Maximum memory cleanup Xiaomi Redmi 9: from cache to system files

Xiaomi Redmi 9 — One of the most popular budget smartphones, but it is 32/64 GB of internal memory quickly clogged with garbage. Even after removing photos and apps, the free space is melting before your eyes? MIUI This article will help you to get back to the 15-20 GB of free space without resetting to factory settings.

We will analyze not only the standard methods (cleaning cache, removing duplicates), but also the hidden functions of Redmi. 9, They're not even the official instructions on how to pre-boot updates or uninstall system updates. APK-No root-rights files. All methods tested on firmware MIUI 12-14 relevant 2026 year-end.

1.Diagnostics: What exactly is taking up memory on Redmi 9?

Before you clean it, you need to know where the gigabytes went. On Redmi 9, the internal memory is divided into:

• 📁 System files (10-12 GB) — firmware, Android core, MIUI.
• 📱 Annexes (3-8 GB) — user and pre-installed programs.
• 🗃️ Cash and temporary files (1-5 GB) – residues from applications, updates, browsers.
• 📷 Media files (variable) - photos, videos, music, documents.
• 🔄 Other (up to 3 GB) – logs, dumps, backups.

To see the detailed statistics:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Slip on the graph - the system will show the distribution by category.
3. Click on any category (such as “Apps”) to see the top consumers.

⚠️ If the “Other” section is more than 2 GB – this is a sign of a malfunction MIUI Storage.Try to restart your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button). → "Safe Mode") and check the memory again. If the volume of "Other" has decreased, one of the installed applications is to blame.

2.Cache cleanup: from custom applications to system applications

Cache speeds up programs, but on Redmi 9, it often grows to gigabytes.

2.1. Cache of user applications

The safest way is through settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort by size (slip on "size").
3. Select an app (such as Facebook or Telegram) → Storage → Clear cache.

For mass cleaning:

1. Open Security. → Cleanup → Cash app.
2. Select everything (check at the top) → Clean up.

2.2. cache of system applications (without root)

System applications (MIUI Launcher, Security, Gallery, they also accumulate cache, but they can't be cleaned in the standard way. ADB:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery

List of commands for key system applications:

⚠️ After cleaning com.miui.gallery, miniatures of photos in the gallery will disappear 1-2 They'll recover automatically. Don't be afraid!

2.3 Cash Dalvik and ART (advanced)

These files are created when you install/update applications. TWRP, gives +1-3 GB:

1. Load to TWRP (clip Power + Volume Up).
2. Choose Advanced → Dalvik/ART Cache → swipe.
3. Restart the phone (the first start will take a while). 5-10 minute).

Install ADB-PC drivers|Enable debugging on USB phone-setting|Download platform-tools from Google|Connect Redmi 9 to PC in file transfer mode-->

3. Removal of unnecessary apps and junk APKs

Redmi 9 has up to 40 apps, many of which can't be removed in the standard way.

3.1. disabling embedded applications (without root)

The programs that are disabled are not running or updating, but they remain in memory. To completely remove them, you need to root or update them. ADB.

List of safe applications to disable:

• 🎵 Mi Music (com.miui.player) - full-time player.
• 📰 Mi Browser (com.android.browser) – if you use Chrome.
• 📺 Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer) - Video player.
• 📡 Mi Remote (com.duokan.phone.remotecontroller.
• 🎨 Topics (com.android.themes) – if you don’t change the design.

How to turn it off:

1. Settings → Applications → Application management.
2. Select the application → Shut down.
3. Confirm the action (the system will warn you of possible failures – ignore).

Complete removal of system-wide APK through ADB

This requires permission to debug the USB and PC: Removal commands:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

The full list of Redmi 9 teams:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete com.lbe.security.miui and com.miui.home (Launcher) – this will lead to bootloop (a looped download)!

Removal of updates to system applications

Many apps (such as Google Play Services) are updated through the Play Market and are used in the game. 2-3 It's twice as much space as their factory versions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Select an app (e.g. Google Play Services).
3. Slip three points up there. → Remove updates.

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After removing updates, disable auto-update for system applications in the Play Market: open the app → three-point → "Remove from Auto Update".

4. Cleaning media files: photos, videos and “invisible” garbage

The gallery on Redmi 9 doesn't show all files, such as screenshots from messengers or WhatsApp cache stored in separate folders and can take up gigabytes.

Search and removal of duplicates

Use the built-in MIUI function:

1. Open the gallery → Albums → Duplicates.
2. The system will automatically find repeated photos/video.
3. Select the unnecessary → Delete.

For deep cleaning, install Files by Google (the official app from Google):

• 🔍 Start the scan in the section "Cleaning".
• 📂 The application will find duplicates, blurred photos, large videos.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary things with one tap.

4.2. Cleaning up messenger folders

WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber store media files in hidden folders to find them:

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Solid Explorer).
2. Move to the /storage/emulated/0/ and find the folders: WhatsApp/Media — Photo, video, voice. Telegram/Telegram Images - chat media. Viber/media — file.

Delete unnecessary files (such as memes from chat rooms or old voice messages).

Removal of thumbnails and gallery cache

The.thumbnails folder stores thumbnails of all photos/videos and can weigh up to 1 GB.

1. Enable the display of hidden files in the file manager.
2. Move to the /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails.
3. Delete all files inside (they will be restored automatically the next time you open the gallery).

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Regularly cleaning up messenger folders can free up to 5GB of memory on Redmi 9, especially if you actively share media files.

5. Optimization of system processes and background tasks

MIUI It's known for aggressive background consumption, and turning off unnecessary processes will not only free up memory, but also prolong battery life.

5.1. Disabling autosynchronization

Synchronizing with Mi Account, Google, and other services creates temporary files to limit it:

1. Settings → Accounts and synchronization.
2. Select an account (e.g. Google) → Disable unnecessary options (Contacts, Calendar, Disk).
3. For Mi Account, turn off Theme Sync and Backup.

Restriction of background activity

Many applications continue to work after closing, and to stop:

1. Settings → Battery and performance → Battery management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook) → Limit background activity.
3. For aggressive optimization, turn on the Energy Saving mode for individual applications.

5.3. Disable the preload updates

MIUI downloads firmware updates in the background, taking up to 2 GB:

1. Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Slip three points up there. → Update settings.
3. Turn off Automatic Booting via mobile network and Auto Update.

⚠️ Note: If you have already downloaded the update but haven’t installed it, the firmware file (update.zip) lie /storage/emulated/0/Download/rom. It can be removed manually.

6. reset of the partition cache (wipe cache partition)

This method cleans temporary system files without affecting user data, and helps if the phone slows down or the memory disappears for no reason.

Instructions:

1. Turn off Redmi 9.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
3. Choose the language (English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

This procedure exempts 500 MB–1,5 GB and eliminates lagas. Do it once in a while. 2-3 month.

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If you have a long time to load after cleaning cache (5-10 It's normal. It's a system that recovers the app cache.

7. transfer data to a memory card (if there is a slot)

Redmi 9 supports microSD up to 512GB, but not all data can be transferred.

Transfer of annexes (partially)

Not all applications support the transfer to SD, But it's worth a try:

1. Settings → Applications → Application management.
2. Select the app → Warehouse → Change.
3. If the option is active, select SD-map.

7.2. Transfer of media files

Photos, videos and music can be easily moved:

1. Open Files → Categories → Images (or another category).
2. Select the files → Move it → choose SD-map.

Configure the default saving setting to SD

To save new photos/videos to the map:

1. Open the camera → Settings (cogs) → Save place.
2. Choose. SD-map.
3. Perform reset: Method 1: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Delete all data: Method 2: Recovery (Wipe & Reset) → Wipe All Data).

Do not restore the backup copy

Mi Cloud

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9 Resetting through Settings sometimes works incorrectly (remain files in the Settings) /data/data). For complete cleaning, use Recovery.

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After the first discharge 2-3 Watch for free memory — if it disappears again, the problem is in one of the system processes (repair or flashing).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Redmi memory 9