How to increase memory on Xiaomi smartphone: from cleaning to upgrade

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face a shortage of internal memory — especially on the budget models of Redmi and POCO with 32 or 64 GB of drive. the system takes up to 10-15 GB, applications grow to giant sizes, and cache and junk files eat up the remaining space. But don’t rush to buy a new phone: there are at least 5 ways to effectively increase memory on Xiaomi Android devices — from basic optimization to hardware upgrades.

In this article, we will analyze all current methods - from cleaning the system and transferring data to the SD-map before using cloud services and physical memory expansion. MIUI, And for advanced users, we'll give you instructions on how to format a memory card as an internal storage device and how to work with it. ADB.

1. Cleaning the system: remove garbage and cache

The first and easiest way to free up space is to delete temporary files, app cache, and residual data, which Xiaomi does through built-in MIUI tools, but many users neglect them.

Start with Settings → Memory, where the system automatically analyzes the space occupied and suggests optimization.

• 🧹 App cache – it can be cleaned selectively for each application or for all at once through Settings → Annexes → Delete the cache.
• 🗑️ Garbage files - residues after deleting programs, duplicate photos, temporary download files. Use the built-in cleaner (Security) → Cleanup).
• 📁 Downloads – The Download folder is often clogged with unnecessary files. Check it through any file manager (e.g. Files by Google).

For deep cleaning, we recommend using third-party utilities like SD Maid or CCleaner, which find hidden files that MIUI can skip, but be careful: do not delete files with the.db or.dat extension in the system folders - this can lead to crashes.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. Google Play Services or Google Play Services) MIUI Systems, which can disrupt your smartphone.

Data transfer to SD-map: What can be moved

If your Xiaomi supports microSD cards (such as the Redmi Note 10, POCO X3 or Mi A3), you can transfer some of the data to an external drive.

• 📱 Applications – not all programs support the transfer to SD. Even if the option is available (Settings) → Annexes → [Select an application] → Warehouse → Change the data, some of it will remain in the internal memory.
• 📷 Photo and video are the easiest way. In camera settings (Camera settings) → Select the place of preservation SD-Also transfer existing media files through the Gallery or file manager.
• 🎵 Music and documents -- you can manually transfer them through any conductor. Create your Music and Documents folders on the map for convenience.

It's important: MIUI prevents SD-The card is a complete extension of internal memory (unlike some other firmware). ADB — We will tell you about this in one of the following sections.

3. Formatting SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

For advanced users, there is a way to turn microSD into a full-fledged extension of internal memory, a method called Adoptable Storage, which works for all Xiaomi Android 6.0+ users.

• 🔒 The card will be encrypted and tied to the device – it will not be read on another smartphone or PC.
• 🐢 Speed depends on the class of the card – for comfortable work you need UHS-I (U3) higher.
• ⚠️ When you remove the card, some applications may stop working.

If you are ready for experiments, follow the instructions:

Make a backup copy of the data from the card

Use a U3 or UHS-I class card (minimum write speed of 30MB/s)

The battery should be at least 50% charged.

Connect to stable Wi-Fi (you will need to download updates)-->

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → [Your name is yours. SD-map] → Three dots (menu) → Memory settings.
3. Select Internal Memory (not "Portable Device").
4. Confirm the formatting – the process will take a few minutes.
5. Once completed, restart the device.

Now the map will be displayed as part of the internal memory, you can install apps on it and transfer data through standard Android settings, but remember: when you delete the card, all the programs installed on it will stop working!

4.Using cloud services: Mi Cloud, Google Drive and alternatives

If physical memory expansion is not possible (like on the Xiaomi 12 or Mi 11 without an SD slot), look for cloud storage. Xiaomi offers its own solution, the Mi Cloud, but there are more versatile options.

Mi Cloud offers 5GB for free, but has limitations:

Automatic synchronization only for contacts, notes and some system data.

Photos and videos are synced only through the Xiaomi Gallery (enable the option in the app settings).

The download speed depends on the Xiaomi servers (sometimes there are delays).

More flexible alternatives:

• ☁️ Google Photos – unlimited storage of compressed photos / videos (quality “High”). For original quality, 15 GB is given (together with Google Drive).
• 📁 Yandex Drive – 10 GB free, easy integration with mobile app.
• 🔗 Syncthing – Open source software for synchronizing files between cloud-free devices (needs a home server or PC).

To automate uploading media files to the cloud, use the FolderSync or Automate app, for example, you can configure the rule: “When connecting to Wi-Fi, upload new photos from the DCIM/Camera folder to Google Photos.”

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To save traffic, in the Google Photos settings, turn on the option “Only over Wi-Fi” and turn off automatic video download (if the volume is limited).

5. Application Optimization: What Eats Memory and How to Fix It

Many apps grow to giant sizes over time, such as Facebook can only take 1+GB of cache, and games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile can take up to 5-10GB.

• 🎮 Games – delete unnecessary data through Settings → Annexes → [Game] → Warehouse → Clear the data. In some games (e.g, PUBG Mobile) can be turned off the download HD-resource.
• 📱 Social media – use lightweight versions (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) or web versions via browser.
• 📺 Streaming services – on YouTube, Netflix and Twitch, clear the cache of uploaded videos. In the settings, turn off automatic content saving.

To analyze voracious apps, use DiskUsage (available on Google Play) to visualize which folders take up the most space. For example, you may find that Telegram has downloaded 3 GB of media files or WhatsApp has backed up chats for the past 2 years.

Another trick is that some MIUI system applications (such as Mi Video or Music) can be disabled if you're not using them.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unnecessary system application.
3. Click Disable (do not "Delete" - this can cause crashes).

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable system services called com.android. or com.xiaomi. unless you are sure of their purpose. MIUI.

6. Hardware extension: replacement of the drive or use of OTG

If the software methods don't work, then there are hardware solutions, which require more effort, but they have the maximum effect.

Option 1: Replace the built-in drive (power users only!).Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 8 pro POCO F1) substitute eMMC/UFS-It's a chip to a larger chip:

• 🔧 Requires disassembly of the device and soldering (risk of damage to the board).
• 💰 It's expensive, a new chip on the 128/256 GB will cost you 3-5 thousand rubles + masterwork.
• ⚠️ Cancellation of the guarantee (if it is still valid).

Option 2: Use OTG-If your Xiaomi supports the USB OTG (Most modern models, you can connect externally. SSD Or a flash drive through an adapter:

• 🖥️ Portable SSD (for example, Samsung T7) — Up to 2 TB of memory, high read/write speed.
• 🔌 USB-Type-C flash drive is a budget option, but slower SSD.

To work with OTG-Install a file manager with support OTG (for example, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer. Some applications, such as, VLC or Kodi) allows you to play media files directly from the flash drive without copying to the phone.

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Hardware memory expansion is the last resort, before you change a chip or buy one. OTG-Accumulate the drive, whether it will be cheaper to buy a new smartphone with a large amount of memory.

7.Reset to factory settings: a radical solution

If all the other methods didn't work, and the memory is still full, the last chance is a hard reset, which will delete all the data, but return the device to a "clean" state.

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) through Mi Cloud or Google Account.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After restarting, set your phone as new.

After discharge:

• ✅ Install only the necessary applications.
• ✅ Turn off automatic download of media files in messengers.
• ✅ Clean the cache regularly (once in a week) 1-2 weekdays).

Resetting helps in 90% of cases where memory disappears for no apparent reason, often due to file system errors or residual data from long-deleted applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing memory on Xiaomi