Deep cleaning Xiaomi: how to completely remove garbage and return performance

Your Xiaomi is slowing down, warming up, or running out quickly? Most often it is the accumulated system debris, the remnants of deleted applications and overloaded cache. Even the new Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or Poco F6 models start to run slower after 6-12 months of operation due to background processes and unnecessary files. In this article, we will discuss how to conduct a deep cleanup of a Xiaomi smartphone without losing data – from standard MIUI tools to hidden functions and third-party utilities.

The main difference between deep cleaning and conventional cleaning is the removal of not only user files (photos, videos, documents), but also system temporary data that takes up space and slows down.

• 🧹 How to Clean App and System Cache Without Damage to Data
• 🗑️ Where are the gigabytes of garbage in the MIUI and how to remove them
• ⚡ Methods of Optimizing Autoboot and Background Processes
• 🔧 When to resort to resetting to factory settings (and how to do it correctly)

All methods are tested on the current versions of MIUI 14/15 and are suitable for most models: from the budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. If your smartphone runs on HyperOS (the new firmware for Xiaomi 14 and Poco X6), we will specify the nuances separately.

1. Standard MIUI cleaning tools

The manufacturer has put in MIUI a few built-in garbage cleanup utilities, enough for basic optimization, but they don't delete deep system files.

The main tool is Cleaning (Settings → Applications → Cleaning).

• 🗑️ Quick Cleanup – removes application cache, temporary files and residues from deleted programs, usually frees up 500 MB-2 GB.
• 📁 Deep Cleanup – Analyzes unnecessary files (duplicates, large videos, unused) APK). Warning: may suggest deleting files from Download folders or DCIM — check it out manually!
• 🔄 Optimization – closes the background processes, but the effect is temporary (until the next application launch).

For maximum results:

1. Run a deep cleaning and wait for the analysis to be completed.
2. In the section "Unnecessary Files" mark all items except Download and Image (if you do not want to lose personal data).
3. Click “Clean” and restart your smartphone.

Start "Cleaning" in the settings|Select “Deep cleaning"|Check the list of files before deleting|Restart the phone after cleaning-->

⚠️ Attention: Built-in utility MIUI does not delete the cache of system applications (e.g. com.miui.home or com.android.systemui) ADB-Teams (more on this below).

2. Manual cleaning of the app cache

Cache speeds up programs, but it grows to gigabytes over time, like YouTube or TikTok, which can take up 1 to 3 GB of cache, even if you don't use them very often.

To clear the cache for a specific application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or Google Play Services).
3. Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».
4. To reset completely, click “Clear Data” (delete settings and accounts!).

List of applications that most often clog memory:

For mass cleaning of the cache of all applications use ADB-team:

adb shell pm list packages -f | awk -F= '{print $2}' | xargs -I '{}' adb shell pm clear {} 2>/dev/null

⚠️ Warning: This command will reset all applications, including games and instant messengers. Use only if you're ready to reset everything!

3. System debris and application residues disposal

When programs are deleted, their folders, databases, and settings remain in memory, for example, after uninstalling WhatsApp, gigabytes of media files may remain in the /Android/media/com.whatsapp folder.

Where to look for garbage:

• 📂 folder /Android/obb/ — This is where game caches (e.g. Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) are stored..obb files can be deleted if the game is deleted.
• 📂 folder /Android/data/ — Application residues. folders with names of remote programs (e.g., com.tencent.ig for the PUBG Mobile) can be safely removed.
• 📂 folder /MIUI/backup/ — Backups of system applications. If you didn't manually backup, you can clean it up.

To access these folders:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and enable file transfer mode (MTP).
2. Use a Explorer (such as Total Commander or File Explorer) to search for folders.
3. Delete unnecessary files, but don’t touch active application folders!

To automate the process, use applications like SD Maid (requires root) or Files by Google (free, no root), which analyzes the garbage and suggests removing:

• 🗃️ Empty folders
• 📄 Duplicate files
• 🎵 Unused audio files

4. Cleaning through ADB: for advanced users

If standard methods don’t work and root access isn’t something you want, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to remove the cache of system applications that are usually blocked.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home # Launcher cleanup MIUI


adb shell pm clear com.android.systemui # Cleaning up the system interface




adb shell pm clear com.miui.securitycenter #Cleanup security center




adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files

To remove the cache of all user applications:

adb shell "su -c 'find /data/data -name 'cache' -exec rm -rf {} +'"

⚠️ Attention: Su command requires root rights. It won't work without them. ADB It can cause data loss or system failure!

💡

ADB allows you to clear the system cache, which is not available through standard settings. But before using commands, back up the data!

5. Optimization of autoboot and background processes

Many apps run when you turn on your smartphone and run in the background, consuming memory and battery power. MIUI has a built-in autoload manager, but it is hidden from the user.

How to turn off autoboot:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as AliExpress or SberBank Online).
3. Press Auto Start and turn off the slider.

List of apps that can be safely disabled from auto-start:

• 🛒 Marketplaces (AliExpress, Wildberries, Ozon)
• 📊 Social media (VK, OK, Twitter)
• 🎮 Playing games (if you don’t play daily)
• 📰 News aggregators (Yandex.News, Google News)

Use the AutoStart Manager app (requires root) or ADB-team:

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.example.app

(Replace com.example.app with the application package you want to allow for auto-run).

It is also useful to limit background activity:

1. In Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management, select “Limit background activity” for unnecessary applications.
2. Turn on Power Saving Mode for individual programs (e.g. Telegram or WhatsApp can work in the background but with limitations).

6.Reset to factory settings: when nothing helps

If the smartphone is unbearably slow and the cleanup is not working, then it will be hard reset, which will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, but will return the device to its original speed.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Save important data on your PC or in the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data”.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It may contain the same garbage.
• 📥 Install applications selectively, avoiding unnecessary ones.
• 🔋 Turn off autoboot and background activity immediately after setting up.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) After the reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account to unlock the bootloader!

💡

If the smartphone is still braking after reset, check the battery status at Settings → Battery → Battery status. A worn-out battery (capacity < 80%) can cause lags even on a clean system.

7. Additional tips to keep the system clean

To avoid bringing the smartphone to a state where deep cleaning is required, follow the simple rules:

• 📵 Remove unused applications once a month, and even lightweight programs like a flashlight or a third-party calculator can clog the system.
• 📥 Clean the Download folder once every 2 weeks. APK-Files, documents and garbage from messengers.
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI. In new versions optimize the system and close memory leaks.
• 🛡️ Use lightweight alternatives to heavy apps: YouTube Vanced instead of the official YouTube (no ad and with background playback); Telegram X instead of the standard Telegram (faster and less weight); F-Droid instead of Google Play for installing open source software.

For automatic cleaning, install MacroDroid and set up macros:

• 🤖 Cleaning cache when connecting to Wi-Fi.
• 🔋 Closing background applications at charge level below 20%.
• 🗑️ Delete files from Download older than 30 days.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi deep cleaning