Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: a complete guide with hidden MIUI chips

Your Xiaomi Redmi 9T is slowing down, apps are crashing with an error "Not enough memory" and the system constantly warns about overcrowded storage? The problem is familiar to most owners of this budget smartphone with 64/128 GB of internal memory, of which the user is actually available 10-15% less. Even if you do not install games or shoot videos in 4K, the MIUI system gradually "cluttered" with cache, remnants of deleted applications and utility files.

In this article, 7 proven ways to clean up memory, from basic to advanced, including hidden MIUI 12/13/14 features that are not covered in the standard instructions. We will discuss how to free up space without root rights, which files can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched. We will focus on the specifics of the Redmi 9T with its Snapdragon 662 processor and the features of working with eMMC 5.1 memory - why the smartphone "glugs" when filling storage by more than 85% and how to avoid this.

1. Built-in cleaning MIUI: What is missing and what is missing

Let's start with the obvious, the Cleanup tool in MIUI. It's available in the Settings menu → About Phone → Memory → Cleanup or through a desktop widget.

• 🗑️ Application cache – temporary files that are created to speed up the operation of programs (for example, thumbnails in the gallery or map data in Google Maps).
• 📁 Unnecessary APK — Remains from installed applications that have not been completely removed.
• 📥 Downloaded files – everything that is downloaded through the browser or messengers (often duplicates accumulate here).
• 🔍 Log files are system logs that are rarely needed by the average user.

However, this method has 3 critical drawbacks:

1. It does not remove the cache of system applications (e.g. com.miui.home or com.android.systemui), which can take up to 1-2 GB.
2. Does not clean the Android/obb folder where game data is stored (even after it is deleted).
3. Ignores duplicate photos that are created when editing in the standard MIUI gallery.

However, regular cleaning through this tool (once every 1-2 weeks) will help keep the system in order. After analysis, click Clean and confirm the action. If Deep Clean is active, use it, but be prepared for some applications to load longer when first started after cleaning.

2. Manual cleaning of the cache of applications: which can be removed without risk

If the internal cleaning didn’t work, it’s time to act manually. App cache is the main memory eater on Redmi 9T. For example, Google Play Services can take up to 500 MB, and social networks like TikTok or Instagram can take 1-2 GB each.

To clear the cache of individual applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or Facebook).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Which apps are safe to clean:

• 📺 Social media (Instagram, VK, TikTok – cache here accumulates the fastest.
• 🎮 Games (even after deleting the game, check the folder) Android/obb).
• 🌍 Maps and navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps) – cache of cards can weigh gigabytes.
• 📱 Google Play Services (Mi Account) – but don’t clear your data, just cache!

What can't you do?

⚠️ Warning: Never click Clear data for system applications (such as Settings or Phone) and this will result in resets and possible loss of functionality (such as all stored Wi-Fi networks). Also, do not clear the cache for Mi Video and Mi Music if you use them to view local files – this can bring down the indexing of the media library.

First, clear the social media and messenger cache | Check the cache size in Google Play Services (should not exceed 1 GB) | Do not clear the system application data |Reboot your phone after cleaning-->

3. manually removing unnecessary files: where to look for garbage

Even after cleaning the cache, Redmi 9T still has invisible files that take up space, and here are 5 key folders worth checking out:

Use any file manager (such as the built-in Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer) to access these folders. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings to see folders like.thumbnails.

On Redmi 9T, a lot of garbage is stored in /MIUI/Extra, which stores temporary files of the themes and widgets, and can be completely cleaned without consequences.

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Before deleting files manually back up important data to your computer or cloud. Use Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local backup to MIUI.

4.Storage optimization through developer settings

Few people know, but MIUI has hidden memory management options available through the developer mode to activate it:

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

Now find and enable these options:

• 🔄 Do not save actions – limits the number of background processes, reducing the load on memory.
• 🗃️ Limit background processes – set the “Maximum 2 Process” value to save RAM and storage.
• 🚫 Shut down. MIUI Optimization – This may seem contradictory, but sometimes disabling optimization MIUI Reduces the creation of unnecessary temporary files.

Also on this menu is the option to Do Not Save Activity Data (in the Application section), which will cause the system to automatically clear the cache of applications when they are closed, but this can lead to longer downloads of programs the next time you run.

⚠️ Warning: Do not turn on the option to turn off packet resolution checkers – this can disrupt system applications and lead to errors when installing new programs. Also avoid changing the Minimum Width option (in the Drawing section), as this affects the interface scaling and can cause crashes.

5. Data transfer to memory card: nuances for Redmi 9T

The Redmi 9T supports microSD cards up to 512GB, but there are important limitations:

• 📱 Applications cannot be moved to SD-Map (unlike older versions of Android).
• 📁 Media files (photos, videos, music) are portable without problems, but some applications (such as WhatsApp) may not see files on the map.
• ⚡ Speed depends on the card class: for Redmi 9T recommended UHS-I Class 10 or higher.

To transfer files to the map:

1. Open Mi File Manager.
2. Select files (for example, in the DCIM/Camera folder).
3. Click Move and select the target folder on SD-map.

To automatically save new photos and videos to the map:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Go to Settings → Save Place.
3. Select Memory Card.

⚠️ Note: If you use the card as internal storage (the option is Format as internal memory), remember: the card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices. → Warehouse → Memory map → Data may be damaged. System speed may drop if the map is slow (class below). UHS-I).

6.Reset to factory settings: when justified

If all previous methods have failed and there is less than 10% left, a full reset may be the only solution. 9T It's done this way:

1. Create a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos, messages).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.

What will be removed:

• 📱 All installed applications and their data.
• 📞 Contacts, messages, call logs (unless synced with Mi Account or Google).
• 🖼️ Photos, videos and music (unless transferred to memory card).
• ⚙️ All system settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wallpaper, sound circuits).

What's left:

• 📁 Files on a memory card (unless it is formatted as an internal one).
• 🔗 Data synced to Mi Cloud or Google (contacts, calendar, some settings).

Once reset, the Redmi 9T will return to a clean memory state, but remember that the first launch after reset can take 10-15 minutes to optimize applications and customize services.

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Resetting to factory settings is a last resort. Try all other cleanup methods before you do, as it can take hours to recover data after a reset.

7. Alternative methods: from ADB to cloud services

If the standard methods don’t help, try these advanced methods:

• 🖥️ Cleaning through ADB: Connect the phone to the computer, turn on debugging USB (Settings → Additionally. → For developers) and execute the command: adb shell pm trim-caches 256m This will forcefully clear the cache of all applications, limiting its size to 256 MB.
• ☁️ Cloud services: Move photos and videos to Google Photos (free up to 15GB) or Mi Cloud (5GB free) in Google Photos, turn on the option to Free up space – it will delete local copies of files already uploaded to the cloud.
• 🔍 Search for large files: Use the Files by Google app (available in the Play Market) that will show files larger than 10MB and prompt you to delete them.
• 🛠️ Cleaning applications: Try CCleaner or SD Maid, but avoid “optimizers” that require root rights – they can disrupt the work MIUI.

Warning for ADB:

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB You can also be unstable if you type in the wrong way. Never run commands like adb shell pm clear com.android.settings, which will reset your system settings and can cause errors the next time you turn on your phone. ADB (chmod command, as it will violate security MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 9T