How to clean Xiaomi of garbage and free up memory

Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their performance and functionality of the MIUI shell, but over time, even the most powerful devices start to work slower. The main reason for the slowdown is the overflow of internal memory with system debris, residual files of remote applications and bloated cache. Users often notice that free space disappears on its own, and the interface begins to slow down even with simple actions.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the proven methods that will help return your gadget to its original speed. You will learn how to safely delete unnecessary data without damaging important documents or system settings. Regular cleaning is the key to stable operation of the Android operating system and extend the life of your device.

Not to ignore reports of space shortages, as a crowded drive can lead to application errors and inability to update the system. We have prepared a step-by-step guide covering both built-in tools and third-party deep cleaning solutions.

Use of the built-in Security application

The easiest and safest way to start cleaning is to use the standard app preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones, which is integrated into the system at a deep level, allowing it to see files that are not available to ordinary cleaners. To start the procedure, look at the desktop icon with a shield and the name "Security".

Once you open the app, click on the Cleanup or Speed button. The system will automatically analyze the memory contents and suggest that you delete temporary files, APK installer packages and ad residues. The analysis takes only a few seconds, after which you will see a list of files that can be deleted without risking the phone.

It's important to look carefully at the list before confirming, sometimes in the category of "junk" fall small video files from messengers or screenshots that you may have forgotten, use the selective cleaning function to save the desired.

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Run a deep cleanup through the Security app once a week to prevent gigabytes of temporary data from accumulating.

Manual cleaning of cache and application data

Many users are unaware that each installed application accumulates its own amount of temporary data. Over time, the cache of messengers, browsers and social networks can grow to several gigabytes.

Take the Settings → Applications → All apps, and here you will see a complete list of installed software, sorted by the amount of memory you use, and select the most “heavy” programs, such as Telegram, Viber or YouTube, and go to their properties.

Inside the app menu, you'll find two important buttons: Clear cache and Clear all data. The first removes temporary files, speeding up work, the second resets the app to state immediately after installation, removing logins and settings. Clearing all data will require re-authorization in the account.

• 📱 Browser cache - contains copies of visited pages and pictures, can take up to 1-2 GB.
• 💬 Media files messengers – often duplicated in the gallery, occupying double the memory.
• 🎮 Game data – temporary update files that can be deleted if the game is not in use.
• 🛒 Marketplace cache – images of goods and catalogs that quickly accumulate.

Special attention should be paid to messengers, as they often save copies of all the photos and videos viewed. In the settings of the Telegram or WhatsApp itself, there are separate sections for memory management where you can configure autodelete files.

Deletion of residual files and folders

When you delete applications, Android often has tails — folders with settings, error logs, or underloaded files — that are useless, but they keep taking up space, and the best way to find them is by using the built-in file manager or Explorer app.

In the file system, you should look at folders with the names of programs that have been deleted long ago, and a lot of garbage accumulates in the root of internal memory in folders. Android/data and Android/obb, But you have to be very careful about removing content, and the safest way to do this is to look for folders by brand names or games that are no longer on your phone.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files with the.xml extension or folders with system names (for example, MIUI, Android, system, if you're not sure what their origin is, it can cause the interface to work in a very unstable way.

Users often forget about the Download folder, where installation files can lie for years. APK, PDF-Regular audit of this directory allows you to quickly release hundreds of megabytes.

Another source of hidden debris is the.thumbnails folder in the DCIM directory, which stores thumbnails of your gallery photos. If you have a lot of photos, this folder can weigh a few gigabytes. It can be cleaned, but it will be recreated the next time you open the gallery.

Storage analysis and search for large files

To understand what's eating up memory, use the built-in storage analyzer, which visualizes data and shows which categories of files are taking up the most space, which helps to identify hidden problems, such as forgotten TV shows in high resolution.

Go to Settings → About Phone → Storage. Here you will see a color diagram of the space allocation. Click on Files or Other to detail the list. The system will suggest sorting files by size, allowing you to quickly find heavyweights.

It often turns out that the bulk of the memory is occupied by videos shot in high resolution 4K. Unless you plan to store them forever, it makes sense to transfer the archive to your computer or to the cloud.

Cleaning with Recovery Mode and ADB (for Advanced)

For users who want to maximize their results, there are deeper cleaning methods, which require a computer connection and basic command line knowledge, and these methods allow you to remove system debris that is not visible in normal use.

One way is to use Recovery mode, which is to boot in this mode (pressing the power and volume button), you can clean the system cache (Wipe Cache Partition), which is secure and does not delete personal data, but resets temporary system files.

A more sophisticated method involves using USB debugging and a computer, you'll need to install ADB drivers on your PC, and once you plug in your phone and enable debugging, you can run a command to remove system debris.

adb shell pm trim-caches 999999999999

This command forcibly trims the cache of all applications to a minimum, and you can also use ADB to remove Xiaomi system applications that you don't need, thereby freeing up space in the system partition.

⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB Removal of critical system components can lead to a "bootloop" (cyclic reboot) of the device.

Prevention and Cloud Solutions

To avoid going back to cleaning up memory too often, it’s worth implementing simple digital hygiene rules, and process automation and the use of cloud technology will help keep your smartphone clean without constant manual intervention.

Set up sync with Google Photos or Xiaomi Cloud. Once the originals are successfully uploaded to the cloud, Free Space will remove them from the device, leaving only a preview, allowing you to access the entire photo library without taking up gigabytes on your phone.

• 🔄 Turn off auto-save media in instant messengers so that pictures do not duplicate in the gallery.
• 📲 Use the "Lite" versions of applications (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite), they take up less space.
• ☁️ Set up automatic cleaning of the gallery basket every 30 days.

It's also recommended that you check the installed list regularly, and if you haven't used the program for a month, you probably don't need it, and removing unused software is the best way to prevent slowdowns.

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Using cloud storage for photos and videos is the most effective way to permanently free up gigabytes of memory without losing access to data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)