Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi: from cache to hidden files

Why Xiaomi Redmi is slowing down and how it relates to memory

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi Redmi has become slower to run, apps have been opening for a long time, and notifications of memory shortages appear almost every day? 90% of the time, the reason lies in clogged internal memory. Even if you have a model with 128 GB or 256 GB of storage, the system and applications over time create tons of temporary files, cache and duplicates that eat up precious gigabytes.

Feature of firmware MIUI (even in the latest versions MIUI 14) — aggressive caching of data, which on the one hand speeds up the re-launch of applications, on the other, leads to /.cache growing to several gigabytes. 10 After a year of use, the Pro may have up to 5-7 GB of junk files that are not visible in a standard file manager.

But the problem isn't just the cache, and many users don't realize that:

• 📁 Google Photos and Gallery Duplicates Take Up to 20% of Your Memory;
• 🎮 Residual files from remote games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) can weigh in on the Internet. 1-2 GB;
• 📱 System dumps (/data/tombstones) They are created when they fail and never cleaned automatically;
• 🔄 Updates MIUI, b) those that are not stored, but are not /cache.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to clean up memory – from basic to advanced, including hidden settings. MIUI and work ADB. All methods tested on Redmi 9, Note 11, Note 12 Pro+ other popular models.

Method 1: Integrated MIUI cleaning – fast but inefficient

The easiest method is to use the built-in cleaning tool in MIUI. It removes the app cache, temporary files and garbage from the Download folder. 10-15% all garbage, as it does not affect system files and deep caches.

How to start:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click Clean (or Clean in older versions).
3. Select file categories (cache, downloads, thumbnails) and confirm deletion.

🔹 What's removed:

• 🗑️ Application cache (for example, YouTube, TikTok, VKontakte);
• 📎 Temporary files APK download;
• 🖼️ Image and video miniatures.

🔸 What's NOT being removed:

• 🚫 System cache (/cache and /data/dalvik-cache);
• 🚫 Residual files of remote applications;
• 🚫 Duplicate photos and videos;
• 🚫 Logs and error dumps.

⚠️ Note: If the memory is less than free after cleaning 1 GB, so the garbage has accumulated in the system partitions. 3-5.

Method 2: Manually cleaning the cache of applications (for advanced)

Many apps (especially social networks and instant messengers) store gigabytes of cache that is not removed by standard cleaning. 3-5 GB of cached media files, and Instagram - up to 1 GB.

How to clean the cache manually:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as WhatsApp or Google Chrome).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. For complete cleaning, click Clear Data (⚠️ This will reset the application settings!).

📊 Top.-5 "voracious "cache" applications (on the example of Redmi Note) 11):

⚠️ Note: Clearing data in games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile will remove progress, link your account to Google Play Games or Mi Account.

💡 Tip: Use the app to automatically clean the cache SD Maid (requires root) or Files by Google (works without superuser rights).

💡

If after cleaning the cache, the application began to work slower, restart the smartphone. MIUI rebuilds the cache at launch, and performance will recover.

Method 3: Removing duplicate photos and videos (hidden problem)

One of the most subtle but serious causes of memory loss is duplicate media files, which appear when:

• 📸 Import photos from the camera to the PC and back;
• 🔄 Sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud;
• 📱 Transfer files via Xiaomi Share or Bluetooth;
• 🎨 Photo editing in Snapseed, Lightroom (copies created).

Redmi duplicates can be used up to 10-20 GB, and the standard Gallery doesn't show them:

1. Files by Google: Open the Cleanup tab; Select Duplicates of Files; View the list and delete unnecessary copies.

Duplicate Files Fixer

CCleaner

(requires access to files).

🔍 How to Find Duplicates Manually:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (file transfer mode).
2. Open the folders: DCIM/Camera — camera; Pictures/Screenshots — Screenshots; Download – uploaded files; Miui/Gallery/cloud — synchronized media.

Sort files by size and date to find copies.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete the folder MIUI Or Android manually, which can cause a system failure. Use only proven cleaning apps.

Method 4: Cleaning system files with Recovery Mode

If standard methods didn’t help and there is critically little free space (less than 1 GB), it’s time to clear the system cache through Recovery Mode.

• 🗃️ Update cache (/cache);
• 🔄 Temporary application installation files;
• 📱 Dumps of error (/data/tombstones);
• 🔧 Cash Dalvik (/data/dalvik-cache).

📌 Instructions for all Redmi models:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the MI logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (English/whale).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Reboot the device (Reboot).

⚠️ What NOT to do in Recovery:

• 🚫 Select Wipe All Data (this is a complete reset!);
• 🚫 Delete the System partition (leads to Brick");
• 🚫 Interrupt the cleaning process (may damage the file system).

🔹 Result: After cleaning the system cache, 500 MB – 2 GB of memory will be freed up, and the smartphone will work smoother).

💡

Cleaning through Recovery Mode is safe if you do not touch the "Wipe All Data" section. 3-6 months.

Method 5: Remove Unnecessary System Applications (without root)

MIUI It is known for a large number of pre-installed applications (bloatware) that cannot be removed by standard means:

• 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video (Duplicate Google Play Music and YouTube);
• 📰 Mi Browser (less secure than Chrome);
• 🛒 GetApps, Mi Pay, Mi Credit (not used in Russia);
• 🎮 Game Turbo (if you don't play mobile games).

You can remove them without root rights, using them. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method works for all Redmis with MIUI 12–14.

🛠️ Step-by-step instruction:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC (official website).
2. Turn on the debugging. USB on a smartphone: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to unlock Developer Settings; Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.

Redmi

Command line.

Terminal

ADB

adb shell pm list packages -f | find "miui"

Mi Browser

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

📋 List of safe packet removal:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages with the names com.android, com.qualcomm or com.miui.home, this will lead to the collapse of the system.

💡

If, after removing the application, ADB It reappeared after the update. MIUI, Repeat the procedure or disable automatic update of system applications in Settings → Annexes → Auto-update.

Method 6: Transfer applications to memory card (with limitations)

If your Redmi supports microSD, you can transfer some applications to a memory card, but there are serious limitations to this method:

• ✅ It only works for applications that support transfer;
• ❌ System applications cannot be moved;
• ⚠️ After the transfer, applications can work slower;
• 🔄 When you remove the map, the applications will stop working.

📲 How to transfer the application to SD:

1. Insert a memory card (recommended) UHS-I Class 10 for speed).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select an app (such as Spotify or VK).
4. Click Warehouse → Change → Memory Map.
5. Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed.

🔹 What applications can be transferred:

• 🎵 Music Players (Spotify, VK Music);
• 📖 Readers (Moon)+ Reader, FBReader);
• 🎮 Some games, but not Genshin Impact or Call of Duty!);
• 📺 Video players (VLC, MX Player).

❌ What apps can not be transferred:

• 📱 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram – will be laid);
• 📸 Camera applications;
• 🔒 Banking applications (can be blocked);
• 🎮 Hard games (will be slowed down).

Important: Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi has limited the portability of applications to SD-If the "Change" option is inactive, your model does not support this function.

Method 7: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods failed and there is less than 500 MB of free memory, you will have to resort to a complete reset, which deletes all data, including:

• 📸 Photos, videos, music;
• 📱 Installed applications and their data;
• 🔑 Settings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, accounts;
• 📋 Messages, contacts (if not synced with Google).

⚠️ Preparation for discharge:

1. Backup: Photo/video – copy to PC or Google Photos; Contacts – export to VCF sync with Google Account; Messages – use SMS Backup & Restore; Apps – Write down a list in Google Keep.

• Wi-Fi passwords;
• Screen settings (resolution, frequency);
• Battery modes.

🔄 What to do after a reset:

• 📱 Restore data from backup;
• 🔒 Don’t install all apps at once – do it gradually;
• 🛡️ Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play;
• 📁 Clean the cache regularly (once in a row) 1-2 weekdays).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (such as Note 10 Pro) may miss the microSD partition after reset. To return it, reboot the smartphone with the memory card inserted.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi