How to completely clean up storage on Xiaomi: from cache to factory settings

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI or HyperOS often face the problem of memory shortage, even if you do not install many applications. The system creates gigabytes of temporary files, duplicate photos are stored in the cloud and on the device, and the cache of applications is inflated to incredible sizes, as a result, you see a notification “Memory is almost full”, although in fact, useful information on the phone is only 10-15 GB.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible ways to clean storage, from basic (hand-dispose of garbage) to radical (reset to factory settings). Each method is tested on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13T models with the latest firmware, you'll learn how to find hidden files, which data can be safely deleted and which should not be touched, so as not to break the system. We've compiled a table comparing the effectiveness of each method so you can choose the best option for your situation.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly eats memory?

Before you clean up the storage, you need to understand which files are taking up space. MIUI and HyperOS have a built-in memory analyzer, but it often shows data inaccurately. For example, it can indicate that the System takes 20 GB, when in fact it is a cache of updates and temporary files.

To get a detailed report:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click on “Memory Analysis” (in some firmware, the button is called “Details”).
3. Wait for the scan to be completed (may take 1-2 minutes).

The system will show the distribution of memory by category: Pay attention to the item "Other" - this is often where unnecessary files are hidden (logs, memory dumps, remnants of remote applications).

If this partition takes up more than 5 GB, it must be cleaned manually (more on this in the next section).

2. Clear cache and temporary files without root rights

The easiest way to free up 1-3GB of storage is to delete the app cache and system temporary files.This won’t delete your data (photos, messages, passwords), but it can speed up your phone.

Methods of cleaning the cache:

• 📱 Through Settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → select the application → «To clear the cache, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Clear the cache of all applications».
• 🧹 Through the built-in cleaner: Safety → Cleanup → Deep cleaning. You can delete cache, residual files, and even optimize autoboot.
• 🔍 Manually clean Download folder: Open the file manager (Mi File Manager or Files by Google) and delete unnecessary files from the Download folder (often there accumulate outdated files). APK, documents and archives).

⚠️ Note: Do not cache system applications like com.android.systemui or com.miui.home, which can cause interface failures. Also do not delete the Android folder in the root of the storage: it stores application data (for example, saving games).

Outdated. APK-file in the Download folder

Cash of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

DCIM/.thumbnails folder (miniature photo)

Error logs in the folder /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log

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3. Removal of duplicate photos and videos

Xiaomi smartphones automatically create duplicate media files in several cases:

• 📸 When editing photos in the Xiaomi Gallery (the original is saved) + edited).
• ☁️ Synced with Mi Cloud (files can be duplicated in Camera and Mi Cloud folders).
• 🤖 When using third-party cameras (e.g., GCam saves the pictures to a separate folder).

To find and remove duplicates:

1. Open the Gallery → Click on three dots → “Manage” → “Dublicates”.
2. The system will show pairs of identical files, so you can manually delete duplicates or click "Delete all."
3. For deep cleaning, use applications like Files by Google (the Cleanup tab → File Duplicates tab).

⚠️ Note: Before mass deletion, check if the duplicates are different versions of the same photo (for example, the original and the edited version). DCIM/.thumbnails manually – it will recover automatically, but this can slow down the gallery.

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If you use Google Photos, turn on the Free Space feature in the app settings, which will automatically delete local copies of photos that are already uploaded to the cloud (but only if you have enough space in Google Drive!).

4. Data Cleaning Applications: What Can Be Deleted Without Repercussions?

Many apps store gigabytes of unnecessary data: uploaded videos to TikTok, a map cache to Google Maps, offline music to Spotify, files that can be deleted without damaging the software.

Table safe for data cleaning:

For applications that don’t have a built-in cleanup feature (like games), use Settings → Apps → Application Management → [app name] → Memory → Clear data. But be careful: this will remove all settings and saves (like progress in games).

5. Hidden files and folders: where to look for garbage?

Xiaomi has hidden folders in its storage that don’t appear in a standard file manager, but can take up gigabytes of space.

• 📁 folder.MIUI: It contains system logs, error dumps and temporary update files. debug_log Update (if there is no active update).
• 📁 folder Android/data: This is where the application data is stored. Only remote folders can be deleted (for example, if you have uninstalled the game long ago, but its files remain).
• 📁 folder MIUI/Extra: It contains backups of themes and wallpapers, and you can delete anything except the current theme.
• 📁 folder Download/rom: If you've ever downloaded firmware for manual installation, there may be heavy ones here. ZIP-file-weight 2-4 GB).

To see the hidden files:

1. Open Mi File Manager (or any other file manager, such as Solid Explorer).
2. Click on three dots → “Settings” → turn on “Show hidden files”.
3. Go to the root directory (/sdcard/) and manually check the specified folders.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files with the.db (database) extension or folders Android/obb (It stores additional game data, and don't touch the files in the game. /system or /vendor — This can cause the system to fail.

6. Radical methods: reset to factory settings

If none of the previous methods worked, and the phone still shows “Memory is full” (although you deleted all unnecessary files), the last option is hard reset, which will delete all data on the device, including:

• 📱 Applications and their settings
• 📷 Photos, videos, music (unless synced to the cloud)
• 🔑 Accounts and passwords (except those linked to Google or Mi Account)
• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, allowed notifications)

How to reset:

1. Back up important data (via Settings → Additional → Backup or manually copy files to your PC).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Delete all data.
3. Enter your password (if required) and confirm the reset.
4. After the reboot, the phone will be like new – you’ll need to reconfigure it.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi Note 10) after reset, you may need to re-activate the Mi Account to unlock the bootloader.If you forget the password from the Xiaomi account, the phone may be locked!

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to remove system debris that is not visible to the user (for example, corrupted update files or firmware residues).

7.How to prevent the memory from being filled in the future?

To avoid memory loss once a month, set your phone up correctly:

• ☁️ Automatic upload to the cloud: Enable photo and video sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud (but make sure you don’t duplicate files locally).
• 🚫 Cache Limitation: In Settings → Annexes → Application management for each application can be set a cache limit (for example, for Telegram – no more than 500 MB).
• 📵 Disable auto download: In messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) turn off automatic download of media files in the mobile network.
• 🗑️ Regular cleaning: Install the app SD Maid or Files by Google for weekly trash scanning.

Also avoid:

• 🎮 Installing heavy games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) on internal memory – it is better to use a memory card (if supported).
• 📥 Downloading large files (movies, ISO-Images) directly to your phone – use cloud services or external drives.
• 🔄 Frequently changing firmware through MIUI bootloader – each time there are temporary files weighing 1-2 GB.

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The best balance is to keep free. 10-15% internal memory, if less free 5%, The phone starts to brake, and the system creates even more garbage when working.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Xiaomi's storage