What can be safely removed from the Android folder on Xiaomi: full parsing for MIUI

The Android folder on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most mysterious to users. It takes up gigabytes of memory, but it's scary to delete its contents: what if the phone stops working? In fact, some of the files here are really critical to the system, but there is also garbage that can be safely cleaned. In this article, we will understand which data in the Android folder is safe to delete and which should not be touched, taking into account the features of the MIUI shell and the Android architecture.

The problem is that Xiaomi is actively cacheing application, update and system process data, but it doesn’t always clean it correctly. As a result, the folder grows to 5-10 GB, and the user does not know how to reduce it. We analyzed the folder structure on different models (Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) and identified 4 types of files that can be deleted without risk, as well as 3 categories of data that you should not touch. At the end of the article, a checklist for safe cleaning and answers to frequent questions.

Android folder structure on Xiaomi: where is it located

The Android folder is located in the root directory of internal memory and consists of several subfolders. Their purpose depends on the version of MIUI and the model of the smartphone, but the overall structure is the same:

• 📁 Data -- it stores application data, cache, and settings, the largest and most dangerous folder to clean.
• 📁 Obb – add-ons files for games and applications (e.g., graphics packages for Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).
• 📁 media – multimedia files created by applications (screenshots, screen recordings, downloads from instant messengers).
• 📁 com.xiaomi... - System folders MIUI, related services (Mi Cloud, Themes, Security).

On Xiaomi MIUI 14+ App-lib folder is an additional folder for applications that can be moved to SD-In older versions (MIUI 12 and below) it is not, but there is an asec folder with encrypted application data.

It is important to understand that not all files in the Android folder are visible through standard Explorer, some of the data is hidden and only available with root or through the permissions of the user. ADB. Like a folder. data/app contain APK-files of installed applications, but you can only see it with the help of a root-access file manager (for example, Root Explorer or Root Explorer). FX File Explorer).

What files in the Android folder can be deleted without consequences

Now, to the point of what you can clean, we've identified 4 types of files that won't affect the system, but will make room.

1. Application cache in the data folder

In the Android/data subfolder, each application creates a different directory (e.g., com.whatsapp or com.facebook.katana).

• 🗑️ Temporary files (cache) – they can be deleted completely, they are restored automatically the next time the application is launched.
• 📥 Downloads from messengers (files or download folders) – media files, documents, stickers, and can be moved to another location or deleted if they are not needed.
• 🎮 Game saves (game folder or saves) – if the game syncs to the cloud (e.g., via Google Play Games), they can also be removed.

⚠️ Warning: Don't delete folders entirely, just their contents! Directories themselves (com.whatsapp, com.facebook.orca, etc.) are needed to keep applications running properly. Also don't touch files with the.db extension (databases) - this can cause crashes.

2.OBB files in the obb folder

The Android/obb folder contains additional data for games and applications (e.g., graphics packages for PUBG Mobile or Free Fire).

• 🔄 Move it to SD-card (if supported).
• 🗑️ Delete if the game is no longer in use (files will be reloaded the next time you start).
• 📥 Save to PC if you plan to reinstall the game later.

On Xiaomi MIUI 13+ Bug: Sometimes after removal OBB-The game cannot download the files again, in which case cleaning the application data in the settings (Settings) will help. → Annexes → Application management → [play-off] → Warehouse → Clear the data).

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Before removal OBB-Check if the game supports cloud-based saves, for example, in Genshin Impact, progress is synchronized with servers, but in Brawl Stars, it does not.

3. Unnecessary media files in the media folder

Android/media stores:

• 📸 Screenshots and screen recordings (folder) Pictures/Screenshots).
• 🎵 Music and podcasts downloaded through apps (e.g. Spotify or Yandex Music).
• 📄 Documents from messengers (Download or Documents).

These files can be easily deleted or transferred to a memory card / PC. The exception is the folders with the name of the applications that you actively use (for example, com.whatsapp can store backup copies of chats here).

4.Outdated MIUI update files

Xiaomi often leaves garbage in the folder Android/data/com.android.providers.downloads or Android/data/com.xiaomi.updater.

• 📦 Firmware archives (.zip files weighing 1-3 GB).
• 🗑️ Update logs (.log or.txt).
• 🔄 Temporary files (.tmp).

This data can be deleted, but only if the update is already installed, and if the update process is interrupted and the files deleted, the system can hang on the MI logo the next time it turns on.

Remove the contents of the cache folders in Android/data/[attachment]|Remove or remove OBB-play-file|Clean Download folder from old files|Delete the archives of updates in com.xiaomi.updater-->

What cannot be removed under any circumstances

Some files in the Android folder are critical to the system, and deleting them can lead to:

• 🔄 The looped turn on of the phone (bootloop).
• 🚫 Loss of application data (chats, saves, settings).
• 🛑 Complete incapacity MIUI (Reset to factory settings required).

Below is a list of prohibited files and folders:

⚠️ Note: It is especially dangerous to delete files in the folders com.android.providers and com.xiaomi - they are responsible for system services (Mi Account, Topics, Security). Even if the file seems unnecessary (for example, thumbnails), its deletion can cause the gallery or other system applications to crash.

How to Clean Android Folder Properly: Step-by-step Instructions

To avoid damaging the system, follow this algorithm:

1. Back up important data (chats, photos, documents) and you can use Mi Cloud or third-party apps like Swift Backup (root required).
2. Use a file manager with access to system folders, Mi File Manager (built-in) or Solid Explorer (with Root mode enabled if you have superuser rights) will do.
3. Sort files by date – old data (such as cache for 2022) can be deleted boldly.
4. Check the file extensions: ✅ You can delete:.tmp,.log,.apk (if it is not system-based). APK),.nomedia. ❌ You can not delete:.db,.dex,.so, files without extension.

After cleaning, restart the phone.

If the application started to work incorrectly after deleting the files, try:

1. Clear its cache in settings (Settings → Apps → [name] → Clear the cache).
2. Reinstall the app.
3. Restore data from the backup (if any).

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Never use Deep Clean features in third-party SEOs (such as Clean Master or CCleaner) that often delete system files, causing MIUI to crash.

Automatic cleaning of Android folder: what tools to use

Hand cleaning is a time-consuming process, and fortunately Xiaomi has built-in and third-party automation tools:

1. Built-in utility "Clean-up"

MIUI has its own waste cleaning tool:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click Clean (or Free up space in new versions).
3. Select App Cache, Downloads and Unnecessary Files.
4. Confirm the cleanup.

🔹 Solution: Delete Google Play Market Data (Settings) → Annexes → Google Play Store → Warehouse → Delete the data) and restart the phone.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions