Where to look for memory on Xiaomi: 7 proven ways and hidden features MIUI

Are you trying to find memory information on your Xiaomi smartphone, but the standard settings only show general numbers without detail? Or do you want to know where the free space went after the last update? In this article, we will examine all possible ways, from obvious to hidden engineering methods that are not documented in the official instructions.

The memory problem is a problem for most Xiaomi users, especially when it comes to budget models with 32-64 GB of internal memory. Even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files, the system can show occupied space without explaining the reasons. In this guide, you will find not only standard paths (Settings → Memory), but also alternative methods through MIUI Hidden Settings, ADB, and even physical verification of the memory card slot.

We’ll focus on hidden memory parts that MIUI doesn’t display in the default interface, like backup space for updates or system logs that take up to 5 to 10 GB on some firmware. If you’ve ever wondered why there’s not much more free space after you reset to factory settings, the answer is here.

1. Standard path: Memory menu in MIUI settings

The most obvious way is to go into the basic settings of the smartphone. However, even here there are nuances that many people don't know about. Open Settings → About Phone → Memory (some versions of MIUI may have different paths: Settings → Storage).

• 📊 Total memory (including system partitions)
• 📁 Occupied space by category (applications, multimedia, cache, etc.)
• 🔍 Clean button – removes cache and temporary files
• ⚙️ Additional settings (on some models – transition to Storage Settings)

Important: This menu displays user memory, but not system partitions (e.g. /vendor or /recovery).If you need to see the full picture, including hidden parts, move on to the following methods.

On models with MIUI 14+, Deep Cleanup is added, which analyzes rarely used files and suggests that they be deleted, but beware: sometimes the system mistakenly marks as "unnecessary" files from messengers or downloads that may come in handy later.

2. Section "File Manager": Detailing by folder

Xiaomi's built-in File Manager provides a more detailed view of the occupied space. Open the Files app and go to the Categories tab.

• 🎵 Audio – music, podcasts, notification sounds
• 📷 Images - photos, screenshots, gifs
• 🎬 Videos - videos, movies, streams
• 📄 Documents — PDF, Word, Excel
• 📦 Archives — ZIP, RAR and other compressed files
• 🔄 Downloads – everything you downloaded through the browser

Feature: File Manager has a function called Storage Analysis (graph icon in the top right corner) that builds a diagram of occupied space and shows the largest files that can be deleted. For example, you may find that 3 GB is occupied by a forgotten movie in 4K resolution or a backup of a chat from Telegram.

Warning: Do not delete folders with names MIUI, Android or com.xiaomi are system data that your smartphone can not work properly without. DCIM/.thumbnails — It stores miniatures for the gallery, and their removal will slow down the application".

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If File Manager doesn’t show hidden folders, click on the three dots in the top right corner → Settings → turn on Show Hidden Files.

3. Engineering menu: hidden memory sections

For advanced users willing to take a chance, there is a way to see all the memory partitions, including the system partitions.

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##4636##.
2. Select Usage statistics (on some firmware - Storage information).
3. Scroll down to the Storage section – all mounted partitions (/data, /system, /cache, etc.) will be listed here.

In this menu, you'll see real volume /data (user data) and /system (firmware). For example, on the Redmi Note 10 Pro with 128 GB of storage, the /system partition can take up to 12 GB, and /vendor can take up another 1-2 GB. This data is not displayed in the standard Memory menu.

⚠️ Note: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose. Incorrect actions can lead to data loss or a device blink (complete inoperability).

For models with MIUI 13+, the engineering menu may be blocked, in which case use an alternative method via ADB (described in the next section).

4. Memory check via ADB (for power users)

If you need to get the most detailed information about memory parts, including hidden ones, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and enabling debugging mode over USB.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, open the command line and type:

adb shell


df -h

This command will list all the sections with their size, occupied space and free space, for example:

Note the /data partition, which is the user space where all your files and applications are stored. If there is not enough free space but is shown differently in the standard settings, then part of the memory is occupied by hidden system files (for example, logs or backups of updates).

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB Provide low-level access to the system. Do not delete or modify files in partitions /system, /vendor or /boot — This can make your smartphone inoperable.

5. external memory check (microSD and OTG)

If your Xiaomi supports microSD cards, check the status of the memory through the same Memory or Files menu.

• 📱 Formatting: Xiaomi suggests formatting the card as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage) or portable. In the first case, the card becomes part of the system and is encrypted, in the second – works as a removable drive.
• 🔄 Data portability: In Settings → Memory. → Map. SD You can transfer some applications to an external drive (not all programs support this function).
• ⚠️ Speed: Cheap memory cards in the lower class UHS-I (U3) They can slow down the system when used as internal memory.

To check the speed of reading / writing memory card use applications like A1 SD Bench. If the speed is below 20 MB / s, the card is not suitable for use as internal memory - this will lead to lags and freezes.

If the smartphone does not see the memory card:

1. Check the physical connection (remove and re-insert the card).
2. Format the card on a PC in the FAT32 or exFAT file system.
3. Update the firmware – in older versions of MIUI were bugs with support for microSD capacity of more than 128 GB.

1. Make sure the card is supported by Xiaomi model (max. volume)

2. check the physical condition of the contacts

3. Format in FAT32/exFAT (not NTFS!)

4. Check speed with A1 SD Bench

5. In the settings, select "Use as portable storage" (if you do not need integration)-->

6. Third-party applications for memory analysis

If standard MIUI tools don't suit you, use third-party tools that provide deeper analysis and visualization of the occupied space:

• 📊 DiskUsage – shows occupied space in the form of an interactive map.
• 🔍 Storage Analyzer – sorts files by size and type.
• 🛠️ SD Maid – Finds junk files and duplicates.
• 📈 Files by Google – a simple interface to clean.

For example, DiskUsage visualizes memory as colored blocks, where each block is a folder or file. Clicking on a large block, you will see what exactly takes up space (for example, TikTok cache or downloads from WhatsApp).

Third-party apps have the advantage of showing all files, including those that MIUI hides (such as temporary update files or logs of system applications). However, beware: some utilities require root rights, which voids the warranty and increases security risk.

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The application side may show files that MIUI hides by default (such as folders with logs or backups), but root rights will be required to delete system files, which is not secure.

7.Physical check: Memory card slot and eMMC/UF

If the software methods didn't help, there may be a hardware problem: Today's Xiaomi smartphones use two types of internal memory:

• 💾 eMMC – older technology (in budget models until 2020).
• 🚀 UFS — fast memory (in flagships and new devices).

To find out what type of memory is installed in your smartphone:

1. Install the AIDA64 or CPU-Z app.
2. Go to the "Storage" or "Memory" section.
3. Find the Memory Type line, which will specify eMMC 5.1, UFS 2.1, etc.

If your smartphone suddenly stops seeing internal memory or shows the wrong amount, it could be a sign:

• 🔌 Poor contact (for example, after a fall).
• 🔥 Memory wear (relevant to eMMC after 2-3 years of heavy use).
• 🦠 A virus that encrypts or hides files.

In such cases, only diagnostics in the service center will help. Self-repair of memory (for example, soldering a chip) is almost impossible without special equipment.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory on Xiaomi