How to completely clean Xiaomi of garbage: free up your phone memory without data loss

Your Xiaomi is slowing down, apps are crashing all the time, and the system says, "Not enough memory?" These are classic signs of clogged internal memory. 12 Pro+ or POCO F5 s 256 GB drive junk files, cache and remnants of remote applications can take up to 10-15 GB of precious space. This article will be about 7 Proven cleaning methods – from standard tools MIUI Up to Hidden Features for Experienced Users.

Xiaomi's smartphone features aggressive data caching to speed up work, and on the one hand, it's a plus: apps open faster. On the other, it's a minus: 3-6 For months of use, the cache grows to giant sizes, for example, com.miui.gallery can accumulate up to a few years of use. 3-5 GB of temporary files, and com.android.vending (Google Play Store) - up to 1 GB: We'll show you how to find and safely remove this ballast without breaking the system.

Important: Before cleaning, check the actual memory state. → The phone. → Memory: If you're using more than 20 percent of the total data in System Data or Other, it's time to act. MIUI 14 (like Xiaomi 13 Ultra) has added a new section called Deep Clean, but it doesn’t always deal with old garbage.

1. Built-in cleaning MIUI: What is missing and what is missing

The easiest way is to use the built-in Cleanup tool. It is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with a single device. MIUI 9 and newer, to launch:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Click on the "Cleaning" tab in the lower menu.
3. Wait for the analysis to be completed (usually 10-30 seconds).
4. Click "Clear" and confirm the action.

What removes this tool:

• 🗑️ Application cache — temporary files that are created to speed up programs, and deletion is safe, but the next time you run applications can load longer.
• 📁 Unnecessary APK-Files – residues from installed applications (for example, after updates via APKMirror).
• 🧹 Log files – system logs that accumulate over time.
• 📂 Empty folders – remain after deleting files or applications.

What is missing from the built-in cleaning:

• ❌ It does not remove duplicate photos/video (relevant to users of Google Photos or Mi Cloud).
• ❌ Does not clear the cache of system applications (for example, com.miui.home – launcher).
• ❌ Does not find large files downloaded via instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp).
• ❌ Does not delete any remaining accounts from deleted accounts (for example, after resetting your Mi Account).

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13.0.6 for Redmi Note 10 Pro, the built-in cleanup can delete files from the Download folder if they haven't opened for more than 30 days.

2. Manual cleaning of the cache of applications: which can be removed without risk

If the built-in cleaning didn't work, it's time to go to hand cleaning.

• 📱 Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) 2-3 GB cache.
• 🎮 Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty – up to 5GB per game.
• 📷 Gallery and camera – thumbnails, temporary editing files.
• 🛒 App Markets (Google Play, GetApps) – up to 1 GB of update cache.

To clear the cache of a particular application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the appropriate app (such as Instagram).
3. Press "Storage."
4. Tap "Clear Cache" (not to be confused with "Clear Data" - it will delete all settings!).

What applications can be cleaned without risk:

⚠️ Warning: Never click Clear Data for system applications (e.g. com.android.phone or com.miui.securitycenter) This may result in loss of network settings or failure of your fingerprint (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi K40) After this cleaning, it stops working. NFC.

Close all applications in multitasking

Check the space available (should be ≥1 GB)

Make a backup copy of important data

Do not clear the cache of system applications without the need-->

3. Removing Unnecessary Files: Where to Look for Garbage in Xiaomi

Even after cleaning the cache, there may be gigabytes of unnecessary files in the memory.

1. Download folder (/storage/emulated/0/Download)

This is the default for all files downloaded through the browser or messengers.

• 📄 Outdated.apk files (remains from manual application installation).
• 🎵 Music and video downloaded for later and forgotten.
• 📊 Archives (.zip,.rar) after unpacking.

2. folder DCIM/.thumbnails

It's where you can store miniatures of photos and videos. MIUI 12+ They can borrow up to 1-2 GB: You can delete them, but they'll regenerate the next time you see the gallery, so you can turn them off:

1. Open the Gallery.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → "Settings".
3. Turn off the "Create thumbnails" option (some firmware called "Preview").

3. Messenger folders

The most voracious folders:

• 📥 Telegram: /storage/emulated/0/Telegram/Telegram Images and.../Telegram Documents.
• 💬 WhatsApp: /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media (Here are all the sent/received media).
• 📧 Viber: /storage/emulated/0/Viber/media.

To clean them without losing important files:

1. Open the messenger and find the function "Clear cache" (in Telegram: Settings) → Data and memory → Clear the cache).
2. For manual cleaning, use a file manager (e.g., “Files” from Google or “Mi File Manager”).
3. Sort files by size and delete the largest ones (like videos) >100MB).

💡

V MIUI 14, the Smart Cleanup feature in the Files app is available, and it automatically finds duplicate photos, large files, and rarely used documents" → Click on the icon of the person in the upper right corner → "Settings" → "Smart cleaning".

4. Cleaning system files: hidden folders and secure commands

For power users, Xiaomi has hidden folders and system files that can only be cleaned manually, but it’s important not to overdo it here – removing the wrong files can lead to a bootloop.

Safe for cleaning folders:

• 🗃️ /data/log — Logs of the system. You can delete all the contents.
• 🗑️ /data/tombstones — Error dumps (created when applications are painted).
• 📜 /data/anr — tracing applications that are “hang-up".

To access these folders, you need root rights or ADB. If you don’t have root, use it. ADB-team:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
2. Open the command line on the PC and type:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /data/tombstones/*




rm -rf /data/anr/*

If you have root, you can use apps like "SD Maid" or "Root Cleaner. "They automatically find and delete:

• 🗑️ Empty folders.
• 🧹 Remains from Remote Applications.
• 📄 Damaged files.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 13/14 (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) folder-cleaning /data/log It can reset Wi-Fi Calling and VoLTE settings. After the procedure, restart your phone and check your mobile phone.

5. Removal of duplicates and optimization of photo/video

One of the biggest memory eaters on Xiaomi is media files, even if you're not shooting video in the video. 4K, Photo duplicates, screenshots and edit cache can take up to tens of gigabytes. Here's how to deal with it:

1.Duplicate search

Use the applications:

• 🔍 "Files by Google – Built-in Cleanup Finds Duplicates and Suggests Remove Them.
• 📊 "Duplicate Files Fixer scans by file content, not just names.
• 🖼️ "Remo Duplicate Photos Remover – Specializes in Photo and Video.

2. Photo optimization

On Xiaomi with cameras on 108 MP (e.g. Mi Mi) 11 Ultra photo in format.RAW weigh 50-80 MB to reduce their size:

• 📷 In the camera settings, disable "Save" RAW" (Camera settings → Additionally. → Photo format).
• 🖼️ Use compression via Google Photos (settings) → "Make room").
• 📱 In the gallery. MIUI Choose a photo → "More" → "Compress and send" (create a smaller copy).

3. Screenshot cleaning

Screenshots on Xiaomi are saved in the /Pictures/Screenshots. To automate their removal:

1. Install Screenshot Tile (available on Google Play).
2. In the application settings, enable "Autodelete screenshots older than 30 days".

💡

In the models with MIUI 14 (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Lite) the gallery has a feature called "Storage Analysis" that shows which photos/videos occupy the most space and offers to optimize them without loss of quality.

6. Disconnecting unnecessary system processes

Some system processes MIUI They're constantly running in the background, consuming memory and creating debris, and they can be turned off (but not removed!) to free up resources.

List of safe processes to disable:

How to turn it off:

1. Install "ADB AppControl" (available on 4PDA).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging via USB.
3. In the application, find the desired process and select “Disable” (not “Delete!”).

For PC-free shutdown:

1. Use the Package Disabler app (requires root).
2. Or enter in the terminal (for example, via Termux):

su


pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 13+ Disabling com.miui.hybrid can lead to loss of notifications from banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff.

7.Reset to factory settings: when it's the only way out

If all previous methods have failed, and the phone is still slowing down and the memory is full of "unknown files," it's time to consider a full reset. This is an extreme measure, but sometimes the only one that works.

When to do the reset:

• 📉 Free memory less than 10% of the total.
• 🐢 The phone is slowing down even after cleaning the cache.
• 🔄 Applications are constantly crashed with the error "Insufficient memory".
• 📂 In the "Memory" section in the settings, it is visible that "System Data" is occupied by >15GB.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Save important data: 📱 Contacts (export to.vcf via Google Contacts). 📷 Photo/video (copy to PC or cloud). 🔑 Passwords (use Google Smart Lock or Bitwarden). 🎮 Save games (use Google Play Games or manual backup).

Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Delete all data

"Clean it all up."

Wait until it is completed (it will take 5-15 minutes).

What to do after the discharge:

• ⚡ Don't restore all the data at once, it'll clog up the memory again.
• 🔄 Turn off automatic download of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 📴 Install Files by Google and enable regular cleaning.
• 🔒 Disable unnecessary system processes (see Section 6).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14 (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12) after reset, the Mi Account may disappear from the device. To avoid locking, before reset: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account.click on three dots in top right corner → "Exit. After reset, log in again.

💡

Xiaomi may lose licenses to some apps (such as Netflix or Disney)+). To return them, remove the application and install again from the official store.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cleanup