Slow smartphone operation, sudden closing of applications and long switching between tasks are familiar symptoms of low RAM. Device owners Redmi and Xiaomi often encounter aggressive behavior of the shell MIUI or HyperOS, which strives to close everything unnecessary, but sometimes does it incorrectly, leaving system garbage. Clearing RAM on Android Redmi is not just pressing one button, but a set of measures to configure the system.
In this article we will analyze not only standard methods through the developer menu, but also deep settings that are hidden from the eyes of the average user. You will learn why virtual memory can be your enemy, and how to properly configure background processes to keep your phone flying.
Why Redmi eats up all the memory: system analysis
MIUI shell is famous for its multitasking, but you have to pay for it with resources. The system pre-loads frequently used applications so that they open instantly. However, over time, the cache grows, and useful space is taken up by processes that you have not launched for months. RAM frequently used applications so that they open instantly. However, over time, the cache grows, and useful space is taken up by processes that you have not launched for months.
The situation is aggravated by the fact that many pre-installed services Xiaomi run in the background constantly. They synchronize data, check for updates, and collect telemetry. This creates a constant load on the processor and RAMeven when the screen is off.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Completely clearing RAM to zero is not useful for modern versions of Android. The system uses free memory for caching, and constantly resetting all processes can lead to increased battery consumption when launching applications again.
Understanding the architecture of memory will help you not to fight the system, but to customize it for yourself. Instead of chaotically deleting everything, you need to identify specific resource hogs.
Basic methods of cleaning through the interface
The easiest way to free up resources is to use the built-in optimization tool. On the desktop, find the application Security (icon with a shield). This is the system control center where key cleaning functions are hidden.
Launch the application and press the big green button Cleanup. The system will analyze the cache, remnants of deleted apps and temporary files. When finished, click the button Acceleration at the bottom of the screen.
- ๐งน Removes temporary application cache files.
- โก Closes background processes not included in the white list.
- ๐ก๏ธ Checks for viruses and malware.
This method gives a temporary effect, freeing up from 500 MB to 2 GB of memory, depending on the model. To consolidate the result, it is recommended to set up auto-cleaning in the application settings Security.
Set up automatic cleaning in the "Security" application for times when the phone is usually locked (for example, at night) so as not to interrupt your work during the day.
Developer settings: deep memory management
For advanced cleaning, you need to activate the hidden menu. Go to Settings โ About phone and quickly click on the item Version MIUI (or OS Version) about 7 times until the message "You have become a developer" appears.
Now go to the section Settings โ Additional settings โ For developers. Here we are interested in the item Background process limit. By default, it is set to "Standard limit", which allows the system to keep dozens of applications open.
Settings -> For developers -> Background process limit -> No more than 2 processesChanging this setting causes the system to aggressively close applications that you have minimized. This will free up a significant amount of space RAM, but may result in messengers arriving with a delay or the music stopping when the player is minimized.
โ๏ธ Developer settings
Also in this menu, find the option Do not save actions. If you enable it, the system will not save the activity state when exiting the application. This is a radical method that is guaranteed to clear memory, but will make multitasking impossible.
Disable virtual memory (Memory Extension)
In new models Redmi Note i Poco a memory expansion function has appeared due to internal storage. Sounds tempting: +2 GB or +4 GB of RAM. However, in practice, this often slows down the device.
Flash memory (even fast UFS) is significantly slower than real RAM. When the system starts using this partition as a swap file, micro-delays occur when reading data. If you have a phone with 6 GB or 8 GB of real memory, it is better to disable this function.
| Characteristics | Real RAM (LPDDR4X/5) | Virtual memory (Storage) |
|---|---|---|
| Read speed | ~40-50 GB/s | ~1-2 GB/s |
| Latency | Low (ns) | High (ฮผs) |
| Impact on wear | Safe | Accelerates wear on the drive |
To disable the function, go to Settings โ Additional settings โ Memory expansion. Select the value Off and restart the device. You will notice that there is less free memory in numbers, but the phone will become more responsive.
โ ๏ธ Attention: The menu interface may differ depending on the firmware version (CN, Global, EEA). If there is no โMemory expansionโ item, it means that this function is not available on your model or is already disabled by default.
Why do manufacturers include this function?
Marketing. The number โ8+3 GBโ looks more attractive to the buyer than just โ8 GBโ, although real performance may suffer due to a slow drive.
Managing autorun and permissions
Many applications register themselves in autorun in order to constantly hang in the memory and push notifications. The ecosystem Xiaomi has a powerful tool to control this behavior.
Go to the application Security โ Permissions โ Autorun. Here you will see a list of all apps that start with the system. Leave only messengers enabled (Telegram, WhatsApp), which should always work.
- ๐ซ Disable autorun for games and heavy applications.
- ๐ Social networks can be launched manually as needed necessary.
- ๐ฑ It is better not to touch system services without understanding their purpose.
Additionally, check the section Energy saving for each application. Set the mode No restrictions only for those apps whose notifications are critical. For the rest, select "Restrict in the background" so that the system unloads them from RAM when the screen is locked.
Correctly setting up autorun is more effective than manual cleaning, as it prevents the memory from filling with garbage even before how you start using the phone.
Special features and animations
The visual component also consumes resources. Smooth transition animations load the graphics accelerator and take up memory space for frame buffering. Disabling unnecessary animation is an old but working way to speed up the interface.
In the menu For developers find three items related to the animation scale: Window animation, Transition animation, Duration animation. Change the value from standard 1x to 0.5x or Off.
This will not free up gigabytes of memory, but will create the feeling of an instant system response. Applications will open faster simply because the system does not waste time rendering effects.
It is also worth checking the section Special features in the main settings. Make sure that services that you do not need are not enabled (for example, TalkBack or various screen analyzers of third-party launchers), since they are in RAM.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about clearing memory on Redmi
Does the Clean Master application or analogues help?
In 2026, the use of third-party "cleaners" is more likely to harm than to help. They themselves consume resources, display advertising and duplicate the functions of the built-in system Android It does more harm than good. They themselves consume resources, show advertising and duplicate the functions of the built-in system MIUI. The built-in tool works deeper and more securely.
Why is the memory full again after a reboot?
This is normal Android behavior. The system pre-loads the kernel and frequently used libraries into the RAM kernel so that the phone works quickly immediately after turning on. Free memory at startup does not mean high performance.
Is it possible to remove Xiaomi system applications to free up space?
It is difficult to remove system software without root access. You can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) through a computer to disable unnecessary services (bloatware), but this requires caution so as not to disrupt the system.
Does the fullness of the internal memory affect the operation of RAM?
Yes, indirectly. If the internal storage is full to capacity (less than 10% left), the system has no place to create temporary files and swap, which leads to slowdowns and the inability to correctly manage RAM.
How often do you need to do a complete cleanup of RAM?
Modern algorithms HyperOS i MIUI themselves do an excellent job of managing memory. Manual cleaning is only needed if a specific application is frozen or the phone begins to noticeably slow down after a long period of work without rebooting.