Xiaomi's modern smartphones are extremely functional, but even the most powerful processor can't save you if the internal storage is crowded. Users often face a situation where the system starts to work slowly, applications fly out, and new photos and videos simply have nowhere to save, because MIUI and HyperOS actively use free space for data caching and background processes.
Memory cleaning is not just about removing old images, it's about taking a holistic approach to operating system maintenance. In this article, we'll look at which folders take up the most space, how to safely remove system debris, and why a recorder can be the main culprit for the lack of gigabytes. You'll learn to use built-in optimization tools and third-party methods to maximize resource freedom.
Before we start taking drastic measures, it is important to understand the structure of the disk filling. Often, 90% of the space is occupied not by system files, but by user content and messenger cache. Proper diagnosis of the problem will help to avoid accidental deletion of important data and return the device to its previous speed.
Analysis of storage occupancy through settings
The first step should always be diagnostics. Xiaomi has an in-built analyzer that shows which file types take up the most space. To get there, go to Settings → About Phone → Storage. Here you will see a color diagram where each sector is responsible for a specific type of data: apps, images, videos or system files.
The system automatically counts the amount of space each category occupies. If you see the "Other" section inflated to an incredible size, this often indicates the accumulated cache or files of remote applications. Android has the feature of storing application data even after they are deleted, unless a complete cleanup has been done.
Note the amount of system files you have. Normally, an operating system with preinstalled software takes 15 to 25 GB. If that's much higher, it might be that there are forgotten archives or error logs at the root of the drive.
- 📊 Applications – often take up the lion’s share of space due to the cache of social networks.
- 📷 Images and videos – High-resolution media files eat gigabytes fast.
- 🗑️ Other – here get archives, documents and residual files.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to manually delete files from system folders unless you know their exact purpose.This can lead to a cyclical smartphone reboot.
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Use the Cleanup function right in the storage menu – it will securely delete temporary files without affecting your personal data.
Working with the Security and Cleanup application
Each Xiaomi smartphone has a Security app, which is the main tool for maintaining the system. Inside it is the Cleanup module, which scans the device for junk files, residual data and duplicates. Running a deep scan allows you to find files that are not visible when you normally browse folders.
But standard cleaning is often superficial. For more detail, click on the broom icon and then select the Deep Clean option. The system will prompt you to delete large files, similar images and unused applications. It's a great way to quickly free up a few gigabytes.
It's important to check the Big Files section regularly, and often there are forgotten movies, archives of games, or backups of chats that you don't need anymore, and removing these objects is the fastest way to get free space.
You don't just have to rely on automatic mode. You go to the cleaner's settings periodically and check which files it flags as garbage. Sometimes the algorithm may go wrong and suggest that you delete important documents, so visual control is mandatory.
Cleaning the cache of messengers and social networks
The most voracious apps on any Android smartphone are messengers. Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber and VKontakte store every photo and video viewed in cache memory. Over time, this cache can reach 10-20 GB, which is critically small for modern models with basic memory.
In Telegram, it's better to clean up through the built-in settings, not through the file manager. Go to Settings → Data and memory → Memory Use. There you will see the "Clear Cache" button. The peculiarity of Telegram is that it stores all media in the cloud, so deleting the cache will not deprive you of access to photos - they will be rebooted when you view them.
For WhatsApp, the situation is different. In Settings → Data and Storage → Storage Management, you can see which chats take up the most space. Often these are groups where video is constantly forwarded. Deleting media from such chats can free up a significant amount of space.
- 🧹 Telegram – cache is cleaned safely, the history of correspondence is saved.
- 💬 WhatsApp – requires care, you can remove important attachments.
- 🎵 Music services – Yandex.Music and Spotify also cache tracks for offline listening.
⚠️ Before clearing WhatsApp cache, make sure you have a fresh backup in Google Drive if you’re afraid of losing important media files.
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Regularly cleaning the messenger cache is the most effective way to maintain free space without removing applications.
Removal of duplicates and large files
When you use a smartphone, you often create copies of files, like you download a picture from the Internet, save it for editing, and then send it to a messenger, and you end up with three identical files on the disk, which is difficult to find manually, but Xiaomi's built-in tools can do this.
Use the Files (or Explorer) application. The "Analysis" section often has "Dublicates" as the system compares checksums of files and suggests that you delete copies, leaving only the original. This is safe and effective.
Also worth paying attention to is the Download folder. Browsers and apps often save installations there. APK-file, PDF-Documents and temporary archives. Once you install the software, you don't need the installer anymore, you can safely delete it.
| File type | Where to find | Can I remove it? |
|---|---|---|
| APK installers | Download folder | Yes, if the app is installed |
| Thumbnails | DCIM/.thumbnails folder | Yeah, it's a miniature photo. |
| Log files | folder MIUI/debug_log | Yeah, those are error reports. |
| Temp files | Android/data/tmp folder | Careful, only temporary. |
Remember to check the Bluetooth folder. If you've ever transferred files over bluetooth, they could have stayed there forever. Old videos and presentations from years ago are hardly valuable.
Secret of the folder Dictaphone and system garbage
One of Xiaomi's most famous problems is its Dictaphone app, which has a feature for recording phone conversations (if enabled) and just audio recordings. Files are saved in.m4a or.mp3 format and can take up gigabytes if you forgot to delete them.
To find these files, open the Explorer and go along the way. MIUI → sound_recorder. It's where all the records are stored, and users often accumulate conversations for years without knowing that they're the ones who are slowing down the phone.
Why is the recorder file growing?
It’s also worth checking out Tencent’s folder if you’re using Chinese versions of games or apps like WeChat, which often contain heavy resource packs that don’t get deleted when you clear the cache, and in some cases reinstall the app itself helps.
System debris can accumulate in the Android/data folder. However, starting with Android 11, access to this folder is limited. Use the built-in system tools to clean up, as third-party file managers may not access these directories without special permissions.
Use of cloud services and memory cards
If internal memory is physically limited, the best solution is to transfer data to the cloud or external media. Google Photos allows you to store photos in compressed quality for free (or in the original with a subscription), freeing up space on the device with the “Free Space” function.
The Mi Cloud is also integrated into the system, so you can set up synchronization of gallery, contacts and notes, and if you enable storage optimization, the original photos will be uploaded to the cloud, and the phone will have smaller copies of them, which take up minimal space.
- ☁️ Google Drive is ideal for rare files and documents.
- 📸 Google Photos is the best solution for media library.
- ☁️ Mi Cloud – deep integration with Xiaomi system settings.
For models that support microSD cards, it is recommended to transfer all media files there. In the camera settings, you can specify saving new photos and videos immediately on the camera. SD-This will prevent the internal memory from overflowing in the future.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install applications on a memory card unless urgently needed.Read speed SD-cards are lower than internal memory, which can cause lags in the operation of programs.