How to Clean RAM on Xiaomi Redmi 5: Full Instructions

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in late 2017, has long been one of the most popular budget devices on the market, but with the release of new versions of the MIUI shell and the update of mobile applications, the 2 or 3 gigabytes of RAM (RAM) that the device has equipped with, is no longer enough for comfortable multitasking, users are increasingly noticing that background applications are closed on their own, and the interface begins to slow down when switching between tasks.

The main reason for the resource shortage is the aggressive optimization of the system and the heavy code of modern programs. When RAM is filled critically, the processor is forced to constantly turn to a slow internal storage, which causes lags, and understanding how to properly manage this resource allows you to significantly extend the life cycle of the device and avoid buying a new gadget.

In this guide, we will not only explore standard cleaning techniques, but also the hidden features of the system that will help Redmi 5 to work faster. You will learn to distinguish between system processes that cannot be touched and “junk” tasks that devour resources. RAM — This is the key to the stability of your smartphone.

Analysis of the current load of RAM

Before you start taking any drastic measures, you need to understand what exactly is consuming resources of your Xiaomi. The standard interface does not always show the real picture, so it is important to look at the advanced developer settings, which will allow you to see the full list of running processes and assess their impact on system performance.

To activate the developer mode, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version seven times. Then a new Developers Settings section will appear in Advanced Settings, and that's where the statistics needed for deep analysis are hidden.

Notice the Memory item inside the developer menu, which shows the average amount of free RAM over the past 3, 6, or 12 hours, and if you see less than 300-400 MB free, the system starts to run at its limits, and in this situation, even launching the camera can cause delays.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t aim to free up 100% of RAM. Android is designed to use free RAM RAM A complete cleanup could backfire, as the system would spend more energy and time restarting programs.

It's also important to distinguish between process types: System services like System UI or Google Play Services take up a significant portion of the memory, but forcing them to stop will cause the phone to run unstable. Your goal is to find third-party apps that aren't in use right now but continue to hang in the background.

Standard cleaning methods through MIUI

The easiest and most affordable way to free up resources is to use the built-in Cleanup tool, which is preinstalled in every Xiaomi smartphone and is located in the Security app. Despite its simplicity, this tool effectively closes background processes and deletes temporary cache files.

To do the cleaning, run the Security app and press the large green Cleanup button. The system will analyze the memory status and suggest removing the "garbage." After the scan is completed, press the Clean Up button. In some versions of MIUI, a separate button to speed up the memory is located right on the desktop or in the notification curtain.

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For quick access to memory cleanup, add the Acceleration widget to the home screen, which allows you to clear RAM with a single touch at any time.

However, it is worth considering that standard cleaning is often temporary, and aggressive MIUI algorithms can immediately restart important services for the user, so it is better to use this method as an express help before launching heavy games or a navigator, rather than as a permanent solution.

There is also a feature called Memory Extension, which allows you to use part of the internal storage as a virtual RAM. On Redmi 5, this feature may not be available in official firmware due to limited eMMC speed, but in custom builds it is sometimes found. Using virtual memory on older drives can, on the contrary, slow down the interface.

Manual control of applications and autoboot

The biggest effect is manual control of apps. Many programs, like social media or marketplaces, prescribe themselves to autoload and consume resources even when you’re not using them. Disabling autorun is the first step to optimizing the Xiaomi Redmi 5.

To manage your boot, go to Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autorun. Here you will see a list of all the programs that start with the system. Leave only messengers on if you care about instant notifications and system services.

Next, limit background activity for specific applications. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, select a heavy program (such as Facebook or Yandex) and find Battery or Energy Saving. Set Limit or No Limits mode (if you need the application to work), but for background cleaning, you better choose a strict mode.

Also worth noting is MIUI Optimization, which is on the developer menu, and disabling it can change how the system works, making it more like pure Android, which sometimes helps free up resources, but can disrupt some themes and features.

⚠️ Note: When you disable the auto-run of messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), notifications may stop coming in real time.

Remember to check the list of recently launched applications periodically. (long press) the Menu button (square) allows you to quickly close all applications at once. Although this does not remove them from memory completely, it is a signal to the system that these processes can be completed.

Using Developer Mode for Limits

There's a powerful setup in the developer menu that allows you to artificially limit the number of background processes. This dramatically changes the behavior of Redmi 5, forcing the system to keep only the active application in memory. → Limit of background processes.

The default value is Standard Limit, which is changed to No More than 2 Processes or No More than 3 Processes, and you force Android to close old tasks when you start new ones, which can significantly increase the free amount of RAM available for the current task.

Using this feature requires caution. If you set a limit too tight, the navigator can stop plotting the route in the background, and the music player can stop when the screen is locked. For Xiaomi Redmi 5, setting a limit of 3-4 processes is often the best option.

Remember, once you reboot your phone, your limit settings can reset to standard ones, which means you'll need to do it again, which is a small fee for being able to flexibly manage the resources of an old but reliable device.

Third-party utilities and their effectiveness

There are thousands of software-cliner apps on Google Play that promise to speed up your smartphone. However, for Android versions that run on Redmi 5 (usually Android 7 or 8), many of them are useless or even harmful. The system has learned to manage memory efficiently, and third-party software often only consumes battery power.

However, there are proven tools like Greenify or Files by Google.Greenify lets you "freeze" apps you're not using right now without removing them.This prevents them from running in the background and consuming RAM.It requires either root access or activation via ADB to work.

Using Task Killers with a constant status bar notification is a bad idea. They create a loop: the application kills the process, the system sees a shortage of services and starts them again, the killer kills again, which leads to the processor heating up and the battery is quickly discharged.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid installing antiviruses and accelerators from unknown developers, often advertising, and consuming a lot of their own. RAM and collect personal data of the user.

If you decide to use Greenify, set it up aggressively only for apps you don't need in the background (like games or stores). Messengers and alarms can't be frozen, otherwise you'll lose functionality.

Cardinal measures: Resetting and flashing

If the software methods don’t work and the Xiaomi Redmi 5 continues to slow down, it may be the accumulated system debris or conflicts after a lot of updates, in which case a full factory reset helps, which will return the device to the “out of the box” state.

Before reset, be sure to back up important data via Settings → Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset → Data Backup. Save a copy to your computer or the cloud, as all data from your phone will be deleted.

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Full reset is the most effective way to clean not only operational, but also internal memory, eliminating software errors accumulated over the years of use.

The reset procedure is done through the Recovery and Reset menu → Reset. Once rebooted, the phone will be completely formatted. Don't restore all apps from Google backup, you'd better just put the ones you need manually, and this will prevent junk apps from returning.

For advanced users, there is an option to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience). Pure Android without a MIUI shell runs on Redmi 5 much easier and requires less RAM. However, this requires unlocking the bootloader and carries the risk of losing warranty (although for Redmi 5 it has long expired).