How to completely clean up memory on Xiaomi: from cache to system garbage

Why Xiaomi is slowing down and how it relates to memory

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones (or HyperOS in newer models) are known for their performance, but even they eventually start to hang over time. The main reason is filled memory. When internal storage is less than 10%, the system starts to work slower: apps open longer, photos are stored with a delay, and games can fly out.

The manufacturer says it has optimized MIUI It is designed to work with limited memory, but in practice users are faced with lags already at 80% full, especially on budget models (Redmi Note 12, Poco). X5) It's not just user data that's at fault, it's also the garbage from the system: remnants of deleted apps, duplicate photos, Google Play Services cache, and background memory consumption. MIUI-service.

In this article, we’ve got 12 proven ways to clean up memory, from basic to advanced, including hidden MIUI features that aren’t shown in standard settings. We’ll also look at why cleaning through Settings → Storage only removes 30-40% of the garbage, and what to do if the phone says “Memory is full,” even though there’s supposedly enough space.

1. Cleaning the app cache – fast and secure

Cache is a temporary file that apps create to speed up work, and over time, it accumulates and takes up gigabytes of memory. MIUI has a built-in tool to clean the cache, but it doesn't delete everything. For example, Google Chrome or TikTok cache can weigh up to 1-2 GB, and the system tool doesn't touch it.

How to clean the cache correctly:

• 📱 Partial Cleanup: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select a program (like Instagram) and click Clear Cache. Minus, you'll have to repeat for each app.
• 🧹 Mass cleaning: In Settings → Warehouse → Clean up, click App Cache. This will delete the temporary files of all programs, but will not affect logins and settings.
• ⚙️ Hidden cache: Some applications (e.g, MIUI Launcher) store the cache in the system folders. To delete it, you need root rights or third-party utilities like SD Maid.

⚠️ Note: Clearing the cache of Google Play Services or MIUI The system can cause Google services to crash or reboot your phone, only if your phone brakes badly, and be sure to restart after cleaning.

Close all applications in multitasking

Connect to Wi-Fi (if you plan to reinstall applications)

Check the vacant space in the vault

Backup of important data (in case of failure)-->

2. Delete Unnecessary Files via Xiaomi’s Files

The standard File Manager application in MIUI is better at finding garbage than system cleaning.

• 🗑️ Duplicate photos (e.g. screenshots with the same content)
• 🎵 Audio files without tags (downloads from messengers, voice messages)
• 📄 APK-Files (remainders from application installation)
• 📁 Empty folders (remain after deleting programs)

How to use:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Go to the Cleanup tab (or the Storage Analysis tab in new versions).
3. Select a category (such as “Large Files”) and mark the unnecessary.
4. Click "Delete" and confirm.

Files don’t always see garbage in /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/ folders. It stores game data (e.g., Genshin Impact cache can weigh 10+GB) and temporary application files.

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. Manually check the /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/ folders.
3. Delete files with the.obb or.cache extension if you don't need them.

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If /Android/data/ does not open on your PC, try using a root file manager (such as FX File Explorer) or disable storage encryption in the developer settings.

3. Clean Memory through Developer Modes

MIUI has hidden deep cleaning features, but they're only available in developer mode.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version (you are a developer notification).
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.

Options are now available:

• 🔄 Limiting background processes: Set a “Maximum 2 process” – this will reduce memory consumption by background activity.
• 🗑️ Do not save actions: Enable this option so that the system does not store transaction logs (saves) ~500 MB per month).
• 📊 Memory statistics: Shows which applications consume the most RAM and storage.

The most useful feature is Clearing Data when you close it, and if you turn it on, when you close an application through multitasking, your cache and temporary files will be automatically deleted, minus: some programs (like YouTube) will be open longer.

Once a week.

When the phone starts to brake

Never clean.

Using automatic cleaning.-->

4. System garbage disposal via ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods don't work, and the phone says "Memory is full" with 50 percent of the space available, the problem could be system debris.

• 📦 Remains of updates MIUI (folder /cache)
• 🔄 Logs of the system (/data/log)
• 📱 Duplicate fonts and themes

To remove them, you will need ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

1. Download ADB Tools on PC.
2. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands: adb shell su rm -rf /data/log/* rm -rf /cache/*

⚠️ Note: Delete files through ADB root without a root can cause a failure MIUI. Don't delete the folders. /system or /vendor — This will lead to a "brick" of the phone!

Once cleaned, restart your phone. If you don't have any more space, check the /data/app folder, which may have files on the remote applications.

pm uninstall --user 0 name.package

(You can find the name of the package via App Inspector on Google Play.)

5. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If internal memory is full, transferring data to a microSD or cloud can help, and MIUI has built-in tools for this, but they don't work with all files.

How to transfer data to a memory card:

1. Insert microSD (UHS-I or A2 class is recommended for speed).
2. Go to Settings → Storage → SD card.
3. Select “Format as internal storage” (Warning: After that, the card will only work on this phone!).
4. In the Files app, select folders (such as DCIM or Downloads) and click Move.

Cloud services for freeing up memory:

Important: When using Mi Cloud, photos are saved in a compressed format. If you want to maintain original quality, use Google Photos in the “Original Quality” mode (but this will quickly eat 15 GB).

6. Resetting to factory settings is a last resort

If none of these things work, and the phone still says "Not enough memory," it's a hard reset, and it'll delete everything, including:

• 📱 Annexes and their data
• 📷 Photos, videos, music
• 🔑 Accounts and passwords
• ⚙️ System settings

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm.
4. After restarting, set your phone as new.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi HyperOS (2026) models can take up to 30 minutes to reset.Do not interrupt the process, even if the screen is stuck on the logo for a long time MI. If the phone doesn’t turn on after reset, try to go to Recovery Mode (press the Power). + Volume Up) and repeat the reset.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Don’t restore the backup right away – check first if the phone is slowing down.
• 📱 Install applications gradually, watching the free space.
• 🔧 Turn off auto-update apps on Google Play.

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to remove system debris that has been accumulating for years (such as remnants of older versions of MIUI or corrupted database files).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup