How to completely clean up memory on Xiaomi phone: from cache to hidden files

Clogged memory is the main reason for the brakes on Xiaomi smartphones, even if you have a flagship model like Xiaomi 14 Ultra or a budget Redmi Note 12. The manufacturer installs a MIUI shell on the devices, which actively caches data, creates backups and accumulates system debris, as a result, after 6-12 months of use, free space melts before your eyes, and the phone begins to stutter when you open applications.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven methods of cleaning memory – from basic (deleting cache and unnecessary files) to advanced (working with hidden folders and optimizing MIUI). All methods are tested on current versions of firmware (including MIUI 14/15) and are suitable for most models of the brand.

⚠️ Important: Before mass memory cleanup, back up through Settings → The phone. → Backup. It takes 5-10 minutes, but it will prevent the accidental deletion of important files.

If your phone is already signaling a memory shortage (the Warehouse is almost full notification), start with the first three ways, which give quick results without risks. For deep cleaning, go to the hidden files and MIUI optimization sections.

1. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work, which over time takes up gigabytes of memory, although they can be safely deleted. At Xiaomi, cache is divided into two types:

• 📱 App cache – data from individual programs (for example, maps in Google Maps or thumbnails in Instagram).
• 🖥️ System cache - shell files MIUI, which accumulate after updates.

To clear the cache of a separate application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a program (such as Telegram or TikTok).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For mass cleaning of all applications, use the built-in tool:

1. Open Security → Cleaning (Brush icon).
2. Press Deep Cleanse → Cash.
3. Confirm the action – the system will delete up to 3-5 GB of unnecessary files (depending on the number of installed applications).

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse “Clear Cache” with “Clean Data”! The second action will delete all the application settings (e.g. logins in the app). VK play-through).

2. Removal of duplicates and unnecessary files

Photos, videos and documents are often duplicated, such as when sending over messengers or backing up, and Xiaomi has a built-in tool to find such files:

1. Open the Files app (Folder icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab → Duplicates.
3. The system will scan the storage and show groups of identical files. Select the ones you don't need and click Delete.

For deeper cleaning, use third-party utilities:

• 📸 Files by Google – Finds not only duplicates, but also blurry photos, screenshots and old memes.
• 🗑️ CCleaner – analyzes garbage in Download folders, DCIM WhatsApp.
• 🔍 SD Maid is an advanced tool for finding “orphan” files (remaining after deleting applications).

Pay special attention to the folders:

• /storage/emulated/0/Download – here loads from browsers and instant messengers accumulate.
• /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails are thumbnails of photos that can be easily deleted.
• /storage/emulated/0/Android/data – cache of games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact can weigh 10+ GB).

Outdated. APK-file in the Download folder|Screenshots over 3 months old|Cash messengers (Viber, Telegram)|Files from the.thumbnails folder|Backup copies of games (if you are not playing)-->

3.Storage optimization through MIUI Storage

Xiaomi has a hidden MIUI Storage feature that shows detailed memory usage statistics and offers optimization.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 5 times in a row on the MIUI version line (you will be notified “You became a developer”).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → Special features → MIUI Storage.

Here you'll see:

• 📊 Diagram of occupied space by category (applications, multimedia, system).
• 🗃️ List of large files (video, games, archives).
• 🔄 Possibility of data transfer to SD-card (if supported).

In the Recommendations section, the system will propose:

• 🧹 Remove unused applications (those you haven’t used) >30 days).
• 📂 Archive old photos in Google Photos.
• 🔄 Optimize the database MIUI (speed up the phone).

⚠️ Attention: if in MIUI Storage is displayed as a category "System" in volume >15GB, don't try to clean it manually. This can cause malfunctions. Instead, do a cache reset via Recovery (section 5).

4. Clean up MIUI folders and hidden files

The MIUI shell creates many hidden folders that are not visible in a standard Explorer. Use a root file manager (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) to view them and enable the display of hidden files.

Where to look for garbage:

For removal:

1. Open a file manager with root access.
2. Go to /data and find the folders listed.
3. Delete the contents, but not the folders themselves (the system needs them).

Alternative way without root: use it ADB-Connect the phone to the PC, turn on the debugging. USB and do it:

adb shell pm trim-caches 256m

This command will clear the cache of all applications, limiting it to 256 MB.

5.Cache reset via Recovery Mode

If the phone is slowing down a lot and standard methods don't help, do a cache reset via Recovery Mode.This won't delete your data, but will clear system files that may be causing lags.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-3 minutes).
5. Reboot your phone (Reboot → System)

This method is especially effective after MIUI updates, when the system backs up old files, for example, after upgrading from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14, up to 2-3 GB of debris can remain in the cache.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! second option will completely reset the phone to factory settings.

💡

If the phone still brakes after the cache is reset, check the CPU load in Settings → About Phone → System Status. It may be the fault of a particular application (such as Facebook or TikTok) that loads the processor in the background.

Transfer of data to SD-map

If your internal memory is full and you don’t want to delete your files, you can transfer them to an external drive or to the cloud.

Method 1: SD-map

• 📁 MicroSD cards are supported (up to 1 TB).
• 🔄 B Settings → Warehouse → Data portability can move photos, videos and some applications.
• ⚠️ Not all models support Adoptable Storage (when you are in the Adoptable Storage) SD-The card becomes part of the internal memory. Check the characteristics of your phone.

Method 2: Cloud services

• 📷 Google Photos – Automatic upload of photos and videos in original quality (15 GB free).
• 📄 Mi Cloud – built-in cloud from Xiaomi (5 GB for free, tied to your Mi Account).
• 🔗 Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud – 10-20 GB for Russian users.

To enable automatic sync with Google Photos:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Open Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
3. Enable the option of Download and synchronization.
4. Choose the quality (original or high).

💡

Transfer of data to SD-If the card is used as an external drive (not an Adoptable Storage), the applications will still run from slow internal memory.

7. Removal of system applications (for advanced)

Xiaomi has a lot of unnecessary apps (Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video, etc.) that take up space and run in the background, and can be removed, but it requires root access or ADB.

Method 1: Through ADB (without root)

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging.
2. Open the command line and type: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser (replace com.miui.browser with the desired application package).

Method 2: Using Magisk (with root)

• Install Debloater for Magisk.
• In the list, mark the unnecessary applications (for example, Mi Pay, Mi Community).
• Reboot the phone.

List of safe packet removal:

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete system packages like com.miui.home or com.android.settings!

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up memory