How to Clean Xiaomi Phone to Stop Braking: The Complete Guide

Has your Xiaomi slowed to open apps, got stuck while scrolling or suddenly overheated? It's often not because of the "aging" of the iron, but because of a clogged system. Even flagship models like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ After a year or two of active use, they start to slow down due to accumulated digital debris. In this article, we will discuss 7 working cleaning methods that will return your phone to performance without the risk of losing data or breaking the warranty.

We won’t recommend the trivial “delete unnecessary photos” (although that’s important too) but instead focus on system settings, hidden features. MIUI All methods are tested on current versions of firmware (including those that are not mentioned in official instructions). MIUI 14/15 Android-based 13/14) They are suitable for most models, from the budget Redmi to the premium Poco and Black Shark.

If your phone is slowing down due to physical wear and tear of flash memory (especially for models of 2018-2020 with eMMC memory), software cleaning will only have a temporary effect, in which case you will need to replace the memory module - but this is already a topic for the Repair and Iron section.

1. Deep cache cleaning: what to remove and what not to

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed things up. Paradoxically, over time, they start to slow things down. MIUI There are two types of cache: system (safely clean) and application cache (selectively remove).

Start with the system cache:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Press Deep Clean (not to be confused with Quick Cleanup – it only removes surface debris).
3. Wait for analysis and confirm the removal of files from 500 MB (usually 1-3 GB of garbage accumulates there).

To clean the cache of individual applications:

• 📱 Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok): cache can be removed safely - it will recover at the next launch, but will free up to 1-2 GB of space.
• 🎮 Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile: Cache is better not to touch – these are texture packages that take a long time to load again.
• 📷 Gallery and camera: clean the cache only if you notice the lags when viewing the photo / video.

⚠️ Warning: Never clear the cache of system applications like com.android.systemui or com.miui.home through ADB It's going to cause a cyclical reboot of the phone!

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After cleaning the cache, restart the phone – this will allow the system to reassemble critical temporary files from scratch, which will speed up work by 10-15%.

2. Autoboot optimization: what processes can be turned off

One of the main reasons for the brakes is the background processes that start when the phone is turned on and are constantly hanging in memory. MIUI They can be controlled through a hidden boot menu.

How to get there:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Autoboot.
3. Sort the list by the date of the last launch – so you will see which apps are active daily.

What can be turned off without risk:

After disabling unnecessary processes, check free RAM in Settings → The phone. → System status: If the value of free RAM has increased to 1.5-2 GB (on 6-8 GB models), then you have done everything right.

3. Hidden functions MIUI speed up

MIUI It has a few non-obvious tools that can significantly improve performance. Majority users are unaware of them because they are hidden in developers or require special teams.

Function 1: Performance mode

Activates priority for games and heavy applications, but reduces background activity:

1. Turn on the settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Use 7 times to become a developer).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find Performance Mode and select Game or Balanced.

Function 2: Limitation of background processes

By default. MIUI It allows you to run up to 20 processes at a time:

• In the Developer Menu, find the Process Limit.
• Set a Maximum 4 process (if you have 4-6 GB of RAM) or a Standard Limit (for 8 GB of RAM)+ GB).

Function 3: Disabling animation

It speeds up the system’s visual response (especially on weaker models like Redmi). 9A):

Settings → For developers → The scale of window animation: 0.5x


Settings → For developers → Transition animation scale: 0.5x




Settings → For developers → Duration of animation: Disable

⚠️ Warning: Do not activate the option Do not save actions in the developer menu! this will result in the loss of all background processes when switching between applications (for example, music will stop when the screen is blocked).

4.Store cleaning: what takes up space and how to fix it

Even if you delete photos and videos regularly, Xiaomi’s memory accumulates gigabytes of “invisible” garbage.

Top.-5 "Memory Eaters in Xiaomi:

• 📁 Downloads: APK-file, PDF, Archives (often duplicated).
• 🎵 Offline cache of music services (Spotify, Yandex Music, Mi Music).
• 🗺️ Maps: Offline maps Google Maps or Yandex.Maps can weigh up to 5 GB.
• 📦 Backups: Automatic backups MIUI into /MIUI/backup/AllBackup.
• 🔄 System Updates: Downloaded but not installed service packs (/cache/ota).

How to find and delete:

1. Use built-in Memory Analysis (Settings) → Memory. → Analysis. It will show the exact folders that occupy the most space.
2. To delete system files (such as old updates) use Files by Google or SD Maid (requires root rights for deep cleaning).
3. Clear the cache of the cards through the settings of the apps themselves (for example, in Google Maps: Settings) → Offline maps → Delete).

If the space is less than 10% of the total memory, the system begins to aggressively compress the data, which leads to lags, the optimal threshold is 15-20% of free space.

Remove duplicates in the Downloads folder

Clear the cache of music apps

Remove unused offline cards

Check the folder. /MIUI/backup/

Remove the old ones APK-file-->

5. Battery and background optimization: why it affects speed

Few people know, but battery settings directly affect performance. Aggressive energy optimization can stifle processes, and too gentle mode can allow the background to clog RAM.

How to set the balance:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Settings
2. Select Balanced Mode (not Charge Savings or Performance).
3. In the Battery Optimization section, add only critical applications (messengers, banking applications) to the exceptions.

Hidden function: Disabling Smart Optimization

In some firmware MIUI There's a feature called Smart Optimization that automatically shuts down applications. It's often too aggressive:

• Go to Settings. → Battery → Settings (cogs) → Smart optimization.
• Turn off the option or set exceptions for frequently used applications.

If after these manipulations the phone began to discharge faster, return the battery settings to the factory and try to calibrate the battery:

1. Discharge the phone to 0% (until it shuts down).
2. Charge up to 100% without interruptions (use the original charger).
3. Repeat the cycle 2-3 times.

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Do not use "superfast charging modes" (for example, 120W Xiaomi 12 Pro) constantly – this accelerates battery degradation and can cause overheating, which slows down the processor.

6.Reset to factory settings: when it really needs to

If all the previous methods didn't work, then there's a hard reset, which is a last resort, but sometimes the only one that works, and it's important to do it right so you don't lose data or get into errors.

When a discharge is justified:

• 🐢 Phone brakes even after cleaning cache and shutting down autoboot.
• 🔄 Applications spontaneously close or fly out.
• 📱 The screen is long "hangs" when unlocked.
• 🔋 Battery goes down in 2-3 hours without active use.

Step-by-step discharge instructions:

1. Back up via Settings → About Phone → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to Erase All Data (not Settings Reset – it will only delete settings, not files!).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔧 Don’t restore all data at once – check the speed of the clean system first.
• 📥 Install applications one by one, testing performance after each installation.
• 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone still brakes after reset, the problem may be in the hardware (worn memory, damaged processor), in which case only diagnostics at the service center will help.

7.Alternative methods: from root rights to firmware replacement

If you're willing to go beyond standard settings, here are some advanced techniques that require technical knowledge and can break warranty!

Method 1: Rooting and cleaning through Magisk

Root rights can:

• Remove built-in system applications (Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps).
• Clear the file. /data/dalvik-cache, which gets clogged with frequent updates to applications.
• Shut down. MIUI Optimization (a function that often causes lags).

This will require:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (the official Xiaomi tool).
2. Install TWRP and flash Magisk.
3. Use modules like Universal Debloater or Greenify.

Method 2: Installation of custom firmware

Firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.EU are devoid of a “heavy” shell MIUI They work faster:

• ❌ Loss of official updates.
• ❌ Possible problems with the camera or sensors (especially on newer models).
• ❌ Violation of guarantee.

Method 3: Replacement of flash memory (for advanced ones)

If your Xiaomi is released before 2021, chances are it has a slow eMMC memory (rather than a slow one). UFS). It can be replaced by a faster one, but it is:

• 💰 It's worth it. ~30-50% of the price of the phone.
• 🛠️ Requires rations (indetachable chip).
• ⚠️ The risk of losing data irretrievably.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cleanup