How to Free RAM on Xiaomi Phone: From Simple to Advanced Methods

Your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO has started to slow down, apps spontaneously close, and the task manager has the words "Not enough memory"? The reason almost always lies in overloaded RAM (RAM). Even flagship models with 12 GB of RAM eventually begin to "suffocate" from background activity. In this article, unique methods of cleaning RAM that do not require root rights and work on MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14.

Smartphone manufacturers often sin on “optimizing” firmware, but the real problem is with the Android architecture, where every application tends to take up as much resources as possible. At Xiaomi, the situation is exacerbated by MIUI’s aggressive policy of data caching. We will examine not only standard ways like closing applications, but also hidden settings that will help return the phone to performance without resetting to factory settings.

Why Xiaomi is eating away at RAM: 3 hidden reasons

Before you clean up RAM, it's important to understand what's clogging it. On Xiaomi smartphones, there are usually three culprits:

• 🔄 Background activity MIUI: Even after the application is closed, the system leaves its processes in memory for “quick start”, which means that com.miui.home and com.android.systemui can take up to 1.5 GB of RAM continuously.
• 📱 Auto-run apps: instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), social networks (TikTok, Instagram) and games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) are prescribed in the boot and work in the background, even if you do not use them.
• 🗑️ Cash and junk files: MIUI It actively caches data to speed up work, but often doesn't clean the cache automatically. /data/dalvik-cache grows to a gigantic size.

Interestingly, on Xiaomi smartphones with virtual RAM (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO F5), the problem is exacerbated by the system reserving some of the internal memory for RAM, but not optimizing its use, which results in the user seeing 4 GB of 8 in the task manager, but the phone still slows down.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to work worse after cleaning the RAM, it's a sign of a memory module malfunction. 5, Mi 8) after 3-4 In this case, only the replacement fee will help.

Method 1: Manually Closing Applications – When It Works

The most obvious method is to close out unnecessary applications through Task Manager, but there are nuances.

1. Open recent apps with a swipe up (on MIUI 14, finger-holding at the bottom of the screen).
2. Swipe up the app card to close it.
3. For mass closing, click on the "Close All" icon (cross or basket depending on the model).

However, this is not always effective, because Android and MIUI can automatically restart closed applications if they are on the autoload list, for example, Facebook or AliExpress can return to RAM in 5 minutes.

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Some models (POCO X5 Pro, Redmi K60) have a hidden Deep Clean feature, so to activate it, hold the Close All icon in the Task Manager for 3 seconds.

Method 2: Optimizing Boot – How to Disable Unnecessary Processes

The main reason for overloaded RAM is applications that start automatically when you turn on your phone or connect to the Internet. MIUI has hidden settings that allow you to control the boot:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the Auto Start tab.
3. Turn off autoplay for all applications except mission-critical ones (e.g. Phone, Messages, Google Play Services).

For a deeper setup:

1. In the same menu, select the "Permissions" tab → "Other permissions".
2. Find the item “Make a display on top of other windows” and turn it off for all applications except system ones.
3. In the "Running in the background" item, turn off background activity for social networks and games.

Pay special attention to the applications from Xiaomi:

• 📱 com.miui.analytics – statistics collection (you can disable it)
• 🔍 com.miui.cleanmaster – garbage cleaning (works in the background constantly)
• 📊 com.miui.systemAdSolution – Advertising Services (disable without a doubt)

Disable auto-start for social networks and instant messengers |

Remove the permission to “Map on top of other windows” for unnecessary applications |

Turn off background activity for games |

Check system processes for unnecessary activity-->

⚠️ Warning: Disabling autoboot for com.google.android.gms (Google Play Services) may cause disruptions to Google Play, Gmail and other services.

Method 3: Cleaning cache and junk files without root

Application cache and system temporary files can take up to 3-5 GB of internal memory, which indirectly affects RAM. MIUI has a built-in cleaning tool, but it works inefficiently. Here's how to clean the cache manually:

Method 1: Through Storage Settings

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Click on "Clean" in the "Junk Files" section.
3. Select "App Cache" and "Temporary Files".

Method 2: Manual cleaning for individual applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose an app (such as Chrome or Instagram).
3. Press "Storage" → "Clear the cache".

Use for deep cleaning ADB-commands (no root required):

adb shell pm trim-caches 500M

This command will cache all applications to a size of no more than 500 MB. Runs through Platform Tools on a PC.

Method 4: Using Hidden MIUI Functions to Control RAM

Xiaomi hides a few useful memory tools from users, which can be activated through the codes of the engineering menu or hidden settings:

1. Performance mode (Game Turbo)

This feature is designed for gaming, but it can be used to optimize RAM:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Performance Mode.
2. Enable the option "Memory Optimization".
3. Select the Balance or Performance profile.

2.The Developer's Hidden Menu

Activated via Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times) Then the "Developers" item will appear where you can:

• 🔧 Limit background processes (no more than 2 processes)
• 🚫 Disable window animation (Scale of animation) = Off.)
• 🔄 Enable "Do not save actions" (reduces the use of RAM due to more aggressive closure of applications)

3. Engineering menu (for advanced only)

Dial the dialer code:

##4636##

In the menu that opens, select "Usage Statistics" → "Use of RAM." You can manually complete system processes here, but beware - wrong actions will lead to system failure.

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The safest way is to use Performance Mode. The engineering menu and the developer settings require caution, as improper changes can disrupt the phone.

Method 5: Alternative launchers and lightweight firmware

If standard methods don't work, consider replacing the shell or even firmware, and Xiaomi can do this without losing warranty:

1. Light launchers

Replace the standard MIUI Launcher with an alternative:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – Minimalistic, with animation customization
• ⚡ Lawnchair - open source, without background MIUI
• 📱 Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for weak devices

Installation: Download APK from APKMirror and install as a regular application. After installation, select a new launcher in Settings → Applications → By default.

2. Lightweight firmware (for advanced)

If you are ready for experiments, try custom firmware based on Android without the shell MIUI:

• 🔄 LineageOS – pure Android, without unnecessary processes
• 🚀 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel features
• 🛡️ Havoc-OS – Highly Customized Firmware with Optimizations for RAM

⚠️ Attention: custom firmware installation requires unlocking the bootloader and results in loss of warranty.On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) can be blocked by Widevine L1, Why Netflix will stop working on Netflix HD.

Method 6: Hardware Methods – When Software Is Not Helpful

If all the software is exhausted and the phone is still slowing down, the problem could be the hardware.

1. Checking the status of RAM

Use the AIDA64 or CPU-Z app to check:

• 📊 Total RAM (should match the stated amount)
• 🔄 Read/write speed (norm for reading) LPDDR4X — 17-22 GB/s)
• 🚨 Memory errors (if any, the RAM module is faulty)

2. Overheating and trottling

When overheating, the processor and graphics accelerator reduce performance, which indirectly affects RAM. Check the temperature through AIDA64:

• 🌡️ Normal temperature: 30-45°C in plain, until 60°C under load
• ⚠️ Critical temperature: above 70°C (replacement of thermopaste required)

Replacement of RAM module (for repair centers only)

On some models (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Black Shark 5) RAM is soldered on the motherboard and cannot be replaced. K50 Gaming, you can try to sell the module, but it's expensive and risky. The average cost of repair is 8,000-15,000. ₽.

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If your phone brakes after falling or getting moisture, don't try to clean the RAM programmatically. First, check the motherboard's contacts for oxidation with a magnifying glass or microscope.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up RAM on Xiaomi