Modern Xiaomi smartphones running the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS have a powerful hardware, but even flagship models can start to work slower over time. The main reason for the decline in performance is often overcrowded RAM (RAM). When the system lacks free resources to handle background tasks, interfaces begin to hang and applications close immediately after launch.
Users often wonder how to effectively free up resources without losing important data. Unlike cleaning internal memory, where photos and videos are stored, working with RAM requires understanding the processes of background synchronization and caching. Competent optimization allows you to significantly extend battery life and make use of the device more comfortable.
In this article, we will not only look at the standard methods available to everyone, but also at advanced settings for power users, you will learn which processes can be safely stopped and which ones should not be touched, so as not to disturb the stability of the system. The right approach to managing RAM is a balance between freedom and functionality.
Analysis of resource consumption by Android
Before embarking on radical cleanup measures, it’s important to understand what’s eating away at your memory. Android is designed to keep frequently used apps rolled up to run them instantly. However, on Xiaomi’s MIUI-enclosed smartphones, this mechanism sometimes works too aggressively, leaving dozens of unnecessary processes hanging.
To start, you should look at the developer menu to see the real download picture, which will allow you to identify voracious apps that you may not even use, often social media or heavy games that were launched a long time ago.
⚠️ Warning: Do not force system processes you don't know the names of, which can cause your phone to malfunction or suddenly restart your device.
The standard task manager shows just the tip of the iceberg, and you can get more detailed information by turning on the advanced stats mode, which will give you an idea of how many megabytes each service takes.
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If you notice that the memory fills up immediately after the phone is turned on, the problem may be in the autoload of third-party apps.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The easiest and safest way to clean up your Xiaomi Android RAM is to use a standard tool from the manufacturer. Security is preinstalled on every device of the brand and has direct access to low-level memory cleaning functions.
Run a green icon with a shield on your desktop. At the top of the screen, you'll see a pie chart showing the current state of the system. Press Clean or Optimize in the center of the circle. The system will automatically close the background processes and free up space in the RAM.
Once you've finished, you'll see a message telling you how many megabytes have been released, but remember, this method has a temporary effect, and Android will quickly fill up the space with the services it needs.
For a deeper setup, you can go to the In-app Memory Acceleration section, where you can adjust the automatic clean rate or add important applications to exceptions so that they stay active at all times.
Configuring the limitations of background processes
One of the most effective measures to keep performance is manually limiting the number of background processes, which is especially true for models with a small amount of RAM, such as 4 GB or 6 GB. This setting causes the system to more aggressively unload applications from memory.
To access these settings, you need to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version or OS Version seven times. Once the notification that you have become a developer appears, the menu will expand.
Where can I find the hidden menu?
In the developer menu, find the Apps section and select the Background Process Limit. The default is "Standard Limit"; you can change it to "No More than 2 Processes" or "No More than 4 Processes."
Changing this setting can make a big difference in multitasking, and if you're used to keeping 10 apps open at once, going to a tight constraint will cause them to reboot each time you switch.
| Restriction regime | Description of the system behaviour | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard. | The system decides when to close the application. | For most users |
| No background processes | Applications are closed immediately after folding | For maximum performance in games |
| No more than 1 process | Only the active application remains in memory. | For older devices with 2-3 GB of RAM |
| No more than 4 processes | Limiting the number of background tasks | Balance between speed and multitasking |
Managing Auto-Run Applications
Many users are unaware that dozens of apps run with the operating system, which not only consumes battery power, but also takes up a significant portion of RAM immediately after the phone is turned on, and auto-run control is a critical step in optimizing.
There's a special section in the MIUI and HyperOS shell that regulates this setting. Go to Settings → Applications → Auto Run. Here you'll see a full list of programs that start automatically.
It is recommended to leave only messengers (for notifications to come) and antivirus on. All games, stores, news aggregators and social networks should be turned off. They will start themselves when you open their icon.
☑️ Optimizing auto-start
After making the changes, it is advisable to reboot the device completely so that the new settings take effect, and you will notice that the phone starts to load faster and free memory is more.
Cleaning cache and deleting temporary files
While the cache is designed to speed up applications, growing to gigabytes can have a negative impact on overall system performance, and temporary files take up space not only in internal storage, but can also block the normal functioning of RAM when resources are scarce.
To clear the cache of individual applications, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Select the program that consumes the most resources (usually a browser, YouTube or TikTok), and click Memory. Next, select Clear Cache.
Don't confuse this button with the Clean Everything or Reset option, which will delete your logins, saves to games, and app settings, and we only need cache, which is temporary data that the app will download again if necessary.
⚠️ Warning: Clearing the cache of system applications such as “Google Play Services” or “System” UI", This can cause temporary instability in the interface, and only do so if you're confident in your actions.
You can also use the Deep Clean feature in the Security app, which scans the device for residual files, APK-Installers and advertising junk that also consumes resources.
Expanding Memory with Memory Extension
Newer Xiaomi and Redmi models have virtual memory extension technology that allows you to reserve some internal storage (ROM) and use it as additional RAM, which can be a lifeline for devices with 4 GB or 6 GB of physical memory.
It's called Memory Extension, or Extension of Memory, and you can find it by Setting up. → Additional settings → Extension of memory: Here you will be asked to choose the amount of memory you add: usually available from 2 to 5 GB depending on the model.
Now, you have to understand that internal flash memory is faster than real RAM, so you don't see performance gains in all scenarios, but it works really well to keep more applications in the background.
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Enabling memory expansion is effective for multitasking, but can slightly reduce the write speed on the internal drive.
Once the function is turned on, the phone will suggest restarting. Don't ignore this requirement, as without restarting, the changes will not take effect. You can check the result in the About Phone menu, where you will now specify a higher value of RAM.