Modern smartphones Xiaomiequipped with a shell MIUI or a new one HyperOShave powerful hardware, but over time, users often experience interface slowdowns and applications crashing. The main cause of such problems is overflow RAM, which is responsible for storing temporary data of active apps. If the device starts to slow down, freeze, or spontaneously restart running games, this is a sure signal that resources are exhausted.
Releasing RAM on devices of this brand has its own characteristics due to the system’s aggressive policy for managing energy consumption and background processes. Unlike “pure” Android, there are additional optimization services that can either help or hinder the user. Proper setup allows you not only to speed up the operation of the gadget, but also to extend its battery life, since the processor spends less energy switching between heavy tasks.
In this guide, we will analyze both software and hardware methods for solving the problem. You'll learn which system services can be safely disabled, how to set up automatic cleaning, and why standard "boosters" aren't always effective. It is important to understand that completely freeing memory is impossible and even harmful, but optimizing its use is the key to stable operation of your Redmi or Poco.
Diagnostics of the current memory state
Before taking radical measures, you need to assess the real load on the system. Standard indicators in the multitasking menu often show only approximate data, hiding the real amount occupied RAM with system processes. To get an accurate picture, it is better to use the built-in developer tools or specialized utilities that display detailed statistics.
To enable developer mode, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item MIUI version or OS version. After a notification about successful activation appears, return to the main settings menu and find the new section Advanced → For developers. This is where the most valuable information about resource allocation is hidden.
Inside the developer menu find the item Memory or Memory statistics. Here you will see a usage graph RAM over the last 3, 6 or 24 hours. Pay attention to the peak values: if the graph is constantly at the upper limit, then the device really does not have enough resources. It is also worth checking the list of processes: often it is one specific application that consumes a disproportionate amount of space, causing an overall decline in performance.
⚠️ Attention: Do not disable items related to animation or USB debugging in the developer menu if you are not sure about them destination. This may lead to unstable operation of the interface or loss of access to the computer.
Basic cleaning through built-in tools
The easiest and safest way to restore performance is to use the standard application Security, which is preinstalled on all devices Xiaomi. Despite criticism from advanced users, this tool effectively manages the cache and terminates inactive processes without disrupting critical system services.
Launch the application and click the big green button Cleaning. The system will analyze the garbage and offer to delete temporary files. Next, go to the Accelerating tab (rocket icon). Here you will see a list of running applications and the amount of work they are doing. RAM. Clicking on the clean button will end background processes, freeing up space for the current task.
However, it is worth remembering that such cleaning gives only a temporary effect. The system Android is designed to keep as many applications as possible in memory for quick launch. Therefore, immediately after cleaning, the system will begin to reload the necessary services. For a more lasting result, you need to configure autorun and restrictions on background activity.
- 🚀 Regularly use the “Clear” button in the Security application before launching heavy games.
- 🗑️ Delete the cache of specific applications through the “Cleanup” menu if they take up too much space.
- ⚙️ Check your autorun settings to prevent unnecessary apps from starting with your phone.
Customize the “Memory Cleaner” widget on the home screen. One tap on it will instantly free up RAM without having to open the application menu.
Manage autorun and background restrictions
One of the main causes of leaks RAM is uncontrolled autorun of applications. Many apps register themselves in startup to check notifications or update content even when you are not using them. In the ecosystem Xiaomi this process is managed by a special manager, which allows you to flexibly configure the rights of each installed software.
Go to the application Security and select item Permissions → Autostart. You will see a list of all apps that have the right to start when you turn on the phone. Leave only instant messengers enabled (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp), from which you expect instant notifications. Social networks, games and news aggregators can be safely disabled - they will launch themselves when you open their icon.
For deeper settings, go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Select a specific “heavy” app and go to section Activity control (or Battery saving). Set the limit No restrictions only for important applications, and for the rest select Limit background activity or Hard limitation. This will prevent the application from hanging in RAMwhen the screen is off.
| Application type | Recommended setting | Impact on RAM |
|---|---|---|
| Messengers | No restrictions | High (permanent work) |
| Social networks | Background limitation | Medium (only when opening) |
| Games | Hard limitation | Low (full unloading) |
| System services | Do not change | Critical |
☑️ Setting up autorun
Advanced settings for developers
For users who are ready for more fine-tuning, interface MIUI provides access to hidden memory management options. These tools allow you to forcefully limit the number of background processes, which can significantly free RAM on devices with a small capacity (4-6 GB). However, use these settings with caution, as too aggressive restrictions may disrupt the system.
In the menu For developers find the section Applications. There is an option here Background process limit. The default is “Standard limit”, but you can change it to “No more than 2 processes” or “No more than 3 processes”. This will force the system to immediately unload from memory all applications except the two or three most recent ones that you used.
There is also an item in this menu Do not save actions. If activated, the system will destroy application activity as soon as the user switches to another task. This is a radical method that guarantees the maximum amount of free space RAM, but will make multitasking impossible: when you return to the application, it will restart from the very beginning.
⚠️ Attention: The developer menu interface may differ depending on the version HyperOS or MIUI. If you do not find a specific item, it may have been moved or removed by the manufacturer in the new firmware.
What is the Zygote process?
Zygote is the main process in Android, from which all other applications “split off”. It cannot be completed as this will cause the phone to reboot. It always takes up space in the memory list, and this is normal.
Disabling system services and visual effects
A significant part RAM is occupied not only by user applications, but also by shell visual effects. Transition animations, background blur in the multitasking menu, and live wallpapers require GPU resources and RAM to store textures. Disabling or simplifying these elements is an effective way to “lighten” the system.
In the same menu For developers find the section Drawing. There are three scales here: Window animation, Animation of transitions and Animator duration. Set all three values to 0.5x or disable them completely (Disable animation). This will not only free up some memory, but also visually speed up the interface, making responses to clicks more immediate.
It is also worth abandoning live wallpapers and complex design themes. A static image on your desktop consumes minimal resources. If you are using a third-party launcher, make sure it is optimized for your version Androidas heavy launchers can eat up to 500 MB RAM in the background.
Another hidden resource eater is the service MSA (MIUI System Ads), responsible for displaying advertisements in system applications. Although it does not take up a lot of memory all the time, its activity in the background creates a load. You can disable it through Settings → Passwords and security → Access to personal databy finding it in the list msa and denying access. After this, the service will stop loading advertising modules into memory.
- 🎨 Install static wallpapers instead of animated ones to save GPU and RAM resources.
- ⏱️ Reduce the scale of animations in the developer menu to 0.5x to speed up the response.
- 🚫 Disable the MSA service to stop background loading of advertising modules.
Disabling animations not only saves RAM, but also subjectively makes the smartphone faster, reducing rendering wait time interface.
Radical methods: Reset and flashing
If software settings do not give the desired result and the device continues to suffer from shortage RAM, perhaps the problem lies in deep system errors or accumulated garbage that cannot be removed by standard means. In such cases, a full factory reset helps.
Before performing this procedure, be sure to create a backup copy of all important data, as the process will delete all photos, contacts and installed applications. Go to Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Delete everything data. After the reboot, you will receive a “clean” system in which the amount of free space RAM will be maximum.
For experienced users, it is possible to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which are devoid of heavy add-ons MIUI. Such systems consume significantly less RAM when idle, leaving more resources for your tasks. However, this method requires unlocking the bootloader and carries the risk of voiding the warranty.
⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader and installing third-party software will void the device warranty. Wrong actions can turn a smartphone into a “brick”. Perform these actions only if you fully understand the risks.
Why does the memory fill up again after a reset?
Immediately after the first turn on, the system begins indexing files, downloading updates and synchronizing accounts. This is a temporary high load, which normalizes after 1-2 days of use.
Frequently asked questions about Xiaomi optimization
Is it true that cleaning applications (Clean Master and analogues) are useful?
In most cases, no. Third-party cleaners themselves consume RAM and constantly hang in the background, trying to “clean” what the system has already optimized. The built-in tool Security from Xiaomi is quite enough for healthy operation of the system.
How much free memory should there be ideally?
For Android the principle “free memory is wasted memory” is still relevant. The system tries to occupy all available RAM cache to quickly launch applications. You should only worry if the free memory is less than 5-10% during active operation, and the phone starts to slow down.
Does the “Memory Extension” function help?
The function uses part of the internal flash memory as virtual RAM. This can help keep more applications running in the background, but the speed of such memory is significantly slower than real RAM. For fast tasks (games), this will not give a performance increase, and sometimes it will even slow down due to the low write speed of the drive.
Why did the phone run slower after the MIUI update?
After a major update, the system carries out deep optimization of applications and restructuring of databases in the background. This process can take from several hours to a couple of days. Give the phone time to work in normal mode, connected to Wi-Fi and charging, to complete internal procedures.