Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their performance, but over time, even powerful devices can start to “think about it.” This is often due to a lack of free RAM, which is filled with background processes and app cache. The Android operating system, and especially the MIUI shell or HyperOS, requires significant resources to smoothly operate the interface. When RAM (Random Access Memory) is full, the phone begins to hang, games fly out, and applications are rebooted at each launch.
In this article, we will look at proven ways to free precious megabytes and gigabytes. We will not use questionable cleaner applications that consume resources themselves, but turn to the built-in tools and hidden functions of the developer.
Diagnostics of the current state of RAM
Before you take any drastic action, you need to understand where your device is going. In today's Xiaomi shells, memory information is hidden from the eyes of the average user, but accessible through the developer menu. Without accurate data, you will act blindly, removing what does not take up much space, and ignoring the real "eaters" of resources.
To start, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7-10 times on MIUI Version or OS Version. Once you have the message "You're a Developer," go back to the main settings menu, go to Additional → For Developers. Here, find Display Memory or turn on the services you've launched. This will give you a real picture of how many megabytes are available right now.
⚠️ Don’t be afraid if the system shows that everything is free. 10-15% Android is designed to keep frequently used applications in RAM for quick launch. The danger is when there is less free memory. 200-300 MB even in plain.
The analysis shows that social media and browsers are the most used resources, creating many background processes that don't close on their own, and understanding which process is leading will help you choose the right cleaning strategy.
Basic cleaning with built-in MIUI and HyperOS
The easiest and safest way to free up resources is to use the regular "Security" app, which is preinstalled on every Xiaomi device and has deep access to system files. Launch the app, select the Cleanup section and wait for the scan to finish. The system will offer to remove debris that does not affect the application, but takes up space.
However, standard cleaning often does not affect the deep cache of running applications. For deeper cleaning, go to Settings → Apps → All applications. You need to manually go through the most difficult programs (usually Telegram, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube). Inside each application, click Memory → Clear cache. It is important not to confuse this with the “Clear All” button, since you will lose logins and settings.
- 🚀 Telegram: often takes gigabytes of cache due to saved photos and videos in chats.
- 📱 System Services: Google Play Services and Mi Cloud May Accurate Temporary Updates.
- 🎮 Games: the cache of data of game engines (Unity, Unreal) can grow to huge sizes.
Doing this routine at least once a week will help keep the system on track. Xiaomi’s built-in algorithms are smart enough not to delete critical files, but they’re not always aggressive about messenger cache.
☑️ Weekly memory cleaning
Memory Extension (Memory Extension)
Xiaomi’s new models with MIUI 12.5, 13, 14 and HyperOS have introduced the “Memory Extension” feature, which allows you to reserve part of the internal memory (ROM) and use it as RAM, which is especially true for models with 4 or 6 GB of RAM, where the lack of resources is most acute.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Additional settings → Expansion of memory. Here you will see a slider that allows you to add 2 to 4 GB of virtual memory. After changing the settings, the phone will require a reboot. It is worth noting that the internal memory is slower than real RAM, so the performance gains will be noticeable in multitasking (when many applications are open), but not in heavy games.
| Type of memory | Reading speed (approximately) | Impact on the battery | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native RAM (LPDDR4X/5) | High (up to 40 GB/s) | Low. | Basic working memory |
| Virtual RAM (from ROM) | Medium (up to 2 GB/s) | Average (additional recording cycles) | For background applications |
| Integrated memory (UFS) | High (up to 20 GB/s) | Normal. | Data storage |
There are nuances to this feature: Virtual memory is created by free disk space; if your phone is full of photos and videos, you can't turn on the extension; free up at least 10-15 GB of space so that the system can create a stable paging file.
⚠️ Warning: Frequently recording and overwriting data in extended memory mode could theoretically shorten the life of a smartphone’s flash memory when used very intensively for several years.
Managing Autoboot and Background Processes
One of the main reasons for the lack of free memory is the uncontrolled autoload of applications. Many programs prescribe themselves to start-up to receive notifications or update content even if you do not use them. Xiaomi has a powerful tool to control this process, but it is hidden in deep menus.
Go to Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autorun. Here you will see a list of programs that start with the phone. Leave only messengers (for messages to come) and alarms on. Everything else — games, marketplaces, news aggregators — safely turn off. This will not only free RAM, but also have a positive impact on battery life.
Also, it is worth checking the energy saving settings for specific applications. → All applications select the program, click Power Consumption and select Restrict Background Activity or No Limits (if you need notifications). For programs that do not require constant communication, it is better to choose a rigid restriction.
- 🛑 Social media: often hanging in the background, waiting for action, consuming before 200-300 MBT each.
- 🛍️ Stores and Services: Can Update Geolocation and Prices Without Your Knowledge.
- 📰 News Feeds: Constantly uploading content in the background.
Google's Hidden Services
Use of opportunities for developers
For advanced users, Xiaomi provides access to fine memory management settings through the developer menu, where you can forcely limit the number of background processes, which instantly frees up resources, but this method requires caution, since aggressive settings can lead to unstable system operation.
In the Developer menu, find the Applications section. There's a Background Limit. The default is "Standard Limit." You can change it to "No More than 2 Processes" or "No More than 4 Processes." This will cause the system to aggressively unload from memory anything you're not using right now. The effect will be noticeable immediately, but the applications will be rebooted every time you switch.
There's also a Do Not Activity feature on this menu, which if you turn it on, it will destroy the app as soon as you leave the screen, a radical method that will turn your smartphone into a device with minimal RAM consumption, but multitasking will disappear completely.
adb shell pm trim-caches 999999999This command can be executed by connecting to a computer with an ADB installed. It forcibly trims the cache of all applications to a minimum. It's a secure command that won't delete your personal data, but will effectively clean up system debris that a conventional cleanup doesn't see.
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Use the trim-caches command before running heavy games or resource-intensive tasks to ensure the maximum amount of free memory for the process.
Radical measures: Resetting and optimizing the system
If the software methods don't work and the phone keeps slowing down, there may be some errors or file conflicts in the system, and then a full factory reset helps, which is a last resort, but it often returns the device to the speed of the first day after purchase.
Before you reset, make sure to back up your data to Mi Cloud or your computer. Go to Settings → About Phone → Settings → Reset → Erase all data. After that, the phone will return to its original state. It is important not to restore the backup of applications immediately (backup to the forehead), but to install them again as needed. Often it is the old application settings that cause memory problems on the new system.
Custom ROMs (such as Pixel Experience or LineageOS) are often devoid of heavy MIUI add-ons and consume significantly less RAM in idle, but this requires unlocking the bootloader, which can be difficult for a beginner.
⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party firmware or unlocking the bootloader will void the warranty and may result in data loss if errors occur in the process.
In conclusion, maintaining free RAM on Xiaomi is a balance between multitasking convenience and performance. Regular device hygiene, autoboot control and the proper use of built-in tools will allow your smartphone to work quickly even years after release.
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The most effective way to increase free memory is not to install cleaners, but to monitor autoload and periodically manually clean the cache of heavy applications.