How to completely clean up your storage on Xiaomi: from cache to hidden files

Clogged storage on Xiaomi is a problem that every second user faces. Even models with 256 GB of storage after a year of active use begin to issue warnings about space shortages, not only your photos and videos, but also system debris, app cache, duplicate files and hidden MIUI data, which most people do not even know about.

In this article, we will analyze 7 proven ways to clean up memory - from basic (cache removal) to advanced (work with the computer). ADB You'll learn how to free 5-20 GB without resetting to factory settings, which files can be safely deleted and which ones should not be touched. MIUI, Which are not found on other Android smartphones.

All instructions are valid for devices on MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS) and checked on models Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5. If your smartphone is older than 2020, some menu items may be slightly different – we will warn you about this separately.

1. Storage analysis: What is taking up space on Xiaomi

Before you delete something, you have to figure out what's eating up memory. MIUI has a built-in analyzer, but it often hides some of the data. Here's how to get the whole picture:

Open Settings → Storage. Here you will see a diagram of the memory distribution by category: Apps, Images, Video, Audio, and Other. Click on any category to see details. For example, in the App section, sort the list by size so you can find the most voracious culprits.

Notice the other one, but there's a hiding place.

• 📁 Application cache (can weigh up to 10-15 GB)
• 🗑️ Temporary files (remainders after updates, system logs)
• 🔄 Duplicate (photos, documents, music)
• 📦 APK-Files (installation packages of remaining applications)

If the built-in analyzer shows that the Others are more than 5 GB, then it's time to manually clean the system. You can use third-party utilities like Files by Google or SD Maid for deep scanning, but they don't see some MIUI system folders.

2. Cleaning the cache of applications and systems

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work, and over time it grows to giant sizes, especially for instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), social networks (TikTok, Instagram), and games.

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Telegram) and click Storage.
3. Tap Clear cache (not to be confused with Clear Data button – it will delete all settings and accounts!).

Method 2: Mass cleaning

• 🧹 Go to Settings. → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🔍 Press Deep Cleanup and wait for the scan.
• ✅ Check the unneeded files (cache, temporary data, thumbnails) and tap Clear.

⚠️

Do not clear the cache of system applications like com.miui.home or com.android.systemui, this can cause malfunctions in the MIUI shell. If the launcher starts to slow down after cleaning, restart the smartphone.

After cleaning the cache, some applications can load longer than usual, which is normal, and after 1-2 days, the work stabilizes.

3. Removal of duplicates and unnecessary files

Photos, documents and music have a tendency to be duplicated — especially if you're often transferring files between devices or using cloud services. MIUI has a built-in tool for finding duplicates, but it doesn't work perfectly. Here's how to use it:

Search for duplicates through the Gallery

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Control → Duplicates.
3. The system will show groups of identical photos. Select the ones that are unnecessary and click Delete.

For a deeper scan, use Files by Google:

• 📱 Install an application from the Play Market.
• 🔍 Go to the Cleanup section and select Duplicate Files.
• 🗃️ Check the files found (sometimes duplicates differ in resolution or shooting date!).
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary copies.

⚠️

If you sync photos with Google Photos or Mi Cloud, duplicates may appear due to automatic backups. Before deleting, check if these files are only stored in the cloud (cloud icon in the Gallery).

The DCIM/.thumbnails folder stores thumbnails of all photos and videos, which can be deleted, and they are automatically restored the next time you view media files.

4. Cleanup of downloads and installation files (APK)

Downloads is a real dump of junk files.

• 📄 Documents that you have been opening for a long time (PDF, Word, Excel)
• 🎵 Music and podcasts
• 📦 APK-Files of installed (and deleted!) applications
• 🖼️ Images and Memes from Messengers

How to clean up downloads:

1. Open the File Manager (MI File Manager) application.
2. Go to the Category section → Downloads.
3. Sort the files by size or date of change.
4. Remove anything older than 3-6 months (unless it is important).

Pay special attention APK-They're left behind after you install the applications, and they can weigh 50 to 200 MB each:

1. In MI File Manager, go to Internal Memory → Download.
2. In the search bar, type.apk.
3. Delete all files except those you plan to install later.

⚠️

Attention, some. APK-files can be modified versions of applications (e.g., from the Xiaomi App Store).If you are not sure that the file is secure, check it through VirusTotal before deleting it.

5. Application optimization: what can be removed without harm

Many preinstalled MIUI applications cannot be removed by standard methods, but they can be disabled or removed via ADB. Here is a list of secure to uninstall system applications (checked at MIUI 14/15):

How to remove system applications:

You will need a computer and the enabled USB Debugging mode:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging.
2. Download ADB Tools (such as Platform Tools).
3. Enter the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer (replace com.miui.videoplayer with the desired package from the table).

⚠️

Do not delete applications with com.miui.home, com.android.settings or com.xiaomi.findevice, which will cause the system to fail!

💡

Before you massively remove system applications, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. In case of a failure, you can restore the firmware.

6.Working with hidden folders and MIUI garbage

MIUI creates many hidden folders that are not visible in a standard file manager, which store log files, update cache, backups and other garbage, and to see them, you need root access or a file manager that supports the display of hidden files (for example, Solid Explorer).

Where to look for hidden rubbish:

• 📁 /data/log — Logs of the system (can be cleared)
• 📁 /sdcard/MIUI/backup — backups
• 📁 /sdcard/Android/obb — cache of games (delete the files of games that have not run in a long time)
• 📁 /sdcard/.thumbdata — Miniatures (can be removed)

For cleaning without root rights:

1. Install Solid Explorer and enable the display of hidden files in the settings.
2. Go to the specified folders and delete everything except the current data (for example, in /obb leave files only those games that you are playing now).

⚠️

Attention, don't delete the folders. /sdcard/MIUI/extra and /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder — They contain important system files for microphone and camera operation.

The /sdcard/MIUI/Download/rom folder can weigh a few gigabytes, and it stores downloaded firmware for updates, and if you don't plan on reflashing your smartphone manually, you can clean it completely.

7 Cleaning Automation: MIUI Settings to Save Space

To avoid manually cleaning the storage every month, set up automatic optimization in MIUI:

Activate automatic cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Activate the Autoclean switch.
3. Set up a schedule (for example, once a week).

Limit cache for individual applications:

• 📱 B Settings → Select the “gluttonous” application (e.g. TikTok).
• 📊 Slip the vault. → Limit cache and set a limit (e.g. 500MB).

Move the applications to the memory card (if supported):

Not all Xiaomi models allow you to transfer applications to the SD-The card, but if yours supports it:

1. Insert a memory card (preferably UHS-I class A1/A2).
2. B Settings → Apps select the application and click Transfer to SD-map.

⚠️

Attention, porting applications to SD-The card can slow them down, especially if the card is slow. Don't tolerate system applications and messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) - they can work unstablely.

💡

Autocleaning in MIUI only removes cache and temporary files, but does not touch duplicates and APKs. For complete cleaning, use a combination of built-in tools and third-party utilities.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up storage on Xiaomi