How to effectively clean the memory in the phone Xiaomi Redmi

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have powerful hardware, but even these become slower over time. The main reason for the performance decline is often crowded internal storage. When the system partition is full of critical data, the MIUI or HyperOS operating system can not function properly, causing friezes and lags.

The user needs to regularly review the contents of the device to make room, not just removing photos, but a comprehensive approach to managing the file system.

In this article, we will explore all available methods of freeing up space, from built-in utilities to manually removing system debris, and learn to distinguish between important files and unnecessary digital junk that has been accumulating in the depths of your smartphone’s memory for years.

Use of the built-in "Security" application

The easiest and safest way to start optimizing is to use a standard developer tool, which has a Security app preinstalled in the MIUI shell, which has a built-in cleaning module, which analyzes the folder structure and suggests that temporary files that do not affect the system work are deleted.

Launch the app and press the Cleanup button, which automatically scans the device for residual files, cache and large videos, a method ideal for rapid prevention when you need to urgently free a couple of gigabytes to install an update or a new game.

However, be careful when choosing categories to delete, sometimes algorithms may find it safe to delete files you recently created, and always check the list before final confirmation of a transaction so that important documents are not accidentally erased.

💡

Use the Deep Clean feature in the Security app only once a month, as it removes the app cache, which can temporarily slow them down when you first open them.

Regular use of the built-in scanner helps keep the system on track, a basic level of digital device hygiene that every Redmi owner should be doing.

Analysis and removal of application cache

The main consumers of free space in modern smartphones are social networks and instant messengers. Apps like Telegram, Viber and TikTok store a huge amount of media files. Videos, sent pictures and voice messages take up gigabytes, even if you don’t see them in chat.

To delete this data, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Select a heavy app and press Memory. Here you will see two buttons: Clear and Clear All. The first one deletes only temporary files, the second one resets the application to the state immediately after installation, removing logins and settings.

Telegram, unlike other messengers, stores the history of media files on the server, but caches them on the device for quick access. In the settings of the application, find the Data and Memory → Memory Use section, where you can set up automatic cache cleaning in 3 days or a week, which will save you from manual cleaning in the future.

⚠️ Note: Clearing the app data (not to be confused with clearing the cache) will result in your account being logged out.Make sure to remember your password or phone number to re-authorize before performing this procedure.

Keep in mind that clearing the cache can temporarily increase traffic consumption, as apps will have to re-download avatars and previews.

Work with Gallery and Cloud Services

Photos and videos are the most voluminous content stored on a phone. With the increasing quality of cameras, files are getting heavier. One minute video in 4K can weigh more than a thousand Word documents. So managing media files is a key step in freeing up memory.

Xiaomi has an Album feature that automatically sorts screenshots, videos and deleted items. Often users forget to clear the cart where deleted photos lie for another 30 days. Go to the Deleted album and make room for the rest.

For those who don't want to let go of memories but don't have physical memory, there are cloud storage. Google Photos or Xiaomi Cloud lets you upload originals to the Internet, freeing up space on your device. Google Photos has a "Free Space" button that deletes photos from your phone that are already stored in the cloud.

Using the cloud requires a stable Internet, but it ensures that data is kept safe even when a smartphone is lost or broken, a modern approach to storing information that makes the device lighter and faster.

Deletion of uploaded files and documents

Many users are unaware of how much garbage is piling up in the Downloads folder.Browsers, instant messengers and email clients save everything you've ever downloaded: installation files APK, PDF-documents, old menus from cafes or promotional booklets.

Open the Explorer app (or Files) and go to the Download folder. Sort files by size or date. Often, you can find installers that are installed long ago and no longer needed. Delete them safely and efficiently.

It's also worth checking messenger folders at the root of internal memory, like WhatsApp creating a separate folder for each chat or file type, and if you're in multiple workgroups, there could be hundreds of megabytes of unnecessary presentations and spreadsheets.

Regularly checking the download folder should become a habit, which takes a couple of minutes a week, but prevents the disk from filling critically.

Use of Developer Mode and ADB

For advanced users who lack standard tools, there are deeper cleaning methods, which require the developer mode to be activated, and you need to quickly click 7 times on the build number in the About Phone menu to activate it.

On the menu Additional. → You can find the option for developers to "Do not save logs" or limit background processes, but the most powerful tool is debugging. USB and use of a computer with installed ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "appendix name"


adb shell pm clear com.package.name

These commands allow you to force the data of system applications that are not normally available to users of Redmi. But be careful: removing critical system components can lead to unstable operation or a “boot loop”.

Use ADB only if you understand what you're doing. For the average user, the risk of this method may outweigh the benefits of the 200 megabytes freed.

Memory map and data transfer

If your Redmi supports microSD card installation, it’s a great solution to space shortages: Modern 128GB or 256GB cards are inexpensive and can be a full-fledged extension of internal memory.

Once you install the card, the system will suggest that you use it as Portable Storage or as part of internal memory, in the first case, you just drop photos and music there, in the second case, the system encrypts the card, and it becomes available only to this phone, allowing you to install apps on it.

It is recommended to transfer all media files to the map: music, movies, documents and photos, internal memory is better left for the system and heavy applications that require high read speeds, which not every card can provide.

⚠️ Note: Buy only proven brands (Samsung, SanDisk, Kingston) and speed classes at least below. U3/A2. Cheap cards can quickly fail or slow down the entire smartphone.

Proper distribution of data between the built-in drive and the external card is the key to stable operation of the smartphone for several years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

The most effective way to free up space is not to install “cleaners”, but to regularly manually review heavy videos and clean the messenger cache.