Free RAM on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: the full guide

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

Your Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 And when you start to hang around when you switch between applications, the reason is that you don't have enough RAM. 3-6 GB RAM It depends on the modification, but even that may be missing when you're using it. MIUI aggressively caches background processes, and some applications (especially social networks and instant messengers) consume up to 500 MBT each.

The symptoms of overloaded RAM on the Redmi Note 9 are easily recognizable: delays when opening recent apps, sudden camera reboots, hanging over when scrolling through Instagram or TikTok. Unlike problems with persistent memory (where cache cleaning helps), other methods are needed. A key feature of this model is the built-in RAM compression mechanism in MIUI 12+ allows you to “unload” up to 30% of memory without closing applications, but it does not always work correctly.

Before you start cleaning, check the current RAM boot: Settings → Phone → System Status → Memory. If less than 500 MB is free at 4 GB of RAM or 800 MB at 6 GB, it’s time to act. It’s important to understand that fully freeing RAM is harmful: Android is designed to multitask, and empty memory is inefficiently used resources.

1. MIUI built-in tools for cleaning RAM

Xiaomi has integrated several memory management tools into the firmware that users often ignore, starting with the obvious, the task manager, to open it up:

1. Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger for 1 second (recent app menus will open).
2. Slip on the icon "Close everything" (cross or basket depending on the version of MIUI).
3. For selective cleaning, swipe up the card of the unnecessary application.

A more advanced tool is Optimization in Security Settings: Settings → Applications → Security → Optimization → Memory Cleanup. Here you can see a list of the most voracious applications and force them to close. Note the RAM Use column, if they have values above 300 MB for the background, this is an excuse to restrict the application.

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After cleaning through the task manager, wait 30 seconds before launching new applications – MIUI needs a pause for the correct allocation of resources.

The hidden feature of the Redmi Note 9 is the Easy Memory mode, which automatically compresses background processes. It activates: Settings → Special features → System settings → Easy memory. Turn on the switch and select the aggressiveness level ("Balanced"). This mode is especially useful on modifications with 3 GB of RAM.

2. Autocleaning setup and background process limitation

MIUI allows you to flexibly adjust the behavior of the system when there is a lack of RAM. The first step is to limit background processes for unnecessary applications. Do this through: Settings → Applications → Application Management → [select application] → Restrictions → Background activity.

For automatic cleaning:

• 🔄 Enable "Autoclean" in Settings → Annexes → Security → Optimize: Set a schedule for times when the phone is usually idle (e.g. at night).
• ⚡ Activate Smart Cleanup in the same menu – it closes unused apps when you lock the screen.
• 📊 B Settings → Battery and performance → Battery management disable Autostart for applications that shouldn't run in the background (such as games or rarely used utilities).

Pay special attention to setting up Secure Apps (Settings → Applications → Security → Secure Apps) and there should be no messengers or social media, they are already active. Add only critical services (like banking apps or navigators).

3. Manual removal of unnecessary applications and services

Many Redmi Note 9 users are surprised to find that even after being reset to factory settings, RAM is clogged out of the box, because of pre-installed system applications from Xiaomi and Google that cannot be removed by standard means.

To remove system applications without root rights, you will need ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

1. Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times according to version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and install ADB Tools.
3. Enter the command to delete (e.g. for Mi Video): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

If ADB seems complicated, at least disable unnecessary services: Settings → Applications → Application Management → [select] → Disable. This won’t free up RAM completely, but will prevent auto-start.

4. Optimizing MIUI to reduce the load on RAM

The MIUI firmware on the Redmi Note 9 has hidden settings that significantly affect memory consumption. The first thing to do is to disable animations that not only slow down the interface, but also keep unnecessary processes in the RAM:

1. Activate the developer mode (as in the previous section).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the settings: Window animation scale → Disable the animation scale of the transition → Disable the animation duration of the animation → Disable

The second is setting permissions for applications. Many programs request geolocation, microphone, or camera access in the background, which keeps them active. Check: Settings → Privacy → Permits → [select permission] and turn off background access for unnecessary applications.

The third is launcher optimization. The standard MIUI launcher consumes up to 300 MB of RAM.

• 📱 Install Nova Launcher or Lawnchair (consumption) ~150 MB).
• 🖼️ Turn off live wallpaper and weather widgets in Settings → Wallpaper.
• 🗑️ Clear the launcher's cache: Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

5. Use of third-party utilities (without root)

If the built-in tools don't help, third-party apps will come to the rescue. It's important to choose those that don't require root rights or contain malware.

• 🛠️ Greenify freezes background apps without closing them, saves up to 40% RAM. Set up automatic hibernation for instant messengers and social networks.
• 🧹 SD Maid – clears the cache of system applications that MIUI Use CorpseFinder to remove remnants of uninstalled programs.
• 📊 Simple System Monitor – shows detailed statistics of RAM use in real time with the possibility of forced closure of processes.

Warning: Avoid "radiation boosters" like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster, which often mask malware and consume up to 200MB of memory themselves.

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.CLOSE_SYSTEM_DIALOGS

This command simulates the pressing of the Home button, which forces MIUI to optimize background processes.

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The utility side is only effective in combination with built-in MIUI tools. No application will replace manual system configuration.

Radical methods: resetting and firmware

If all the previous methods failed, then radical measures remain, the first option is a factory reset. On the Redmi Note 9, it's done like this:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select "Erase all data" and confirm.

The second option is to flash it to custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which requires unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP, but it gives you:

• ⚡ Reducing RAM consumption by 30-40% Due to the lack of Bloatware.
• 🔄 More aggressive memory management in Android 12+.
• 🛡️ Lack of background services MIUI, which eat up to 500MB.

Warnings:

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader on the Redmi Note 9 resets all data and can lead to encryption problems (Mi Account).Use the official Mi Unlock Tool and monitor the status of the account.

⚠️ Warning: Castom firmware can disrupt the camera (especially night mode) and NFC. Before installing, check compatibility with the model M2003J15SC (global version) or M2003J15SS (China).

7. Hardware restrictions: when nothing helps

If your Redmi Note 9 has a 3GB RAM modification, be prepared for the fact that even after all the optimizations, multitasking will be limited.

• 🎮 Avoid modern games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) – they require a minimum of 4 GB of RAM.
• 📸 Close the camera after use: its background process consumes up to 300MB.
• 🔄 Use Light mode in apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

For modifications with 4/6 GB of RAM, the problem of "memory leakage" in MIUI 12.5+ is relevant. Symptoms: after a few days of free memory, less than 200 MB remains, although there are few background applications.

1. Update your firmware to the latest stable version via Settings → System Update.
2. If the update doesn’t work, roll back to MIUI 12.0.2.0 (a stable version for the Redmi Note 9).

Last tip: Watch the temperature of the processor. Overheating (above 45°C) causes the system to artificially limit performance, which increases the load on RAM. Use AIDA64 to monitor and avoid using the camera, navigator and games at the same time.

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