Modern Xiaomi Redmi and Poco smartphones have impressive specs, but the MIUI shell or its new version of HyperOS consumes significant resources for background work. Users often notice that over time the device starts to run slower, applications open longer, and games can fly out. RAM is a critical component on which multitasking and response speed depend.
Unlike the memory that stores your photos and apps, RAM is filled with real-time data from running processes. When RAM space runs out, the system begins to force the active applications to close, causing lags. In this article, we will examine not only standard cleaning methods, but also advanced techniques available to owners of Xiaomi devices.
You'll learn how to use built-in optimization tools correctly, what system processes can be safely turned off, and why the habit of constantly "cleaning" memory can be wrong. MIUI 14 and HyperOS automatically control memory more aggressively than pure Android, requiring a specific approach to setup. Let's figure out how to get your gadget back to its former abode without losing important data.
Analysis of the consumption of resources built-in MIUI
The first step in diagnosing performance issues should be the built-in Security tool, a system application preinstalled on all Xiaomi devices that monitors application access and resource consumption. By clicking on the Cleanup button on the main menu, you start the RAM release process. However, it is important to understand that this action only temporarily resets the cache of processes.
For a deeper analysis, go to the Security menu and select "Extended Cleanup" where the system will prompt you to delete unnecessary files and analyze the application performance. Notice the section that shows the list of programs that consume the most memory, often there are social networks or games that you haven't used in a long time.
It's important not to blindly rely on automatic cleaning. It can keep MIUI-important services active but skip over user-generated apps. Manual control allows you to pinpoint what's left in the background.
⚠️ Warning: Forced shutdown of system processes through the Security menu can cause the interface to work in an unstable manner", "MIUI" Google, if you are not sure what they are.
Use the Statistical widget on your desktop to see how much memory is free in real time, which will help you understand which application is causing the jump in resource consumption. If after cleaning 4 GB of memory they are again filled in 5 minutes, then the problem is in a particular background process.
Set up extended memory and virtual swap
Newer versions of Xiaomi firmware have introduced the memory extension feature, which allows you to reserve a portion of the permanent memory (ROM) and use it as an addition to the RAM (RAM), which is especially true for models with 4 or 6 GB of main memory, activating this feature can improve multitasking, but it is worth considering the speed of writing the drive.
To enable this option, go to Settings → About Phone → Expansion of Memory. The system will suggest selecting the amount of memory you add (usually 2 to 5 GB). Once selected, you will need to restart the device. It is worth noting that using a virtual swap can slightly reduce the life of internal flash memory due to frequent overwriting of data.
- 🚀 Plus: Increases the number of simultaneously working applications without departures.
- 📉 Cons: The speed of virtual memory is lower than that of physical memory RAM, What can cause micro-delays.
- 🔋 Impact: May slightly increase battery consumption in standby mode.
Not all Redmi models have this feature, and if you don't find it in the settings, it means that the manufacturer hasn't put it in place for your particular CPU model or the amount of memory you have, then you'll only have to rely on the physical amount of RAM.
Autostart and Background Process Management
One of the main reasons for memory shortage is uncontrolled auto-run of applications. In the Android ecosystem and especially in MIUI, programs often run on their own to update notifications or synchronize. To limit this process, you need to use the hidden developer menu or standard battery settings.
Go to Settings → Applications → Auto Run. Here you will see a list of all the programs that start with the system. Leave only messengers (for notifications to come) and antiviruses on. Everything else - games, stores, editors - safely turn off. This will significantly free RAM immediately after the phone is turned on.
Alternatively, you should set background activity limits. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Activity Control. For each "heavy" program, set a "No Limits" limit only if you have critical real-time notifications. For others, select "Save Energy" or "Limit Background Activity."
☑️ Checklist of auto-start optimization
There is also a hidden setting in the developer menu that allows you to limit the number of background processes. To get there, you need to click on the build number 7 times in the About menu. Then in the About Phone section, find the "Background Process Limit" section and set the value "No More than 4 processes." This rigid restriction will make the system more aggressively unload old applications from memory.
Using the Developer Mode to Speed Up Work
The developer menu hides powerful tools for fine-tuning Android. In addition to limiting the processes, you can turn off animations here, which visually speeds up the interface and reduces the load on the GPU and RAM. This is especially useful on low-end Redmi models with a small margin of performance.
Find three options in the developer menu: "Window animation", "Transition animation" and "Duration animations." By default, they are 1x. Change them to 0.5x or completely disable (0x). The interface will become more responsive and transitions between screens will take less time, which indirectly affects the perception of the speed of the system.
Also in this section is the "Do Not Stay Activated" feature, which is not recommended for everyday use, because it will shut down the app as soon as you roll it up on the home screen, and it's a radical memory cleanup method that makes normal multitasking impossible.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Window animation | 0.5x or Retraction. | Accelerates the opening/closing of applications |
| Limit of background processes | No more than 4. | Reduces RAM consumption, but reboots applications more often |
| Background constraint | Standard. | Balance between notifications and resource savings |
| Hardware acceleration | Included. | Uses GPU for rendering, unloading CPU |
Be careful when changing settings in the developer menu. Some settings, such as “Debugging over USB” or “OEM Unlocking”, if used incorrectly, can create security vulnerabilities or lock the device when settings are reset.
Radical methods: ADB and system debris removal
For advanced users who don’t have enough standard tools, there is an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) cleaning method that allows you to remove or freeze Xiaomi and Google system applications that consume memory but cannot be deleted in the usual way, requiring a computer and a USB cable.
First, you need to activate the USB debugging in the developer menu, connect the phone to the PC and type a command to view the list of packages:
adb shell pm list packagesBy finding unnecessary system components (e.g. Mi Credit, Mi Pay for other regions, unnecessary Google services), you can remove them for the current user by command:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packetThis method doesn’t remove the application completely from the system, but removes it for your profile, freeing up RAM and CPU time. However, removing critical system packets can lead to a cyclic bootloop, so be extremely careful and check the purpose of each packet on the Internet before you delete it.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Removing the com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.settings will make the phone inoperable without flashing it back up.
Prevention and proper use habits
Cleaning memory is not a one-off activity, but part of a smartphone culture. The constant installation of Play Market cleaners often does more harm than good, and these apps hang in the memory, consume the battery, and display ads to try to speed up a phone that is already working normally.
The best prevention is to update applications and systems in a timely manner. MIUI developers regularly release patches that optimize memory performance. Also, try not to keep dozens of tabs open in your browser unless you need to. Each tab you open is a megabyte of RAM you eat.
Check regularly which apps have permission to work in the background. If a calculator or flashlight requires network access and background activity, it is suspicious behavior.
Compliance with these simple rules will allow your Xiaomi Redmi to remain fast and responsive throughout its life. Remember that 80-90% full RAM is normal for modern systems, but if it is 100% full and the phone slows down, then it is time for manual revision of processes.