Where in Xiaomi is memory: deal with data storage on smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO

You have bought a new smartphone Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, But after a couple of months, you're notified, "Not enough memory," or you just want to figure out where the memory is physically and logically located in your device? This article will help you not only find all types of storage (embedded, external, cloud), but also understand how to manage them.

Smartphone manufacturers often hide technical details behind beautiful shells. MIUI — It's not like the classic "My Computer" on Windows, but it's a tricky one. We'll show you where to look for memory in the settings, how to distinguish between them. UFS 2.2 from eMMC 5.1, and why your Xiaomi 13 Pro with 256 GB only shows 230 GB of free space, and also to understand the separation of memory into system and user is the key to understanding why even after removing a photo, the space is not vacant.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced user, after reading this, you can:

• 🔍 Find all memory partitions in your smartphone through settings and file manager.
• 📊 Understand how much memory is available (and why it is less than the stated memory).
• 🗑️ Clean cache, garbage and unnecessary files without risk to the system.
• 🔧 Distinguish internal memory from external microSD card and cloud storage Mi Cloud.

1. Physical location of memory in Xiaomi smartphones

Before you dig into the settings, it’s worth understanding where the memory is physically located in your device. Xiaomi smartphones use two types of storage:

• 📱 Built-in memory (eMMC/UFS) — It's soldered to the motherboard, non-removable, but the fastest, in modern models (starting with the Redmi Note). 10 Xiaomi 11) used UFS 2.2/3.1, budgetary (e.g. Redmi) 9A) — eMMC 5.1.
• 💾 MicroSD card - removable drive, installed in the tray for SIM-Cards (hybrid slot) or a separate slot (old models) supports microSDXC format up to 1TB, but the read/write speed is lower than that of the internal memory.

Where exactly is the memory chip? 90 percent of the time, it's under the battery, soldered to the motherboard next to the processor. 12T chip UFS 3.1 is located to the left of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and in POCO X3 Pro – under a metal screen next to the module NFC. You can not independently reach it - you will need a disassembly with the risk of damage to the plumes.

What about the cloud? Mi Cloud is virtual storage, with physical data on Xiaomi servers in Singapore or Hong Kong, and it doesn't take up space on the phone, but syncs photos, contacts and notes, and you can see more about that in the cloud section.

2. How to check the total memory capacity of Xiaomi

To find out how much memory is installed in your smartphone, you do not need to disassemble the case.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tapping on Device Characteristics (or Memory in Older Versions) MIUI).
3. In the Warehouse section, you will see two lines: Internal Memory – Total Volume (e.g, 128 Available - free space (usually on the 10-15% less because of system files).

But there is a catch: manufacturers indicate volume in the decimal system (1 GB) = 1,000,000 bytes and the operating system is binary (1 GB) = 1,073,741,824 bytes. So 128GB on a box will turn into a box. ~119GB in the settings. It's not a hoax, it's a counting feature.

To see a detailed breakdown of memory by category (applications, photos, cache), go to Settings → Memory, here. MIUI will show a diagram of the distribution of space and suggest cleaning the garbage.

💡

If the settings display less memory than they should (e.g. 64GB instead of 128GB), this could mean that the smartphone has split memory into two logical drives (system and user), something that is common in some models in China.

3.Where memory is stored in the Xiaomi file manager

The easiest way to see all the memory partitions is to use the File Manager, which shows:

• 📁 Internal memory (/storage/emulated/0) — Here are your files, applications and data.
• 📁 Map. SD (/storage/XXXX-XXXX) — if it's inserted.
• 📁 System folders (hidden, for example, /data or /system) — Without root rights, you won't see them.

How to open a file manager:

1. Click on the File icon (blue label folder) on the home screen.
2. At the top of the screen, select the Device tab.
3. Here you will see all available memory sections with an indication of free space.

Notice the folders:

• 📸 DCIM — photo and video.
• 🎵 Music, Movies, Downloads – Media files and downloads.
• 🤖 Android – Application data (including cache).
• 🔄 MIUI — System shell files (themes, wallpaper, log files).

System and user memory: why a place is "disappearing"

Many users are faced with the situation: deleted all photos, cleared the cache, and no free space added, it's all about splitting memory into system and user.

The biggest "hole" is a folder /data. They're kept here:

• 📦 Application data (save games, settings messengers).
• 🗃️ Cash (can weigh tens of gigabytes in games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).
• 🔒 Encrypted files (for example, chats in Telegram with a secret mode).

To make room:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Click Deep Clean – the system will scan the unnecessary files.
3. For manual cleaning, open Settings → Annexes → [Select the application] → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Delete the app cache|Clean the Downloads folder|Transfer the photo to the cloud|Delete offline cards|Remove unused items APK-->

5.External memory: microSD cards and USB-OTG

If the internal memory is not enough, you can expand it with a microSD card or USB-storage device (through OTG-But there's some nuances:

• ⚠️ Not all Xiaomi models support microSD cards. For example, flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Mix Fold 3 are deprived of a card slot, and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a hybrid slot (or SIM, microSD).
• ⚡ Speed depends on the class of the card: Class 10/UHS-I — Minimum option for photo and music. UHS-II/A2 — Best for apps (but not all smartphones support).
• 🔄 Formatting: The card is better formatted as internal memory (via Settings) → Memory. → Map. SD → Set it up as an internal one, but then it will only work on this phone.

For connection USB-flash-drive SSD need to OTG-adapter (Type-C) → USB-A). After connecting:

1. Open the files. → USB-accumulator.
2. Copy the files as if they were a regular flash drive.
3. For safe extraction, tap on the notification USB-Driver is connected and select Disable.

💡

MicroSD Class Cards A1/A2 They allow you to install applications, but they will run slower than in internal memory.

6.Mi Cloud Cloud Storage: How It Works with Memory

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s cloud storage that is integrated into the cloud. MIUI. It does not increase the physical memory of the phone, but it does:

• 📤 Automatically reserve photos, videos and contacts.
• 🔄 Synchronize data between devices (e.g., with Xiaomi on the Internet) POCO).
• 🗃️ Free up space on your phone by leaving original files in the cloud (Storage optimization function).

How to set up Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories (photos, notes, call recordings).
3. To free up space, activate Storage Optimization in the Gallery section → Settings → Cloud gallery.

Important: free of charge is only 5 GB. For the expansion you need to buy a subscription:

• 💰 50GB — ~1$ monthly.
• 💰 200GB — ~3$ monthly.

💡

If you delete a photo from the gallery but it stays in the Mi Cloud, it can be restored within 30 days through the Recycle Bin in the cloud.

7 Hidden folders and system files: what can be deleted and what can not be deleted

V MIUI There are lots of hidden folders that take up space, but don't show up in the standard file manager:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Solid Explorer or Solid Explorer). FX File Manager).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Go to the root directory (/).

What folders can be cleaned without risk to the system:

• 🗑️ /cache — temporary update files.
• 📂 /data/log — System logs (can be deleted if there are no errors).
• 🎮 /Android/obb — game cache (deleted after reinstalling the game).

⚠️ Warning: Don't touch these folders without knowing the case:

• /system — Firmware (deletion will lead to a phone brik).
• /efs — IMEI Serial numbers (damage will make the phone a brick»).
• /data/system — user settings (deleting the phone will reset the phone).

8.Frequent memory problems in Xiaomi and their solutions

Let’s look at common mistakes and ways to correct them:

If your phone says “Not enough memory” but there’s plenty of room, check:

1. Is the section filled? /data (DiskUsage in Play Market).
2. Are there too many applications (limit — ~500 grand on some firmware).
3. Is the function of the Protected folder enabled (it duplicates files).

💡

If the memory still disappears after all the manipulations, the cause may be a virus or a file system error, check the phone with an antivirus (for example, Malwarebytes) or reset to factory settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions