How to Clean Up Internal Memory on Xiaomi Phone: A Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi’s internal memory clogs up faster than it seems: high-resolution photos, app cache, duplicate files and system debris eat gigabytes unnoticed. When space runs out, the phone starts to slow down, apps fly out, and the camera refuses to save new shots. Especially acute is the problem with Redmi’s budget models with 32-64 GB of memory, where every megabyte counts.

In this article, you will find 7 proven ways to clean memory on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO – from basic (cache removal) to advanced (hidden MIUI settings). All methods work on the latest firmware (MIUI 14/15) and are relevant for Android 13/14. We will also analyze which files can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched so as not to break the system.

Before you start, check how much space is occupied right now: open Settings → About Phone → Memory. If less than 10% of the total is free, it's time to act. Let's start with the safest and fastest methods.

1. Automatic cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

Xiaomi has integrated several memory optimization utilities into MIUI firmware, which remove temporary files, cache and debris without manual intervention, and the main advantage is that you don’t need to install third-party applications that can themselves become a source of garbage.

To start automatic cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Cleaning.
2. Click Scan - the system will analyze the memory for unnecessary files.
3. After the scan is completed, select the categories to remove: 🗑️ Application cache – temporary data that can be safely deleted. 📁 Unnecessary APK — installer files. 📷 Miniatures and sketches - cached previews of photos and videos.

"Clean it up."

This method frees up from 500MB to 2-3GB depending on the degree of memory contamination, but it does not delete user files (photos, videos, documents), so further steps will be needed to clean the deep.

2. Manual cleaning of the app cache

Caches are temporary files that applications create to speed up work, accumulate over time and take up gigabytes of memory, and unlike these applications (such as saving in games), cache can be deleted without consequences.

How to clear the cache for individual applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app from a list (such as YouTube or Telegram).
3. Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».

For mass cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cache data.
2. Confirm the deletion – this will clear the cache of all applications at once.

It is convenient to use third-party applications such as Files by Google or SD Maid to search for duplicates and large files, which scan memory and suggest removing duplicate or rarely used files.

Check the “Downloads” folder for unnecessary files

Remove duplicate photos in the Gallery

Clean the Recycle Bin in Gallery and File Managers

Transfer important files to the cloud or PC

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4. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If your internal memory is full, but you don't want to delete files, transfer them to a microSD card or cloud storage. This is true for photos, videos and documents that you don't need daily.

How to transfer files to a memory card:

1. Open the file manager (or any other file manager).
2. Select the files you want to transfer (for example, the DCIM/Camera folder with a photo).
3. Click on “Move” and select a memory card (SD Card or External Storage).

For cloud storage, you can:

• 🌥️ Google Photos – automatically backs up photos and videos (up to 15GB free).
• 🌥️ Mi Cloud – Xiaomi’s 5GB cloud for free for Mi Accounts).
• 🌥️ Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud – 10-20 GB of free space.

Important: Before the penos, check if your Xiaomi model supports memory cards. Some devices (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro) do not have a microSD slot.

5. Removal of system debris and application residues

Even after the application is removed, Xiaomi still has its tails: folders with settings, cache and configuration files, which take up space and can conflict with new programs, and require super-user rights or specialized utilities to remove them.

Safe ways to clean up system debris:

• 🧹 Through MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Memory. → Disposal. Here, the system will show you unnecessary files, including the remnants of deleted applications.
• 🔧 With help. SD Maid: Install the application from Google Play, run the scan (CorpseFinder will find the remnants of the programs).

Note: Do not delete folders called com.android, com.miui or com.xiaomi, which are system components that will not boot your phone without.

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System debris is one of the main causes of brakes at Xiaomi, and cleaning up app residues regularly speeds up the phone by 15-20%.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the memory is so full that the phone is not updated or constantly emits errors, a full reset will help, which deletes all data, including apps, photos and settings, returning the device to the “out of the box” state.

How to reset:

1. Back up your important data (via Mi Cloud or Google Account).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
3. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.

Once reset, the phone will reboot and prompt it to be configured as new, a method that frees up 100% of memory but takes time to recover data.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the reset process - this may cause the device to fail. Make sure the battery charge is at least 50%.

7.Memory optimization to prevent contamination

To prevent memory from clogging again, set your phone to auto-optimize:

• 🔄 Auto Cleanup: Include in Settings → Annexes → Cleanup → Autocleaning.
• 📥 Download restriction: In Telegram and WhatsApp, turn off auto-download media (Settings) → Data and storage).
• 🗃️ Regular check: Once a month, run a memory scan through Settings → Memory.

Also avoid installing apps from unknown sources – they often contain hidden junk and ad modules that clog up memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi