The key to stable operation of the Xiaomi smartphone is free space in memory. When the internal drive is packed to the end, the phone begins to “brake”, the applications fly out, and the camera refuses to save photos. Especially acute is the problem with the budget models of Redmi and POCO with 32-64 GB of memory, where the MIUI system itself takes up to 10-15 GB.
In this article, 7 working ways to free up memory on a Xiaomi phone without root rights and loss of important data. We will analyze both standard MIUI tools and hidden features that are not written about in the official instructions. All methods are tested on models from Redmi Note 8 Pro (2019) to Xiaomi 14 (2026).
Important: Before you clear the memory, check how much space is occupied. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. If less than 10% of the total is free, it's time to act.
1.Cache and garbage cleanup via "Security"
The fastest way to free up 1-3 GB of memory is to remove temporary files (cache) and debris that apps accumulate. MIUI There's a built-in tool for that:
Open the Security app (the shield icon) and go to the Cleanup tab, and the system will automatically scan the device and show how much space it takes up:
- 🗑️ Unnecessary files (remains of remote applications, temporary data)
- 📁 Cache of applications (images, videos that save social networks and instant messengers)
- 🔍 Duplicate files (repeated photos, documents)
- 📥 Downloads (old) APK, archives, files from Telegram)
Click Clear, it takes 10 to 30 seconds, and after clearing the cache, some apps (like Instagram or TikTok) will load longer than usual when they first run, which is normal.
⚠️ Note: Do not clear cache for banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) and messengers with important chats (WhatsApp, Viber.
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If the Clean Up button is not active, update the Security app via Google Play. On some MIUI 13-14 firmware, it doesn't work properly without an update.
2. manually remove heavy files
Most often, memory is scorched:
- 🎥 High-resolution video (1 minute) 4K weight ~400MB)
- 📸 Photo format RAW (up to 20-30 MB each)
- 🎵 Music and podcasts (album in format) FLAC — up to 1GB)
- 🎮 Cash of games (Genshin Impact – up to 15 GB, Call of Duty Mobile – up to 5 GB)
To find and delete unnecessary files:
- Open the "Conductor" (folder icon).
- Go to the tab "Category» → «Large files».
- Sort by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner → "By size").
- View the files >100 MB and delete the unnecessary ones.
🔹 Where to look for hidden memory eaters:
| folder | What it keeps. | How to clean up |
|---|---|---|
| /DCIM/.thumbnails | Photo and video miniatures (up to 500 MB) | Delete all contents of the folder |
| /Android/data | Cache of games and applications (up to 10+ GB) | Remove folders of unnecessary games |
| /Download | Downloads from the browser and messengers | Remove old APKs, archives, documents |
| /MIUI/Backup | Backup copies of the system (up to 3-5 GB) | Remove copies older than 6 months |
Delete duplicate photos in Gallery | Clear folder.thumbnails| Remove old APKs from Downloads | Transfer video to memory card | Delete cache of unused games-->
3. App Optimization: What to Remove First
The average user installs 50 to 80 apps, but only actively uses 10 to 15. The rest take up space and waste resources.
🔍 How to identify “gluttonous” applications:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Sort by size (click on three dots → "By size").
- Remove applications that: 🚫 Not used for more than 3 months 📦 Occupying. >500 MB (Games, social networks with cache) 🔄 They have a low rating on Google Play
⚠️ Note: Do not remove Xiaomi system applications (starting with com.xiaomi. or com.miui.). MIUI. Instead, turn them off:
Settings → Applications → Select the application → Disable💡 Top.-5 Applications that can be removed without consequences:
- 🎵 Mi Music (replace with Spotify or Yandex Music)
- 📺 Mi Video (use it) VLC or MX Player)
- 📖 Mi Browser (replace with Chrome or Firefox)
- 📡 Mi Remote (if you do not use the remote for equipment)
- 🎮 Game Turbo (if you don't play mobile games)
Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG)|Social media (TikTok, Instagram)|Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|Photo/video editors (CapCut, Lightroom)|Other-->
4. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud
If you have a microSD slot on your phone, transfer photos, videos and music to it.
- Insert a memory card (we recommend a UHS-I U3 class for 4K video).
- Open Explorer → Select files → Move → Select a map.
- To automatically save new photos / videos to the map: Camera → Settings → Saving Place → Memory Map
🔹 Cloud storage for backups:
| Service | Free seat | How to use |
|---|---|---|
| Google Photo | 15GB | Automatic uploading of photos/video in original quality |
| Mi Cloud | 5GB | Backup of contacts, notes, SMS |
| Yandex Disk | 10GB | Storage of documents and archives |
| Mega | 20GB | For large archives (up to 5 GB per file) |
⚠️ Note: When using Google Photos in High Quality (not Original) Mode, video above 1080p They're going to be compressed. 4K Choose “Original Quality” but it takes up space in your 15GB.
How to transfer applications to a memory card?
5. Hidden MIUI functions for memory release
MIUI has some hidden tools that few people know about, and here are the most effective ones:
🔧 1. Cleaning "Other" Files
In the Memory section (Settings → About Phone → Memory), there is a category “Others”, which can take up to 5-10 GB.
- 📄 System logs and error dumps
- 🔧 Update files MIUI
- 📦 Remnants of Remote Applications
To clean up:
Settings → About the phone → Memory → Other → Clean🔧 Disconnection of Diagnostics MIUI»
The system constantly collects data about the use of the phone, which takes up to 1-2 GB.
Settings → About phone → All parameters → Diagnostics MIUI → Disable🔧 3. Removing old updates
Firmware files are up to 2-3 GB and stored in /cache, and can be deleted via TWRP or ADB command:
adb shell rm -rf /cache/*💡 For beginners: If you don’t know what it is ADB, skip this paragraph.
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Regular cleaning of the category "Other" in the memory settings allows you to free up to 3-5 GB without deleting personal files.
6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)
If the phone is full of failure (free <1 GB) and standard methods don’t work, it’s time for hard reset, which will delete all data, but return the phone to “clean” state.
🔄 How to do the reset correctly:
- Create a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, chats).
- Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
- Select “Erase Everything” and confirm.
- After restarting, set your phone as new.
⚠️ Note: On phones with an unlocked bootloader (for example, after firmware custom recap), the reset can lead to brick (turning into a "brick"). Before reset, make sure that the bootloader is locked (checked by the fastboot oem device-info team).
📌 What to do after a reset:
- 🔒 Don’t restore backup from Google – it will bring back garbage.
- 📱 Install only the necessary applications.
- 📸 Set up automatic upload of photos to the cloud.
7.Prevention: How to avoid filling up memory
To avoid clearing your memory every week, follow these simple rules:
📌 Monthly checklist:
Clearing the cache in Security"|Remove unused applications|Transfer photos to map/cloud|Check the download folder|Update MIUI (New versions optimize memory)-->
🔹 Camera settings to save space:
- 📸 Take a photo in HEIF instead JPEG (Save up to 50% of the space).
- 🎥 Videotape in. 1080p@30fps instead 4K (If you do not need professional quality).
- 🚫 Turn off the save. RAW-Photo (Camera settings) → Format → Off.).
🔹 Cleaning automation:
Turn on automatic cleaning in “Safety”:
Security → Settings (⚙) → Autoclean → IncludeThe system will remove cache and debris once a week without your involvement.
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If you frequently install APKs from third-party sources, use the APK Extractor app to save installed files in one place and easily delete them.