With each new update to MIUI or the new HyperOS shell, the Explorer interface can change beyond recognition. Users are often lost in the maze of settings trying to find free space or the desired document. The problem is relevant, as standard icons can disappear or move to the Tools folders.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways that storage can be located on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone. We’ll look at both standard system tools and hidden directories, which are often needed for advanced users. Understanding the file structure will help you manage the space efficiently.
Incorrect cleaning or deleting system files can lead to unstable operation of the device. So it is important to clearly understand what you are deleting and where it is located. Let's understand the memory architecture of your gadget, so that you never lose important data again.
System Storage through Settings
The most reliable and secure way to (check) occupied memory is to use the built-in system analyzer, which shows not just free space, but details which applications or file types occupy the most volume, access to this section through the main settings menu.
You need to open Settings and scroll down to About Phone or Advanced Settings, depending on the firmware version, and this is where you get a general summary of how to use internal ROM and RAM.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to delete files from system folders through storage settings unless you are sure of their purpose.
In the menu that opens, you'll see a color diagram that shows apps, images, videos and system files in different colors, and if you click on any of the sectors, you'll be taken to a detailed control menu, where you can force processes to stop or clear the cache.
Application Explorer: Where to look for files
For daily use of files, users are provided with the standard File Manager application, which has pre-installed shortcuts for quick access to the main categories: images, music, documents and downloads. The application interface is divided into tabs for easy navigation.
To get to the root directory of the internal drive, you need to go to the folder tab and select the Internal Drive, which displays the entire file system that is available to the user without root rights, and the folder structure here is similar to Android standards.
- 📂 DCIM — Here are stored all photos and videos taken on the camera of the device.
- 📥 Download – the download folder, where by default files from the browser are saved.
- 📱 Android – system folder with application data (cache, logs, saves).
- 📁 MIUI — shell-specific folder with themes, screenshots and backups.
The Android/data folder is a special focus, and in modern Android versions, access to it is limited, but through Xiaomi's standard Explorer, you can still see its contents, which is a data store for specific games and programs.
☑️ Memory completion check
Hidden folders and the Android system section
Many users wonder where gigabytes of memory disappear, although there are few visual files. The answer lies in hidden folders and messenger cache. Telegram or WhatsApp can take up tens of gigabytes, storing media files in their hidden directories.
To view hidden files in Xiaomi’s standard Explorer, you need to click on the menu (three dots or stripes) and activate the Show Hidden Files switch. Files and folders starting from the dot will become visible. They are usually semi-transparent.
| Type of folder | Location. | What's inside | Can I remove it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| .thumbnails | DCIM/.thumbnails | Miniatures photo | Yes (will be created again) |
| .cache | In the application folders | Temporary data | Careful. |
| tencent | Android/data | Game data and QQ | Only specific files. |
| MIUI | Root of the system | Topics and reserves | No. |
Cleaning the.thumbnails folder can temporarily speed up the gallery if it slows down when you scrolle through, but the system will recreate those files. This is normal behavior of the Android operating system.
Why the folder Android/data idle?
Use of external SD-map
If you have a memory card slot in your Redmi or Xiaomi device, the system treats it as a separate physical storage, and when you plug in a new card, the phone will suggest formatting it, and it's important to choose the right formatting type.
You can use the card as a portable storage (for photos, music, and transferring files to other devices) or as internal memory. In the second case, the card is encrypted and works as an extension of the system drive, but ceases to be read on other devices.
- 💾 Portable media is the best choice for most users, making it easy to extract a map.
- ⚙️ Internal memory – suitable if the built-in storage is critically small (for example, 32 GB).
- 🔄 Hybrid slot – remember that in some models the slot is for SIM-2 cards are combined with microSD.
To change the default save location for the camera, go to the Camera app settings, click on the gear and select Save to SD-This will free up a significant space in the inner buffer.
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Periodically extract SD-You can connect it to your computer to back up your critical data. Flash memory has a limited write cycle life.
Cleaning up garbage and optimizing space
The MIUI shell has a built-in Security tool that includes a Cleanup feature that scans the device for residual files, cache and advertising debris, and it is recommended to run this procedure once a week.
However, automatic cleaning is not always effective against heavy messengers. You need to manually go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find Telegram or Viber and select Storage. There is a button available to Clear Cache.
⚠️ Warning: Clearing the data (not the cache!) of the application will delete all your correspondence and settings within this application.
It's also worth checking the Trash folder in the gallery and in the explorer. Deleted files are often stored there for 30 days, continuing to take up space. Recycle bin release is a quick way to get a few gigabytes.
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Regularly manually checking Downloads and Documents folders is more effective than any automatic cleaner, as you can see what you are deleting.
Frequent problems with the determination of the volume
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the amount of occupied files does not match the occupied space in the settings, this phenomenon is called “lost memory”, often the fault of deleted but not cleaned files or system logs updates.
Another reason is that the file system is different, because the files are in blocks, and if the file is 1 KB and the cluster is 4 KB, it's going to be 4 KB. On large data volumes, the difference can be several gigabytes.
If the discrepancy is too big, try making a full backup and resetting to factory settings, which will remove all system errors of garbage accumulation and return honest memory.