Method 6: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If RAM clogs immediately after turning on the phone (more than 60% is occupied without running applications), the fault is:

• 🦠 Viruses or malicious scripts
• 🔧 Damaged system files after update
• 📦 Residual data from remote applications

In this case, only hard reset will help.

1. Save data on Google Drive or PC (photos, contacts, SMS).
2. Write down usernames/passwords from your accounts (especially Mi Account).
3. Make sure your phone is at least 50% charged.

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 📱 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It may contain "garbage»
• 🔧 Install applications selectively (one by one, checking the RAM load)
• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system

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Reset to factory settings on Redmi Note 9 returns up to 1.5-2 GB of free RAM (due to deletion of cache and residual files).

Method 7: Alternative firmware (for enthusiasts)

If you are willing to sacrifice some MIUI features for stable operation, consider reflashing to:

⚠️ Attention:

• The flashing resets the Xiaomi warranty.
• On the Redmi Note 9 with the MediaTek Helio G85, it is harder to unlock the bootloader than on the Snapdragon.
• Some cameras (such as macro modules) may perform worse on custom firmware.

If you decide to go firmware, follow the official guides on the XDA Developers forum for Redmi Note 9 (merlin).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning RAM on the Redmi Note 9