What is clogged memory on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: hidden “eaters” of the place and ways to clean

You see again, "Memory is full" on your Xiaomi Redmi, even though you haven't installed anything in a while? Or your phone is slowing down and the gallery is taking the place of photos you haven't taken? The memory problem is familiar to every second smartphone owner in this line -- and it's not just the size of the built-in drive, but it's often the system processes, hidden files and the "junk" that accumulates unnoticed.

In this article, we’ll look at 7 key reasons Redmi’s memory (whether it’s the Note 10 Pro, Redmi 9A or flagship model) is clogged in just a month of active use: how to find and delete unnecessary data without root rights, which apps secretly eat gigabytes, and why even after cleaning the cache, space is only temporarily vacated, and at the end, a 5-step checklist for emergency 3-5 GB of memory in 10 minutes.

1. App cache: why it takes up to 10GB and whether it can be removed

The most obvious but often underrated memory eater is the app cache, which are temporary files that programs (social networks, instant messengers, games) save to speed up work, such as TikTok caches video, Google Maps caches maps, and Telegram stickers and media files, which can inflate to 5-10 GB in six months of use, even though it originally weighed only a few hundred megabytes.

The problem is that MIUI doesn't always clean the cache automatically, and some apps (like Facebook or Instagram) restore it immediately after it's deleted to check the cache volume:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Pay attention to the column "Cash" - here are displayed the most voracious programs.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home) – this can cause interface failures. Also avoid clearing the cache of Google Play Services, otherwise push notifications will stop working.

How to clean the cache correctly:

• 📱 Manual: Go to the settings of each application and click "Clear Cache." For Redmi with MIUI 12+ Available option of mass cleaning in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.
• 🤖 Automatic: Use the built-in Optimization tool (broom icon in the notification panel) or third-party utilities like SD Maid (requires root for deep cleaning).
• ⚙️ For Advanced: Disable caching for individual applications through Settings → Special facilities → Data limitations (not available on all models).

2. Garbage files and remnants of deleted applications: where they hide

When you delete an application through the Play Market or a standard uninstaller, you leave behind tails — folders with settings, logs, and temporary files. For example, after PUBG Mobile is deleted, up to 1-2 GB of unnecessary data can remain in the /Android/obb/ and /Android/data/ folders. The same applies to updates to system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music), which are downloaded in the background.

Where to look for garbage:

To search for hidden files without root rights:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Use Total Commander or ES Explorer with the “Show Hidden Files” option enabled.
3. Look for folders with names like com..cache or.tmp.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from the folder /data/app/ manually, this can damage installed applications. Use only system tools or ADB.

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If the app is left shortcut after you delete it, restart your phone or run pm clear com.miui.home via ADB.

3. Duplicates of photos and videos: how they appear and how to find them

One of the most common reasons for memory shortages on Xiaomi Redmi is duplicate media files.

• 📸 Auto-save in instant messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber by default save all received photos and videos in the app DCIM/Telegram or Pictures/WhatsApp.
• ☁️ Cloud Syncs: Google Photos and Mi Cloud can create copies when you restore backup.
• 🔄 Gallery processing: When editing photos in MIUI Gallery original is saved and the modified version is created as a new file.
• 📱 Transfers from other devices: When you copy files via Mi Mover or ShareMe, temporary copies can be created.

How to find and remove duplicates:

1. Use the built-in Cleanup → Duplicate File Tool (available in MIUI 12+).
2. Install third-party apps like Files by Google or Duplicate Files Fixer (the latter requires root for deep scanning).
3. For manual verification, sort files in the Gallery by date or size – duplicates often come in succession.

4 System applications and bloatware: what can be removed without consequences

Xiaomi is known for pre-installing dozens of unwanted apps on its smartphones, called bloatware, which includes branded services (Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser), and affiliate programs (Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn), many of which cannot be removed by standard means, but they take up space and work in the background.

List of safe to remove system applications (without root rights):

• 🎵 Mi Music: Music player that duplicates Google Play Music or Spotify features. → Annexes.
• 📺 Mi Video: Video player with ads. Removed via ADB team pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer.
• 🌐 Mi Browser: Browser with bookmarks preset. Replace it with Chrome or Firefox.
• 📊 Analytics: Statistics collection service (com.miui.analytics) Disconnection improves privacy.
• 🎮 Game Center: Unnecessary gaming hub (com.xiaomi.gamecenter.sdk.service).

How to remove system applications without root rights:

1. Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).


2. Connect the phone to the PC and execute the command:




adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet




3. For mass removal, use Universal Android Debloater script.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete applications with com.android., com.qualcomm. or com.miui.home packages, this will cause the system to fail. → Additionally. → Backup.

Enable debugging over USB

Download ADB-PC drivers

Check the list of packages through adb shell pm list packages

Remove unnecessary applications one by one

Reboot the phone-->

5 Update files and backups: Hidden gigabytes

Each MIUI update weighs between 1.5 and 3GB, and even after installation, its files often remain in memory, as do backups that are created automatically when you reset your settings or transfer data, which are stored in hidden folders and not displayed in a standard Explorer.

Where to look:

• 📦 Updates MIUI: folder /cache/ota/ or /data/ota_package/ (root).
• 🔄 Backup copies: /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ — Here are stored archives with settings and data.
• ☁️ Cloud copies: /MiCloud/backup/ — Temporary synchronization files with Mi Account.

How to clean:

1. To remove old updates, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Delete the downloaded package.
2. Backups are deleted through Settings → Additional → Backup → Backup Management.
3. For deep cleaning, use the command: adb shell rm -rf /cache/ota/*

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MIUI update files can take up to 5GB if not deleted for years. Clear /cache/ota/ after each update!

6.Social networks and instant messengers: why they are “inflated” to incredible sizes

Apps like Facebook, Instagram, or VK can take up to 2-3 GB each — and it's not just cache.

• 📷 Media Files: All stories viewed, videos in the tape and avatars of friends.
• 🗺️ Geolocation Data: Location History for Targeted Advertising.
• 📊 Activity Logs: Information about sessions, errors, and interactions with content.
• 🎵 Offline Content: Music, videos and articles saved for viewing without the internet.

How to reduce the weight of social networks:

Additional advice:

• Turn off autoplay video in the settings of social networks.
• Use Lite versions of apps (like Facebook Lite or Messenger Lite).
• For Telegram, set up automatic media removal via Settings → Data and Memory → Autodelete Media.

7 Viruses and Malware: How They Steal Memory and How to Detect Them

Rarely, but accurately: some viruses and advertising Trojans specifically clog the memory of the phone so that the user installs a "cleaner" from scammers.

• 📱 The memory is filled by itself (for example, at night).
• 🔋 The phone is warming and discharged quickly.
• 📛 Unknown applications appear (e.g. com.system.update).
• 📊 B Settings → Battery visible unfamiliar processes with high consumption.

How to check and clean:

1. Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light and perform a deep scan.
2. Check the list of installed apps in Settings → Apps → All apps. Remove suspicious ones (such as those with Chinese names).
3. Use ADB to search for hidden packages: adb shell pm list packages -f | grep -i "suspicious"
4. If the virus blocks access to settings, boot to Safe Mode (hold the power button → “Reboot Safe Mode”).

⚠️ Note: Some of the Play Market’s cleaners (e.g. Clean Master or Clean Master) DU Speed Booster) is the source of advertising software. Use only proven high-rated antiviruses.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions