Smartphone owners Redmi 9 often face a situation where a once-fast device starts to work slowly. The interface freezes, applications open with a delay, and games turn into slideshows. This is a typical problem with budget shell-based devices, which over time accumulates cache and background processes. However, you should not rush to replace the gadget or return it to the store. MIUI, which over time becomes overgrown with cache and background processes. However, you should not rush to replace the gadget or return it to the store.
Most performance problems can be solved using software methods, without resorting to complex manipulations. System optimization requires only a careful approach and following a sequence of actions. In this article, we will analyze step by step all the methods that will help restore your smartphone to its former speed and responsiveness.
Many users mistakenly believe that slowing down is a death sentence for the hardware. In fact, the software part plays a much larger role in day-to-day responsiveness. Let's find out what hidden settings and simple habits can radically change the situation.
Analysis of the fullness of the internal memory
The most common reason why Xiaomi Redmi 9 starts to slow down is because the internal storage is critically full. The Android operating system requires free space to create temporary files and for the mechanism to work correctly swap files. When the memory is full, the system has no resources to maneuver.
You need to go into the settings and check the status of the storage. If the free space is less than 10-15% of the total volume, this is a direct path to lags. The system begins to constantly clear the cache on the fly, which creates additional load on the processor and memory controller.
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete system files or folders with names whose meaning you do not know. This may result in the interface not working or the loss of important data.
It is recommended to use the built-in cleaning tool to free up space. Go to the application Security → Cleaning. This module will automatically find garbage, but its capabilities are limited. Deep cleaning requires manual intervention in the folders of messengers and social networks, where gigabytes of viewed images and videos accumulate.
Before deleting large files, transfer them to your computer or cloud storage (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk) so as not to lose important memories forever.
Managing startup and background processes
The shell MIUI is known for its aggressive policy regarding background applications, but over time the list of allowed apps is growing. Each application running in the background consumes RAM (RAM) and CPU time. On Redmi 9 with its modest characteristics, even a couple of extra processes can become a bottleneck.
To stop unnecessary activity, you need to limit autorun. Go to Settings → Applications → Autorun. Here you will see a list of apps that start immediately after turning on the phone. Leave only the essentials: messengers, if instant notifications are critical to you, and system services.
- 🚫 Disable autorun for games and heavy applications.
- 📱 Leave only Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber.
- 🛡️ Check antiviruses and cleaners - they are often the source of the load.
- ⚙️ Limit background activity in the “Activity Control” section.
It is also worth paying attention to the “Memory Expansion” function. In some firmware versions, it uses part of the internal storage as virtual RAM. If your flash memory is slow, this feature may actually slow down your system. Try disabling it in the settings and test the speed.
Customizing animation and developer interface
The visual smoothness of a smartphone directly depends on the speed of drawing animations. By default, in Android they are set to standard time, which on budget processors can be perceived as a “sticky” interface. Speeding up the animation creates the illusion of a faster device.
To access these settings, you must activate developer mode. Click 7 times in a row on the item MIUI version in the “About phone” section. After the message “You have become a developer” appears, go to Settings → Advanced settings → For developers.
Find three parameters responsible for the animation scale: “Window Animation”, “Transition Animation” and “Animation Duration”. Change their value from standard 1x to 0.5x or completely disable them (Disable animation). This will make transitions between screens instant.
What is the background process limit?
In the developer menu there is an item “Background process limit”. Setting it to "No more than 2 processes" limits the number of applications that can run in the background. This radically saves RAM, but can lead to application reloads when switching. Use with caution.
| Animation parameter | Standard value | Recommended value | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Window animation | 1x | 0.5x | Acceleration opening/closing |
| Animation of transitions | 1x | 0.5x | Fast screen switching |
| Animation duration | 1x | 0.5x | Reducing waiting time |
| Background processes | Standard | No more than 4 | Saving RAM |
Software update and reset settings
The source of problems can be an outdated firmware version or, conversely, a “raw” update. The company Xiaomi regularly releases security and optimization patches. Check for updates via Settings → About phone → MIUI version. If a new stable version is available, install it.
However, if the phone began to lag immediately after the update, the problem may lie in a conflict between old data and the new system. In this case, the most effective solution is a full reset to factory settings (Hard Reset). This will remove all the garbage accumulated over years of use.
⚠️ Attention: Before performing a reset, be sure to create a backup copy of all contacts, photos and important documents. The process is irreversible and will delete all data from the internal memory.
The procedure is performed through the recovery menu. Turn off the phone, then hold down the button combination Volume up + Power. In the menu that appears, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data. After the reboot, you will get a clean system that should work as quickly as possible.
☑️ Preparing to reset settings
Optimizing the display and graphics
GPU Redmi 9 (Mali-G80 MC2) is not the most powerful on the market. High screen resolution and refresh rate can create unnecessary load. Although in this model the refresh rate is fixed at 60 Hz, other settings affect rendering.
In games and heavy applications, it is worth lowering the graphics settings. Many users try to set the maximum quality of textures, which leads to a drop in FPS and overheating. Throttling (decrease in processor frequency due to heating) is a common cause of sudden lags during long sessions.
Use the application Game Turbo, built into MIUI. Add your games there and enable performance mode. This prioritizes system resources for the game, limiting background tasks. You can also try disabling the theme and returning the standard, lighter interface.
Overheating is the main enemy of performance. Remove the case during games or long calls to improve heat dissipation of the case.
Removing pre-installed garbage (Bloatware)
Redmi smartphones often come with a large number of pre-installed applications that you never use. Ads, browsers, game stores and Google services take up space and can run in the background. Removing such software is an effective way to relieve the system.
Some applications cannot be removed in the standard way. To do this, you will need a computer and the utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge). Connect your phone to your PC, enable USB debugging in the developer menu and enter the command to remove packages.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package_nameBe extremely careful when removing system packages. Removing critical services may brick your device or cause persistent errors. Delete only what you are 100% sure of: for example, unnecessary analytics services or duplicate browsers.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (11, 12, 13 or 14). If you do not find the item in the specified location, use the search in the settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will installing third-party launchers help?
Yes, replacing the standard MIUI shell with a light launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) can significantly speed up your desktop and reduce the load on RAM. However, system applications will remain the same.
Why does the phone heat up and slow down at the same time?
This is a sign of throttling. The processor heats up and forcibly reduces its frequency so as not to burn out. Check to see if there is a miner virus or an overly heavy application running in the background. Also, the cause could be a faulty battery or a thick case.
Is it worth buying a memory card for acceleration?
No, a memory card (SD) does not speed up the system. On the contrary, if you transfer applications to it (Adoptable Storage function), they can work even slower due to the low reading speed of the flash card compared to internal memory.
How often should you clear the cache?
Modern versions of Android can manage the cache themselves. Forced cleaning once a week through the settings is useful, but daily cleaning with special cleaning applications often does more harm than good, forcing the system to regenerate files.