How to clean up memory in Xiaomi phone: 7 working ways with video

Your Xiaomi constantly issues notifications about memory shortages, apps are slowed down, and the camera refuses to save photos? The problem is familiar to most smartphone owners of this brand – especially if you use budget models with 32-64 GB of internal memory. But even flagships with 256 GB over time get clogged with unnecessary files, cache and duplicates.

In this article, we’ll break down 7 proven ways to clean up memory on Xiaomi, including hidden MIUI features that aren’t obvious to the average user. Each method is accompanied by step-by-step screenshots and video instructions (links to official and user guides).

We will focus on the hidden cache of system applications (for example, Mi Video or Gallery), which takes up to 500 MB, but does not appear in the standard file manager, and we will also uncover the myths about “magic cleanup programs” and show how to use the system. ADB-teams help remove unnecessary pre-installed applications (bloatware) without root rights.

1. Standard cleaning through MIUI: why it doesn't work

The first thing that comes to mind is to go to Settings → About Phone → Memory → Cleanup. But this method only removes the surface debris: temporary browser files, image thumbnails and cache of some applications. In practice, it releases no more than 300-800 MB, and often even less.

The problem is that MIUI hides from the user:

• 🗑️ System cache of applications (such as Mi Video or Music) that accumulates over the years and can weigh up to 1-2 GB.
• 📁 Duplicate media files created automatically when editing photos/video in Gallery.
• 🤖 Update files that remain after new versions are installed MIUI (folder Downloaded_rom).
• 📱 Logs and dumps of system errors (folder) /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log).

To see the actual state of memory, use a side-by-side file manager (such as Files by Google or Solid Explorer) that will show hidden folders and files that MIUI deliberately hides.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete folders MIUI, Android DCIM/.thumbnails — This can cause the camera and gallery to malfunction. Use specialized methods to clean them (see section below). 3).

2. Delete the application cache: hidden folders and ADB-trick-trick

The app cache is the main memory eater, and even after the standard cleaning, MIUI still has:

• 🎬 Cash Mi Video (up to) 1 GB - stored in /sdcard/Android/data/com.miui.video.
• 📷 Mini versions of photos (Gallery) - folder DCIM/.thumbnails (can weigh up 500 MB).

To remove them without root rights, follow the following steps:

1. Select an app (such as Mi Video) → Storage → Clear the cache.

adb shell pm clear com.miui.video


adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery

These commands will completely reset the application settings, but will free up to 1-1.5 GB.

⚠️ Warning: After cleaning the cache of Mi Video or Gallery, the first launches of the applications will be slower - this is normal.

3. Removing duplicate photos and videos: MIUI tools and third-party applications

Xiaomi automatically creates duplicate media files when:

• 📸 Photo editing in Gallery (the original is saved) + modified).
• 🎥 Video recordings in mode HDR Night Mode (intermediate files are generated).
• 🔄 Sync with Mi Cloud (sometimes temporary copies are created).

To find and remove duplicates:

1. Use the built-in Gallery → Albums → Duplicates (available in MIUI 12+).
2. For a deep scan, install Files by Google:

• 🔍 Open the app. → Cleanup → Duplicate files.
• 🗑️ Select unnecessary copies and click Delete.

This method usually frees up between 500MB and 3GB, depending on the camera’s usage activity.

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Before removing duplicates, back up important photos in Google Photos or on a PC. Sometimes algorithms mistakenly identify unique photos as duplicates (for example, a photo with a similar composition).

4. Clean Update Files and System Logs

MIUI saves firmware files and system logs even after a successful update, which can take up to 4-5 GB:

• 📦 folder Downloaded_rom — Here are stored the downloaded firmware (weight of one — 1.5–2.5 GB).
• 📜 folder /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log — error logs (up to) 500 MB).
• 🔄 folder /cache — Temporary update files (available only through TWRP or ADB).

How to clean:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and use a conductor Windows/macOS, manually remove the contents of folders Downloaded_rom and debug_log.
2. To clean /cache, run the command via ADB:

adb shell su -c "rm -rf /cache/*"

After removing files from the Downloaded_rom You will have to download the firmware again the next update - but this will free up the 3 GB right away.

5. Removal of pre-installed applications (bloatware) without root rights

Xiaomi installs dozens of unnecessary apps that cannot be removed by standard means, including:

• 🎮 Mi Game Center, Mi Pay, Mi Credit (for the Indian market).
• 📺 Mi Video, Mi Music (if you don't use them).
• 📰 Mi Browser, Mi Community, GetApps.

To remove them without root rights, use ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to activate Developer Mode).
2. Enter the command to remove the unnecessary application (example for Mi Video):

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.video

The complete list of removal packages:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete system applications like com.miui.home or com.android.settings, which will cause system failure.

6. Transfer of applications to SD-Map: Why it doesn’t always work

Many users are trying to solve the problem of memory shortage, transferring applications to the Internet. SD-But in the MIUI limitations:

• 🚫 Only a portion of apps support portability (usually games and some instant messengers).
• 🐢 Annexes to SD They are slower, especially if the class card is UHS-I lower).
• ⚠️ When you remove the map, the applications stop working.

How to move (if supported):

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.

Alternative: Use it SD-The card is an internal memory (formatted as Adoptable Storage:

• 🔒 Encrypt the card (will not be read on other devices).
• 📉 Reduces its lifespan due to frequent overwriting.

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Transfer of applications to SD-For long-term effects, it is better to clear the cache and remove unnecessary applications (see sections 2 and 5).

7. Factory reset: when justified

If all the previous methods didn't work, you'll have to have a hard reset, which will delete all the data, but it will put the phone back in its "clean" state, when it makes sense:

• 🛠️ The phone is slowing down even after cleaning.
• 📉 Free memory is less than 1 GB and is not freed by other means.
• 🔄 You plan to sell or transfer your phone.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup (Settings → System and Device → Backup).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm.

After discharge:

• 📱 The phone will be like new, with MIUI "box".
• 📈 Free up to 10-15 GB (depending on the model).
• ⚠️ You will have to re-configure accounts and install applications.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) may lose the partition for the reset. SD-To avoid this, remove the card before resetting.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup