Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their performance and rich functionality, but even the most powerful models eventually start to work slower. The main reason for the slowdown is often a crowded drive, filled with temporary files, remnants of remote applications and social media cache. Users notice that the interface slows down and the launch of programs takes longer than usual.
MIUI and the new HyperOS have powerful built-in tools to maintain the system, but many device owners are unaware of all of their capabilities. Regular memory cleaning allows not only free up gigabytes of space, but also extend battery life, since the processor does not have to spend resources on indexing unnecessary data. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to remove garbage, from simple standard methods to advanced techniques for power users.
Before embarking on radical measures such as resetting, it’s worth trying to optimize storage with regular means. Xiaomi’s standard cleaner removes up to 80% of system debris without the risk of losing personal data. The right file management approach will help you avoid buying a new phone with more storage in the near future.
Use of the standard "Security" application
The first and most reliable tool to combat digital trash is the pre-installed Security app, which has deep system access rights and can safely delete files that other programs consider system-based. Launch the app, which usually has a green icon with a shield, and click on the large Cleanup button.
The system will analyze the device and suggest removing the cache, advertising files and installer residues. However, do not blindly trust the automation, as sometimes it can miss large hidden folders. From the cleaner menu, go to the Cleanup section to see a detailed list of categories.
- 📱 Application cache: temporary data that speeds up programs but grows to gigabytes.
- 📦 APK-Files: Installation packages that often remain after software updates.
- 📰 Advertising Files: Hidden Garbage Accumulated by Free Games and Utilities.
It is important to carefully review the list before final deletion. Sometimes the "Big Files" section may contain important documents or saved maps of the navigator. Use the size sorting function to find "eaters" of space. After cleaning, it is recommended to restart the device to apply the changes.
☑️ Checking before cleaning
Manual cleaning through Conductor and storage analysis
Auto Cleaners don't always see files that the user created or that were saved by messengers to hidden folders. For deep cleaning, use the built-in Explorer. Go to the storage menu, where the system visualizes memory occupancy in the form of color blocks.
Special attention should be paid to the folders Android/data and Android/obb, which store data of games and heavy applications, also a significant amount of media files from messengers, Telegram and WhatsApp default is auto-save all received photos and videos, which quickly eats up the free space.
⚠️ Note: When manually cleaning your Android folder, never delete files with the.obb extension for games you plan to play. Deleting them will lead to the need to download gigabytes of data again.
To find duplicates efficiently, you can use file sorting by date and size. PDF-Regularly auditing this folder once a month will help keep things in order.
Hidden system folders
Cleaning the cache of messengers and social networks
Social media and instant messengers are the main culprits behind the memory shortage on modern smartphones. Apps like VK, Instagram and TikTok cache every video and image viewed so that when they are reopened, they load instantly, and over time this cache can reach 5-10 GB.
Cleaning is best done through the settings of the application itself, not through the general cleaner. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find the desired program and select Memory. There you will see the "Clear Cache" button, which is safe and will not delete your correspondence or accounts.
Some messengers, such as Telegram, have a built-in autocleaning function for cache, and it is recommended that you set up automatic deletion of media files older than 3 days or weeks, which will allow you to use the application comfortably, but not accumulate gigabytes of old visual noise.
- 🗑️ Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Use of memory → Clear the cache.
- 💬 WhatsApp: Settings → Data and storage → Storage management.
- 📸 Instagram: Account settings → Cash (or reinstall the application).
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In Telegram, you can enable the “Autodelete” function for all chats, so that the history of correspondence and media files are erased automatically after a specified period of time.
Removal of duplicate photos and videos
Modern smartphone cameras create high-resolution images that can weigh 5-10 MB. 4K video takes up to 400 MB per minute to record. Often users take a series of identical frames or forget to delete unsuccessful shots, which leads to chaos in the gallery.
You can use Google Photos or built-in MIUI albums to find duplicates. The system can recognize similar images and suggest removing repetitive frames. It’s also worth checking the “Recently Deleted” folder, which often stores files for another 30 days while taking up space.
It is recommended to regularly transfer archival photos and videos to your computer or to the cloud. Local storage of thousands of old photos does not make sense if you do not have constant access to them without the Internet. Freeing 10-20 GB on photo archives will significantly speed up the gallery.
Comparison of Memory Cleaning Methods
There are many ways to free up space, but their effectiveness and safety vary. Below is a table that will help you choose the best method for your situation. Not all methods are suitable for daily use.
| Method | Security | Efficiency | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard cleaner | Tall. | Medium | No. |
| Cleaning up the app cache | Tall. | Tall. | No (only logins in some cases) |
| Delete APK files | Medium | Low. | No. |
| Manual removal from the Android folder | Low. | Tall. | High (can be broken applications) |
As you can see from the table, the safest way is the use of built-in tools. Manual intervention in system folders is rarely required, and only when there is a severe shortage of space. Always assess the risks before deleting files whose names you do not know.
Advanced settings for developers and ADB
For advanced users who want to make the most of their Xiaomi, there are methods of cleaning through USB debugging. Connecting to a computer and using the ADB command line allows you to remove system debris that is not available in the usual way.
To do this, you need to activate the developer mode by seven times clicking on the build number in the About Phone menu, then debugging over USB is activated. Commands allow you to clear the Dalvik cache and system logs, which sometimes grow to huge sizes after errors in the OS.
adb shell pm trim-caches 999999999This command compels the cache of all applications to the lowest possible value, but using such methods requires caution, and improperly deleting system logs can make it difficult to diagnose problems in the future if the phone starts to work irregularly.
⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB This can lead to system instability if you delete critical files, and only do so if you understand what each team is responsible for.
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Use of the ADB-The best results are achieved by the teams, but it requires technical knowledge and a PC connection. MIUI.
Prevention of memory filling
To avoid going back to cleaning every two weeks, you should change your smartphone habits: turn on cloud sync for photos and documents; set up messengers so that they don't automatically download media files when you use the mobile Internet.
Regularly remove apps you don't use. Oftentimes, we install one-time programs and forget about them, and they keep hanging in the background and collecting data. Periodic inspection of installed applications is the best prevention.
You should also avoid using live wallpaper and heavy widgets if you have a model with a small amount of RAM, which not only land the battery, but also create many temporary files every time you turn on the screen.