Where memory is in Xiaomi phones: search, analysis and freeing up space

Users of Xiaomi and Redmi’s budget and mid-budget smartphones often face a shortage of free space to install new programs or save photos. A MIUI or HyperOS system can suddenly report an overflow by blocking messengers and cameras. Understanding the structure of the Android file system is the first step to solving this problem.

In this article, we will look at how to find hidden folders, clean up system debris, and transfer data to an external drive, and learn how to distinguish RAM from built-in ROM storage, which is critical for properly optimizing your device.

Incorrect deletion of files can cause malfunctions in applications, so it is important to know which directories can be touched and which ones should not be touched unless absolutely necessary.

Types of memory in smartphones Xiaomi

The first thing that an Android device owner needs to learn is the difference between the two main types of memory: RAM is used by the processor to store temporary data of running applications. It is cleared when the device is restarted. The more gigabytes there are, the more programs can run simultaneously without brakes.

Embedded memory (ROM) is a permanent storage facility that stores photos, videos, the operating system itself, and installed applications, and it is this type of memory that users often ask about, and on Xiaomi smartphones, it can be soldered on a board or presented as a separate chip.

There is also the concept of virtual memory, where a system uses a portion of the permanent storage to expand RAM, a feature available in models with MIUI 12.5 and later, activating a virtual extension can speed up the interface a little, but the wear and tear of the storage chip increases.

💡

Use the memory extension feature only if you have less than 4GB of RAM. On devices with 8GB and above, this may not give a noticeable increase in performance.

The confusion between these concepts often leads to users trying to “clean” RAM by deleting photos, which of course does not free up the necessary resources for the system to work.

How to see the occupied place in the settings

The easiest and safest way to know what exactly is taking up space in your Redmi or Poco is to use the regular tools of the system. You don't need to download third-party programs. You just go to the Settings menu and select About Phone, and this shows general information about the model, Android version and storage volume.

But the more detailed statistics are in another section: Click on Memory (or Storage) in the main settings menu, and the system will quickly analyze and show you a pie chart of the space distribution, and you'll see a breakdown by category: apps, images, video, audio, and so on.

The same menu often has a "Clean Up" button that suggests you delete temporary files, but beware: Auto-cleaning can remove the cache, which will speed up the re-launch of your favorite apps.

If you're using a HyperOS shell, the interface may be slightly different. In newer versions of the firmware, the statistics are embedded directly into the Security widget on the desktop. Clicking on the occupancy indicator immediately opens the file management menu.

Use of the "Conductor" and "Security" application

Xiaomi’s standard app Explorer is a powerful tool for manual file management. Unlike a simple folder list, it can sort data by type. Open the app and select the Files tab. Here you will see the directory structure, including the Android system folder, which is hidden from third-party applications in new versions of the OS.

The second important tool is the Security app, which contains a built-in Cleanup module, and when you start scanning, it finds remnants of deleted applications, large files and duplicates, and it's the most efficient way to quickly free up a few gigabytes without risking removing something important.

For deep analysis, use the Storage Analysis feature inside the Security app, which visually shows which folders weigh the most, and often finds that the cache of messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp takes up space, which can grow to tens of gigabytes.

⚠️ Note: When manually cleaning folders through Explorer, never delete files from system directories unless you are sure of their purpose. Deleting files with the.obb or.xml extension from application folders can cause them to fail.

Work with SD-map and external storage

Many Xiaomi models support microSD card installation, which is the perfect way to expand storage for media files, and once installed, the system will suggest using it as portable storage or as part of internal memory, and the former is the best option for most users.

To transfer photos and videos to a map, open Explorer, select the files you want, click More, and select Move. SD-This will free up precious space in the built-in drive, which is often the fastest filling.

Modern Xiaomi smartphones also support connecting flash drives via the USB Type-C port. Using the OTG adapter, you can upload archived photos to an external hard drive. The system automatically recognizes the device and opens access to files through a standard file manager.

When buying a memory card, pay attention to the speed class. To record video in 4K, you need UHS-I cards or higher, otherwise the recording may be interrupted.

Cleaning cache and deleting temporary files

App cache is temporary data that speeds up programs. For example, Instagram saves previews of images so that they load faster when you re-watch. Over time, this cache can take up gigabytes of space. You can clear it in the Apps section -> All apps. Select the desired program, click on Storage and then Clear the cache.

It is important not to confuse the Clear Cache button with the Erase Data button. The second option will completely reset the application to the factory state: you will lose logins, settings and correspondence within that particular application.

For instant messengers like Telegram and WhatsApp, it’s better to use built-in cleanup tools, and in the Telegram settings itself, there’s a “Data and Memory” section –> Memory Use – where you can safely delete the cache without losing your correspondence history.

Regularly cleaning the browser cache also helps to free up space.In Chrome or the standard MIUI browser, go into history and select to clear cookies and images in the cache.

Analysis of large files and folders

Often, forgotten files are taken up, such as old videos, uploaded files from work chats or APK installation packages. Size sorting will help you find them. In the Explorer app, go to Files and sort the list by size decrease.

And you can look at the Download folder, and that's where all the files from the Internet go, and you can often find forgotten game installers or documents that you don't need anymore, and it's safe to delete them.

It's also worth checking the DCIM ->.thumbnails folder. It's where you store thumbnails of your photos. If you deleted thousands of photos but the space didn't vacate, maybe this hidden thumbnail cache has bloated, and it can be safely removed, the system will recreate it if necessary.

💡

The heaviest files are usually found in the DCIM (camera), WhatsApp/Media (messaging) and Download (download) folders.

Virtual Memory and Cloud Services

When the physical space is over, cloud technology comes to the rescue. Google Photos allows you to store your images in the cloud, freeing up space on your device with the Free Space feature. Similarly, Xiaomi Cloud works, syncing contacts, notes and a gallery.

Using the cloud turns your phone into a terminal for accessing data that is physically stored on servers, which requires a stable Internet connection, but solves the problem of the lack of gigabytes on board the device.

Don’t forget that free space in the cloud is limited. For large amounts of data, you will have to subscribe or use third-party services such as Yandex.Disk or Dropbox, which also have Android apps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)