How to Clean Memory on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Android 2026

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their functionality, but over time, even 128 GB of internal memory becomes clogged with unnecessary files. The system creates cache, apps save temporary data, and users often forget to delete duplicate photos or clean downloads. As a result, the phone slows down, apps fly out, and the notification “Not enough memory” appears at the most inopportune moment.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to clean up memory on Xiaomi (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and others) that run on MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14. We will analyze both standard system tools and hidden features that are not written about in the official instructions.

1. Built-in cleaning MIUI: What to remove and how to use

The quickest way to free up space is to use the built-in Cleanup tool (formerly "Security").

• 🗑️ Application cache (temporary files that take up to 1-3 GB)
• 📁 Unnecessary APK (leftovers after installation)
• 📥 Downloads (files older than 30 days)
• 🔍 Residual files (junk after uninstallation of applications)

To start the cleanup:

1. Open Settings → Clean (or find the Cleanup app in the menu).
2. Click Scan and wait for analysis (usually 10–30 seconds).
3. Select file categories to delete (we recommend ticking all items except “Large Files” – it is better to check them manually).
4. Click Clean and confirm the action.

Important! Built-in cleaning doesn't remove:

• 📸 Photo/video duplicates (for this there is a separate tool – see section 3).
• 🎵 Music and podcasts (even if they haven't been played in years).
• 📂 Backups of Mi Cloud or other cloud services.

⚠️ Note: If less than 500MB of memory is free after cleaning, the problem lies in system files or large user data (for example, games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile take 10-15 GB.

2. Manually cleaning the app cache: when automation doesn't help

Some apps (especially social networks and instant messengers) accumulate cache that is not removed by standard cleaning. For example, Telegram can take up to 5 GB of cached media only, and TikTok can take up to 2 GB. To clean the cache manually:

Method 1: For a separate application

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

Method 2: Mass cleaning (for MIUI 14+)

1. Open the Settings → Cleaning → Storage.
2. Slip it on the app cache category.
3. Select all applications (or tick the ones you need) and click Clean.

Which apps "grow the cache" the most?-5 According to Xiaomi, 2026 year:

⚠️ Warning: Clearing the Google Play Services or Mi Account cache may cause sync failures (e.g., stop updating contacts or calendar) only if you are sure the cache is the problem!

Close all background applications

Connect to Wi-Fi (if the cache weighs >1 GB)

Check if important processes are running (e.g. downloading files)

Make a backup copy of chats in messengers (if you clean up). Telegram/WhatsApp)-->

3. Removing duplicate photos and videos: hidden MIUI function

Photos take up the lion's share of memory on Xiaomi, especially if you're using Google Photos or syncing pictures with Mi Cloud, the problem is that the system often creates duplicates:

• 📸 When editing a photo (original) + edited).
• 🔄 When synchronizing with the cloud (if you interrupt the loading).
• 📱 When transferring files between devices via Mi Share.

To find and remove duplicates:

1. Open the standard gallery.
2. Slip on three points in the upper right corner → Control → Duplicates.
3. The system will show groups of identical photos/video. Select Remove duplicates (the highest quality image will remain).

Tip for owners of Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and Xiaomi 13: These models have a Smart Album feature that automatically sorts pictures by date and event.

Settings → Display → Albums → Enable “Smart Group”

If the built-in tool does not find duplicates, use third-party applications:

• 🔍 Files by Google (free, there is a memory analysis).
• 📊 Duplicate Files Fixer (Paid version deletes unlimited files).

4. Clean up downloads and "junk" folders

Download folder is a real graveyard of unnecessary files.

• 📄 PDF-documents (tickets, checks, instructions).
• 🎵 Audio files from messengers.
• 📦 Archives (ZIP, RAR), which you have unpacked and forgotten to remove.
• 🖼️ Images from the Internet (memes, screenshots of articles).

How to clean:

1. Open Files (standard MIUI application).

Hidden folders that are also worth checking out:

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete the folder Android/obb This is where game data is stored, for example, PUBG Mobile or Free Fire: If you delete files from this folder, the games will stop running and require you to re-download the add-ons (up to the previous one). 5 GB!).

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If you can’t find the Android/data folder in Explorer, turn on the hidden files: in the Files app, tap three points → Settings → Show hidden files.

5.Storage optimization: transferring files to a memory card or cloud

If your internal memory is full and you don't want to delete anything, you can transfer your files to a microSD or cloud. At Xiaomi, you can do this:

Method 1: Transfer to a memory card

1. Insert microSD (up to 1TB cards are supported on most models 2022-2026).
2. Open the Settings. → Warehouse → Transfer of data to SD-map.
3. Select file types (photos, videos, audio, documents) and click Transfer.

Note: Not all apps can be ported to SD – this is a limitation of Android, not MIUI.

Method 2: Automatic booting to the cloud

• 📱 Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of the gallery (gives 5 GB for free).
• 🌍 Google Photos: Enable “Backup and Sync” in the app settings (unlimited storage for compressed photos).
• ☁️ Yandex Disk or Mega: suitable for documents and archives.

Important about the clouds:

• 🔒 Photos in Google Photos in “Original Quality” take up space in your Google account (15 GB for all services).
• 📶 Uploading to the cloud wastes mobile traffic. Configure sync only over Wi-Fi: in Google Photos, this is done in Settings → Backup → Transfer of data.

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Moving files to a memory card or cloud doesn’t free up internal memory instantly!The system can show occupied space until it re-indexes files (usually takes 5-10 minutes).

6.Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

Many users delete apps but forget about their residual files and cache, for example, after uninstallation of Facebook, up to 300 MB of garbage can remain in memory.

Step 1: Remove the application itself

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Video or Mi Music if you don't use it).
3. Click Remove (or Disable if it is system software).

Step 2: Cleaning up the residues

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Store.
2. Open the Cleanup tab → Residual Application Files.
3. Select the files of the remote programs and click Clear.

What system applications can be disabled without risk? Here is a safe list for MIUI 14/15:

• 🎵 Mi Music (if you use Spotify or YouTube Music).
• 📺 Mi Video (substitutes: VLC or MX Player).
• 📰 Mi Browser (install Chrome or Firefox).
• 📡 Mi Remote (if you do not use the remote for equipment).

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable or delete: com.miui.securitycenter is responsible for system security. com.xiaomi.finddevice is a device search service. com.android.phone is a phone call. This will lead to critical malfunctions in the smartphone!

7.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If all the methods are tried and the memory is still full, then you have a hard reset, which will delete all the data, including:

• 📱 Applications and their settings.
• 📸 Photos, videos, music (unless they are synced to the cloud).
• 📞 Contacts, SMS, Call logs (if not saved in Google Account).

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup: Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup
2. Transfer the copy to a PC or memory card.
3. Perform reset: Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase All Data
4. After restarting, restore data from a backup or cloud.

On Xiaomi models 12/13 Redmi Note 11/12 discharge 15 Just wait for the logo to appear, don't interrupt the process, even if the screen is out. MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi