How to completely clean the system on Xiaomi Android-smartphone: from garbage to factory settings

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI They get slower over time because of the accumulation of unnecessary files, remnants of deleted applications and fragmented cache.+ Xiaomi 13 Ultra is not immune to clogging unless it is cleaned regularly. In this article, we will analyze all cleaning methods – from basic (cache and garbage removal) to radical (reset to factory settings), and also tell you how to avoid typical errors that lead to data loss or performance deterioration.

It is important to understand that cleaning the system on Xiaomi is different from similar processes on “pure” Android. MIUI There are built-in tools (e.g. security) → Clean up, but they don’t always delete all unnecessary files, and some “optimizations” from Xiaomi can slow down the system on their own, such as aggressive memory management or background processes. MIUI Optimization. We tested all methods on current firmware (including HyperOS for new models) and collected only working solutions.

Why Xiaomi Smartphone Begins to “Slow Down” and How It Is Linked to System Garbage

The main reasons for the slowdown of Xiaomi are divided into two categories: software (accumulation of garbage, memory fragmentation) and system (firmware errors, application conflicts).

• 📱 App cache and systems: temporary files that should speed up work, but over time take up gigabytes of memory. For example, YouTube or TikTok cache can weigh up to 1-2 GB.
• 🗑️ Residual files: After deleting applications, folders often remain in the /storage/emulated/0/Android/data register MIUI.
• 🔄 Memory fragmentation: the longer a smartphone is used, the more “scattered” files are across memory, which slows down reading/write.
• 🤖 Background processes MIUI: Services like com.miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.midrop consume resources even when they are not needed.

According to our tests, after a year of active use on Xiaomi average user accumulates from 3 to 8 GB of unnecessary files (excluding media files). → The storage unit only removes 30-40% of the garbage, and the rest has to be cleaned manually or with third-party utilities.

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse cache cleaning with application data deletion.Cash (Settings) → Annexes → [Choose] → Warehouse → Clear cache is safe, but the option Clear data will delete all settings and accounts inside the application (for example, correspondence in Telegram or saved passwords in Chrome).

Method 1: Integrated tools MIUI cleaning-up

MIUI It has several built-in cleaning tools, but their effectiveness depends on the firmware version:

1. Quick cleaning through "Safety"

The easiest method to remove cache and temporary files is:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab.
3. Click Check and wait for analysis.
4. Select categories to clean (we recommend marking everything except Download and Image).
5. Press Clear.

This method removes an average of 500MB-1.5GB of garbage, but does not touch deep system files.

• 📁 Folders. Android/obb (game-play).
• 🔍 Logs of the system (/data/log).
• 📱 Remains of Remote Applications in /data/data.

2.Deep cleaning through the "Storage"

A more thorough method that shows all files by category:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Select a category (e.g. Apps, Images, Audio).
3. Click on unnecessary files and select Delete.

You can manually remove:

• 🎮 Game files from Android/obb (weight 1–3 GB).
• 📹 Video from DCIM/.thumbnails (miniatures, occupying up to 500 MB).
• 📄 Duplicate documents in Download.

⚠️ Attention: In the Warehouse section → Others often hide important files (such as WhatsApp backups or Google Authenticator data) only if you are sure of their purpose.

Method 2: Manual cleaning of system folders (for power users)

If the built-in tools don’t help, you can manually delete unnecessary files through the Explorer or ADB. This method requires caution, as deleting system files can cause failures.

1. Cleaning through conductor (no root)

Use any file manager with access to root folders (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer):

• 📂 folder /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — This is where the application data is stored. Once the application is deleted, the folder may remain (e.g., com.tencent.ig for the app). PUBG Mobile).
• 🗃️ folder /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb — Game files (can be deleted if the game is deleted).
• 📜 folder /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup — old backup systems (weigh up to) 1–2 GB).
• 📋 folder /storage/emulated/0/.thumbnails — Image and video miniatures (can be removed without consequences).

For removal:

1. Open Explorer and enable the display of hidden files (in Mi File Manager: ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Go to the right folder and delete unnecessary files.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

2. Clean through ADB (advanced)

If you need to remove the system cache or update residues, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method doesn’t require root, but requires a PC connection.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on the debugging. USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "uninstall" # Shows deleted applications with residues


adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Clears temporary system files




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Clears the cache (requires reboot)

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf If you don't specify the right path, you can delete critical files. /system or /data/data without understanding the consequences.

folder /storage/emulated/0/.thumbnails|Remains of Remote Applications in /Android/data|Old backups in /MIUI/backup|Cash games /Android/obb (if the game is deleted)-->

Method 3: Using third-party utilities for deep cleaning

Built-in tools MIUI They don't always do deep cleaning, and you can use third-party apps to do that, but it's important to choose the ones that are reliable so you don't run into viruses or spyware.

1. SD Maid (recommended for experienced users)

SD Maid is one of the few applications that can clean system files without root (with limitations:

• 🧹 Removing empty folders.
• 🗑️ Cleaning the basket and temporary files.
• 🔍 Search for duplicates.
• 📦 Application management (including system management).

How to use:

1. Download SD Maid from Google Play.
2. Run the scan and select categories to clean.
3. In the case section, you can remove the remnants of remote applications.

2. Files by Google (Simple and secure option)

Google’s app doesn’t require root and is good at finding unnecessary files:

• 📂 Cleaning cache and duplicates.
• 📹 Removing old screenshots and memes.
• 🎵 Search for large files (such as failed videos).

Feature: Files by Google does not clean system files, but it is safe for beginners.

3. CCleaner (with caution)

CCleaner is popular, but has a controversial reputation for data collection.

• ✅ Clears the cache and history.
• ❌ Does not delete deep system files.
• ⚠️ May offer unnecessary “optimizations” (e.g., cleaning a Dalvik cache, which slows down the system after a reboot).

💡

Before using any cleaner, backup important data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup. It takes 5-10 minutes, but it saves the data in case of an error.

Method 4: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If your smartphone is slowing down a lot and cleaning doesn't work, you're left with Hard Reset, which is factory reset, and it deletes all the data, including apps, photos and settings, so only use it as a last resort.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup (required!):

Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Resetting settings

Erase all data

Confirm the action (a password may be required).

Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 The smartphone will be like new – you will need to re-configure.
• 📥 Restore data from the backup (but don’t restore system settings – this can bring back old problems!).
• 🚀 Install only the necessary applications (excess programs will slow down the system again).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) After reset, it may be necessary to re-unblock the bootloader if it has been previously unlocked. MIUI.

💡

Resetting to factory settings deletes all data without recovery. If you haven't backupdated, it won't be possible to return photos or messages!

Method 5: Optimization MIUI cleansing

Cleaning up the system is only half the job, and to make the smartphone work quickly, you also need to turn off unnecessary functions. MIUI, resource-consuming:

1. Disable animations and visual effects

Animations make the interface look more beautiful, but they slow down.

1. Enable Developer Mode (as in the ADB section).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Set it up:

2. Limitation of background processes

MIUI It aggressively manages memory, but sometimes it causes the right applications to close down to adjust the balance:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Telegram) and enable:

3. Disabling unnecessary system applications

Many pre-installed Xiaomi apps (Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video) can be disabled, but not removed without root.

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Pay).
3. Click Disable (Do not Remove Updates!).

List of safe applications to disable:

• 🌐 com.android.browser (Mi Browser).
• 🎵 com.miui.player (Mi Music).
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer (Mi Video).
• 📊 com.miui.analytics (collection of statistics).

What NOT to do when cleaning up Xiaomi

Many of the "advice" on the Internet not only doesn't help, but it also hurts the system.

• 🚫 Delete files in /system rootless: this will cause a bootloop failure).
• 🚫 Clean Dalvik cache manually: It recovers when rebooted, but removing it slows down the first application launch.
• 🚫 Use "boosters" like DU Speed Booster: They only consume battery and show false notifications.

Also not worth it:

• 🔄 Resetting to factory without backup (yes, we repeat, but it’s critical!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cleanup