[Question] Recently bought a Redmi 17 5G and already regretting it 😭 — HyperOS optimization guide needed — looking for non-root AND root solutions

So I recently bought a Redmi 17 5G, and honestly, I'm pretty disappointed with the software experience so far.

HyperOS feels noticeably worse than what I was used to on my old OnePlus phone. My previous OnePlus was around 5 years old, and despite its age, it often felt faster and smoother in day-to-day use.

The biggest problems I'm noticing:

* Discord, Instagram, and other apps take forever to load images/videos. * Downloading/loading content inside apps feels unusually slow. * This doesn't seem to be a network issue — the same network performed much better on my old OnePlus. * HyperOS seems to aggressively manage apps and background processes. * I've noticed 60Hz being forced in certain apps, despite the phone having a 120Hz display. * Scrolling and animations sometimes don't feel as smooth as they should. * Overall, the UI doesn't feel as responsive or polished as I expected.

Unfortunately, I can't really return/exchange the phone at this point, especially with how much smartphone prices have increased in my country, so I'm trying to make the best of it.

WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR

I'd really appreciate a COMPLETE HyperOS/Redmi optimization guide from people who actually use Xiaomi/Redmi phones.

I'd prefer to do as much as possible WITHOUT ROOT first.

Ideally, I'd like advice in roughly this order:

1. Stock HyperOS settings and safe optimizations
2. ADB-based tweaks
3. Shizuku-based tweaks/apps
4. Debloating unnecessary Xiaomi/HyperOS packages
5. Advanced non-root modifications
6. ROOT/Magisk modifications if they are actually worthwhile
7. Custom ROMs, if that is ultimately the better solution

NON-ROOT / ADB

I'm particularly interested in:

* Useful ADB commands that actually make a difference * Safe HyperOS debloating * Which Xiaomi/HyperOS packages are safe to disable and which should NOT be touched * Fixing aggressive battery/background app management * Preventing apps like Discord/Instagram from being unnecessarily restricted * Improving app loading and background activity * Forcing 120Hz in apps that are unnecessarily locked to 60Hz * Per-app refresh-rate configuration * Improving scrolling and animation responsiveness * Useful Developer Options * ADB settings that improve responsiveness without damaging battery life * Shizuku and useful apps that work with it * DNS/network settings that can actually improve reliability or loading times * Anything related to HyperOS memory/RAM management * Reducing unnecessary Xiaomi services without breaking important functionality * Whether disabling RAM Extension/Memory Extension is recommended * Whether any logging/analytics services can safely be disabled * Whether there are safe ways to reduce background CPU/battery usage * Any other settings you normally change immediately after setting up a Redmi phone

NETWORK / APP LOADING PROBLEM

The slow image/video loading is one of my biggest concerns.

If anyone has experienced similar issues with Discord, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube, browsers, etc., I'd especially like to know whether the problem was caused by:

* HyperOS network management * Battery optimization * DNS * Private DNS * IPv6 * Xiaomi security/network services * App-specific restrictions * Background restrictions * Thermal throttling * Modem/network configuration * Something else entirely

I'd also appreciate ways to properly diagnose whether the problem is actually HyperOS rather than blindly changing settings.

120HZ / PERFORMANCE

I'd also like to understand how HyperOS handles refresh rates.

If an app is being forced to 60Hz, are there safe ADB/Shizuku methods to force 120Hz?

Are there known HyperOS settings, hidden menus, system properties, or per-app refresh-rate controls that can help?

I'd prefer solutions that don't constantly force 120Hz globally if that causes unnecessary battery drain.

ROOT / MAGISK

I'm also open to rooting the phone, but only after exhausting the non-root options.

If root is worthwhile, I'd like recommendations for:

* Magisk modules that are actually useful in 2026 * Performance/smoothness tweaks * Network-related tweaks * Thermal/performance management * Refresh-rate modifications * Debloating * Ad blocking * Better app/background management * Any other genuinely useful root-only modifications

I'd especially like people to distinguish between tweaks that genuinely improve the phone and placebo/"Android optimization" tweaks that don't actually do anything.

CUSTOM ROM?

Another thing I'm wondering about:

Should I eventually install a custom ROM on this phone?

If yes:

* Is the Redmi 17 5G well supported by custom ROM developers? * Which ROMs are worth considering? * What features would I lose compared with stock HyperOS? * Would banking/UPI/Google Wallet/etc. continue working? * What about the camera and image processing? * VoLTE/VoWiFi/5G? * NFC? * Fingerprint? * Bluetooth? * OTA updates? * Battery life? * Widevine/DRM? * Would I need to worry about Play Integrity? * Is it better to stay on HyperOS for now and wait for development to mature? * Should I consider a custom ROM immediately, or wait a year or two before deciding?

I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who have actually used custom ROMs on Xiaomi/Redmi devices rather than just recommending them in theory.

BOOTLOADER / FUTURE UPGRADES

Since I may eventually root or install a custom ROM, should I unlock the bootloader now while the phone is new?

Are there any advantages/disadvantages to unlocking early?

Does Xiaomi/HyperOS make the process difficult or impose waiting periods?

Should I create backups or save anything specific before unlocking?

Are there any partitions, modem files, persist data, DRM keys, etc. that I should NEVER mess with?

IMPORTANT

I'm not looking for "debloat everything and run a random 50-command script" type of advice.

I'd prefer:

* Tested methods * Reversible changes * Device/HyperOS-specific recommendations * ADB/Shizuku solutions before root * Clear warnings for anything potentially dangerous * Explanation of what each tweak actually changes * Information about whether a tweak affects battery life, performance, stability, OTA updates, banking/UPI apps, etc.

Basically, if you had just bought this phone and wanted to get the smoothest, fastest and least annoying experience possible, what EXACTLY would you do?

Please share guides, tools, commands, apps, scripts, or your own setup.

Also, if you've had the same problems with slow image/video loading, poor app performance, or 60Hz limitations on HyperOS, please mention what fixed it for you.

EDIT: I'll add my exact HyperOS version, Android version, RAM/storage configuration and region in the comments so people can give device-specific advice.

Thanks!

Edited my original post with one written by AI because I thought it would do better explanation.