How to Clean Xiaomi Phone From Garbage: 7 Proven Ways

Xiaomi smartphones are known for their performance, but over time, even the most powerful models begin to slow down, the main reason is accumulated digital garbage: app cache, remnants of deleted programs, temporary files and duplicates. According to a study by AVG Technologies, the average user loses up to 30% of free space on the device due to unnecessary data after 6 months of active use.

In this article, you will find practical cleaning methods that work on all modern models, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. We will analyze both standard MIUI tools and hidden features that are not written about in the official instructions.

1. Built-in utility "Cleanup" in MIUI: hidden opportunities

The manufacturer has put a powerful tool in the firmware that most users use inefficiently, and you can run it through Settings → About Phone → Memory → Cleanup. But few people know that there are advanced options here that you can't see at first glance.

To activate the deep scan:

• 🔍 Click on the “three dots” icon in the top right corner of the cleaning screen
• 📁 Select the item Deep cleaning (will appear after). 2-3 standard launches)
• 🔄 Enable the option to scan system files (requires confirmation)
• 🗑️ Check all categories: Application Cache, Residual Files, Large Files

The feature of MIUI 14+: the utility now analyzes not only user data, but also system log files that can take up to 1-2 GB. After cleaning, it is recommended to restart the device - this will allow the system to reassemble the cache from scratch.

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If the phone is still slowing after cleaning, check Settings → Special features → System Acceleration. You can manually turn off the animation of the interface, which will add smoothness.

2. Manual removal of the cache of applications: what can and cannot be touched

Cache is a temporary file that applications create to work quickly, but when too much of it is accumulated, it has the opposite effect. MIUI There are two types of cache:

1. Custom cache – safely removed without consequences
2. Dalvik-cache – not recommended to touch without root

To clear the cache of individual applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Select a program (for example, Facebook or TikTok)
3. Press the Warehouse → Clear the cache
4. For complete cleaning, click Delete Data (⚠️ This will reset the application settings!)

Pay special attention to these “gluttonous” applications:

• 📷 Gallery - stores miniatures of all photos (can take up to 500 MB)
• 🎵 Music – caches album covers and metadata
• 🗺️ Google Maps – saves offline maps and routes
• 💬 Telegram – downloads media files in the background

3. Cleaning system debris through Safe Mode (hidden mode)

Few people know that Xiaomi has a hidden safe mode that allows you to delete files that are not available in the usual state, which is especially useful if the phone is infected with adwar or left-handed apps that are not deleted in the standard way.

How to log in to Safe Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button and hold until the Mi logo appears
3. As soon as the logo appears, immediately press and hold the Volume Down button.
4. Keep it until the system is fully loaded (the Safe mode will appear at the bottom of the screen).

In this mode:

• 🛡️ All third-party applications are disabled (only system applications are working)
• 🗑️ You can delete “undeleteable” files through the File Manager
• 🔧 Hidden settings are available in Settings → For developers

Important detail: in Safe Mode becomes available folder /data/local/tmp, where temporary installer files are stored APK. Cleaning it up can release it to 300-800 MBT.

4. Remove duplicates and unnecessary files through MI File Manager

The standard MI File Manager not only scans folders, but also performs deep storage analysis. Storage Analysis scans the device for:

• 📄 Duplicate photos and documents
• 🎥 Large video files (over 100 MB)
• 📁 Empty folders
• 🔍 Files with the same names

How to run the analysis:

1. Open the files. → press on ⚙️ → Analysis of the vault
2. Select a Deep Scan (it will take 2-5 minutes)
3. In the results, sort files by size and remove unnecessary ones.

Professional advice: pay attention to the folders:

• DCIM/.thumbnails – Photo miniatures (can be removed)
• Download – Old downloads from the browser
• Android/obb – cache of games (can be cleared for unused games)

5. Autoboot Optimization: Why the Phone Brakes After Turning On

One of the main reasons for slow work is the automatic loading of unnecessary processes when the system starts, and in MIUI this is regulated through the hidden AutoRun menu.

How to disable unnecessary processes:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Press on. ⚙️ → Auto-start
3. Sort apps by Auto Launch Influence
4. Turn off autostart for:

• 📱 Social networks (Facebook, Instagram)
• 🎮 Games (they already consume a lot of resources)
• 🛒 Apps of stores (AliExpress, Wildberries)
• 📰 News aggregators (Yandex.Zen, Google News)

After optimizing autoboot, the phone will turn on 20-40% faster and the background battery consumption will decrease. For maximum effect, combine this with disabling notifications from unnecessary apps in Settings → Notifications.

Disable Auto-Run for 10+ Unnecessary Applications |

Clear the cache of Google Play Services|

Restart the phone to apply the changes |

Check the Battery section → Consumption in 24 hours-->

6. reset the partition cache (wipe cache partition) without loss of data

If standard methods didn’t work and the phone still does, it’s time for hardware cache cleaning, which removes temporary system files without affecting user data, and is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including POCO and Black Shark.

Instructions for MIUI 12-14:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press simultaneously Power + Volume increase for 10 seconds
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset (use volume buttons for navigation).
4. Select Wipe Cache (Do not choose Wipe Data!)
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion
6. Reboot the device via Reboot → System

This procedure takes 3-5 minutes and is completely safe.

• 🔄 The system reassembles the cache from scratch
• 🚀 Removes the “hang” of the interface
• 📉 Processor heating decreases

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Resetting the partition cache is especially effective after major MIUI updates, when the system creates many temporary files.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone still doesn't work well after this procedure, it may indicate that the system files are damaged, in which case only a full factory reset or flashing through the Mi Flash Tool will help.

7. Alternative methods: from ADB to third-party utilities

For advanced users, there are additional cleaning methods that give more control over the system.

1. Cleaning through ADB (no root)

Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "minimum size"


adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery

This will show the most “heavy” applications and clear the cache of the gallery.

2. SD Maid App (requires root)

• 🧹 Remove Remnants of Remote Applications
• 🗑️ Cleaning the database of system applications
• 🔍 Finds the "orphan" files in the /data

3. Universal Cleaner Script for TWRP

If you have a custom Recovery, you can use a script. universal_cleaner.zip, which:

• 🧹 Removing. Dalvik/ART Cache
• 🗃️ Cleaning folders. /cache and /system/priv-app
• 🔧 Optimize access rights to files

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB And custom scripts can lead to loss of warranty if the phone is warranty service.For Xiaomi models with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi) 13T) These methods require prior unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cleanup