Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 9: From Cache to Deep Optimization

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its 32/64 GB of memory is quickly clogged with unnecessary files. Even if you do not install games or shoot videos in 4K, the system, app cache and background processes eat up gigabytes of space. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to clean up memory from basic to advanced, including hidden MIUI settings and working with ADB for power users.

Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot) is a feature of splitting memory into internal storage and application partitions, and even after manually deleting files, free space may not be added due to fragmentation or stalled processes, and we will show you how to bypass the limitations of MIUI 12/13 and return control of the storage without resetting to factory settings.

1. Diagnosis: Why does memory end?

Before you clean, you need to figure out what exactly takes up space. Redmi 9 has a built-in storage analyzer, but it doesn't show hidden system files and a cache of updates. Here's how to get the full picture:

Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see the categorization of Apps, Images, Videos, Audio and Others. The last item often takes 10-15 GB — this is the cache, logs and temporary files of the system.

• 📊 "System data" (3-8 GB: update cache MIUI, Backups and recovery files, which can only be deleted through ADB dump.
• 🗑️ "Garbage" (1-3 GB: Remnants of remote applications, image thumbnails, Google Play Services cache.
• 🔄 "Other" (500 MB-2 GB): download files, APK-installers, messenger data (stickers, gifs).

⚠️ Note: If the "Other" section is more than 5 GB, this is a sign of a malfunction MIUI Storage Service. Try restarting your phone in Safe Mode (hold the off button). → "Restart in Safe Mode and check the memory again.

2. Basic cleaning: cache, debris and unnecessary files

Start with simple methods that don’t require root rights or technical skills, and these activities will free up 2-5 GB on most devices.

Clearing the application cache

Cache speeds up programs, but it grows to gigabytes over time, and MIUI has a built-in tool to remove it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner → "Sort by size."
3. Select an app (such as YouTube or Facebook) → Clear the cache.

For mass cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Click "Clean up garbage" (remove the cache of all applications except system).
3. Then tap “Deep Clean” → select unnecessary files (miniatures, logs, temporary data).

Delete the cache of all applications | Clear the Downloads folder |Delete duplicate photos in the Gallery | Check the DCIM/thumbnails folder | Clear the history in the browser-->

2.2. manually delete unnecessary files

Use the built-in conductor (MI File Manager) or third-party applications like Files by Google for large file search:

• 📁 folder /storage/emulated/0/Download — pile up APK, PDF archives.
• 🎥 folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Image miniatures (can be removed without consequences).
• 📱 folder Android/obb — game data (e.g., game data, PUBG Genshin Impact can weigh in on the 2-4 GB).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in folders Android/data For active applications, this will cause a crash. If the game or program is not in use, first uninstall it through Settings. → Annexes.

3. Application optimization: what can be removed without harm?

Many Redmi 9 users install dozens of apps, but only a few, and here's how to make room without losing functionality:

3.1. Removal of embedded applications (without root)

MIUI allows you to disable (but not completely remove) system programs, which will free up 300-800 MB:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip the filter (funnel icon) → select System Applications.
3. Find unnecessary services (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Video, Browser) → Disable.

List of safe applications to disable:

Transfer of annexes to SD-map

Redmi 9 supports memory cards up to 512GB, but not all apps can be ported.

1. Put it in. SD-map (exFAT format or FAT32).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the application → "Warehouse" → "Change" → specify SD-map.

⚠️ Warning: After the transfer, the application can run slower. Do not carry messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) - they require quick access to memory for notifications.

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If SD-The card is not defined, format it in the phone: Settings → Warehouse → SD-map → Format it as internal storage, so you can put applications directly on the map, but once formatted, it can't be used on other devices.

4. Deep Cleanup: System Files and Hidden Data

If the basic methods didn't work, it's time to dig deeper, and in this section, there are ways for power users, including working with ADB and hidden folders.

4.1 Cleaning up the MIUI update cache

Xiaomi downloads updates in the background, and they can take up to 1-2 GB in the /cache folder.

1. Install ADB on PC (instruction: official website).
2. Connect Redmi 9 to USB, enable Debugging via USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → Tap 7 times → Return to Additional Settings → For Developers).
3. Enter the command line: adb shell su rm -rf /cache/*

If you do not have root rights, use an alternative method:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Slip on three points → “Delete the downloaded service pack”.

Removal of duplicates and residues of annexes

After you uninstall the programs, you'll have folders of data in the system.

• 🔍 folder Android/data — This is where data from remote applications (e.g. com.tencent.ig) is stored. PUBG Mobile).
• 🗃️ folder Android/obb — Additional game files (can be deleted if the game is deleted).

Critical folder: /data/local/tmp — this is where temporary update files and installers accumulate, and you need root or ADB with superuser rights to clean it.

5. Storage optimization: formatting and resetting

If there is critically little space (less than 1GB) and previous methods have not worked, consider formatting or factory resetting. These are extreme measures, but they return the device to a "clean" state.

Soft reset (without loss of data)

This method restarts system processes and cleans temporary files:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset All Settings (does not delete files, but resets Wi-Fi settings, sound, etc.).

Stringent discharge (full cleaning)

Delete all data, including apps, photos and accounts, and back up:

1. Save important files to your PC or cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Delete all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: After a hard reset of Redmi 9 Maybe "slow down" the first 1-2 It's normal, it's normal, it's cache recovery, it optimizes storage.

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Hard reset is the only way to remove system updates that weigh gigabytes and are not removed through standard settings.

Prevention: How to avoid filling memory?

To avoid recurring problems, follow these rules:

• 📵 Turn off auto-update apps on Google Play (or limit updates to Wi-Fi only).
• 📷 Set up an automatic upload to the cloud (Google Photos or Mi Cloud) and delete local copies.
• 🎮 Use the “Light” versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 🔄 Clean the cache once a week through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.

To automatically optimize, install SD Maid (requires root) or Files by Google (works without superuser rights), which remove duplicates, clear cache and suggest that you delete unnecessary files.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many Redmi 9 users make errors when cleaning up memory that cause crashes or data loss.

• ❌ Deleting the Android folder will cause the system to crash. Only delete the folders inside it if you are sure of their purpose.
• ❌ Using cleaners like Clean Master – they often delete files and show false warnings.
• ❌ Delete.nomedia files – they hide folders from scanning multimedia, their removal will lead to duplication of photos in the gallery.

⚠️ Warning: If the memory is filling up quickly after cleaning, check the phone for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light. /data.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions