How to completely clean Xiaomi smartphone from garbage: from cache to hidden files

Your Xiaomi is slowing down, quickly discharged or emitting “Not enough memory” errors? 90% of the time is due to accumulated system debris: temporary application files, remnants of deleted programs, browser cache and duplicate photos. Even new models on MIUI 14/15 are not immune to this problem unless you clean it regularly.

Unlike factory resets, which erase all data, proper garbage cleanup allows the phone to return to “initial speed” without losing personal files. This article features unique techniques for Xiaomi that you won’t find in standard instructions, including working with hidden /.thumbnails and /MIUI/backup folders, and optimizing autoboot via adb.

We will discuss both manual (for power users) and automatic methods using built-in MIUI tools and third-party utilities, with a special focus on low-memory models (Redmi 9A, Poco C31), where every megabyte counts.

1. Built-in cleaning MIUI: What is missing and what is missing

Starting with the standard tool, Cleanup in MIUI settings, it's available on all Xiaomi smartphones starting with MIUI 8, but its capabilities are often underrated. To open the menu, go to:

Settings → Applications → Cleaning

Here, the system automatically analyzes:

• 🗑️ Application cache – temporary files that take up to 3-5 GB on an actively used phone.
• 📁 Unnecessary APK — Remains from installed (and remote) applications.
• 🔍 Log files are system errors logs that are rarely needed by the user.
• 📷 Miniatures – folder /.thumbnails with reduced copies of images (can weigh up to 1 GB!).

However, the built-in MIUI cleaning does not remove:

• 📱 Duplicate photos (especially relevant for Google Photos and Xiaomi Gallery).
• 🔄 Remains of updates - folder /cache/ota firmware.
• 🤖 System backups in /MIUI/backup, which are created when the settings are reset.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete folders /system or /vendor — This will lead to the collapse of the system and require a flashing through the Fastboot.

2. Manual cleaning: hidden folders and secure files for removal

Deep cleaning requires a file manager with access to root folders (such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer). Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings and go to the root directory (/).

Here is a list of folders and files that can be deleted without risk to the system:

For removal:

1. Open the file manager and enable Root mode (if you have superuser rights).
2. Go to the desired folder and highlight all files (long press → “Select all”).
3. Click "Delete" and confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders /Android/obb — It stores game data (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) and deleting it will require re-downloading several gigabytes.

Make a backup copy of important data|Check the vacant space (should be available) ≥10%)|Turn off autosynchronization Google Photos|Close all applications-->

3.Cleaning the cache of applications: what can be erased without consequences

App cache is a temporary file that speeds up programs but eventually becomes the main source of garbage, for example, Facebook can accumulate up to 500 MB of cache, and TikTok can accumulate up to 1 GB.

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

Go to:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select App] → Storage → Clear Cache

For mass cleaning:

Settings → Applications → Cleaning → Cache of applications → Clean

Method 2: ADB (for experienced users)

If you need to clear the cache of all applications at once, connect the phone to the PC and execute the command:

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.vending


adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.facebook.katana




adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.whatsapp

Replace the package names (com.android.vending is Google Play) with the ones you want. The complete list of packages installed can be obtained by the command:

adb shell pm list packages

After clearing the cache, some apps will load longer on the first run, but this is temporary. Do not clear the application data (Clear Data button) - this will lead to deletion of accounts and settings!

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If after cleaning the Google Play cache, the Store stopped updating the apps, restart the phone and check the Internet connection. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings

4. Removal of duplicate photos and unnecessary media files

One of the biggest memory eaters on Xiaomi is duplicate photos, which are created by:

• 📸 Automatic backup in Google Photos and Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Synchronization with messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 📱 Screenshots that are saved in /Pictures/Screenshots.

To find duplicates, use:

• 🔍 Built-in Gallery MIUI: open the album → «More» → «Search for duplicates».
• 🤖 Duplicate applications: Files by Google, Duplicate Files Fixer.
• 💻 PC programs: CCleaner, AntiDupl (if thousands of photos are taken).

Pay special attention to the folders:

/DCIM/Camera


/DCIM/Screenshots




/Pictures/Telegram




/Download

They often accumulate unnecessary files, for example, Telegram stores all media in /Pictures/Telegram by default, even if you did not download them explicitly.

5.Optimizing autoboot: why the phone brakes even after cleaning

Even after removing the garbage, Xiaomi can run slowly due to autoloadable apps.Many programs (especially Chinese ones) are added to the autoload without your knowledge and consume resources in the background.

To turn off autoboot:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser).
3. Press Auto Start and turn off the slider.

For mass shutdown, use ADB:

adb shell cmd appops set com.miui.browser RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND deny


adb shell cmd appops set com.xiaomi.midrop RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND deny

A list of “gluttonous” MIUI system applications that can be safely disabled:

⚠️ Note: Do not disable system processes with the names com.android or com.qualcomm – this will lead to unstable operation of the phone or complete inoperability of modules (camera, network).

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Turning off autoboot for 5-10 unnecessary applications can increase battery life by 15-20% by reducing background activity.

6.Reset the partition cache (Wipe Cache Partition): when and how to use

If your phone is slowing down, overheating, or is making update errors, the Wipe Cache Partition will help, not a factory reset, your data (photos, contacts, messages) will remain intact but will be deleted:

• 🗄️ Temporary system files.
• 🔄 Remains of failed updates.
• 📱 Kernel cache and dalvik cache (important for performance).

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the action and wait until the completion (1-2 minutes).
5. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

Once rebooted, the phone will run faster and have 500MB-1GB more free space, a method that is especially useful before upgrading MIUI if it is “hanging” during the installation phase.

7 Cleanup Automation: The Best Apps for Xiaomi

If you don't want to manually clean your garbage, use specialized utilities. 10 Apps and selected top-3 Xiaomi:

For maximum effect:

1. Install SD Maid and give it Root rights (if the phone is rooted).
2. Run the scan in the CorpseFinder section, and it will find the remnants of the remote applications.
3. Use AppControl in SD Maid to disable autoloading of unnecessary services.

If the phone is not rooted, Files by Google is the best choice: it is free and requires no special rights.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cleanup