How to Clean Memory on Xiaomi Phone: From Cache to Hidden Files

The memory clog on Xiaomi is a problem that every second user faces: the phone starts to slow down, the apps fly out, and the system gives an annoying notification: "Not enough memory." But don't rush to buy a new gadget or expand storage through the cloud! 90% of the time, it is enough to properly clean internal memory by removing unnecessary files, cache and junk data.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 proven ways to make room on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, from basic (remove duplicate photos) to advanced (clean Dalvik-cache via ADB). All methods are tested on current versions of MIUI 14/15 and do not require root rights. And if you’re afraid of losing important data, there’s a backup checklist at the end of this article.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly eats memory?

Before you clean, you need to figure out which files take up the most space. MIUI has a built-in memory analyzer, but it often hides system data. Here's how to get the full picture:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click on Memory Analysis (may be called Details in older versions).
3. Wait for the scan - the system will show the distribution by categories: Applications, Media, Files, System Data.

Typical memory eaters on Xiaomi:

• 📸 High-resolution photos and videos (especially if enabled) HDR+ or 4K).
• 🎮 Cache games (eg Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile can take 5-10 GB).
• 🗑️ Garbage files from messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp download media automatically).
• 📦 APK-Files and updates left over after application installation.
• 🔄 Duplicates and temporary files from system processes.

If the System Data section is more than 10 GB, that’s a reason to clean up (Section 5), and if the other is the main weight, it’s likely the cache or remnants of the deleted applications.

2.Removing the app cache: a quick way to free up 1–3 GB

Cache is a temporary file that apps create to speed up work, accumulate over time and can take up gigabytes. Cache cleaning does not delete important data (logins, save games), but can reset some settings (for example, Instagram will have to re-enter your account).

Method 1. Clearing the cache for individual applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or TikTok).
3. Click "Clear Cache" (not to be confused with "Clear Data"!).

Method 2. Mass cleaning of cache of all applications:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
2. Select the "Cash" tab and click "Clear".
3. Confirm the action (a password may be required).

After cleaning the cache, some applications will load longer on the first run — that's normal. If less than 500 MB is released after the procedure, then the main problem is not the cache, but in other files.

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Do not clear the cache for Google Play Services and MIUI System, as this can cause system failures.

3. Delete unnecessary files and duplicates

Photos, videos and documents often take up the lion's share of memory, and many files are duplicated or become unnecessary over time.

Step 1: Find and remove duplicate photos

• 📱 Use the built-in Gallery app: open the album, click "Management" → "The system will automatically find the duplicate images.
• 🔍 For deep scanning, install Files by Google (available in the Play Market) and it has a Cleanup tool" → "Duplicate files".

Step 2: Delete old and large files

• 📹 In the Gallery, sort the video by size: "Albums" → "Video" → "Sorting → Remove rollers over 100MB that you don't need.
• 📄 Check the Download folder – unnecessary ones often accumulate there. PDF, APK The path: Files → Internal memory. → Download.

Step 3: Optimizing Photo Storage

• ☁️ Enable autoload to the cloud (Google Photos or Mi Cloud) and delete local copies of old photos.
• 📉 Change the resolution of the photo in the camera: → Settings → Photo resolution. There's enough for everyday photos. 12 MP instead of MP 48/64/108 MPP.

4. Cleaning up garbage from messengers and social networks

Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber) and social networks (TikTok, Instagram) are the main sources of junk files, they automatically download media, cache stories and store temporary data. Here's how to fix this:

For Telegram:

1. Open the settings → Data and memory.
2. In the "Memory Use" section, click "Clear Cache".
3. Turn off Auto Download Media for mobile data and Wi-Fi.

For WhatsApp:

1. Turn off "Save Incoming Media" in the chat settings.

For TikTok and Instagram:

• 🎥 In TikTok clear the cache in Profile → Settings → Cash.
• 📸 On Instagram, delete unnecessary "Archive Stories" and clear the cache through the app's settings.

After cleaning, check the folders:

• Internal Storage → Telegram (here can lie gigabytes of undeleted files).
• Internal Storage → WhatsApp → Media (especially WhatsApp Video and WhatsApp Images subfolders).

5.Deep cleaning: removal of system debris and application residues

Even after the application is removed, Xiaomi still has its tails — folders with settings, cache and temporary files — and it creates debris in hidden partitions that are not visible through standard Explorer, and you will need special tools to clean them.

Method 1. Using MIUI Cleaner (built-in tool)

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the "Cleanup" tab.
3. Click on “Deep Clean” and select “Junk Files” and “App Remains”.
4. Confirm removal.

Method 2: Manual Removal of Residues via Files by Google

• 🔍 Install Files by Google from Play Market.
• 🗑️ Go to the "Cleaning" section" → "Unnecessary files".
• 📂 Select "Application Remains" and "Temporary Files".

Method 3: Cleaning Dalvik-cache (for advanced users)

This cache is created by the system to speed up applications, and cleaning it can improve performance, but it requires rebooting.

1. Enable Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times).


2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers.




3. Find "Clean Dalvik-cache" and click.




4. Reboot the phone.

Warning: Cleaning Dalvik-cache can take up to 5-10 minutes at the first boot after restarting.

6. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If the internal memory is filled to the limit, and you do not want to delete files - transfer them to the limit. SD-But remember, not all applications support external drives.

Transfer to SD-map:

1. Insert a memory card (UHS-I U3 class is recommended for speed).
2. Open the files. → Internal memory.
3. Select files (photos, videos, music), click "More" → "Move" and select" SD-map.

Moving to the cloud:

• ☁️ Google Photos: Enable "Backup and Sync" in the settings. Photos will be available at photos.google.com.
• 🌐 Mi Cloud: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization. 5GB is free.
• 📁 Yandex Drive or Mega: Upload files through the app and delete local copies.

Important: Some apps (such as WhatsApp) don’t work with the app. SD-Also, don't put the memory on the card. Android/data/ — It can break the apps.

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SD-class A1/A2 It speeds up applications, but it costs more. 10.

7.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If none of these methods worked, and the phone still gives you "Not enough memory," you'll have a hard reset, which will delete all the data, including apps, photos and settings, so back up first.

How to reset Xiaomi to factory settings:

1. Save important data (contacts, photos, messages) to your PC or cloud.
2. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, the phone will look like new.

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔄 Restore data from a backup (if you did it through Mi Cloud or Google Account).
• 📱 Don’t install all apps at once – do it gradually to avoid re-filling the memory.
• 🔧 Turn off auto-update apps in the Play Market.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require re-assignment of the Mi Account after reset!

8.Prevention: How to avoid memory filling in the future

To avoid having to clean your phone regularly, follow these rules:

• 📵 Turn off the download in messengers and social networks.
• 🗑️ Clean the cache once every 1-2 weeks (you can set up automatic cleaning in the next week). MIUI Cleaner).
• 📥 Delete. APK After installing applications (they remain in the Download folder).
• 🔄 Update apps selectively, not all at once.
• 📸 Use the cloud to store photos and videos.

You should also install a memory monitoring app, like Files by Google or SD Maid, which notifies when the memory is full and suggests cleaning.

Automatic cleaning in MIUI:

1. Open Security. → Cleanup.
2. Turn on Auto Clean.
3. Select "Daily" or "When locking the screen".

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with a small amount of memory (16-32 GB), avoid installing heavy games (Genshin Impact, PUBG) — They take up to 10 GB and fill up storage quickly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi