How to Reset RAM on Xiaomi: The Complete 2026 Guide

Your Xiaomi has started to slow down, apps spontaneously shut down, and the interface twitches when switching between tasks? 90% of the time, it is the fault of overloaded RAM. Even flagship models like Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro+ face a lack of resources over time due to background processes, cache and voracious applications. But don’t rush to make hard reset — you can reset RAM without losing data, and we will show you how to do it correctly.

In this article, you will find 5 proven methods for cleaning RAM, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features for power users. We will also discuss why automatic cleaning through "Security" often works worse than manual methods, and how to avoid typical errors that lead to even more slowing down the system. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 and adapted to the models of 2020-2026.

Why is RAM clogged on Xiaomi?

RAM (or RAM) is the smartphone's "short-term memory" that stores data from active applications. When it's not enough, the system starts to "swap" -- to dump some of the data into permanent memory, which causes lags. On Xiaomi, this is more often due to:

• 📱 Background processes – instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), social networks and games continue to work even after the folding.
• 🗑️ Application cache – temporary files that should speed up work, but often take up to 1-2 GB of RAM.
• 🤖 System services MIUI — For example, com.miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.midrop, which cannot be turned off without root.
• 🔄 Auto Updates – Google Play and Mi App Store Update Apps in the Background, Consuming Up to 500MB of RAM.

The problem is particularly severe on budget models (Redmi 10A, POCO M5) with 3-4 GB of RAM. But even the Xiaomi 13T with 12 GB of RAM can slow down if there are 50+ processes in the background. Before clearing the memory, check its current load:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System status.
2. Click on Memory – here is a graph of real-time RAM usage.
3. If less than 20% is free, it is time to act.

Method 1: Quick cleaning through the notification panel

The simplest method, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, is suitable for emergency memory release when the phone started to brake right while in use.

Instructions:

1. Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the “Clean” icon (the arrows are shown in a circle) – it is usually located in the upper right corner.
3. Tap the icons – the system will close all background applications, except for the active ones.

⚠️ Note: This method only cleans user processes, but does not affect system services. MIUI. If after cleaning the memory is clogged again in 5-10 minutes, the problem is deeper and other methods are needed.

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If there is no Clean icon, add it manually. Click the blank space on the notification panel → Edit → drag the Cleanup icon to the active area.

Method 2: Deep Cleaning through "Safety"

The built-in Security app (or Global Firmware Security) offers a more powerful memory management tool, where you can not only close applications, but also optimize the system.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to Optimization or Speed Boost.
3. Click Clear Memory – the system will show you a list of active processes.
4. Choose Deep Clean (if available) or manually mark unnecessary apps.
5. Confirm the action with the Clean button.

⚠️ Warning: After deep cleaning, some apps (like Viber or Instagram) can take longer to load on the next run – this is normal as their cache has been reset.

Save important data from the clipboard

Close all active calls or broadcasts

Connect your phone to charge (if charge < 20%)

Turn it off. VPN (It can block system processes)-->

Method 3: Cleaning through developer settings

For power users who are ready to dive into the hidden settings of MIUI, this method allows you to manually control background processes and limit their number.

How to turn on and use:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find parameters: Background Process Limit – set No Background Processes (Risk!) or Process Maximum 2. Don’t Save Actions – turn on applications to close completely when folded.

Reboot the phone.

Warning: Limitation of background processes may result in:

• 🚫 Lack of notifications from messengers.
• 🔄 Unauthorized logging out of accounts (for example, in Google or Mi Account).
• ⏳ Longer download of applications at the next opening.

Method 4: Forced cleaning through ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods do not help, and the phone still brakes - you can resort to ADB-This will allow you to manually kill system processes that are not normally closed through the interface. MIUI.

Instructions for Windows/macOS:

1. Download the Google Platform Tools.
2. Connect Xiaomi to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → Additional → For Developers).
3. Open the command line (or Terminal) in the adb folder and type in: adb devices (you should display your device).
4. Follow the commands alternately: adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.CLOSE_SYSTEM_DIALOGS adb shell input keyevent 187 # Imitate the button "Clean all" adb shell am kill-all

⚠️ Attention: the am kill-all command is forced to close all processes, including system processes:

• 🔴 Interface collapse MIUI (It'll only help to reset).
• 📵 Loss of unsaved data in open applications.
• 🔄 Reset some settings (such as screen brightness).

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ADB-Cleaning is a last resort, only if the phone is completely frozen and the standard methods do not work.

Method 5: Automatic cleaning on schedule

To avoid manually cleaning RAM, set up automatic optimization through Security or third-party apps, which is especially useful for users who forget to monitor memory.

Customization in MIUI:

1. Open Security. → Optimization → ⚙️ (setting).
2. Enable options: Autoclean when locking screen Optimization during charging

Every day.

Party of the automatic cleaning annex:

⚠️ Attention: Auto Cleaning may conflict with some applications (e.g. Fitbit or Mi Band) that require constant sync. If step or pulse notifications are missing after setting up, add these apps to the exceptions.

What to do if cleaning the RAM does not help

If after all the manipulations the phone continues to brake, the problem may lie not in the RAM.

• 🛠️ Overheating of the processor - start AIDA64 And look at the temperature. If it's over 60.°C – clean the charging connector from dust or replace the thermal paste (for older models).
• 📉 Lack of permanent memory - if less than 10% of the total is free, the system starts to slow down. → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🔋 Battery wear - when degraded below 80%, the phone automatically limits performance. check battery condition in AccuBattery.
• 🐞 Viruses or malware – scan your phone through Malwarebytes or the built-in Security Virus Scanner.

If none of these things fit, and the lags stay, maybe it's time to reset the phone to the factory settings or reflash it.

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. Check if updating MIUI to the latest version helps (Settings → System Update).

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Before resetting to factory settings, untie your Mi Account in Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Sign out. Otherwise, after reset, the phone will require you to enter your old password!

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up RAM on Xiaomi