How to Clean Memory on Xiaomi Phone: A Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi smartphones are some of the most popular devices on the market due to the combination of price and functionality. But even owners of the top models of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or Xiaomi 14 Ultra sooner or later face a problem: the phone’s memory is clogged, applications are slowed down, and the system issues warnings about space shortages, and the problem is relevant for budget devices with 64 GB of storage, and for flagships with 512 GB – just the scale is different.

In this article, we will discuss all working methods of cleaning memory on Xiaomi, from basic (removal of garbage and cache) to radical (reset to factory settings). MIUI, They're not written in the standard manuals, and they're also debunking the myths of "magic cleaning software." MIUI 14/15 and suitable for models 2020–2026 year-end.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly is the memory?

Before you clean it, you have to figure out what's eating up the memory. MIUI has a built-in analysis tool, but it's hidden deep in the menu.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Slip on the schedule of occupied space (not by number!).
3. The system will open a detailed report broken down by categories: Applications, Media Files, Cash, System Data and Other.

Note the Others section, which often hides temporary files from messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), system logs and remnants of remote applications, and if this partition takes up more than 10-15% of total memory, cleaning it will give the maximum effect.

Top.-3 "Memory Eater on Xiaomi:

• 📸 High-resolution photos and videos (especially if the camera is shooting in the video) 4K/60fps or 108 MPP).
• 🎮 Games – Even after deleting, they leave cache in the folder Android/obb.
• 📱 Social networks (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook) – cache videos and stories in the background.

2.Cleaning App Cache: A Quick Way to Free 1–5GB

Cache is a temporary file that apps save to speed up work, and over time it grows to a giant size, for example, Google Play Services can accumulate up to 2-3 GB of cache, and Telegram can accumulate up to 500 MB-1 GB in just a month of active use.

How to clean the cache selectively:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like YouTube or Chrome).
3. Slip the vault. → Clear the cache.

For mass cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Press Deep Clean (confirmation may be required).
3. Tick the unnecessary files (cache, temporary data, thumbnails) and confirm the deletion.

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Do not clear the cache of system applications (such as MIUI Launcher or Security) – this can cause interface failures.

What happens if you clear the cache?

• ✅ Applications will be run longer when first opened (cache recreated).
• ✅ Freed from 500 MB to 5 GB of space (depending on the number of applications).
• ❌ Some data will have to be re-uploaded (for example, avatars on WhatsApp or video previews on TikTok).

3. Deletion of unnecessary files: photos, videos and digital garbage

Media files are the main culprit for memory loss. Even if you don't shoot videos, instant messengers and social networks automatically download content to the gallery, for example, WhatsApp stores all photos and videos sent to the WhatsApp/Media folder by default.

How to find and delete unnecessary files:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Category section → Images/Video.
3. Sort files by size (slip to three dots in the top right corner → Sort → by size).
4. Remove duplicates, screenshots, uploaded memes and unnecessary videos.

To automate the process, use the built-in Cleanup tool in MIUI:

1. Start settings → Memory → Cleaning.
2. Select the Large Files or Duplicates tab.
3. Browse the list and remove the unnecessary (for example, 500MB+ videos that you haven’t opened in a long time).

Hidden folders that are worth checking out:

4. Data transfer to SD-map

If memory is catastrophically lacking, and you do not want to delete anything, transfer files to an external medium or to the cloud. Xiaomi supports microSD (up to 2 TB) and integration with Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Yandex Drive.

How to transfer files to SD-map:

Insert the card into the slot (hybrid or dedicated)|Format the card as internal memory (set up in the Warehouse) → SD-map)|Transfer files through Files → Select → Move it|Configure saving new photos/videos to the map in the camera → Settings → Preservation site

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Cloud services for Xiaomi:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud gives you 5GB for free, syncs your contacts, notes and photos, and minus servers in China, possible access issues.
• ☁️ Google Photos – unlimited storage of compressed photos (up to 16 MP) and video (1080p). For original quality – 15 GB per account.
• ☁️ Yandex Disk – 10 GB free, convenient for users from Russia.

⚠️ Note: If you are formatting SD-The card is like internal memory, and it can't be retrieved without losing data. For flexibility, it's better to use portable storage mode (files will have to be manually transferred).

5 System garbage removal and MIUI optimization

MIUI is known for being littered over time, creating temporary files, error logs and update cache, and can be cleaned through hidden menus or special commands.

Method 1: Manual cleaning with Storage Sense

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Turn on Storage Sense and start the analysis.

Method 2: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced)

If the phone is slowing down a lot, the dalvik cache reset team will help:

adb shell pm trim-caches 1024

This command compulsorily clears the cache of all applications, including system applications, and requires developer rights and PC connectivity.

Method 3: Remove old updates

MIUI stores firmware files in the /cache folder, which can be deleted:

1. Open the files. → Internal memory. → cache.
2. Delete files with the.zip extension or names like update.zip.

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Regularly cleaning the /cache folder speeds up the system load and frees up to 1-2 GB of space. But don’t manually delete files unless you’re sure they’re intended – this can cause crashes!

6.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If all the methods are tried and the memory is still full, there is a hard reset, which will delete all the data, including apps, photos and settings, so make sure to back up:

• 📱 Through Mi Cloud (Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Backup).
• 💾 Through Google Account (Settings) → Google → Backup).
• 🖥️ Through Xiaomi. PC Suite (official utility for PC).

How to perform the reset:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Confirm the action (a password may be required).
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require re-assignment of the Mi Account after reset. If you forget the password, the phone will turn into a “brick” – be sure to check the login details before resetting!

What to do after the discharge:

• ✅ Restore data from backup (but not all at once – it will clog up memory again).
• ✅ Install only the necessary applications (get rid of the "digital junk").
• ✅ Set up automatic cache cleanup in Settings → Memory. → Autocleaning.

7. How to prevent memory filling in the future

To avoid clearing your memory every week, set up Xiaomi to a “economical” mode of operation:

Automatic settings:

• 🔄 Enable Auto Cleanup in Settings → Memory (remove cache once a week).
• 📥 Limit background download in messengers: on WhatsApp, turn off Media Autoload (Settings) → Warehouse).
• 🎥 In the camera, reduce the resolution of the video to 1080p/30fps (unless you need a professional shooting).

Use habits:

• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary screenshots immediately after use (folder) Pictures/Screenshots).
• 🎮 Clean the game cache regularly through Settings → Annexes.
• 📂 Transfer large files (movies, archives) to the SD-map or cloud immediately after downloading.

Monitoring annexes:

• 📊 Files by Google – Shows “junk” files and suggests you delete them.
• 🛡️ SD Maid (requires root) – cleans system debris deeper than standard tools.
• 📈 DiskUsage – visualizes occupied space in the form of a diagram.

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The most effective way to save space is to avoid accumulating unnecessary data, set up automatic cleaning and audit your files once a month.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup