Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 9: A Complete Guide with Proven Methods

Xiaomi Redmi 9 — One of the most popular budget smartphones, but it is 32/64 GB memory quickly gets clogged with unnecessary files, even if you don't install games, systems, app cache and updates. MIUI borrow 15-20 GB out of the box. In this article, we'll break down all the working ways to clean up memory, from basic to advanced, including hidden settings. MIUI Safe disposal of system debris.

It's important to understand that just removing photos or apps isn't enough. The main "eaters" of space are the cache of Google Play Services (can weigh up to a maximum of two hours). 5 GB!), duplicate files in the folder DCIM/.thumbnails, We'll show you how to find and delete it without harming the system, and we'll also show you why the factory reset on Redmi. 9 frequently 30-40% More space than manual cleaning.

This article is relevant for all Redmi modifications. 9 (Redmi 9A/9C/9T), also POCO M2 (The same platform. The methods are tested on the same platform. MIUI 12.5–14.

1.Analysis of occupied space: what exactly occupies memory

Before you clean, you need to understand which files are eating up the space. MIUI There's an inbuilt analyzer, but it hides some of the system data:

Open the Settings. → The phone. → Memory. Here you'll see the categorization:

System (10-15 GB) – firmware, Android kernel, pre-installed applications.

- Appendices – not only weight is taken into account APK, but also user data (e.g., Telegram cache can weigh 2)+ GB).

Multimedia - photos, videos, music, often duplicated in WhatsApp Media and Download folders.

- The other is the most insidious partition. This includes log files (.log,.tmp), update remnants (cache/ota), and cache Google Play Services.

For detailed analysis, use third-party tools:

Files by Google (shows junk even in system folders)

- SD Maid (finds empty folders and duplicates).

DiskUsage (visualizes occupied space in the form of a diagram).

⚠️ Note: If the Other section is more than 5GB occupied, it is a sign of a clogged system cache. It cannot be removed manually without root permission, but can be reset via Settings. → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Resetting settings (saving data) This method frees up 2-4 GB without losing files.

2.Cleaning App Cache: Why It Doesn't Always Work

The most obvious way is to clear the app cache, but Redmi 9 has some nuances.

• 📱 Regular cache (e.g. in Chrome or Instagram) is deleted without consequences. → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🚫 Google Play Services cache is a problem here. The system does not allow you to clean it completely through the menu (maximum 100-200 MB out of 5 GB). ADB:

adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms

This command will reset all of Google Play Services data, including cache.

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Go to Google Play Store and wait for sync (it can take 5-10 minutes).
3. Check the vacant space in the Settings → Memory.

⚠️ Important: Do not clear the cache of system applications (MIUI System, Security, Theme Manager – This can cause shell failures.

Clear the cache of user applications (Chrome, Instagram, TikTok)

Check the cache size of Google Play Services

Delete the cache through ADB (if busy >1GB)

Restart the phone after cleaning

Repeat the check after 24 hours (cache accumulates quickly)

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3. Remove unnecessary system applications (without root)

MIUI It's known for its abundance of pre-installed applications that can't be removed by standard methods, but there's a workaround -- disabling (not deleting!) through ADB. This will free up space and stop background activity.

List of safe apps to disable on Redmi 9:

• 🎵 com.miui.player – Music (if you use Spotify or YouTube Music).
• 📰 com.miui.video - Video player (can be replaced by video player) VLC).
• 📊 com.miui.analytics - Analytics MIUI (Sends data to Xiaomi).
• 🛒 com.xiaomi.shop – Mi Store (Xiaomi store, useless outside China).
• 📡 com.miui.hybrid – Hybrid services (responsible for advertising in the Internet) MIUI).

Instructions for unsetting:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Download ADB Tools and unpack.
3. In the command line (in the folder with ADB) Do: Adb devices (you should have your device).
4. To disable the application, use the command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 For example, to disable Mi Video: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.video

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable packages called com.android., com.qualcomm. or com.miui.home, this will lead to system failure. XDA Developers.

adb shell pm enable name.package

4. Cleaning Download folder and junk files

Download folder on Redmi 9 is a real dump.

• 📄 APK-Files of installed (and deleted!) applications.
• 🎥 Video from WhatsApp/Telegram (Dubbed in WhatsApp Media).
• 📂 Archives (.zip,.rar) after unpacking.
• 📊 Log files with extensions.log,.tmp,.bak.

How to clean:

1. Open Files (Standard Application) MIUI) → Categories → Downloads.
2. Sort by size (click on three dots) → Sorting → By size).
3. Delete all files older than 3 months (especially with the.apk,.log extensions).
4. To find duplicates, use Files by Google (Clean up section).

Hidden folders of garbage:

• 🗑️ /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — This is where the application data is stored. You can delete the remote folders.
• 🖼️ /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails — Photos (weighing up to a photo) 1 GB!) Removed without consequences.
• 🔄 /storage/emulated/0/cache — system process cache. Requires root to clean.

5.Storage optimization: transferring data to SD-map

Redmi 9 supports microSD up to 512GB, but not all data can be transferred to a map.

For the forced transfer of applications to SD:

1. Install AppMgr III (or Link2SD — root).
2. Select the application → Move it to SD.
3. If the option is inactive, the developer has blocked the transfer.

⚠️ Attention: Don't put it on SD System applications (Settings, Phone, Messages) will lead to errors. Also avoid transferring messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), as they may stop sending notifications.

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

If after all the manipulations are free less than 5 GB, it is time to do a hard reset. On Redmi 9, this frees up to 8-12 GB by removing:

• 🗃️ Residual update files (/cache/ota).
• 🧹 System cache (/data/dalvik-cache).
• 📱 Data from remote applications (in /Android/data).
• 🔄 Log files and dumps (/data/tombstones).

Step-by-step:

1. Make a backup copy: 📱 Contact: Settings → Google → Backup. 📸 Photo: Copy the folder DCIM PC-based. 🔑 Passwords: Export from Google Smart Lock.

Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting settings

Delete all data (including SD-map)

Don't mark this option

Confirm the reset (you will need to enter a pattern lock or PIN).

After restarting, set your phone as new.

⚠️ Critical: On Redmi 9s MIUI 12.5+ Mi Account activation error may occur after reset to avoid blocking:

• Before resetting, untie your Xiaomi account (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Get out).
• If your phone requires you to enter a password after reset, use the web version of Mi Account to unlock it.

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Factory reset is the most effective way to clean, but only use it if other methods have not worked. Once reset, the phone will work faster, as fragmented memory will be cleared.

7. Advanced methods: cleaning through ADB and TWRP

If you’re ready for experimentation, these methods will help remove system debris that is not available through standard settings.

Method 1: Cleaning through ADB (no root)

Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /cache/*




rm -rf /data/tombstones/*




rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*




reboot

These commands will delete temporary files, error dumps and Dalvik cache. /system!

Method 2: Installation TWRP hand-cleaning

1. Unlock bootloader (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
2. Install. TWRP Redmi 9 (you can download it on twrp.me).
3. Load to TWRP (clip Power + Volume Up).
4. Go to Advanced. → File Manager and remove: /cache/ota — update-sheet. /data/log — logistic. /data/system/package_cache — packet-cache.

Reboot.

⚠️ Note: Delete files through TWRP It can lead to bootloop if you delete critical system data. TWRP (Backup → Select sections → Swipe to Back Up).

8.Prevention: How to avoid future memory clogging

To avoid clearing your memory every month, follow these rules:

• 📵 Turn off automatic media download in messengers: WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Autoboot media → Only Wi-Fi (or Never) on Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media → Shut down.
• 🔄 Set up the cache cleanup automatically: B MIUI: Settings → Memory. → Cleanup → Autoclean (on). Install. SD Maid and set up a weekly cleanup.
• 📥 Use cloud storage: Google Photos (free up to 15 GB, compression without loss of quality). Mi Cloud (5 GB free, but synced only with the Xiaomi account).
• 🚫 Block ads in MIUI (it consumes traffic and cache: Install Blokada or AdGuard. disable personalized advertising: Settings → Confidentiality → Advertising → Shut down.

⚠️ Gamers’ Advice: If you play Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG, transfer the game cache to SD-map via AppMgr III. These games take up to 5-10 GB each!

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To reduce the weight of photos without losing quality, use the Photo Compress app (compresses up to 80% without visible artifacts).

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 9