How to effectively clean Xiaomi Redmi: from cache to hidden files

Your Xiaomi Redmi has become slow, quickly discharged or emit errors "Not enough memory"? The reason for 90% of cases lies not in the "aging" of iron, but in a clogged system. Even the new models of the Redmi Note 12 or Redmi 10 series after 6-12 months of operation begin to "suffocate" from the accumulated digital debris: remnants of deleted applications, duplicate photos, messenger cache and background MIUI processes that never stop.

In this article, we’ll look at the practical cleaning methods tested on models from Redmi 9A to Redmi K60. We’ll break down not only the standard Cleanup features in the settings, but also the hidden tools that Xiaomi has forgotten to tell about in the official instructions, you’ll learn how to delete up to 15-20 GB of unnecessary data without losing important files, as well as which apps should be removed first so that the phone stops warming and hanging.

1.Diagnosis: What exactly is stopping your Redmi?

Before you start cleaning, identify bottlenecks. MIUI has a built-in analysis tool called Security → Speed → System Diagnostics. It will show you:

• 📱 RAM Occupation – if less than 1 GB is free, the system begins to “reset” background processes, which is why applications are constantly rebooted.
• 🗃️ Memory occupancy critical: over 85%. At 90%+ Your phone may refuse to install updates.
• 🔥 Overheating – if the processor temperature exceeds 45°C in simple, background tasks or viruses are to blame.

Notice the Storage section in the settings, and you can see how much space you have:

• 🎵 Audio/Video – often there are duplicate tracks from messengers.
• 📁 System data – if there is more than 5 GB, it’s time to clean the cache MIUI.
• 🤖 Apps – Some games (like Genshin Impact) can weigh up to 10GB.

⚠️ Warning: If you see another item in the Warehouse section that is over 3GB, it is a sign of fragmented files or residues from old firmware that cannot be removed by standard means (this is discussed in the Deep Cleanup section).

Basic cleaning: what can be removed without risk

Start with safe methods that don’t require root rights or special knowledge, and these will work even for MIUI 12-14 models.

Clearing the application cache

Cash speeds up the software, but eventually it turns into digital junk to remove it.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Telegram or TikTok) and click Clear Cache.
3. For mass cleaning, use Settings → Storage → Clean (basket icon in the upper right corner).

Pay particular attention to:

• 📸 Gallery - cache of miniatures can weigh up to 1 GB.
• 🎮 Games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty can accumulate up to 2-3 GB of temporary files.
• 🌐 Chrome and Mi Browser store copies of all visited pages.

Removal of unnecessary annexes

Xiaomi likes to pre-installe software that can't be removed in the standard way, but it can be disabled:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the filter, select All Apps and sort by size.
3. Click on an unnecessary app (such as Mi Pay or Mi Video) and select Disable.

List of safe applications to disable (do not affect the operation of the system):

• 🎬 Mi Video, Mi Music – The Standard Players That No One Uses.
• 📰 Mi Browser – if you are using Chrome or Firefox.
• 💳 Mi Pay, Mi Credit – financial services that do not work in Russia.
• 🎮 Game Turbo – If you don’t play mobile games.

⚠️ Warning: Don't disable apps called com.android. or miui. at the beginning (e.g. com.android.phone!

3. Deep Cleanup: Hidden Files and System Garbage

If less than 50% of the memory is free after basic cleaning, it's time to dig deeper. MIUI has hidden folders and files that are not visible in standard Explorer.

3.1. Cleaning the folder. Android/data and Android/obb

It stores game and application data, and when you delete a game, the files often stay and take up space, and then you find them.

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open the internal memory folder → Android → data and obb.
3. Delete folders with the titles of games you deleted a long time ago (e.g. com.tencent.ig is PUBG Mobile).

Beware of deleting folders of existing applications! For example, if you play Genshin Impact, do not touch the folder com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact - this will lead to loss of progress.

3.2 Removal of duplicate photos and videos

Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, VK) automatically save media files to the gallery, creating take-ups.

• 🔍 Use Files by Google (free in Play Market) to find duplicates and suggest removing them.
• 📂 Manually check the folders: DCIM → Camera - your photos. Pictures → Telegram / WhatsApp Images – media from messengers. Download – often forgotten files lie here.

Tip: Before mass deletion, sort files by size. Often, there are videos weighing 100+MB that are easily overlooked among the duplicates.

Cleaning up the MIUI and Dalvik cache

This is an advanced method that requires caution: MIUI cache accumulates after updates and can take up to 1-2 GB.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the item Clear the Dalvik/ART cache and confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: After this operation, the phone will restart and the first turn on can take up to 5 minutes!

4. Optimization of autoboot and background processes

One reason for the brakes is apps that start when you turn on your phone and run in the background, like Facebook or AliExpress, which can consume up to 30 percent of your battery power a day just for background tasks.

Disconnecting the autoload

To prevent applications from running automatically:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Instagram) and click AutoRun.
3. Turn off the slider.

List of apps that can be safely disabled from autoboot:

• 📱 Social media: Facebook, VK, TikTok.
• 🛒 Marketplaces: AliExpress, Wildberries, Ozon.
• 📰 News applications: Yandex.News, Google News.

Limitation of background activity

Even if the application doesn't start automatically, it can run in the background.

1. In the same application management menu, select Battery → Background activity.
2. Set a limit to limit or strictly limit.

For example, after the restriction, Facebook will stop draining the battery to the background sync, and notifications will come with a delay of 10-15 minutes (but this is better than constant brakes!).

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If notifications from messengers have stopped coming after limiting background activity, add them to the exceptions in the battery settings (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All applications).

5. Cleaning through ADB: for advanced users

If you’re willing to go further than standard settings, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) will help remove system debris that isn’t available through the interface, a method that’s suitable for Redmi models on MIUI 11–14.

5.1 Preparation for work with ADB

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Google's Platform Tools (you can download it here).

Steps:

1. Unpack Platform Tools in a folder on your PC.
2. On your phone, activate Developer Mode (as in Section 3.3) and enable Debugging over USB.
3. Connect Redmi to your PC and in the folder with Platform Tools, start the command line (Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here).

Cleaning commands

Enter the following commands in turn (click Enter after each command):

adb shell


pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Cleaning the built-in cleaner (it accumulates garbage itself)




pm clear com.android.providers.media # Cleaning up media cache




pm trim-caches 500M # Limiting the cache of all applications to 500MB

To remove the remnants of old updates (only if you have enough space!):

adb shell


rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause a system failure. Don't delete files in folders. /system or /vendor — It'll lead to a phone blink!

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Cleaning through ADB allows you to remove up to 3-5 GB of hidden debris, but you need to be careful.

6. Alternative methods: when nothing helps

If after all the manipulations the phone still brakes, consider radical measures.

Reset to factory settings

This is the last resort that will delete all the data from the phone.

• 📤 Make a backup copy through Settings → The phone. → Backup or Mi Cloud Backup.
• 📝 Write down logins/passwords from accounts (they will not be saved in backup).
• 🔌 Charge your phone at least 50%.

To perform the discharge:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Delete all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (can take up to 10 minutes).

Installation of custom firmware

If you're firmware savvy, you can install custom MIUI (e.g. Xiaomi.eu) or AOSP (e.g. LineageOS).

• 🚀 No pre-installed garbage from Xiaomi.
• 🔄 Regular security updates.
• 🎛️ More settings to optimize.

Cons:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the phone is under warranty).
• 🔧 Installation difficulty (needs unlocked loader).
• 📱 Possible bugs (e.g., non-functioning) NFC camera).

For firmware instructions, look for 4PDA or XDA Developers forums (specify the exact phone model!).

7.How to keep Redmi clean: prevention

To avoid bringing your phone to the state of “digital landfill”, follow the simple rules:

• 🗓️ Once a month, clean the cache through Settings. → Warehouse → Clean up.
• 📥 Disable autoload media in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI — In new versions optimized work with memory.
• 🚫 Don't install cleaners from the Play Market (like Clean Master or CCleaner) and they themselves become a source of garbage.

Useful applications for automatic cleaning:

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Set up Google Photos to automatically delete backups from your phone after uploading to the cloud, making room for new photos without losing old ones.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Xiaomi Redmi