Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are famous for their clever MIUI and HyperOS shells, which take on a lot of optimization tasks. However, even the smartest system can’t completely ignore the actions of the user who actively downloads content and removes unnecessary ones. When you erase photos or documents, they often don’t disappear without a trace, but move to the buffer zone, continuing to occupy a precious place in internal memory.
Cleaning up this accumulated digital baggage is a critical procedure to keep the device running fast. If you ignore the storage filling, the phone will start to run slower and new pictures may simply stop saving. In this guide, we will detail how to clean the Xiaomi phone basket using built-in system tools and third-party utilities.
It’s worth noting that the approach to deleting data depends on the type of file: images, videos, audio, or documents can be in different parts of the file system. Understanding the folder structure will help you not only free up gigabytes, but also accidentally delete what else you might need.
Where is the basket in the Xiaomi Gallery
The largest storage of temporary data is usually the standard Gallery app, which when you delete a picture or video, it is not physically erased immediately, but moved to a special album, which is designed to protect against the accidental loss of important moments, but often leads users to forget about the existence of this folder.
To find this section, you have to open the app and go to the Albums tab, and if you scroll down to the very end, you'll see a item that might be called Deleted or Recently Deleted, and that's where the objects are stored, ready for ultimate extinction, but still occupying space.
⚠️ Note: The files in this album are stored for exactly 30 days, after which the system automatically deletes them irrevocably. If you need a place right now, it doesn't make sense to wait for this deadline to expire - you need to clean them manually.
To do a mass clean, tap the menu button (usually three dots or a magnifier icon with optional options) and select “Clean all.” This action will remove all files from the buffer forever, and you will not be able to restore them with standard means.
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Before cleaning the gallery basket completely, check the Favorites section – sometimes screenshots of documents that you accidentally deleted, but you still need them.
Cleaning the file manager and downloads
Document situation, APK-It's different with files and archives. Xiaomi's standard File Manager also has its own clipboard, which functions independently of the gallery. If you downloaded files from your browser or messengers and deleted them, they could get here.
Open the Explorer app and find the icon of the watch folder or basket icon, which is usually located at the top of the interface or in the side menu, and there are deleted documents, application installers and other “digital garbage” that often forget to clean.
- 📂 Click on the menu icon and select Recycle Bin to see the list of deleted files.
- 🗑️ Select unnecessary items with a long tap or use the “Select All” function».
- ❌ Press the delete button to finally erase data from the drive.
Special attention should be paid to the Download or Download folder. Often users download application installation files, use them once and forget to delete them. Although they do not always fall into the Explorer Recycle Bin right away, manually checking them can free up a significant amount of memory.
Hidden baskets in popular apps
Smartphones are not just callers, they are entertainment and communication centers, and apps like Telegram, Viber, TikTok, and Instagram create their own caches and folders for remote content, and they often ignore the system basket by creating their own temporary storage.
For example, Telegram has a Local Storage feature, so even if you delete a chat message, media files can stay in the app's cache. To fix this, go to Settings → Data and Memory → Memory Use and click Clear Cache. This is a secure operation that won't delete your chats, but will remove temporary files.
On social media, the situation is similar. Instagram or TikTok has a section called "Recent Deletions" in your account or profile settings, which can store deleted posts and stories for 30 days, and if you've been blogging actively or just posting a lot, this section can weigh several gigabytes.
| Annex | Positioning of the basket/cache | Storage period | Impact on memory | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telegram | Settings -> Data and memory | Indefinite (until cleaned) | High. | Clean once a week |
| Google Photo | Library -> Basket | 30 days | Average. | Check monthly |
| Viber | More -> Settings -> Memory | Indefinitely | Average. | Clearing the media cache |
| TikTok | Profile -> Settings -> Free up space | Indefinitely | High. | Clean the cache regularly |
Regularly checking these sections helps keep the system on track, and the app cache tends to grow exponentially, especially if you’re actively watching videos or sharing heavy files.
Why does the cache take up so much space?
Use of the Security App
The MIUI and HyperOS shells are pre-installed with the Security system application, a powerful tool that can find hidden debris, remnants of deleted applications, and large files that you may have forgotten deep in folders.
Launch the app and select the Cleanup tool, and the system will scan and suggest removing temporary files, app residues, and junk, a safe way to quickly optimize that won’t affect your personal photos or contacts unless you manually select the appropriate items.
This section also includes Deep Clean, which allows you to find large files that have not been used for a long time, and duplicates, which is especially useful if you often take screenshots or download the same documents several times.
- 🚀 Run the scan through the “Security” app».
- 📉 Look for the “Big Files” section to find heavy content.
- 🧹 Use the “Clean” button to remove system debris.
This tool is not to be neglected, as it knows the specifics of the Xiaomi system better than any third-party counterparts, it correctly processes system logs and temporary update files.
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The system application "Security" is the most reliable way to remove technical debris without risking damage to the operation of the operating system.
Third-party solutions for advanced users
If built-in tools aren’t enough, third-party file managers like Files by Google or Total Commander come to the rescue, providing more flexible access to the file system and allowing you to see hidden folders that a standard explorer can hide.
Apps like SD Maid (for advanced users) can find orphaned files, remnants of long-deleted programs, which can be useful if you often experiment with installing and uninstalling software, but you need to be very careful.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party cleaners with extended rights, never delete files from Android system folders (e.g, /Android/data or /system), if you're not sure about 100% This can cause the phone to malfunction.
For most users, a gallery + conductor + security bundle is enough. Third-party software should be connected only in cases where the memory is filled with incomprehensible data that is not visible by standard means.
Prevention of memory overflow
The best cleaning is the one that you don't need. To avoid the problem of space shortages, you should change your smartphone usage habits. Set up automatic uploading of photos to the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk, Mi Cloud) with the "Free space" function.
This feature automatically removes from the device those pictures and videos that have already been successfully saved in the cloud, so your local memory will always be free for new files, and the archive will be saved on the Internet, and it is also useful to clean the cache of messengers regularly, since they are the main “eaters” of the place.
☑️ Weekly cleanliness checklist
By following these simple rules, you'll extend the life of your device and keep it running at a high level even after years of use. Regular maintenance of the digital space is as important as taking care of the physical condition of the gadget.