Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Phone: A Complete Guide to Secret Chips

Your Xiaomi is slowing down, apps are crashing with an error of "Not enough memory" and photos are no longer saved? 90% of the time, the reason is one - clogged smartphone memory. But cleaning up memory on Xiaomi is not just about deleting unnecessary files. Here it is important to understand what data can be safely deleted and what should not be touched, so as not to disrupt the system.

Unlike iPhones or pure Android devices, Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark) have a unique MIUI shell that adds custom memory management tools, and many users are unaware of hidden features that allow you to free up up to 30% of additional space without deleting personal files.

Why Xiaomi’s memory is clogged faster than other smartphones

The MIUI shell is known for its functionality, but it is also the main reason for fast memory filling. Here are 3 key features that distinguish Xiaomi from other brands:

• 📦 Duplicate system files. MIUI Backs up updates and cache for quick work, but often doesn’t delete them after use.
• 🤖 Aggressive cache of applications, even after the program is closed, its data can remain in memory for up to 72 hours.
• 📸 Hidden folders of minimalist mode. Lite mode (available on budget models) saves compressed copies of photos, taking up to a maximum of three times. 1-2 GB.

Xiaomi also uses virtual memory (extension of RAM due to internal storage), which can create the illusion of space shortage. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with 256 GB of memory, the system can “reserve” up to 8 GB of virtual RAM, showing them as busy.

Integrated MIUI tools for memory cleaning

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has added a separate section for memory management. To get there, go to Settings → About Phone → Memory (some models may have different paths: Settings → Storage). Here you will see a pie chart with the distribution of memory by category.

The most useful functions of this section:

• 🧹 Cleansing up the garbage, removes the temporary files, cache and residual data from the remote applications. POCO F5 This function is free on average. 1.2-1.8 GB.
• 🗑️ Large files. Shows files larger than the size 10 MB, sorted by date, especially useful for finding old videos in DCIM/Recordings.
• 📁 Unused apps. Analyzes programs you haven't used in more than 30 days. On Xiaomi 13 Ultra, pre-installed games from Mi Game Center are often found here.

Notice the Deep Clean (not available on all models) option, which removes not only the cache, but also Dalvik-cache, which is a special file that speeds up the launch of applications, and once it is cleaned, it can take 20-30% longer to start programs first.

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If the memory is quickly filled up again after cleaning, check the sync settings of Mi Cloud. By default, photos and notes can automatically be uploaded to the cloud, duplicate files on the device.

Manual cleaning: what can be removed without risk

Even after using the built-in tools, the memory remains "invisible" files, and this is what can be safely deleted manually:

To access these folders, you will need a root Explorer (such as MiXplorer) or a standard Xiaomi Files with the option “Show hidden files” enabled. /sdcard/Android/obb It will cause a game to fail and a cleanup will /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder Delete all of your voice recordings.

Clean Memory with Recovery and Fastboot Modes

If your smartphone is slowing down or not responding to commands, you may need to clean it up through an engineering menu, which removes all user data, so use it only as a last resort.

Instructions for entering Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10 seconds.
3. From the menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage volume buttons, confirm – power button).

For models with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi 12T for the European market), this method may not work, in which case you will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool and use Fastboot:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache

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Cleaning through Recovery removes ALL data, including accounts, photos and settings. SIM-card and memory card (if any) to avoid formatting them.

Hidden MIUI settings for memory optimization

MIUI has hidden features that don't appear in the standard menu, so you can activate them.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636###.
3. Go to the Storage section.

Here you will see detailed statistics on memory usage, including:

• 📊 System applications (how much each component takes) MIUI)
• 🔄 Free real-time memory (updated every 5 seconds)
• 🚫 Blocked files (data that cannot be deleted without root)

On models with MIUI 13+, the Storage sense option is available, which automatically prompts you to delete duplicate photos and old screenshots to enable it:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Settings (cog).
2. Activate the Automatic Cleaning Switch.
3. Set a schedule (recommended weekly).

Make a backup copy in Mi Cloud|Check the free space on the PC for file transfer|Write down versions of important applications|Disable two-factor authentication in banking applications|Charge your phone to at least 50%-->

How to Prevent Fast Memory Filling in the Future

To avoid clearing your memory every week, set up Xiaomi to make optimal storage use:

• 📷 Photos and Videos: In Camera Settings → Save select Compress photos (saves up to 40% of space). 4K, unless you use this permission.
• 🎮 Games: In Game Turbo, turn off the option of Recording Gameplay in the Background. Delete the game cache through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Clear the data.
• 📱 Updates: In Settings → The phone. → Update system disable Auto boot via mobile Internet. Remove old firmware in /sdcard/Downloaded_rom post-installation.

On models with memory card support (Redmi 10A, POCO M5), use the Adoptable Storage function (embedded card as part of internal memory).

1. Put it in. SD-class UHS-I higher.
2. When a notification appears, select Use as internal memory.
3. Confirm the formatting (all data from the card will be deleted!).

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If you often install APK-Files from third-party sources, create a folder APK on a memory card and set up in Mi Browser to save downloads there. This will prevent the internal memory from filling up.

What to do if your memory is filling up on its own

If you notice that your memory is declining for no apparent reason (e.g., from 30GB to 5GB per night), the problem may be:

• 🕵️ Viruses: xHelper or Shidan can download advertising files in the background.
• 🔄 Cyclic logs: Some applications (e.g. Mi Fit) create logs every 5 minutes.
• 📡 File system errors. on Xiaomi with MIUI 12.5 There was a problem with duplicate files in /data/media/0.

For diagnosis:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Market and check the Cleanup section.
2. Type in the Terminal (root rights required) the command: df -h /sdcard Compare Size and Available. If the difference is greater than 20%, there are hidden files.
3. Check the /sdcard/Android/data/com.miui.cleanmaster folder – temporary files from the optimizer can accumulate here.

⚠️ Note: If after all the manipulations the memory continues to "disappear", reset to factory settings via Settings. → Additionally. → Recovery and Reset: On Xiaomi 13 Pro and later, disable Find Device in Mi Account before reset, otherwise the phone will require you to enter the old password.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi