Modern Xiaomi smartphones, running on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, have powerful functionality that requires significant resources. Owners often face a situation where the built-in storage is overflowing and the system begins to work slower. Notifications about the lack of space can appear at the most inopportune moment, blocking the ability to take a picture or install an important update.
Increasing the available volume is not just about removing redundant files, but also about working with system settings and file structure. There are proven methods to safely free gigabytes without losing personal data. In this article, we will discuss all the current optimization methods for the Chinese brand devices.
Understanding how Android manages files on Redmi and Poco devices will allow you to control space effectively. Using built-in cleaning tools correctly often has a greater effect than installing third-party apps. Let's look at step-by-step algorithms.
Analysis of storage occupancy through standard means
The first step is always to diagnose, and before you delete anything, you need to know exactly what takes up the most space, and there's a powerful built-in tool in the MIUI shell that shows the categorization of memory in more detail than standard Android.
To start the analysis, go to Settings → Memory. Here you will see a color diagram where each sector is responsible for a specific type of data. The system automatically scans the device and sorts files: applications, images, videos, documents and system files. Particular attention should be paid to the “Other” section, which is often inflated by the messenger cache.
Sometimes users ignore this step, relying on it, but the data allows you to target. If you see the lion's share of video files, they are easier to move; if you eat the space of applications, you need to audit them. Data visualization helps you understand the real picture of resource use.
- 🔍 Open the settings and find the "About Phone" or "Memory" option for quick access.
- 📊 Study the distribution schedule: blue usually denotes apps, green media files.
- 🗑️ Click on any category to see the list of the largest files inside it.
⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from system folders unless you are sure of their purpose. Deleting critical logs or libraries can lead to unstable interfaces.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
Every Xiaomi smartphone has an app called Security preinstalled, which is not just an antivirus, but a whole system maintenance combine that includes Cleanup, which can find residual files that remain after deleting programs and clear the cache without damaging user data.
Run the app and select "Clean up." The system will scan and suggest removing "garbage." But here's a nuance: standard cleaning is often superficial. For a deeper analysis, click on the basket icon or go to the "Clean up" section inside the app, where you can selectively delete the cache of specific programs, such as YouTube or Instagram, that tend to accumulate gigabytes of temporary data.
It's important to distinguish between cache and data. Cache cleaning is safe and just deletes temporary files, speeding up the work. Resetting the application will return it to "as after installation" by removing logins and settings. Regularly cleaning the cache is the best way to prevent space shortages.
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Use the Deep Clean feature in the Security app once a week. It finds forgotten ones. APK-installer files and large video files in messenger folders that are not visible in the usual gallery.
It's worth noting that MIUI algorithms sometimes flag files you might want to save as junk, so always check the list before you finalize your deletion confirmation, especially for folders with documents and downloads.
Work with SD-map and formatting as internal memory
Many Redmi and Poco models have a hybrid slot that allows you to use a microSD card, which is the easiest way to physically increase storage, but just by inserting a card, you may not get the desired result if you don't configure it correctly.
Once you have the card installed, the system will suggest that you configure it, you can use it as Portable Storage or Internal Storage, and the Adoptable Storage allows the system to consider the card as part of the internal memory, so you can install applications on the card and transfer system data to it.
To convert the map to internal format go to Settings → Memory. → SD-map → Settings → Internal memory: The process will require formatting, so all the data on the map will be destroyed, and then the file system will be changed, and the map will be unreadable on other devices without re-formatting.
| Type of use | Can I put applications? | Access to PC | Speed of operation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable storage | No (media only) | Yes, directly. | Standard. |
| Internal storage | Yes. | Only through the phone. | Depends on the class of the card. |
| No memory card. | Only on the built-in | N/D | High (UFS) |
⚠️ Warning: Internal Storage requires a high speed card (at least Class 10, U3, A2). Slow map will lead to strong interface brakes and applications freeze.
☑️ Checking readiness SD-map
Cleaning the cache of messengers and social networks
The most voracious apps on any Android smartphone are messengers. Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber store every photo and video you see in your device’s memory, and over time, these folders can grow to 10-20 GB, taking up almost all of your free memory.
Telegram cleans the most intelligently. Go to Settings → Data and memory → Memory usage. Here you can set a cache limit (for example, 1 GB) or click the "Clear cache" button. Importantly, your correspondence and media files will not be lost, they will be re-downloaded from the cloud if necessary.
WhatsApp is more complicated because it stores everything locally. Go to Settings → Data and Storage → Storage Management. You can see which chats take up the most space and delete media selectively. It's also helpful to turn off autosave to the gallery so that duplicates don't accumulate.
- 📱 In Telegram, use the built-in autodelete cache function by setting a timer for 3 days or a week.
- 💬 On WhatsApp, remove large video files from group chats that often contain spam.
- 🛑 Turn off downloading media files via the mobile network in the settings of each messenger.
Hidden folders of messengers
Regular monitoring of these applications is critical, and if you don't clean the messenger cache, the phone can start to run slowly even with free memory, as it will be difficult for the system to index huge arrays of small files.
Removing duplicates and transferring photos to the cloud
Photos and videos are the main content that users create. On Xiaomi smartphones with high-resolution cameras, one minute video can weigh hundreds of megabytes. Store everything on a device does not make sense if you have cloud technology.
Google Photos or the built-in Mi Cloud lets you set up automatic sync, and once you upload the originals to the cloud, you can use the Free Space feature, and the app will remove photos that are already safely stored on the Internet, and it's a safe way to free up gigabytes instantly.
It is also worth checking the gallery for duplicates. Often, when sync failures or manual copying, the same pictures are saved in different folders. Built-in Albums → Hidden or third-party duplicate applications will help you find duplicate files.
Don't forget the Recycle Bin folder in the gallery. Deleted photos often stay there for another 30 days, continuing to take up space. Cleaning the basket is the final touch in the process of freeing up space.
Hidden MIUI features and additional tips
The MIUI and HyperOS shell hides a few features that not everyone knows about, such as turning off automatic updates to system applications through the GetApps store if you don't use embedded services, which will prevent you from downloading any extra data.
Another tip is to disable auto-save in social media apps. Instagram, TikTok and Facebook often save your stories and videos to hidden folders. Check each social network's settings and disallow saving to the gallery.
If nothing works, you might consider resetting to factory settings, which is a radical method to get your phone back out of the box. Be sure to back up your data before you do that.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting to factory settings will remove ALL data from your phone, including contacts, messages and apps. Use this method only if you have an up-to-date backup.
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Comprehensive approach: a combination of cleaning cache, transferring photos to the cloud and competent use SD-The cards give you the best results. Don't rely on just one method.