How to Free RAM on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide with Proven Methods

Your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO are slowing down, apps are spontaneously shutting down, and there is a memory shortage warning in the task manager? The problem is overloaded RAM. Even flagship models with 12GB of RAM accumulate background processes, cache and junk tasks that eat up resources. Unlike persistent memory (ROM), where files are stored, RAM is responsible for the speed of the system in real time.

In this article, current methods of freeing up RAM for Xiaomi on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS (2026), including hidden features, development teams and autoboot optimization. We will not advise “just reboot the phone” – we will analyze system tools that give results without losing data. Importantly, the methods are suitable for all brand lines, but the effectiveness depends on the firmware version and model (for example, on Xiaomi 13 Ultra with virtual RAM, the cleaning algorithms work differently than on the Redmi Note 10).

Why Xiaomi RAM is clogged faster than other smartphones

Xiaomi manufacturers have traditionally set up MIUI/HyperOS to aggressively caching data, which speeds up the re-launch of applications, but has the downside: the system keeps in RAM even those processes that are not in use for a long time. For example, after watching a video on YouTube, the application can remain active in the background for another hour, taking up 300-500 MB of memory.

The second reason is pre-installed MIUI services, which cannot be disabled by standard means.

• 🔍 com.miui.analytics – collection of usage statistics (up to 150 MB of RAM)
• 📊 com.xiaomi.midrop – Background synchronization for Quick Share
• 🎵 com.miui.player – a music player that starts when you connect headphones
• 📱 com.miui.hybrid – a module for widgets and themes

The third factor is virtual RAM (on models with MIUI 12.5+). The technology uses some of the permanent memory as RAM, but does not optimize the real RAM, but only masks the problem. For example, on the POCO F4 with 8 GB of physical and 3 GB of virtual memory, the system can show “11 GB available”, although in fact it is only free 1-2 GB.

⚠️ Attention: On HyperOS smartphones (2026), the RAM control algorithm has changed. Now the system prioritizes background tasks differently, and manual cleaning through the dispatcher can lead to an increase in battery consumption by 10-15% due to rebooting processes.

Method 1: Deep cleaning through a hidden menu of engineering codes

The most effective method is to use service commands that are not available in the standard interface, which reset the cache of system processes and force the shutdown of "hung" tasks that the dispatcher does not see.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the code: ##4636##
2. In the Phone Information menu, find the Clear Statistics item (on HyperOS, it can be called Data Reset).
3. Confirm action. The system will restart the background processes, freeing up to 1-1.5 GB of RAM.

For models with HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14), use an alternative code:

##284##

It opens a memory testing menu where you can manually reset the Kernel Cache.

Method 2: Optimizing the Autoboot of Applications

Many programs (Facebook, TikTok, AliExpress) automatically start when you turn on your phone or connect to Wi-Fi. This eats up to 40% of RAM in the first 10 minutes after rebooting. You can turn off autoboot through settings, but some applications (such as Mi Video) hide this option.

How to prohibit auto-start:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Facebook) and click AutoRun.
3. Turn off Autostart sliders, Background Activity and Show notifications.

For system applications (which cannot be disabled in the standard way) use ADB-team:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.facebook.appmanager


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.facebook.services

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the autoboot for com.xiaomi.finddevice will make it impossible to track your phone when lost. It is also recommended not to block com.android.phone, which will disrupt the mobile network.

Method 3: Configure virtual RAM (only for MIUI 12.5+)

Virtual RAM (or “RAM Expansion”) allows you to use part of the permanent memory as RAM, which is activated by default on most models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X4 Pro, Xiaomi 12T and later), but it can be optimized.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory (or Additional Settings → Memory on HyperOS).
2. Click on the RAM Extension (or Virtual Memory).
3. Choose the optimal size: 📱 3 GB for phones with 6-8 GB of physical RAM 📱 5GB – for 12GB of RAM (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) 📱 Disconnect – if you use your phone for games (virtual) RAM may cause lag)

💡

If after changing the size of the virtual RAM phone began to brake, return the settings to the factory and perform a deep cleaning of the cache through Recovery (see Method 6).

Method 4: Manual process control through ADB

For advanced users, it is possible to forcely close processes that MIUI does not clean automatically, which requires a PC connection and the use of ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Step-by-step:

1. Install Platform Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and enter a command to view active processes: adb shell ps -A | grep -E 'u0_a[0-9]+'
4. To close an unnecessary process (e.g. Facebook), use: adb shell am force-stop com.facebook.katana

⚠️ Note: Force-stop commands for system processes (e.g. com.android.systemui) can cause interface crashes and forced reboots. Use only for custom applications.

💡

ADB-commands give maximum control over RAM, but require caution. A mistake in the command can disrupt the operation of the phone.

Method 5: Use of third-party optimizers (with caution!)

There are hundreds of apps on Google Play that promise to “clean RAM with one tap,” most of which are dummy ones that simply cover background tasks (the same thing a standard MIUI manager does), but there are some proven tools with advanced features:

How to use Greenify correctly:

1. Install the application and grant rights through ADB: adb -d shell pm grant com.oasisfeng.greenify android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
2. Add to the hibernation list apps that shouldn’t work in the background (e.g. Instagram, VK).
3. Activate the Aggressive Doze option (in settings) for forced sleep processes.

What can't be done:

• ❌ Install "boosters" like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster – they consume RAM themselves and show false notifications about the “critical state of memory".
• ❌ Granting applications rights android.permission.KILL_BACKGROUND_PROCESSES — It's a violation of stability. MIUI.
• ❌ Use "optimizers" with a function 1-tap boost – they close all processes, including system processes, which leads to reboot and increased battery consumption.

Method 6: Resetting cache via Recovery (last resort)

If the phone is slowing down even after all the manipulations, it is hard to clean the cache through recovery mode, which deletes the temporary files of all applications and system processes, but does not affect personal data.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (navigation is done with volume buttons, confirmation is with the power button).
4. After cleaning, restart the device (Reboot → System).

What this method does:

• 🧹 Removes the cache of all applications (releases up to 1-3 GB of RAM after restarting).
• 🔧 Resets the virtual settings RAM.
• 🐌 Restores factory memory management parameters (useful if previously changed settings through the ADB).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, Redmi K50) After the cache is reset, access to Widevine may be lost L1 (drop down L3), What will make streaming on Netflix and Disney worse?+. To return L1, You will need a complete reset to the factory settings.

Method 7: Optimize MIUI/HyperOS for gaming (Game Turbo)

If you use a phone for games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG), standard MIUI settings can artificially restrict RAM for background processes, leading to crashes, in which case Game Turbo, the built-in mode for gamers, will help.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Game Turbo (on HyperOS the path may differ: Settings → Display → Game mode).
2. Activate the Game Turbo slider.
3. In the section Performance settings select: 🎮 Priority of graphics - for maximum FPS 🔋 Balance - to save battery ⚡ Performance – for full RAM use (recommended for 12 GB) RAM)

Gaming accelerations

Blocking background processes

On HyperOS models (Xiaomi 14, POCO F6), the Game Turbo is integrated with the cooling system. When activated, the performance fan (if any) will operate at maximum speeds, and RAM is reserved exclusively for play.

FAQ: Frequent questions about RAM on Xiaomi