How to completely clean the memory of the Xiaomi phone: from cache to system garbage

Your Xiaomi has started to slow down, apps are flying out, and the system writes "Not enough memory"? The problem is familiar to most smartphone owners of this brand - even flagship models are eventually clogged with unnecessary files. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to clean up memory, including hidden MIUI functions that are not obvious at first glance.

The thing about MIUI is that it actively caches data to speed up, but often doesn't automatically delete it, and as a result, after 6-12 months of use, free space can be reduced by 30-50% even without installing new applications, and we'll show you how to return up to 15 GB of memory on models with 64/128 GB of storage without resorting to resetting.

1. Standard cleaning through "Safety"

Start with the built-in MIUI tool, which deletes temporary files and cache.This method is secure and does not require root rights. Open the Security app and go to Cleanup.

The system will automatically scan the device and show the amount of unnecessary data, and note the items: "App cache" (can be deleted without risk), "Downloads" (check if there are any important files), and "File Remains" (remnants from deleted programs).

• 📱 Application cache -- temporary data that can be deleted without consequences. 1-3 GB on a regular basis.
• 🗑️ Recycle bins are files that were deleted less than 30 days ago, often taking 500MB-1GB invisibly.
• 🔍 Duplicate files — MIUI Finds duplicate photos and documents. Delete manually by checking the contents.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually clean the System Data section – this may cause malfunctions MIUI. To remove them, use only official methods from the following sections.

2. Deep cleaning through the "Storage"

More detailed control of files provides a menu of Settings → Storage. This displays the distribution of memory into categories: applications, images, video and system data.

Click on Apps to sort programs by place. Amazingly, instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and social media (TikTok, Instagram) can take up to 5-8 GB each from downloaded media files. Use the built-in cache clearing function for each application separately.

Backup of important files|Check the amount of free memory|Close all background applications|Connect the charger (for long-term operations)-->

3. System garbage disposal via MIUI Hidden Settings

MIUI firmware hides some cleaning tools that are not visible in the standard interface. To access them, type the combination in the Phone app: ##4636##. The Engineering Mode menu will open, where you need to select Usage statistics.

Here you will see a complete list of unused applications and residues from remote programs that are not displayed in the standard file manager, for example, after uninstallation of some games, folders with data up to 1 GB in /Android/obb remain.

Important: Don't delete the folders of current applications, it will cause them to fail, and use this method only for programs that you deleted long ago, but their data is left.

4. Cleaning through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods didn’t help and the phone still shows “Memory is full,” try removing system debris via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method requires a connection to a computer, but allows you to delete files that are not available through the normal interface.

Download ADB Tools from Google’s official website and follow the commands:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "uninstalled"


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet

The first command will show you a list of applications with residual data, the second will delete them completely.

adb shell pm trim-caches 512M

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB This method can disrupt the system if you delete critical packets (MIUI Launcher, Security, etc., if you are not sure of their purpose.

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Before working with ADB, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. This will allow you to recover data if you make an error.

5.Memory optimization with Google Files

Google Files (formerly Files Go) is more efficient than the built-in MIUI file manager thanks to its algorithms for analyzing unnecessary data. Download it from the Play Market and start the Cleanup feature.

Features of Google Files:

Find duplicate photos even with different names.

- Offers to remove old screenshots (often take 1-2 GB).

Shows large files (>100 MB) that can be transferred to a memory card or cloud.

• 📸 Old memes and screenshots – often accumulate over years in a folder Pictures/Screenshots.
• 🎵 Unused Music – Check the Music folder for files that have been downloaded for a long time and are not listened to.
• 📄 PDF and DOCX — documents downloaded for one-time viewing, but left on the device.

6. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If there is not enough space left on your phone but you don’t want to delete files, transfer them to a memory card or cloud storage. In MIUI, this is done through the Settings menu → Storage → Data Transfer.

To automate the process, use:

Google Photos (free of charge stores compressed photos/video)

Mi Cloud (5GB) is free for Xiaomi owners.

- Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud (10-20 GB when registering).

⚠️ Note: When using Class Class Memory Card 4 Applications may be slower or lower. To port programs, choose Class cards. 10/UHS-I high-speed reading/write.

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Transfer of applications to SD-The card is only available for some programs. System applications and games with protection (for example, Genshin Impact) can not be transferred.

7. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods failed and the phone is still slowing down, do a full reset via Settings → About Phone → Reset. This method deletes all data, including accounts, photos and installed apps.

Before discharge:

1. Create a backup through Mi Cloud or Google Account.

2. write down logins / passwords from important services (they will be deleted).

3. Remove the memory card and SIM if they are used.

After resetting the phone will return to the state "out of the box", but its work will be accelerated by 2-3 times due to the removal of all accumulated errors and debris. This method is recommended to use no more than 1 time in 12-18 months.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup