How to completely clean memory on Xiaomi Redmi 10: from cache to factory settings

Xiaomi Redmi 10 (model 21061119AG) is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2021, but its 64 or 128 GB of memory is quickly clogged with garbage. Even if you don't install games, the MIUI system actively caches data and background processes create temporary files. As a result, after a few months of use, you get a notification: "Memory is full. Make room for the phone to function normally."

In this article, 7 proven ways to clean up memory on Redmi 10, from basic (delete the cache of applications) to radical (reset to factory settings). MIUI 12.5-14 and do not require root rights, and you will learn how to migrate applications to the Internet. SD-card (if your model supports memory expansion) and which files can be safely deleted without risk to the system.

1. Memory Occupation Analysis: What Takes Place?

Before you clear the memory, you need to understand which files are eating up space. Redmi 10 has a built-in tool for this — Settings → Phone → Memory (or Settings → Storage in newer versions of MIUI). Here you will see a diagram of the memory distribution by category:

• 📱 System data – firmware, updates, log files (usually 10-15 GB).
• 🎮 Applications – installed programs and their cache.
• 📷 Multimedia – photo, video, music (most often the culprit of memory deficiency).
• 📄 Other files - downloads, documents, APK-file.

If the “Other Files” section is more than 5 GB occupied, most likely there are:

• 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Applications (Folder) /Android/obb/).
• 📦 Archives and APK-files from a browser or Telegram.
• 📝 Log files of the system (folder) /MIUI/debug_log/).

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete folders /Android/data/ or /Android/obb/ This can cause applications to crash. Use only system tools or specialized utilities like Files by Google.

2. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work, and over time, it accumulates and can take several gigabytes. On Redmi 10, the cache can be cleared in two ways:

Method 1: Clearing the cache for individual applications

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or Facebook).
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – this will delete your account settings!).

Method 2: Mass cleaning of the cache

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Click on “Cached Data” and confirm the cleanup.
3. For deep cleaning, select “Junk Files” – the system will scan unnecessary APKs, temporary files and remnants of deleted programs.

After clearing the cache, some apps (like Google Maps or Instagram) can take longer to load when you first run – that’s normal.

Delete the cache of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|Clear the browser cache (Chrome, Mi Browser)|Delete the social media cache (Facebook, TikTok)|Check the folder Downloads to unnecessary files-->

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

Many Redmi 10 users are faced with the problem of deleting the app and not freeing up their memory, because they are left with:

• 🗃️ Folders with data in /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/.
• 📦 Cash and settings in system partitions.
• 🔄 Background processes that did not close after uninstallation.

To remove the app completely, do the following:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the unnecessary app and click “Delete”.
3. After deleting, go to Settings → Storage → Cleanup → Garbage files and start scanning.
4. If the application was system-based (such as Mi Video or Mi Music), it can only be disabled (the “Disable” button instead of “Delete”).

⚠️ Note: Do not remove system applications using root rights or ADB! This can result in a cyclical restart (bootloop) or update failure. MIUI. A list of safe to remove system applications can be found on the forum XDA Developers (Redmi 10).

4. Data transfer to SD-card (if supported)

Xiaomi Redmi 10 has a hybrid slot for the SIM-Cards: either two nano-SIMs or one SIM + microSD up to 512GB. If your model supports memory expansion, file transfers will help free up internal storage.

How to transfer files to SD-map:

1. Insert microSD (UHS-I U1 or higher is recommended).
2. Open Files → Categories → Images / Videos.
3. Select files, click “More” (three dots) → «Move it» → choose SD-map.

To transfer applications to SD:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app and click on “Storage”.
3. If the “Change” option is active, select SD-map.

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support portability SD. For example, WhatsApp and Banking apps will not allow you to change the storage location due to security requirements, and after transferring the application can run slower.

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If SD-The card is not defined, try formatting it in exFAT format (via a computer), which will allow you to write files larger than 4 GB (for example, video in a computer). 4K).

5.Using the built-in utility "Cleaning"

MIUI has a powerful memory-free tool called Cleanup.

• 🗑️ Garbage files (residues) APK, time-file).
• 📁 Duplicate photos and similar images.
• 📥 Large files (video, archives).
• 🔍 Unused applications (which haven’t been running for more than a month).

How to start a deep cleaning:

1. Open the Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Click on “Deep Clean” (bottom of the screen).
3. Select categories to scan (it is recommended to note everything).
4. After analysis, click “Clean” (the system will show how much space will be freed).

The utility also offers:

• 📊 Memory analysis – shows which folders occupy the most space.
• 🔄 Optimization – closes the background processes that consume RAM and write data to memory.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these things worked, and Redmi 10 has less than 1 GB of free space, you'll have to do a Hard Reset.

• 📱 All installed applications and their data.
• 📷 Photos, videos, music (if not on the list) SD-map).
• 📋 Wi-Fi settings, accounts, passwords.

How to reset:

1. Save important data to your computer or cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm.
4. After the reboot, the phone will look like new.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 10 s MIUI 13/14 After reset, you may need to re-assign your Xiaomi account (if Find Device was enabled). Without this, the phone will not activate! Make sure you remember the username and password from Mi-account.

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Factory reset is the only way to get the system back clean if the phone is slowing down due to memory shortages, but once reset, you'll have to reset all settings and install applications.

7. Additional tips for saving memory

To prevent memory from getting clogged too quickly on Redmi 10, follow these guidelines:

• 📸 Photo and video: Set up automatic upload to Google Photos, then delete local copies. In the camera settings, select the shooting in resolution. 1080p instead 4K, If you do not need maximum detail.
• 🎵 Music: Use streaming services (Spotify, Yandex Music) instead of storing songs on your phone.
• 📥 Download: Clean Download folder regularly (especially after installation) APK browser-wise).
• 🔄 Updates: Turn off automatic downloading of app updates in the Play Market → Settings → Auto-update.

It is also worth installing lightweight analogues of popular applications:

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If you often install APK-Files from Third Party Sources, Use the Application APK Extractor to save backups of installed programs on SD-It'll save you the need to download them again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Redmi 10