How to Clean Up Your Xiaomi Phone: A Complete 2026 Guide

Scored smartphone memory is a problem faced by every second owner of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO. Even on devices with 128GB and 256GB, free space is melting away: photos, videos, app updates, cache and system debris take up gigabytes. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to clean memory, from basic to hidden functions. MIUI, Not obvious to most users.

Feature of firmware MIUI It aggressively caches data to speed up work, but rarely deletes it itself, and many applications (including system ones) create duplicate files, temporary copies, and logs that remain even after uninstallation. We’re not going to limit ourselves to standard tips like “delete unnecessary photos” – instead, we’ll show you how to find and remove hidden debris, transfer files to a memory card (even if the system doesn’t allow it), and optimize storage over the long term.

Important: Methods are suitable for all current versions MIUI 12/13/14 Xiaomi models, including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T If your device is running on HyperOS (new flagship firmware). 2026 Some menu items may differ – we will make separate notes about this.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly is the memory?

Before you clean it, you have to figure out where the gigabytes went. MIUI There's a built-in storage analyzer, but it doesn't show all categories of files:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone. → Memory (or Settings) → Storage in new versions. Here you will see a diagram of the distribution of memory by category: "Applications", "Images", "Video", etc.
2. Click on any category (e.g., "Other Files") to see details. The system will show which files are taking up space - these can be downloads, APK-installer.
3. For in-depth analysis, use third-party apps like Files by Google or SD They'll find duplicates, residual files of remote programs, and even cache of system services that MIUI doesn't.

Note the category "System Data" - it often takes 10-20 GB without explanation:

• 📁 Cash updates. MIUI (remains after installing the firmware)
• 🔄 System and application logs (created automatically for diagnostics)
• 📦 Residual files from remote applications (especially relevant for games)
• 🔒 Encrypted data (e.g., Mi Cloud backups)

If the category "System Data" is more 15 GB is an occasion for deep cleaning (more about this in the section) 4). Also check the folder. MIUI/Backup in the root directory - there may be old backup copies of several gigabytes.

2.Cache and garbage removal: standard and hidden methods

Cash is the main memory eater, and it's divided into three types:

1. Application cache – temporary files to speed up the operation of programs.
2. System cache - data MIUI, including theme covers, icons, etc.
3. Dalvik cache – files of the Android virtual machine (removed only through recovery).

How to clean each type:

2.1 Cache of annexes

The easiest way is through settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or TikTok) and click Clear Cache.
3. For mass cleaning, use the settings → Memory. → Clean (remove the cache of all applications at once).

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data"; the second action will reset all the app settings (for example, log out of your Instagram account or delete downloads to Telegram).

2.2 Cache system and MIUI

These files are not visible in the standard menu.

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI" In Settings → The phone).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and find "Clear the cache" MIUI".
3. Reboot the phone – this will delete temporary files of themes, wallpaper and system animations.

Dalvik cache (for advanced)

This cache is responsible for speeding up the launch of applications, and cleaning it will help if the phone is slowing down, but requires access to recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select "Wipe & Reset" → Wipe Cache (not to be confused with "Wipe Data" - this will reset the phone to factory settings!).
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

After cleaning the Dalvik cache, the first launch of applications may be slower than usual – this is normal, since the cache is rebuilt.

Clear the cache of individual applications (YouTube, Chrome, social networks)

Delete the cache MIUI developer-mode

Check Downloads folder for unnecessary files

Clear Dalvik cache (only if there are lags)

Restart the phone after cleaning-->

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

Many users delete applications but forget about their “residual files” – folders with data that remain in memory. 2-3 GB in a folder Android/obb.

How to remove applications correctly:

Standard uninstallation

Keep your finger on the app icon on the home screen → "Delete." Or through Settings. → Annexes.

3.2. Removal of system applications (without root)

MIUI It allows you to disable (but not completely remove) many system programs:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner → "Show all applications".
3. Find an unnecessary system application (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Browser) and select “Disable”.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable services called com.android., com.miui. or com.google.* – this can cause unstable phone operation.It is safe to disable only user applications (for example, a standard browser or gallery if you use third-party analogues).

3.3. Search and deletion of residual files

Use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer) to manually check folders:

• 📂 /Android/obb/ — Game data is stored here (often left after deletion).
• 📂 /Android/data/ — folders with cache and application settings.
• 📂 /MIUI/Backup/ — backups of applications and settings.
• 📂 /Download/ — Downloaded files that are often forgotten to be deleted.

If you're not sure if you can delete a folder, check its name on Google, for example, the folder com.tencent.mm belongs to WeChat, and the folder com.whatsapp belongs to WhatsApp.

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Before you delete folders, back up your important data. Some applications (such as messengers) are stored in the /Android/data/ Media files from chat rooms that can not be restored after cleaning.

4.Deep cleaning: Hidden functions MIUI

MIUI It has a few hidden memory-free tools that are not advertised in the interface:

4.1 Cleaning of junk files through Security

Appendix Security (Security) in MIUI Find files that are not visible in the standard manager:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the "Cleaning" tab" → "Deep cleaning".
3. Wait for analysis and delete the files found (usually residues of deleted applications, temporary files and duplicates).

4.2. Resetting the media file storage

If the gallery or music player began to slow down, and the memory is occupied unreasonably much, reset the database of media files:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the "Media File Storage" (or com.android.providers.media).
3. Click on "Clear Data" and "Clear Cache".
4. Reboot the phone. After that, the gallery will re-index the files (may take up the file). 5-10 minute).

This method helps if the system miscalculated the amount of memory it was using or “forgot” to delete files after they were moved.

Clearing the system logs

MIUI Detailed logs of work that can take up to 1-2 GB to remove them:

1. Activate Developer Mode (see Section 2.2).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the option "Enable logging" and turn it off.
4. Then select Clear Logs (if you don’t have that option, use the root-access file manager to delete the folder). /data/log/).

⚠️ Attention: Deleting logs can make it harder to diagnose problems if you go to Xiaomi's service center.

5. Transfer files to a memory card or cloud

If you have a microSD slot on your phone, you can transfer the heavy files to it: MIUI The default is not to allow you to transfer applications to the map (unlike Samsung or Huawei.

5.1. File transfer (photo, video, music)

Use the standard Mi File Manager:

1. Open the file manager and select a category (such as “Images”).
2. Press "Select" → tag files → "Move it".
3. As a goal, specify a memory card (folder) /storage/XXXX-XXXX/, where XXXX — ID yours SD-map).

To automatically save new photos/video to the map:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Press the gear (settings) → "Preservation site".
3. Select "Memory Map."

5.2. Transfer of annexes to SD-map (root required)

Without superuser rights, you can't move apps to the map, but if you have root, use:

• 📱 AppMgr III (App 2 SD) — allows you to transfer applications to SD.
• 🔧 Link2SD — Creates symbolic links, saving space in the main memory.

⚠️ Note: Transfer applications to slow microSD (class) 4 or 10) It can lead to lags. It's best to use maps. UHS-I (class 30/90).

Automatic booting to the cloud

If you don’t have a memory card, set up automatic file uploads to Mi Cloud or Google Photos:

• 📸 Google Photos: Enable "Backup and Sync" in the app settings. Photos will be uploaded in original quality (free up to 15 GB).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Gallery and turn on synchronization.

Once uploaded to the cloud, you can delete local copies (but make sure the files are actually synced!).

6.Memory optimization: how to prevent future filling

Cleaning up the memory is a one-off solution, so that the problem doesn't come back, set the phone right:

6.1. disable automatic saving of media files

Many instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) save all received photos and videos to the gallery by default.

• 💬 WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Saving incoming media files → turn off.
• 📎 Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media → Choose "Never".

6.2. Limit cache for individual applications

Some programs (such as YouTube or Netflix) allow you to limit the size of the cache:

• 🎥 YouTube: Settings → Background and cache → Cache restriction → set up 100-200 MB.
• 🎬 Netflix: App settings → Video quality → Saved videos → Select "Standard" instead of "High".

Set up automatic cleaning

MIUI has automatic garbage cleaning function:

1. Open the Security" → "Cleanup".
2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner → "Cleaning settings".
3. Turn on "Car Clean" and set a schedule (for example, once a week).

6.4 Use the "Light" versions of the applications

Many popular services have lightweight versions that take up less space and consume less traffic:

• 📱 Facebook Lite (instead of Facebook)
• 💬 Messenger Lite (instead of the main messenger)
• 🎵 Spotify Lite (if you don’t need offline playlists)
• 📺 YouTube Go (allows you to download low quality videos)

These applications are in 2-5 less space than their "full" counterparts.

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Regular cleaning of cache and disabling auto-save media files from messengers reduce memory consumption 30-50% monthly.

7.Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If none of the methods worked, and the phone still shows that the memory is full (even though you deleted all the files), there may have been an error in the file system, in which case a hard reset will help.

⚠️ Warning: Reset will delete all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup.

How to reset your phone:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select "Settings Reset."
3. Mark "Clear all data" and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, the phone will be like new – you’ll need to reconfigure it and restore data from the backup.

If the phone doesn’t turn on or hangs on the MIUI logo, reset via Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the power button. + Volume up to enter recovery.
3. Select "Wipe Data" → Wipe All Data".
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

After a hard reset, the memory will be completely cleared and the phone will return to factory settings, which is a last resort, but sometimes the only way to bring the device back to life.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi