Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face a situation where the device starts to work slower or refuses to accept new files because of crowded storage. One of the hidden reasons for the lack of space is the accumulation of old text messages, multimedia attachments and system logs that have been collected for years in the depths of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. Message memory cleaning is not just deleting correspondence, but a complex process that requires careful attention to different types of data.
Many users mistakenly believe that removing the dialogue in a standard app completely frees up space, but this is not always the case.Residual files, attachments and cache can continue to take up gigabytes of precious space. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to effectively and safely free up space on Xiaomi using both built-in tools and advanced cleaning methods.
Before we start radical measures, we need to understand the structure of data storage. The system divides information into user (your photos, correspondence) and system (app cache, temporary files). Deleting system files through the file manager can lead to unstable operation of the device, so you need to act strictly according to the instructions. Let's look at the basic methods that will help return the performance of your gadget.
Analysis of storage occupancy on MIUI
The first step in the struggle for space is diagnostics. Xiaomi's standard tools provide enough detail about what exactly occupies space. To access this data, go to Settings → About Phone → Storage. Here you will see a color diagram where each type of data is assigned a different shade.
Note the "Messages" and "Other" sections, and often the "Other" category hides heavy attachments from messengers or remote app cache, and the storage analysis helps to identify hidden problems that are not visible in a typical gallery viewing, and if you see that the message section takes up a disproportionate amount of space, it's a signal to action.
It’s also worth checking your cloud settings. Synchronizing with Xiaomi Cloud or Google Photos can create local copies that duplicate data. In some cases, clearing the synchronization cache helps free up to several gigabytes. It’s important to understand that removing data from the cloud can erase it from the device if synchronization is enabled.
Don't ignore the Applications section. Even if you don't use software very often, it can accumulate data. Application management is a key step in optimizing. Regular monitoring helps keep the system clean and prevents critical memory filling that slows down the interface.
Cleaning up standard SMS and MMS messages
The most obvious, but often not effective, method is to manually delete correspondence in a standard application. However, there are hidden features in the MIUI shell for mass cleaning. Open the Messages app, click three dots in the corner or the menu button, and select Delete old messages.
You can set criteria here, for example, delete all messages older than 3 months or leave only the last 100 SMS from each contact. This is automatic deletion much faster than manual cleaning. Remember to also check the Spam and Blocked folder, as promotional mailings can take up a significant amount.
☑️ Checklist for SMS cleanup
⚠️ Before mass deletion, be sure to back up important confirmation codes or business correspondence, as it is almost impossible to recover deleted SMS without a backup.
Special attention should be paid to MMS messages, which contain pictures and videos that weigh much more than normal text. In the message settings, find the MMS Size Limit and set a minimum value so that future messages do not take up much space. Also check the MIUI → gallery → cloud → trash folder for deleted, but not permanently erased media from correspondence.
For advanced users, there is an option to clean through an engineering menu or ADB, but for most cases, there are enough regular tools, the main thing is to regularly perform this procedure without waiting for the memory to be filled by 99%. Regular hygiene of the file system prolongs the life of the drive.
Working with messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber
Modern messaging is primarily messaging. WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber have a habit of saving every photo and video they receive to a gallery by duplicating it in their own cache, and to clear the memory of messages in these apps, you need to use their built-in storage management tools.
On WhatsApp, go to Settings → Data and Storage → Storage Management. Here you will see a list of chats sorted by place you occupy. You can select a specific dialog and delete all media files, leaving text behind. This is a secure way that will not affect important text information.
Telegram is easier because of the cloud nature of the messenger. In Settings → Data and memory → Memory use, you can set a timer like “3 days” or “1 week.” Telegram cache will clear automatically, freeing up space, but messages will remain available in the cloud and download if necessary.
Why does Telegram take up so much space?
Remember Viber and Signal. They also have media cleanup features. In Viber, this is in Settings → Memory and Data → Clear Memory. You can choose to delete only media files or all of the chat content. Be careful: unlike Telegram, in Viber, deleting a message from your interlocutor may not delete it from the interlocutor, but the file will be deleted locally.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
Every Xiaomi smartphone has a Security system app pre-installed, a powerful tool that is often underestimated. Cleanup scans the device for temporary files, remnants of deleted applications and, importantly, a message cache.
Run the scan and wait for the results. The system will suggest removing "Junk." Press the clean button. Then go to the "Deep Clean" section. Here you can adjust the settings in more detail. Deep cleanup finds files that a normal scan misses, such as large files in the download folders of messengers.
The Security app also has a section called Acceleration, and although its primary purpose is to free up RAM (RAM), it also helps close the background processes that can block deleting some files, and its regular use keeps the system on track.
| Type of data | Where to clean | Risk of data loss | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMS/MMS | Annex “Messages” | Tall (no backup) | Every 3-6 months |
| Cash messengers | Application settings | Low (media in the cloud) | Once a month |
| Systemic debris | Annex "Security" | Minimum | Once a week. |
| Downloads (Downloads) | File manager | Medium (must be seen) | As you fill up |
It is important to note that the Security app is sometimes too aggressive and can suggest deleting files you still need. Always look carefully at file previews before confirming deletion. User control remains a major security factor.
Manual cleaning through the file manager
For those who want to get the most out of it, manual cleaning through the built-in Explorer is fine. Go to the root folder of the device and find the MIUI directory. It stores many system logs and temporary message files. The MIUI → gallery → cloud → trash folder often contains deleted photos from messages.
Also worth checking is the Android → media folder. Here, various apps store their data. Find folders that correspond to your messengers (for example, com.whatsapp or com.tencent.mm for WeChat). Inside, look for folders cache or temp. Their content can be safely deleted.
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Use size sorting in the file manager to instantly see the heaviest files, regardless of their type, and decide to delete them.
⚠️ Warning: Never delete.db or.xml files from your system folders unless you are sure of their purpose.This may result in application settings resetting or system errors.
Another hidden folder — MIUI → debug_log. This can accumulate error logs that weigh hundreds of megabytes, and if you're not a developer and you're not debugging the system, you can clean that folder completely, but once you reboot it can reappear, which is normal behavior.
Specialized cleaning applications
If there's not enough built-in tools, you can turn to third-party solutions, Files by Google remains the market leader, and this app safely analyzes the device, finding duplicates, blurred photos and old chat files, and it can recognize memas and gifs, suggesting that you delete them in a batch.
Another popular option is SD Maid, which is a tool for advanced users that can find corpses, remnants of remote applications. SD Maid has a System Cleanup feature that runs deeper than standard Android tools. However, full functionality may require root rights, which are difficult to obtain on new Xiaomi models.
It is not recommended to install dubious ad accelerators that promise to increase RAM by many times. Often these applications are the source of advertising and garbage. Trust only trusted developers with a good reputation in the Play Market. Data security is more important than a few free megabytes.
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The best way to clean up is to combine built-in MIUI tools and manually control heavy files in instant messengers. Use third-party applications only from trusted developers.
Prevention of memory overflow
To keep the question of how to clear memory from coming up every month, change the default settings. In each messenger, turn off auto-save media to the gallery, and this will prevent duplicate files from being stored inside the application, but will not take up space in the shared album.
Use cloud storage. Google Photos, Yandex.Disk or Xiaomi Cloud can automatically upload photos and videos, then delete their local copy from the phone. Google Photos' "Free space" feature does this in one click. Cloud sync is the best friend of the smartphone owner with a small amount of internal memory.
Check your installed list regularly, remove those you haven't used for more than six months, and often these apps keep collecting data in the background, and it's also helpful to reset your settings every six months (with a pre-backup), which returns the system to factory speed and cleanliness.