Redmi or MI phone running slow after a MIUI update? Performance issues after system updates are common on Xiaomi devices, but there are several effective ways to restore speed and responsiveness.
Here are 8 proven methods to fix slow performance and optimize your Redmi/MI phone after MIUI updates.
Quick Performance Fixes
1. Restart Phone and Clear Recent Apps
- Hold Power button → Restart
- After restart: Tap Recent apps button
- Swipe up on all apps to close them
- Test phone performance
2. Clear System Cache
- Settings → Storage → Cached data → Clear
- Or Settings → Additional settings → Storage → Cache data → Clear
- Restart phone after clearing cache
3. Free Up Storage Space
- Settings → Storage → check available space
- Need at least 2GB free for smooth performance
- Delete unused apps, old photos, videos
- Clear Downloads folder
MIUI-Specific Optimizations
4. Disable MIUI Optimization
- Settings → Additional settings → Developer options
- Turn OFF “MIUI optimization”
- Restart phone when prompted
- Note: This may affect some MIUI features
5. Optimize Memory and Performance
- Settings → Additional settings → Memory & storage optimization
- Turn ON “Memory optimization”
- Enable “Auto-start management”
- Optimize background apps
6. Adjust Animation Settings
- Settings → Additional settings → Developer options
- Set all animation scales to 0.5x:
- Window animation scale
- Transition animation scale
- Animator duration scale
- Makes phone feel much faster
Battery and Background App Management
7. Optimize Battery Settings
- Settings → Battery & performance → Battery
- Turn ON “Battery saver” when needed
- Manage app battery usage:
- Restrict background activity for unused apps
- Allow unrestricted for important apps only
8. Control Auto-Start Apps
- Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autostart
- Disable autostart for apps you don’t need immediately
- Keep enabled for essential apps (WhatsApp, calls, alarms)
- Reduces boot time and background load
9. Disable Unnecessary MIUI Features
Turn OFF these features:
- Settings → Additional settings → Accessibility → Touch assistant → OFF
- Settings → Display → Always-on display → OFF (if not needed)
- Settings → Additional settings → Button shortcuts → Disable unused shortcuts
Advanced MIUI Optimizations
10. Reset App Preferences
- Settings → Apps → Three dots menu → Reset app preferences
- Confirm reset (doesn’t delete app data)
- Restart phone
- Reconfigure important app permissions
11. Update Apps and MIUI
- Play Store → My apps & games → Update all
- Settings → System update → Check for updates
- Install available updates
- Restart phone after updates
12. Clear Individual App Caches
For frequently used apps:
- Settings → Apps → Select app → Storage → Clear cache
- Focus on large apps (Facebook, Instagram, Chrome)
- Don’t clear data unless necessary
Memory and Storage Optimization
13. Use Built-in Cleaner
- Security app → Cleaner
- Deep clean → Select all categories
- Clean junk files, cache, residual files
- Run weekly for maintenance
14. Manage Photos and Videos
- Enable Google Photos backup
- Delete local copies after backup
- Use “Free up space” feature in Google Photos
- Move large files to cloud storage
15. Disable Visual Effects
- Settings → Display → More display settings
- Turn OFF:
- Live wallpapers
- Transition effects
- Screen effects
- Use static wallpaper for better performance
Network and Connectivity Optimization
16. Reset Network Settings
- Settings → Additional settings → Backup & reset → Reset network settings
- Confirm reset (will erase WiFi passwords)
- Reconnect to WiFi and test performance
17. Optimize WiFi Settings
- Settings → WiFi → Additional settings
- Turn OFF “WiFi assistant”
- Disable “Connect automatically” for unknown networks
- Use 5GHz WiFi when available
Factory Reset (Last Resort)
18. Backup and Factory Reset
Before resetting:
- Backup all data to Mi Cloud or Google
- Note down app list
- Save important files
Reset process:
- Settings → Additional settings → Backup & reset → Factory data reset
- Erase all data and wait for completion
- Set up as new device initially
- Restore data gradually
MIUI Version-Specific Tips
MIUI 12/13/14:
- Control Center can be disabled if causing lag
- Super wallpapers consume resources - use static ones
- Floating windows feature can be disabled
Older MIUI Versions:
- Consider updating to latest stable version
- Check Xiaomi forums for version-specific issues
- Some older versions perform better than newer ones
Prevention Tips
Keep Redmi/MI Phone Fast:
- Regular restarts (weekly)
- Keep 2GB+ storage free always
- Update apps regularly
- Don’t install too many apps simultaneously
- Use Mi Cleaner weekly
- Monitor battery usage for rogue apps
Avoid These Mistakes:
- ❌ Installing multiple cleaner/booster apps
- ❌ Keeping all apps in autostart
- ❌ Ignoring storage warnings
- ❌ Using live wallpapers on older devices
- ❌ Disabling important system optimizations
Model-Specific Considerations
Redmi Note Series:
- Generally good performance with proper optimization
- 4GB+ RAM models handle MIUI better
- Older Note models may struggle with latest MIUI
Redmi K Series:
- High-performance processors handle MIUI well
- Gaming mode optimization available
- Less aggressive optimization needed
MI Series:
- Flagship performance with premium hardware
- More MIUI features available
- Better optimization algorithms
When Performance Issues Persist
Contact Xiaomi Support:
- Mi Community forums for device-specific help
- Mi Support app for official assistance
- Service center visit if hardware issues suspected
Consider Custom ROM:
- Advanced users only
- Pixel Experience, LineageOS available for many models
- Voids warranty but can improve performance
- Research thoroughly before proceeding
Most Redmi/MI performance issues after updates resolve with proper MIUI optimization and storage management. The key is finding the right balance of features vs performance for your usage.