How to clean RAM on Android Xiaomi: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones have a powerful filling, but even flagship models eventually start to work slower. One of the common reasons for performance declines is overcrowded RAM, which does not have time to be freed from background processes. When RAM is busy by 90-100%, the system begins to force applications to close, and the interface responds to touch with a delay.

In this article, we will discuss effective and safe methods for freeing up resources on your device. You will learn how to use the built-in tools of the MIUI and HyperOS shell, as well as what hidden Android features will help to extend the life of the gadget without installing third-party software.

Now, it's worth noting that RAM is not storage for photos and videos, but space for running programs. Unlike internal memory, RAM is cleared when you reboot, but smart optimization requires a more subtle approach. Let's look at the basic tools for resource management.

Use of the built-in "Security" application

The easiest and most affordable way to free up resources is to use a system utility that is preinstalled on every device in the brand. Security combines the functions of an antivirus, a garbage cleaner and a memory manager. It is deeply integrated into the MIUI shell, allowing it to correctly complete processes without disrupting system services.

To start cleaning, you just need to open the application and click on the big green button in the Memory Cleanup section. The system will automatically analyze the processes running and suggest closing the ones that consume the most resources. However, it is important not to abuse this feature, since the constant forced unloading of applications can lead to their re-run, more energy-intensive.

In the Security settings, you can also activate automatic cleaning when you reach a certain boot threshold, a useful feature for low-volume RAM devices, such as 4 or 6 GB. It helps keep the system in good shape without constant user intervention.

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Don’t use third-party accelerators from the Play Market – Xiaomi’s built-in tool works more efficiently and doesn’t waste battery life.

⚠️ Warning: Forcing system processes to close through a developer menu or root right can lead to unstable interface operation or data loss.

In addition to manual cleaning, the app also has a speed booster feature that temporarily prioritizes the running app by clearing the background tasks, especially for mobile gamers playing heavy projects on Redmi Note or POCO F series.

Manual control of running applications

The Android shell allows the user to control the list of active processes by swiping from the bottom up and holding the finger (or pressing the menu button, depending on the type of navigation), and displays all the programs that are currently in RAM.

You can manually close unnecessary tabs by swiping each tab, or click the Clear button (usually indicated by a cross or broomstick) to close the entire list at once, a method that is effective when you need to quickly free up resources before launching a heavy game or navigator.

There is also a hidden feature in the menu of recent apps on some versions of MIUI. If you press and hold the cleaning button (cross), the system can offer advanced control options or run a deep cleanup.This depends on the firmware version and device model, for example, on the Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12 algorithms may differ.

• 📱 Swipe up the app card closes it completely.
• 🧹 The “Clean” button closes all background processes at once.
• ⚙️ Long-click on the card can show additional settings of the application.
• 🔒 Fixed applications are not closed during general cleaning.

Importantly, Android 12, 13 and newer versions are great memory handlers themselves, and they automatically freeze rarely used apps without spending CPU time on them, so manual cleaning for the sake of cleaning often doesn’t make sense unless you’re facing a specific freeze.

Set up background activity restrictions

One of the main reasons for RAM overflow is the uncontrolled operation of applications in the background: Social networks, messengers and news aggregators strive to constantly update content even when the screen is off, and limiting this activity is a key step towards optimization.

Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Select a voracious app (like Facebook or TikTok) and find AutoStart. Turn it off so the program goes on itself when you turn on your phone. Next, in the Battery menu for the same app, select No Limits mode only if notifications are critical to you, or Saving Energy to limit background activity.

And you also have to look at the memory extension feature that many of Xiaomi's current models have, which takes some of the internal memory and uses it as virtual RAM, and while it helps keep more applications open, it's slower than physical RAM, which can even slow down in some scenarios.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling Google system services or components MIUI In application settings, notifications may not work properly and system failures may occur.

For advanced users, the Save Data mode in network settings is available, which also limits the background activity of applications, saving both traffic and CPU resources. This is a good option for older devices that are slow.

Cleaning through the “Developers” menu

There's a hidden engineering menu on Android that's designed to test and debug, and you can find tools for forced memory management, and to activate this mode, you go to Settings → About, and you can quickly click on MIUI Version (or OS Version) 7 times, and you'll get a notification saying, "You're a developer."

Once activated, a new option will appear in the settings menu, "Additional" or "Extended Settings", where the "Developers" section is located. Find the "Running Services" option there. This displays a list of all active processes and the amount of memory they take up, and you can see which application is "eating" resources, and if necessary, go to its settings to stop.

Settings -> About Phone -> 7 clicks on MIUI -> For Developers -> Running Services

There's also a Don't Keep Activities feature on the menu, which, if you turn it on, will destroy every application as soon as the user leaves the screen, a radical method that is guaranteed to free up 100% of RAM, but make multitasking impossible. Use only for diagnostics.

• 🔍 The “Run Services” section shows the actual cost RAM.
• 🚫 The “Do Not Stay Activity” option completely disables app caching.
• 📉 The limit of background processes allows you to strictly limit their number.
• ⚡ Resetting debugging settings returns standard system parameters.

Using the developer menu requires caution. Changing animation settings or process limits can make the interface twitchy or lead to the loss of unsaved data in applications.The “Do Not Stay Activity” feature is not intended for everyday use, as it significantly increases the load on the drive and processor due to constant restarts of applications.

Comparison of Memory Cleaning Methods

There are many ways to free up RAM, but not all are equally effective and safe. Below is a table that will help you choose the best method for your situation, whether it is daily maintenance or solving the problem with hanging.

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The most effective way to long-term optimization is not constant cleaning, but competent setting of auto-run and background activity of applications.

As you can see from the table, built-in protections and settings provide ample tools for most users, and using third-party client apps often does more harm than good, as they consume resources and display intrusive advertising.

For owners of budget models with 3-4 GB of memory, it is critical to monitor autostart. Flagship devices with 8-12 GB of RAM can afford more background processes without losing performance, but they will not be hurt by periodic reboot.

Prevention and additional recommendations

To make your Xiaomi or Redmi work fast like new, it’s not enough to simply clean your memory. You need to observe digital hygiene. Remove unused applications, as even in sleep mode they can take up space in the cache and interfere with the system. Regularly update your firmware through Settings → About the phone, as manufacturers often release patches that optimize memory.

The animation also consumes resources. If the phone is slow, try scaling down the animation in the Developer Menu to 0.5x or turning it off altogether, which will visually speed up the system's response, although RAM will not physically free it up.

Another important aspect is data storage, where the internal memory is more than full. 90%, The system cannot effectively use virtual memory and swap mechanisms, which leads to common brakes. 5-10 GB.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install dubious applications from unknown sources.They often contain miners or viruses that quietly load RAM and CPU, causing overheating and lags.

Regularly restarting your device (at least once a week) helps you reset the accumulated errors in the cache of system services and free up the “stuck” processes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)