Memory cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi: remove garbage, cache and unnecessary files

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their price-performance ratio, but even they eventually start to slow down due to clogged memory. High-resolution photos, residual files of remote applications, cache of system processes – all this takes up precious gigabytes and slows down the device.

Unlike the iPhone, where cleaning memory is reduced to a few taps in the settings, Android on Xiaomi requires a comprehensive approach. Here it is important not only to delete unnecessary files, but also to properly configure the system so that garbage does not accumulate again. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways - from standard MIUI tools to hidden features for power users, you will learn how to make space without losing important data and why some "tips" from the Internet can harm your Redmi.

1. Built-in tools MIUI: clean-up

The manufacturer has put in MIUI some useful memory management features, enough for basic cleaning, but many users are unaware of their existence, and let's start with the obvious one: the built-in cleaner.

Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here, the system will show the space occupied by categories: applications, images, video, audio, etc. Tap any category (for example, "Apps") to see a list of the most "gluttonous" programs.

• 📱 Application cache – temporary files that can be deleted without consequences.
• 🗑️ Garbage – residual data of remote programs, log files and other junk.
• 📁 Downloads – a folder where forgotten ones accumulate PDF, APK archives.

To clean up quickly, click Clear in the top right corner. The system will prompt you to remove cache, temporary files and debris. On Redmi Note 10/11 and later, this feature works better thanks to an optimized cache compression algorithm. However, do not clear the cache of all applications in a row, this will slow down their first download after restarting.

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If the memory is filling up too quickly after cleaning, check the sync settings of the cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).

2 Manual removal of unnecessary files: what can be safely erased

Automated cleaning doesn’t always deal with deep-hidden debris. To free up extra space, you’ll have to look into your system folders. Use any file manager (like the built-in Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer from Google Play).

Open the manager and go to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/).

The Android/data folder is particularly noteworthy, where game and application data (such as Telegram cache or uploaded maps to Google Maps) are stored, and only those contents that you are willing to reconfigure can be deleted, such as cleaning the com.whatsapp folder will result in the loss of chat history.

Remove thumbnails from DCIM/.thumbnails

Clean Download folder from old files

Check Pictures/Screenshots for unnecessary screenshots

Remove backups to MIUI/backup if they are older than 6 months

Clear the messenger cache (e.g. Android/data/com.telegram.cache)

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3.Cleaning App Cache: When It Really Needs

Cache speeds up the program, but over time grows to unreasonable sizes, for example, Instagram cache can take 1-2 GB, and Google Play Services – up to 500 MB.

1. The app started to slow down or fly out.
2. Memory is 90 full%+, And other methods didn't help.

To clear the cache of a separate application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate app (such as Facebook).
3. Slip the vault. → Clear the cache.

Do not clear the cache for system applications (e.g. com.miui.home or com.android.phone) – this can cause MIUI shell to malfunction. Also avoid clearing the cache from banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online), as they may require re-authorization.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when memory ends

Never clean.

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4.Duplicate removal and media file optimization

Photos and videos take up the lion’s share of memory on any smartphone. On Xiaomi Redmi with a 48-108 MP camera, each shot can weigh 10-20 MB, and a minute video in 4K can weigh up to 400 MB.

• 🔍 Search for duplicates (for example, through Google Files or CCleaner).
• 📉 Compression of photos without loss of quality (Photo Compress or Resize Me applications!).
• ☁️ Cloud Transfer (Google Photos, Mi Cloud, Yandex Drive).

For automatic removal of duplicates:

1. Install Google Files from Google Play.
2. Open the Cleanup tab.
3. Select Duplicate Files and follow the prompts.

If you store a photo in Google Photos, turn on Free Space (in the app settings) and it will delete the media files already uploaded to the cloud from your phone, leaving only thumbnails. Important: before you do this, make sure that all files are successfully synchronized!

5. Disabling unnecessary system applications

MIUI is known for its abundance of pre-installed applications, many of which duplicate features or are not used at all.

• 🎵 Mi Music (if you use Spotify or Yandex Music).
• 📺 Mi Video (replaced by YouTube or VLC).
• 📰 Mi Browser (can be removed in favor of Chrome or Firefox).
• 💬 Mi Community (Forum Xiaomi, not everyone needs).

It is impossible to remove system applications completely without root rights, but they can be disabled:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Tap Disable (button will appear if the application is system).

The apps that are disabled won't update, take up memory, or waste battery power, but they will stay on the system and not disappear from the menu, because their icons will just turn grey, and to return the application, you just have to go back to its settings and click Enable.

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Disabling system applications does not free up much space (usually 50-200 MB), but reduces background activity and saves battery life.

6. reset of the partition cache (wipe cache partition)

If your Redmi is slowing down and standard methods are not working, try resetting the recovery partition cache, which does not delete user data, but clears temporary system files that may be causing lags.

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
5. Restart the device (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

This procedure is especially useful after major MIUI updates when the system may be behaving unstable.On the Redmi Note 9/10 and later, partition cache reset also helps fix bugs with Google Play Services, which sometimes take up to 1GB of storage due to sync failures.

7 Advanced Methods: ADB and root access

For high-end users willing to take a chance, there are ways to clean up memory with ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or root rights, which allow you to remove system debris that is not available through standard settings.

For example, through ADB, you can delete the cache of all applications with one command:

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.providers.media

Or clear the /data/log folder where the system log files are stored:

adb shell rm -rf /data/log/*

To work with root access, you will need to unlock the bootloader and install Magisk, which will give access to tools such as:

• 🛠️ SD Maid – for deep cleaning of system folders.
• 🗃️ Root Explorer – for manual file deletion /data and /system.
• 🔄 Greenify – for hibernation of unnecessary background processes.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB or root can cause a device to blink (completely inoperable), void warranty and increase the risk of virus infection. 9A/9C) Unlocking the bootloader is especially risky due to weak support for custom firmware.

Frequently asked questions