How to completely clean Xiaomi phone: from cache to factory settings

Your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO started to slow down, give out “not enough memory” errors or spontaneously close applications? 90% of the time the reason lies in a clogged system: temporary files, remnants of deleted programs, duplicate photos and cache that was never cleaned. Even on new models like Xiaomi 14 or POCO F6, digital debris accumulates over time — it needs to be removed systematically, not wait for critical failures.

In this article, you'll find 7 proven cleanup methods, from basic (hand-cache removal) to radical (full reset to factory settings) to see which files can be erased and which can't be touched so as not to break the system. We'll also look at the nuances for MIUI 14/15 devices and older firmware versions. All instructions are tested on real devices, without water or abstract tips.

1.Cleaning App Cache: A Quick Way to Free 1–3 GB

Cache is a temporary file that apps create to speed up work, and over time, it grows to giant sizes: for example, TikTok or Instagram cache can take up to 500 MB, and games like Genshin Impact can take up all 2-3 GB. Clear the cache safely: apps simply create it again the next time you run.

How to clear the cache of individual applications:

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Select the app you want (like YouTube or Facebook).
Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For mass cleaning:

📱 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Cleaning (on) MIUI 14/15 The path may be different: Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning up garbage).
🧹 Click Clear Cache – the system will show how much space will be freed up (usually 1-3 GB).
⚠️ Don’t confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second option will remove all the app settings (like WhatsApp logins).

💡

If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, that's OK, and after 1-2 runs, the speed will be restored, as the cache will start to form again.

On some models (like the Redmi Note 12), the Deep Clean menu includes a Deep Clean option that removes not only the cache, but also the residual files of uninstalled programs, and use it every 1-2 months, but no more often, because it can slow down the system.

2. manually delete unnecessary files and duplicates

MIUI system tools don't always find all the trash, like they miss:

📁 Folders. DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures (can weigh up to a maximum of two) 1 GB).
🎵 Duplicate music in the Music and Ringtones folders.
📄 Logs and dumps in the folder /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log (remove!).
📥 Downloads from instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) that lie in the /sdcard/Telegram/Telegram Documents.

How to find and delete these files:

Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
Enable the display of hidden folders (in Mi File Manager: ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files).
Check the folders in the list above. Delete everything except: 🚫 System folders MIUI, Android, Alarm (if you don't know what's inside). 🚫 Files with.db or.xml extension in the root directory.

What to do if you do not have the right to delete?

If the file is not deleted, it's protected by the system: 1. Reboot your phone in Safe Mode (click the power button) → "Restarting in Safe Mode"). 2. Use it. ADB-Command: Adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/fileway 3. Get root rights (not recommended for beginners).

Beware of Play Market cleaners (like Clean Master or CCleaner) who often collect user data and delete files at random, which can lead to crashes. MIUI already has built-in tools — there are enough of them.

3.Storage optimization with built-in MIUI tools

Xiaomi offers several utilities for automatic cleaning, their effectiveness depends on the firmware version:

Tool.	Where to find out.	What's removed	Security
Cleaning up garbage	Settings → Memory → Cleaning	Cash, temporary files, application residues	✅ Safe.
Optimizing memory	Settings → Special. capabilities → Optimization of memory	Background processes, unused services	✅ Safe (but can close applications)
Smart cleaning	Safety → Cleanup	Duplicate photos, large files, unused APKs	⚠️ Check the list before deleting it!
Memory compression	Settings → Memory → Memory compression	Archiving rarely used files	✅ Safe (but you will have to unpack files)

The most effective tool is Smart Cleaning. He analyzes:

Duplicate photos (for example, screenshots with the same content).

Large files (>100 MB) that have not been opened for more than a month

Unused APKs (remains after application updates)

Important: Before deleting, Smart Cleanup shows a list of files. Never agree to automatic deletion without checking - the system may suggest erasing important documents or backups.

📊 How often do you clear your memory on your phone?

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the place ends.

Never clean.

4. Removal of system applications (bloatware) without root rights

Xiaomi preinstalles dozens of unnecessary apps: Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video, games from Xiaomi Game Center and duplicate services (for example, two calendars: Google Calendar and Mi Calendar) that can be disabled or deleted without breaking the system.

Ways to get rid of bloatware:

🔧 Disable (Secure, but Applications Will Stay In Memory): Go to Settings → Annexes → App management. Select an unnecessary application (e.g. Mi Browser). Click Disable (if the button is active).
🗑️ Removal through ADB (PC requires: Enable Debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 press → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB). Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.mi.browser (replace com.mi.browser with the desired application package).

List of safe packets to remove (checked on MIUI 14/15):

com.mi.browser       - Mi Browser


com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer - Mi File Manager (if you use the alternative)




com.xiaomi.scanner   - Mi Scanner




com.miui.videoplayer - Mi Video




com.miui.player      - Mi Music




com.xiaomi.glgm - Game Center

⚠️ Note: Do not remove applications with com.android., com.google. or com.miui.* packages (except as mentioned above) – this may result in loss of functionality (for example, the notification bar will disappear or the camera will stop working).

5. Reset to factory settings: when and how to do

If the phone is stuck on the logo, not turned on or infected with a virus that is not removed by the antivirus, only a full reset will help.

- Photos, videos, music.

Contacts (if not synced with Google)

Messages in messengers (if there is no backup copy).

- Wi-Fi settings, Bluetooth and accounts.

How to reset:

Through the settings menu (if the phone is turned on): Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset. Select Erase all data. Enter your password (if installed) and confirm.
Using Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on): Turn off the phone. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data. Confirm the reset by Confirm.

1. Create a backup of important files (photos, documents)

2. Take a picture or take a login/password from your accounts

3.Make sure the phone is at least 50% charged

4. log out of your Mi Account (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out)

-->

After resetting on models with MIUI 14/15, you may need to re-activate your Xiaomi account - link the phone to your account in advance, otherwise you risk getting blocked (especially for devices with Mi Account binding).

6. Clear /data and /cache (for advanced)

If you experience a cyclical reboot, update errors, or persistent lags, the problem may lie in damaged system partitions, which require access to Recovery or Fastboot.

Instructions for cleaning cache and dalvik-cache:

Turn off the phone.
Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery Mode.
Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
Confirm the action.
Restart the phone (Reboot).

To clean the /data partition (similar to a full reset, but with firmware saved):

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache

⚠️ Attention: fastboot commands erase data irrevocably, and if you're not sure, use a standard reset via the Recovery menu (POCO X3, Redmi Note 10) cleansing /data You may need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool.

7.Optimization after cleaning: how to prevent littering

Memory cleaning is a one-off solution, so that your phone doesn't brake again in a month, follow these rules:

📵 Turn off the autoload of unnecessary apps: Go to Settings → Annexes → Permits → Autorun. Turn off autoruns for instant messengers, games, and social media (except those you use daily).
🔄 Set up automatic cache cleanup: Enable the Settings option → Memory. → Autocleaning (available on MIUI 14+). Set a schedule (for example, once a week).

Reconfigure the downloads

In Chrome or Mi Browser, change the download folder to /sdcard/Downloads (not the root of the memory).
In instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) disable auto-save media files.

Monitor background activity

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management → Applications Selection

Set the Unnecessary Programs to Restricted.

For models with MIUI 15, the Smart Storage feature (Settings → Memory → Smart Storage) is available.

It archives rarely used files.
Clears the cache every 3 days.
It is recommended to remove duplicate photos.