How to completely clean up memory on Xiaomi: from cache to system garbage

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) are known for their performance, but even they eventually start to “slow down” due to overcrowded memory. If your device gives a notification “Memory is full” or applications suddenly close, the problem lies not in “weak hardware”, but in clogged storage. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven methods of cleaning memory, from basic to advanced, which work on all models with MIUI 12-14 (including Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.).

MIUI is a feature of aggressive data caching to speed up work, but it also leads to a buildup of garbage. For example, after a year of use on 128 GB of storage, up to 20-30 GB of unnecessary files are eaten up: remnants of deleted applications, duplicate photos, Google Play Services cache and system logs. We will not advise “just delete photos” – instead, we will show how to find and delete hidden files that take up gigabytes, but do not appear in the standard manager.

1. Built-in memory cleanup in MIUI: what removes and how to use it correctly

The quickest way is to use the built-in Cleanup tool (Settings → Phone → Memory → Cleanup). However, many users make the mistake of running a blind cleanup without knowing what data will be erased.

• 🗑️ Application cache – temporary files that are created to speed up programs (for example, miniature videos on YouTube or map data in Google Maps) are safe to delete, but after cleaning the first launches of applications can be slower.
• 📁 Unnecessary APK-Files are leftovers from installed (and later deleted) applications that take from 50 MB to 1-2 GB.
• 📝 Logs and dumps are system error report files, useful only for developers, the average user does not need to.
• 🔍 Files from the Download folder are here MIUI suggests removing everything in a row, so check this folder manually before cleaning (there may be important documents there).

How to start cleaning correctly:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click "Clean" and wait for analysis (may take 1-3 minutes).
3. Uncheck the “Downloads” and “Multimedia” boxes if you do not want to lose your personal files.
4. Click “Clear” and confirm the action.

Save important files from the Download folder|Mark only unnecessary categories (cache, logs)|Close background applications to speed up the process|Check the free space before and after cleaning.-->

How much storage will be available? On average, 1GB to 5GB, depending on the model and the time of the last cleanup. On a POCO F4 with 256GB of storage after six months of use, this method frees up ~3.2GB.

💡

If memory is filling up quickly after cleaning, check apps in Settings → Applications → App Management → Storage. Often the culprits are messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and social networks (TikTok, Instagram), which cache gigabytes of content.

2 Manual cleaning of cache of individual applications: when and why it is necessary

Auto-cleaning removes the cache of all apps at once, but sometimes a point deletion is required – for example, if one application eats up too much memory. For example, Google Play Services on Xiaomi 12 Pro can accumulate up to 1-2 GB of cache, and Facebook can accumulate up to 500 MB per month.

How to clean the cache of a particular application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as Chrome or Instagram).
3. Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».
4. For complete cleaning (including login data), select “Clear all data”, but note: this will reset the application settings to factory.

When to clean the cache manually:

• 📱 The app has become often to fly out or slow down.
• 📉 Memory is filled too quickly (for example, 1-2 GB is eaten in a week).
• 🔄 After updating the application, it does not work properly.

Telegram|Instagram|TikTok|Google Play Services|Other-->

3. Delete Unnecessary Files Through File Manager: Where to Look for Garbage

The standard “Files” from Xiaomi (MIUI File Explorer hides many system folders, but you can find and delete them:

• 📂 Download folder» (/storage/emulated/0/Download) — pile up APK, PDF, archives and other files downloaded through the browser.
• 🎵 Music folder – often audio files from remote applications (for example, ringtones or music from remote applications) remain here VK).
• 📷 folder «DCIM/.thumbnails» — Photos and videos that can weigh up to 100–300 MB.
• 📦 folder «Android/obb» — This is where game data is stored (e.g. Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile may be up to 10 GB!).

How to enable the display of hidden files:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Settings”.
3. Activate the option “Show hidden files”.

Warning: Do not manually delete files from folders:

• /data is the system data (risk of MIUI failure).
• /system is firmware files.
• Android/data – save games and apps (only delete if you’re ready to lose progress).

4.Recovery Memory Cleanup: When Standard Methods Don't Help

If the smartphone gives an error “Not enough memory” even after all the cleanings, and in the menu the Warehouse shows occupied 100% of the space with empty folders, the problem may be in the system debris that is not removed in the standard ways, in which case cleaning through Recovery Mode will help.

How to go to Recovery and clear the cache:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice) then:
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Restart the device (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

💡

Cache clearing via Recovery DOES NOT delete personal data (photos, videos, contacts), but resets temporary system files. This is safe and recommended to do 1 time every 3-6 months.

What if Recovery doesn't work? If you've cleaned the cache, you're still full, try:

• 🔧 Reset your settings to factory (but it will delete all data!).
• 🛠️ Reflash your smartphone with the Mi Flash Tool (for power users).

⚠️ Note: If the Recovery menu does not include Wipe Cache, you have custom firmware installed (for example, LineageOS). → Cache, but do not touch Data or System without needing!

5.Use of third-party applications for deep cleaning

Standard MIUI tools don't always do deep cleaning, and for advanced optimization, we recommend:

How to use SD Maid for deep cleaning:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Run the analysis (CorpseFinder will find the remnants of remote applications).
3. Go to the SystemCleaner section and delete unnecessary logs.
4. In AppCleaner, clear the cache of all applications.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Clean Master often show “junk” that isn’t there to motivate users to buy a premium.

6.Memory optimization with cloud services and external drives

If you often experience memory shortages, consider expanding your memory:

• ☁️ Cloud storage: Google Photos - automatic photo upload in original quality (15 GB free). Mi Cloud - 5 GB free for Xiaomi users. Yandex Drive - 10 GB free, convenient for backups.
• 💾 MicroSD Memory Cards: Supported by hybrid slot models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+). Maximum volume - up to 1 TB (but optimally 128-256 GB). A2 or UHS-I smooth-work.
• 🔌 OTG-drives: plug-in flash drives USB-C Micro-USB (e.g. SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive) is suitable for temporary memory release (movie transfer, music transfer).

How to transfer applications to a memory card:

1. Insert microSD into your smartphone and format it as internal memory (Settings → Storage → SD Card → Format as internal).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select an app (such as Spotify) and click “Move to” SD-map».

Important: Not all applications support porting to SD. System utilities (MIUI Security, Google Play Services) remain in internal memory.

7 Prevention: How to Prevent Memory Filling in the Future

To avoid clearing your memory every week, follow these simple rules:

• 📱 Clean the cache 1 time per month (use the built-in tool) MIUI).
• 📷 Set up auto-cleaning in Google Photos: Settings → Free up space (deletes photos already uploaded to the cloud).
• 🎮 Remove heavy games you haven’t played in a while (Genshin Impact, for example) ~15GB).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI — In new versions, the work with memory is optimized (for example, in the MIUI 14 added the tool "Deep cleaning»).
• 🚫 Avoid "cleaners" like this. DU Speed Booster – They often show false threats.

How to enable automatic cleaning in MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner → “Cleaning Settings”.
3. Turn on the Auto Clean option and select frequency (e.g., Every Week).

💡

Regularly cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files prolongs the life of flash memory (especially important for budget models with eMMC memory, which wears out faster than UFS).

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi