How to Clean Memory on Xiaomi Smartphone: A Complete Guide to MIUI

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones are known for their functionality, but even they eventually start to slow down due to clogged memory. If your Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Mi 11 gives a notification “Not enough memory”, and photos and applications take up gigabytes, it’s time to act. In this article, we will discuss 10 proven ways to clean up memory, including hidden MIUI 12-14 features that the manufacturer does not advertise.

The memory shortage problem on Xiaomi is often associated not only with user files, but also with system debris, duplicates and app cache. For example, instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp can “eat” up to the end of the day. 5-10 GB for media files, and games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile - up to 2-4 GB to cache. And the standard cleaning tools in Settings → Memory is removed only by the tip of the iceberg.

We tested all the methods on the latest firmware (including HyperOS for new models) and identified the ones that have the most impact. Importantly, some operations require root or ADB rights, but most of the methods are available without them. Let's start simple and move on to advanced techniques.

1. Built-in memory cleanup in MIUI: what deletes and what is missing

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Settings tool → Memory → Cleanup. Here Xiaomi suggests removing:

• 🗑️ Application cache (temporary files that can be safely erased)
• 📁 Unnecessary APK (leftovers from installed applications)
• 🔍 Log files (system logs, usually weigh little)
• 📥 Downloads (Download folder where old files accumulate)

However, this method has 3 critical drawbacks:

1. Does not remove deep cache system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser), which can weigh up to 1-2 GB.
2. Ignore duplicate photos and screenshots that are automatically saved to DCIM/Screenshots.
3. Does not clear the Dalvik cache (a special Android cache that affects the speed of work).

To take advantage of the built-in cleaning:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Click Clean (or Deep Clean in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Confirm the removal of unnecessary files.

The result: 500MB to 1.5GB is usually released, but it won't last long.

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

App cache is a temporary file that speeds up programs but grows to giant sizes over time, such as YouTube can accumulate up to 500 MB of cache, and Facebook can accumulate up to 1 GB. It can be deleted without harming data (logins, messages and settings will be saved).

How to clean the cache manually:

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

Which apps should be cleaned first:

• 🎵 Music services (Spotify, Yandex Music) - cache songs.
• 🎮 Games (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire – Texture and Update Cache.
• 📺 Streaming services (YouTube, Twitch, Kodi) – temporary video files.
• 🗺️ Maps (Google Maps, Yandex Maps) – cache of maps and routes.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second action will delete all settings and application files (e.g. saves in games or chats in instant messengers).

To speed up the process, packet cleaning can be used:

1. In Application Management, click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select Sort. → By size.
3. Clear the cache from all applications that are over 100MB.

3. Removing duplicates and unnecessary files: hidden MIUI folders

Xiaomi automatically creates many hidden folders, where duplicate photos, screenshots and temporary files are accumulated.

• DCIM/.thumbnails – Photo miniatures (can be removed)
• Pictures/Screenshots – Screenshots (often duplicated in Google Photos)
• MIUI/Extra – backups and log files.
• Download – Old Upk files and documents.

To search for duplicates:

1. Use a file manager (e.g., built-in Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to Categories → Images → Duplicates (in Mi File Manager).
3. Select the unnecessary files and delete them.

Hidden folders that can be safely cleaned:

For deep cleaning, we recommend Files by Google – it automatically finds:

• 📸 Duplicate photos.
• 🎥 Large video files (over 100 MB).
• 📄 Unnecessary documents (PDF, APK).
• 🗑️ Empty folders.

💡

Before you delete files, check the MIUI/Backup folder, which can contain backups of SMS and contacts, and if you don't need them, you can delete them too.

4.Transfer files to a memory card or to the cloud: how to do it correctly

If the internal memory is full and the external microSD card is empty, it is time to transfer files. However, MIUI has restrictions on the transfer of some data (for example, applications).

• 📷 Photo and video (folder) DCIM).
• 🎵 Music (Fader Music).
• 📥 Downloads (Download folder).
• 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel).

How to transfer files to a memory card:

1. Open Mi File Manager.
2. Select files (press your finger on the file → mark the necessary ones).
3. Press Move Move Move. → SD-map.
4. Select your destination folder (such as Pictures or Music).

To automate the transfer:

1. Install AutoMove from Google Play.
2. Set up rules (e.g., “All.jpg files move to /sdcard/Pictures”).
3. Activate automatic mode.

Cloud storage as an alternative:

• 🌥️ Google Photos – automatically uploads photos and videos (up to 15 GB free).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – gives 5GB for free for Xiaomi backups.
• 📦 Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud - by 10-32 GB for users from CIS.

⚠️ Note: Not all apps support memory card work, for example WhatsApp does not allow you to transfer chats to memory cards. SD — In the internal memory or cloud.

5. System garbage cleanup via ADB: for advanced users

If standard methods don't work and the memory is still full, you should turn to ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool that allows you to remove system debris that MIUI usually hides.

• 🧹 Dalvik cache (accelerates the system).
• 🗑️ Residual files after updates (/cache).
• 📦 Unnecessary APK from /data/app-lib.

Instructions for cleaning through ADB:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Activate Debugging by USB on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click to unlock Developer Settings, then turn on debugging).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*




rm -rf /cache/*




pm clear com.miui.home

What these teams do:

• rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/* - clears the Dalvik cache (requires root rights).
• rm -rf /cache/* - deletes temporary system files.
• pm clear com.miui.home resets the MIUI launcher cache.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause data loss or system failure. If you're not sure, skip this section.

After cleaning through ADB, be sure to restart your smartphone – otherwise the system may not work well.

6.Reset to factory settings: when it's the only way out

If the memory is so full that the smartphone is lagging or not updating, then you have a hard reset, which will delete all the data, including:

• 📱 Applications and their settings.
• 📸 Photos, videos, music (if not saved to a memory card).
• 📞 Contacts, SMS, Call log (unless synced with Google or Mi Account).

How to reset:

1. Save important data to your PC or cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data.
4. Confirm the action (a password may be required).

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔄 Restore data from a backup (Google Drive or Mi Cloud).
• ⚙️ Reset your smartphone, but don’t install unnecessary apps.
• 🛡️ Install antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) to protect against junk files.

💡

Resetting to factory settings is a last resort. Try all other cleanup methods before doing so, as recovering data after reset may not be complete.

7.Memory optimization: how to prevent it from filling in the future

To prevent memory from getting clogged again, follow these rules:

• 📵 Turn off autoload media in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber).
• 🎥 Reduce the quality of the video in the camera (e.g., with the camera) 4K before 1080p).
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly (once in a week) 1-2 weekdays).
• ☁️ Set up an automatic upload to the cloud (Google Photo or Mi Cloud).
• 🚫 Do not install apps from unknown sources – they often contain hidden debris.

Camera settings to save space:

1. Open the camera → Settings → Video resolution.
2. Choose Full HD (1080p) instead of 4K.
3. Turn it off. HDR and AI-Improvements if they are not needed.

Automatic cleaning with Security App:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup. → Autocleaning.
3. Turn on the option and set up a schedule (for example, once a week).

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi