Xiaomi phone deep cleaning: a complete guide with step-by-step instructions

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi smartphone has become slow, discharged quickly or has errors when installing applications?It may require a deep cleaning procedure that many users have heard about, but not everyone understands how it works in practice. Unlike conventional cache cleaning or deleting unnecessary files, deep cleaning affects system processes, hidden application data and even firmware fragments that accumulate and slow down the device over time.

In this article, we will go into detail about what deep cleaning is on Xiaomi, how it differs from standard optimization methods, and when it is really worth using. MIUI, What tools have been designed for this, and what risks exist if you improperly clean the system partitions (for example, deleting your Mi Account data or resetting application licenses), and we will give recommendations on how to prepare your phone for cleaning and recovery after it.

Important: Deep cleaning isn't a magic wand to speed up any smartphone.On newer models (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) It may not have a noticeable effect, whereas on devices with 3+ years of service (e.g. Redmi Note 9 or Poco) X3) The results often exceed expectations.

What is a deep cleaning and how it differs from the usual

Under deep cleaning at Xiaomi understand a set of measures aimed at removing not only user data (cache, temporary files), but also system "tails": the remains of remote applications, fragments of old updates, duplicate libraries and even incorrectly working services. MIUI. Unlike standard cleaning through settings → Memory, deep affects:

• 📁 System cache (/cache and /data/dalvik-cache) — It stores optimized data for quick application launches.
• 🔄 Remains of updates - fragments of old versions MIUI, which were not completely removed after the upgrade.
• 🧹 Discard from uninstalled applications – settings, databases, and log files that remain even after the program is deleted.
• 🔒 Hidden account data – cache of Google services, Mi Account and other system applications.

For comparison: conventional cleaning through security → Cleaning removes only surface debris (such as thumbnails or browser cache) without affecting system partitions. Deep cleaning is closer in effect to factory reset, but without losing user data (photos, contacts, messages). Some models (such as Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50) Deep cleaning can cause network settings to reset or application data to be deleted if they were not synchronized.

According to internal documentation Xiaomi, after deep cleaning on devices with MIUI 14 and newer observed:

⚠️ Note: On devices with an unlocked bootloader, deep cleaning can lead to data loss in the section /data, If no backup copy was created before the procedure through Mi PC suite TWRP. This is true for users who install custom firmware.

When you really need a deep cleaning

Don’t go deep cleaning the first time you hang your phone, but here are some specific signs that the procedure may help:

• 🐢 The smartphone noticeably slows down even after restarting, and in Settings → The phone. → The state of the system is evident that the use of CPU 60-80% without active tasks.
• 🔋 The battery sits down in 4-5 hours with normal use (social networks, instant messengers), although earlier it was enough for a day. → Battery has no obvious "energy eaters.
• 📱 Apps crash or not update, like Google Play, which has a 505 or 927 error, and the Mi App Store says "Not enough memory" when there's space.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Glitches appeared: gestures do not work, the sound in the speaker disappears or the camera gives out artifacts.
• 📂 Memory is full of no one knows what. → Memory can see 20 people are busy.+ GB, but at the same time user files (photos, videos) take only 5-7 GB.

On the other hand, there are situations where deep cleaning won’t help or even hurt:

• 🚫 There's a beta on the phone. MIUI — Cleaning can lead to a reboot cycle (bootloop).
• 🚫 The device is already stitched with custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience or LineageOS) – you need other optimization methods.
• 🚫 Problems are caused by physical wear and tear (such as a bloated battery or damaged flash memory).

Preparing your phone for deep cleaning: 5 mandatory steps

Before proceeding with the procedure, follow these steps to avoid data loss or failure:

Sync contacts and photos with Mi Cloud or Google

Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup

Write down logins/passwords from applications (for example, banking or social networks)

Check the battery charge (should be) ≥50%)

Disable two-factor authentication in Mi Account (if used)-->

Pay special attention to backup. MIUI There is a built-in tool for this: go to Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup. Select all items (including System Settings and Applications) and save the archive to MicroSD or the cloud. MIUI 13 and later, you can use the function Cloning phone via Mi PC Suite.

Also check if you have any important services attached to your phone:

• 💳 Banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) – after cleaning, it may be necessary to reactivate.
• 🎮 Gaming accounts (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile – link them to your email or social media.
• 🔑 Google Authenticator (Microsoft Authenticator) – transfer the codes to another device.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi has Find Device enabled, after deep cleaning, it can lock the phone by requiring a password from Mi Account!

Xiaomi Deep Cleaning Methods: From Simple to Complex

There are three basic deep cleaning methods, which vary in complexity and effectiveness, and we'll start with the safest one.

1. the built-in function "Deep cleaning" in MIUI

Starting with MIUI 12, a separate deep cleaning tool appeared in the firmware to find it:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7-10 times on the item Version MIUI, The message is, “You’ve become a developer".
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional → for developers.
4. Find the item Deep Memory Clean (or Storage Deep Clean in English firmware) and tap it.
5. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (it may take 10-20 minutes).

This method is the safest, but also the least effective – it cleans only part of the system debris without affecting the cache of applications and account data.

2.Clean through Recovery Mode

A more radical way is to use the standard Recovery Mode, which is suitable for devices where the built-in function is not working.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset. → Wipe Cache (cleaning the cache).
4. Then, select Wipe All Data (this will reset settings but save files to memory).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After this procedure, the phone will be like new, but all applications and their data will have to be configured again.

Manual cleaning through ADB (advanced)

If you know me, ADB (Android Debug Bridge, you can manually delete unnecessary system files:

1. Install Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Connect the phone to the computer with debugging enabled USB (Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
3. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /cache/*




pm clear com.miui.securitycenter




pm clear com.android.vending

These commands will clear temporary files, Google Play cache, and security center data MIUI. Be careful: the wrong commands can damage the system!

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On devices with MIUI 14 and newer deep cleaning through ADB If the su command doesn't work, you don't have root access, and it won't work.

What to do after deep cleaning: recovery and optimization

After the procedure, the phone can run slower for the first 1-2 days, which is normal, as the system recovers cache and optimizes applications.

• 🔄 Restart the device 2-3 times in a row – this will help stabilize the kernel.
• 📥 Update all apps via Google Play or Mi App Store.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions.
• 🛠️ Turn off unnecessary services in Settings → Annexes → Autostart control.

If some functions (such as gestures or themes) are lost after cleaning, check:

• 🎨 Topics: Go to Settings → Screen. → Topics and apply a standard theme.
• 👆 Gestures: In Settings → Screen. → Navigation panel select "Gesturals" MIUI".
• 🔔 Notifications: c Settings → Notifications enable notifications for the desired applications.

If the phone is getting too hot or discharged quickly after cleaning, the processor settings may have gone wrong.

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Performance mode.
2. Select "Balanced" or "Saving Charge".
3. Turn off Adaptive Brightness in Settings → Screen for 1-2 days.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi) K60 Pro) after deep cleaning, the screen may be miscalibrated (colors become faded). → Screen. → Color mode and select "Standard".

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make the same deep cleaning mistakes, which leads to additional problems.

It is especially dangerous to use third-party cleaning applications (e.g. CCleaner or CCleaner). SD They often delete critical files. MIUI, resulting:

• 🚨 Loss of dual application functionality (cloning of messengers).
• 🚨 Failures in the work of themes and wallpapers (themes cease to apply).
• 🚨 Errors in updating the firmware through OTA.

If you have already experienced problems after cleaning, try:

1. Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
2. Restore data from the backup (if it was made).
3. Contact the Xiaomi service center for diagnosis (if the phone is warranty).

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If banking applications (such as SberBank or Tinkoff) have stopped working after deep cleaning, remove them and reinstall them, often by removing security certificates that the applications recover when they are re-installed.

Alternatives to Deep Cleaning: When You Can Do Without It

Before you resort to radical measures, try more gentle optimization methods:

• 🧹 Cleaning the cache manually: go to Settings → Apps, select any application and click Clear Cache. Repeat for all commonly used programs.
• 🔄 Disabling background activity: in Settings → Battery → Select mode to turn on "charge savings" and limit background work for unnecessary applications.
• 📁 Removing duplicate files: Use the built-in Files app (Category) → Duplicate).
• 🔋 Battery calibration: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without using.
• 🛠️ Resetting network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

If the problem is a lack of memory, try:

1. Transfer photos and videos to MicroSD or the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
2. Remove unused applications (in Settings) → Apps sort by size).
3. Clear Downloads: Many files from the Download folder are no longer needed, but take up space.

For devices with MIUI 13 and later there is another effective method – optimization through the “Battery Laboratory":

1. Go to Settings. → Battery → Battery lab.
2. Enable the options Charging Optimization and Background Limitation.
3. Activate Deep Optimization (if available).

These measures often resolve performance issues without the risk of data loss.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions