How to add memory to Xiaomi phone: a complete guide to expanding storage

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face annoying notifications of a lack of space: MIUI or HyperOS operating system starts to run slower, new apps are not installed, and the camera refuses to shoot high-resolution video, because the built-in drive is full of temporary files, messenger cache and system logs that accumulate during operation.

There is a possibility that physically increasing the volume of the embedded memory chip is impossible without soldering, which is technically true for the average user. However, software methods can free up gigabytes of space that actually eat up unnecessary data. The most effective way in 2026-2026 is to combine deep cleaning of the system cache and competent redistribution of media files to external media or to the cloud. In this article, we will examine all the proven methods, from embedded utilities to advanced settings for developers.

Before we start taking drastic measures, we need to understand the structure of (occupied) space. Android divides memory into system partition, user partition and reserved area. Often users do not even realize that the download folder or browser cache can take up to 10-15 GB of space. Proper diagnosis is the first step to solving the problem.

Analysis of occupied space and search for hidden files

The first thing you need to do is use the built-in analyzer that you already have in the MIUI shell, which allows you to visually see which file categories occupy the most space. Go to Settings → Storage to see a detailed breakdown. The system will show the volume occupied by applications, images, videos and system files.

Often, the bulk of the volume is eaten by the Other or System Files folder, which can be deleted program residues, error logs, or temporary update files. For deeper analysis, you can use third-party utilities such as DiskUsage or Files by Google, which build a memory card in rectangles, where the block size corresponds to the file size.

Pay attention to the folders of messengers. Telegram and WhatsApp by default save all the photos and videos you viewed in the memory of the device. If you are in dozens of channels and chats, these applications can be invisible 20-30 GB. In the settings of each messenger there is a section “Data and memory”, where you can clear the cache of media files without losing correspondence.

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Use the Cleanup feature in the standard Security app regularly, but always check the file list before you delete so you don’t accidentally erase important documents.

It is important to distinguish between “delete” and “clean cache.” Delete an application erases all its data, including logins and saves, whereas clearing the cache deletes only temporary files, speeding up the program.

Use of built-in MIUI and HyperOS optimization tools

Xiaomi’s shells have powerful built-in memory management tools. The Security app contains a Cleanup module that scans the device for junk files. Run the scan and wait until the process is complete. The system will prompt you to delete the cache, advertising files and remnants of remote applications.

Newer firmware versions have introduced Memory Extension, which allows you to use a portion of the built-in drive (typically 2 to 8 GB) as virtual RAM (RAM), although this does not increase the storage capacity for photos and videos, it helps the phone run faster when RAM is scarce, which indirectly affects overall system performance.

To access the memory extension, go to Settings → About Phone → Memory Expansion. Here you will see a slider that can adjust the amount of space allocated. After changing the settings, you will need to reboot the device. It is worth noting that on very old models with slow flash memory, this feature may not give a noticeable increase in speed.

Also in the storage settings is Deep Clean, which analyzes duplicate photos, rarely used apps, and large files. Be careful: the algorithm may mistakenly mark important but rare files as unnecessary. Always double-check the list before confirming deletion.

Work with SD-map: formatting and transferring data

If your smartphone has a microSD card slot, this is the easiest way to add physical storage space. Modern UHS-I or UHS-II cards provide enough speed to record 4K video and install heavy games. However, for the system to work steadily, the card must be formatted correctly.

When you first install it, Xiaomi will offer two options for using the drive: as a portable storage device or as internal memory. The Adoptable Storage option encrypts the card and makes it part of the system partition. After that, you can install applications on it, but the card will no longer be read on other devices without formatting.

For formatting, go to Settings → Warehouse → SD-map → Storage settings → Format.

⚠️ Note: Formatting completely destroys all data on the map. Be sure to back up important files to your computer or the cloud before starting the procedure.

After setting up, it is recommended to transfer all heavy media files to an external medium. In the Xiaomi gallery, you can configure automatic saving of new photos and videos immediately to the external media. SD-To do this, go to the camera settings and select "Save to" SD-map».

Cleaning the cache of applications and system debris

Social media and browsers generate the most trash. Instagram, TikTok and YouTube cache video previews to make them load faster when re-watched. Over time, this cache can grow to gigabytes. You can clean it up through the application management menu: Settings → Apps → All Apps → [Select App] → Memory → Clear the cache.

There is also a hidden partition of the system cache that is cleared through Recovery mode. To enter it, turn off your phone and press the Up + Power button combination (on some models you need to hold both buttons until the logo appears, then select the language). From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe Cache. Do not confuse with Wipe All Data, as this will lead to a complete reset of the phone.

For browsers, the situation is similar. In Chrome or MI Browser, go to the settings and find History or Privacy. Clear cookies and cached images. This will solve problems with incorrect display of sites and free up space.

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Regular cleaning of the cache of messengers and social networks can free up to 5-10 GB of space monthly without losing personal correspondence.

If you use streaming services like Spotify, Yandex.Music or Netflix, check your download quality settings. Often apps download music and video to the highest quality, taking up space even when you don't notice it. Limit the cache size in the app settings, if that feature is available.

Cloud storage as an alternative to physical expansion

When physical memory is exhausted, cloud technologies come to the rescue: Google Photos, Yandex.Disk, Mi Cloud allow you to store unlimited (or very large) amounts of data on remote servers, which in fact adds to the phone’s “infinite” memory, available at any time with the Internet.

The most convenient feature is the “Free space” feature in Google Photos. Once your photos are synced with the cloud (the cloud icon appears), the application will prompt you to delete local copies from the device. The photos will remain in the gallery, but will take 0 bytes on the phone, downloading only when you view.

Mi Cloud is deeply integrated into Xiaomi’s system, automatically synchronizing contacts, notes, voice recorders and screenshots, and in the cloud settings, you can optimise the storage of a gallery that works on the principle of Google Photos, and the tariff plans allow you to expand the volume to 2 TB for a nominal fee.

⚠️ Note: When using cloud storage, keep your privacy in mind. Do not keep passport scans, bank cards, or other sensitive data in the public domain without additional password protection or encryption.

It's convenient to use Google Drive or Dropbox to work with documents. Many office applications allow you to open files directly from the cloud without downloading them entirely to your phone's memory, especially for heavy presentations and video archives.

Radical measures: resetting and reflashing

If the software methods don't work and the system keeps writing "Not enough memory," it's possible that the file system is damaged or the drive has degraded, in which case a full factory reset helps. Be sure to make a full backup of all the data before that.

Reset is done via Settings menu → About Phone → Reset → Erase all data. The phone will return to the “out of the box” state, which ensures that all software debris, hidden files and erroneous configurations are deleted. After reset, memory will be free by 95-98%.

For advanced users, there is a possibility of installing custom recapverys (for example, TWRP) You can also clean the Dalvik Cache and Cache partitions manually. ADB-commands to remove system applications that are not removed in the standard way. -k --user 0 name.package allows you to hide system debris, freeing up space.

However, if after resetting and clean installation of the system, the amount of available memory is suspiciously small (for example, a 64 GB nan is available only 30 GB), this may indicate a physical malfunction of the memory controller or the end of the NAND cell rewrite resource.

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A full factory reset is a “nuclear option” that solves 99% of software memory problems, but takes time to reset the phone.

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