What to do if Xiaomi Redmi is short of memory: a complete cleanup guide

Why Xiaomi Redmi is running out of memory quickly?

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones — from the budget Redmi 9A to the flagship Redmi Note 12 Pro+ — often face the same problem: memory runs out in just a few months of active use. Even if you bought a model with 128 GB or 256 GB of internal storage, the system can show a warning about the shortage of space. What is the reason?

The fact is that MIUI aggressively caches data, and many applications by default save files to internal memory, which is added to automatic updates, duplicate photos in the Gallery, temporary messenger files and game cache. For example, Genshin Impact alone can take up to 15-20 GB after several updates, and WhatsApp or Telegram – up to 5-10 GB per year of use.

In this article, we will discuss 12 working ways to free up memory on Xiaomi Redmi – from basic (cleaning cache) to advanced (transfer applications to the mobile phone). SD-map and use of cloud services All methods tested on current versions MIUI 14/15 and are suitable for Redmi Note models 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/11, POCO X3/X4/X5 others.

1.Cache and garbage cleanup through built-in MIUI tools

The first and easiest way is to use the built-in Security utility, which removes temporary files, app cache, and debris without affecting important data.

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Click on "Cleaner" (Cleaner).
3. Wait for the scan to be completed and select “Clean”.
4. For deep cleaning, go to the Deep Clean tab and delete unnecessary files (e.g. APK, duplicate photos).

Usually, this method frees up 1 to 5 GB of storage, but note that some apps (like YouTube or TikTok) will recover over time.

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If the Clean Up button is inactive, try restarting your phone – sometimes MIUI blocks the feature due to background app activity.

• 📱 What files does the built-in cleanup delete? – Application cache (.cache); – Temporary download files (.tmp); – System logs (.log); – Empty folders and duplicate thumbnails.
• ⚠️ What does NOT delete? – Photos and videos from the Gallery; – Save messages in instant messengers; – Game data (progress, settings).

⚠️ Note: Do not use third-party cleaners (such as Clean Master or CCleaner) – they often delete important system files and may disrupt your work. MIUI. The built-in utility "Cleaning" is enough.

2. Removal of unnecessary applications and their data

Many users install dozens of apps, but only a few. Even unused programs take up space. APK-files (/data/data) How to properly remove unnecessary:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by size (click on the three dots in the top right corner → “Sort by size”).
3. Select the unnecessary app and click “Delete”.
4. For complete cleanup, click on “Clear Data” and “Clear Cache” before deleting.

Pay particular attention to:

• 🎮 Games – even remote games can leave files in a folder Android/obb.
• 📱 Duplicate applications (e.g., two browsers or two file managers).
• 🔄 System applications MIUI, which cannot be removed but can be disabled (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps, etc).

⚠️ Note: Do not remove system processes called com.android. or com.miui. – this can lead to system failure and the need to flash the system.

3. Transfer applications and files to a memory card (SD)

If your Xiaomi Redmi supports microSD cards (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or Redmi 9C), you can transfer some of the data to an external drive.

• 📁 Photos and videos can be transferred manually through the Gallery or Files.
• 📱 Applications are only partially portable (not all support this feature).
• ⚠️ Not all Redmi models are allowed to use SD As internal memory (Adoptable Storage is disabled in the MIUI).

How to transfer files to SD-map:

1. Insert a memory card (UHS-I U3 class is recommended for speed).
2. Open Files → select a folder (such as DCIM or Downloads).
3. Click "Select", mark files and click "Move» → choose SD-map.

How to move applications (if supported):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application → “Storage” → “Change” (if the option is active).
3. Select the Memory Card and confirm the transfer.

4. Optimization of photo and video storage

Photos and video are the main memory eaters. One minute of video in a single memory. 4K It weighs up to 400MB. RAW-Photos, up to 20 to 30 MB each, here's how to reduce the volume:

• 📸 Change the camera resolution: Go to the camera → Settings → Photo/video resolution and select 12 MP instead of MP 48/64/108 MPP.
• 🎥 Compress Video Before Save: Use apps like Video Compress or CapCut to reduce size without losing quality.
• ☁️ Enable backup to the cloud: Google Photos or Mi Cloud automatically upload photos and let you delete them from your phone.
• 🗑️ Remove duplicates and screenshots: The Gallery has a Smart Cleanup feature that finds repetitive and blurry shots.

If you often shoot videos, pay attention to the bitrate settings (in professional camera mode).Reducing this setting from 50 Mbps to 25 Mbps will reduce the file size by 2 times without noticeable loss of quality.

5. Cleaning up the cache of messengers and social networks

Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) and social networks (TikTok, Instagram) save gigabytes of media that you haven't even opened. For example, Telegram by default caches all photos and videos from chat rooms.

How to clean:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Storage management. Sort by size and delete unnecessary files.
• 📎 Telegram: In the chat settings, click “Clear Cache” or go to Settings → Data and memory → Warehouse.
• 🎵 TikTok/Instagram: Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → [Name of name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

For Telegram, you can also limit the automatic storage of media:

1. Open the settings → Data and memory.
2. In the “Autoload Media” section, select “Never” for mobile data and Wi-Fi.
3. Enable the option to “Clear Cache on Exit” (if available).

⚠️ Note: On WhatsApp, deleting files from the Storage Management section removes them from all chats, including backups. If you need to save important media, export them to Google Drive or your computer first.

6.Use of cloud services and external drives

If the internal memory is severely lacking, SD-There is no card (or not enough), use cloud services or external drives:

How to set up automatic download in Google Photos:

1. Install the Google Photos app.
2. Open Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
3. Turn on the option and select High Quality (unlimited space) or Original (counted from 15GB).
4. After downloading, delete local copies through “Free space”.

To connect an external drive (e.g., an SSD):

• Buy it. OTG-Type-C or Micro-USB adapter, depending on the Redmi model).
• Put the drive on the phone.
• Use the File Manager to transfer data.

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Cloud services save space, but require a stable Internet. For large files (video, games), it is better to use external ones. SSD or SD-map.

7. factory reset (last resort)

If all previous methods failed and the memory is still full, you will have to reset completely, which will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, so back up first.

How to reset Redmi to factory settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Enter the password (if set) and confirm the reset.
4. After restarting, set your phone as new.

If the phone is not turned on or got stuck, use Recovery Mode reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select “Wipe Data” → “Wipe All Data”.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

⚠️ Warning: After reset, do not restore data from backup if the problem was in system files - this may return errors).

8 Advanced Methods: ADB, root and custom firmware

For high-end users willing to take risks, there are ways to free up memory with ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or root rights, techniques that require technical expertise and can be unwarranted.

• 🖥️ Cleaning through ADB: Connect your phone to your PC, turn on Debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 If you click on Developer Mode to unlock, then turn on debugging and execute the command: adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.miui.gallery (replace com.miui.gallery with the desired application package).
• 🔧 Remove System Applications (root required): Root Explorer or Titanium Backup can remove unnecessary system applications APK, But it's risky!
• 📱 Install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS): Some firmware is optimized better MIUI It takes up less space, but loses the functionality of the camera and some chips Xiaomi.

Warning: Incorrect use of ADB or root may result in:

• 🔒 Loss of warranty;

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory on Xiaomi Redmi