Smartphone owners Xiaomi i Redmi often face a situation when a once-fast device suddenly starts working slowly. The interface freezes, applications open with a delay, and animations turn into slideshows. This is annoying and makes you think about buying a new device, although the problem often lies in the software settings. Flagship models, such as the
Flagship models such as Redmi Note or series Pocohave enough power to work quickly for years. However, a specific shell MIUI or HyperOS requires a special approach to maintenance. Understanding how the system uses resources will help you return to its previous performance without a visit to the service center.
Internal memory and cache full
The first and most obvious reason for the slowdown is critical filling internal storage. When the free disk space is less than 10-15%, the system cannot effectively write temporary files and perform read-write operations. This leads to noticeable freezes even during simple actions, such as opening a gallery or switching between browser tabs.
Shell MIUI aggressively collects telemetry data and creates huge error logs. Over time, these files take up gigabytes of space, filling up memory unnoticed by the user. Standard cleaning tools often do not see these hidden directories, leaving the system to choke on its own garbage.
To free up space, you must manually delete unnecessary files or use a deep scan. Particular attention should be paid to messenger folders, where thousands of duplicate images and videos accumulate.
⚠️ Attention: When manually cleaning system folders, do not delete files with the extension .xml or .db in the root directories, this can lead to resetting settings or application launch errors.
Use the built-in application “Safety” is only the first stage. For deep cleaning, it is better to connect the phone to the PC and analyze the folder structure manually, deleting the cache of specific applications through the settings.
Background processes and autorun applications
Many users do not suspect that the applications they installed continue to run even after closing. In the ecosystem Android based MIUI there is an autorun mechanism that is allowed by default for most apps. This leads to the fact that the processor is constantly loaded with background tasks, and the RAM is full of unnecessary services.
Social networks and marketplaces have a particularly strong impact on performance. They constantly poll servers, update news feeds and track geolocation. If you have more than 50 applications installed, the probability that half of them are parasitic on resources in the background is close to 100%.
- 🚀 Disable autorun for all applications except instant messengers and alarm clocks.
- 🛑 Disable display on top of other windows for games and utilities that do not need it.
- 🔋 Limit background activity for heavy applications in the "Battery" section.
To manage this, go to Settings → Applications → Autorun. Here you will see a complete list of apps that have the right to start with the system. Ruthlessly disable everything that is not critical for daily tasks.
The influence of advertising and MIUI system services
A unique feature of smartphones Redmi is the abundance of built-in advertising and recommendation services. The system MSA (MIUI System Ads) constantly works in the background, loading advertising content for built-in applications such as Explorer, Music or Themes. This is not only visually annoying, but also consumes Internet traffic and CPU time.
Disabling these services requires manually configuring several items in the menu. If this is not done, the phone will periodically freeze when loading advertising banners, especially if the connection to the network is weak. Users often confuse these lags with hardware problems, although this is only a matter of software optimization.
Settings → Passwords and security → Access to personal data → MSA (turn off)It is also worth disabling receiving recommendations in system applications. Go to the settings of each standard application (for example, “Downloads” or “Music”) and find the “Get recommendations” option. Disabling this function will significantly reduce the load on the disk and network.
Hidden advertising services
In addition to MSA, the system can run the GetApps and Analytics services. It is also recommended to disable them in the “Access to personal data” section in order to completely remove the background load from advertising modules.
Outdated software and errors after updates
Often the problem occurs immediately after a firmware update. New version HyperOS or MIUI may not be optimized for the specific hardware of your device, especially if the model is no longer new. In the first days after the update, the system indexes files and optimizes databases, which causes temporary slowdowns.
However, if the lags do not go away after a week, the update may have been installed with an error or the cache of the old version conflicted with the new files. In such cases, a full reset of settings helps, but before that you should check for security patches or additional updates to system components.
| Problem type | Symptoms | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Indexation after update | Heating, slow work 1-3 days | Leave the phone alone overnight |
| Cache conflict | Application crashes, interface freezes | Clearing the cache via Recovery |
| Error firmware | Constant reboots, lags | Flashing via Fastboot |
| Outdated version | Incompatibility of new applications | Updating to the latest version |
⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces may differ depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or HyperOS. Location of the items “Access to personal data” or “Special. capabilities" may vary in different firmware regions (Global, China, EEA).
Hardware limitations and overheating
Do not forget about the physical condition of the device. Smartphones Redmi budget and mid-range segments often use processors that are sensitive to overheating. When a critical temperature is reached, a mechanism throttlingis triggered, which artificially lowers the processor frequency to prevent damage to the chip. As a result, the phone starts to work extremely slowly.
Overheating can be caused not only by heavy gaming, but also by the use of a non-original charger, a case that prevents heat dissipation, or direct sunlight. Also, over time, the thermal paste inside the case dries out (although thermal pads are more often used in smartphones), which impairs heat transfer.
Check the temperature of the case during use. If it is hot, let the device cool down. Remove the case and close background applications.
Throttling is a protective reaction of the processor to overheating. If the phone slows down only in games or when charging, most likely the problem is in the temperature regime, and not in the memory being clogged.
Wear and tear of the drive and RAM
Over time, memory cells (eMMC or UFS) wear out. The writing and reading speed drops, which directly affects the performance of the system. This is a natural degradation process that accelerates if the phone is constantly jammed to capacity or is often used in intensive data recording mode.
RAM can also degrade, although less frequently. A more common problem is software failures of memory drivers, which are resolved by rebooting or resetting. If the phone is more than 3-4 years old, slowdowns may be an irreversible consequence of physical wear and tear on the components.
- 📉 Reading speed may drop by 30-40% after 3 years of active use.
- 🔄 Frequent rewrites of large files (4K video shooting) accelerate wear.
- 🛠 Resetting to factory settings can temporarily improve the situation by redistributing memory blocks.
☑️ Diagnostics of memory wear
Radical methods: Reset and flashing
If software optimization methods do not help, the last resort is a complete reset data (Hard Reset). This deletes all user data, settings and apps, returning the phone to its out-of-the-box state. Often this is the only way to remove software errors that have accumulated over years of use.
Before the procedure, be sure to back up your important data to the cloud Mi Cloud or to your computer. The reset process can be started through the settings menu or through Recovery mode if the system does not boot.
Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Delete all dataFor advanced users, there is the option of installing custom firmware or a global version instead of the Chinese one. This allows you to get rid of unnecessary Chinese software and advertising, significantly relieving the system. However, this requires unlocking the bootloader, which voids the warranty and carries risks.
⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader and installing third-party firmware may lead to loss of warranty and the inability to use banking applications (Google Pay, Mir Pay) due to triggering security flags.
Risks of custom firmware
Installing unofficial software may lead to bricking the device if the version is not compatible with your Wi-Fi module or camera. Always check compatibility on specialized forums before updating the firmware.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the new Redmi slow down immediately after purchase?
In the first days of use, the system indexes media files, downloads updates and optimizes applications. Usually this goes away on its own within 2-3 days with active use and connected to Wi-Fi.
Does the “Acceleration” application help in MIUI?
The built-in memory cleaning function gives only a temporary effect. It closes applications, which the system will immediately restart. It is much more effective to configure autorun and limit background activity manually.
Is it possible to delete Xiaomi system applications?
You cannot delete system applications without root access, but they can be “frozen” through your computer using ADB utilities. This will disable their operation without the risk of compromising the integrity of the system.
Does interface animation affect the speed of operation?
Yes, reducing the animation scale in the menu For developers (window, transition, animator duration) to 0.5x visually makes the interface more responsive, although the actual processor performance does not change.