How to completely clean the internal memory of Xiaomi smartphone: from cache to hidden files

Xiaomi’s internal memory is clogged unexpectedly quickly: today you install a couple of apps, tomorrow you download photos, and a week later the system already issues a warning about the lack of space. Even models with 128 GB or 256 GB on board are not immune to this problem – the blame for the cache of applications, duplicate media files, residual data from remote programs and hidden MIUI files. Unlike Android “pure”, Xiaomi firmware actively uses internal storage for office needs, which exacerbates the situation.

This article isn't about banal photo deletion or cart cleaning, but we're going to break down the system memory freeing methods that work on all models, from budget Redmis to the best. 10A before the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra including devices on MIUI 14/15 You will learn how to find and delete unnecessary files through hidden menus, transfer data to the Internet. SD-The map (even if the system doesn't allow it), and which applications are fraught with gigabytes of garbage, and we will focus on the risks of cleaning system partitions, which will save you nerves and time to flash.

1. Diagnostics: what exactly takes up memory on Xiaomi

Before we start cleaning up, we need to understand which files are eating up precious gigabytes. MIUI has a built-in memory analyzer, but it only shows the tip of the iceberg. Let's look at how to get the whole picture.

Open Settings → Phone → Memory. Here you will see a diagram of the distribution of memory by category: "Apps", "Images", "Video", etc. However, this data is often inaccurate - for example, the cache of applications can be counted in the "System" section, and update files are hidden under the "Other" label.

• 📊 Use third-party analyzers, such as Files by Google or SD They'll show hidden folders like /data/app-lib or /miad, pre-existing 5-10 GB.
• 🔍 Check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — Here are stored miniatures of photos that can weigh several gigabytes.
• 📁 Go to Settings. → Annexes → App management and size-sorting. Pay attention to messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and social media — they often cache media files without your knowledge.

Pay special attention to the System section. If it takes up more than 20 GB on a relatively new device, this is a sign:

• 🗑️ Accumulated updates MIUI (folder /cache/ota).
• 📦 Residual files after resetting settings (folder) /data/lost+found).
• 🔄 Duplicate system libraries (typical for devices with a AB-For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

2.Cache cleaning: what can be removed without risk

App cache is the main memory eater on Xiaomi, which, unlike these applications, can be deleted without affecting the program, but there are nuances: some applications (such as Google Maps or YouTube) will take longer to load after cleaning the cache until temporary files are restored.

Methods of cleaning the cache:

1. Through settings MIUI: 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management. 🔍 Select an app (such as Chrome or Instagram) → Warehouse → Clear the cache. ⚡ For mass cleaning: Settings → Memory. → Clear cache (remove cache of all applications at once).

Through Recovery Mode (for deep cleaning):

• 🔄 Turn off the phone, then press the power button. + Volume up to enter Recovery.
• 📛 Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe Data!).
• ⚠️ This method removes all temporary system files, including the update cache.

Some apps (like TikTok or Facebook) can recover cache in the background to avoid this:

• 🚫 Limit background activity: Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.
• 📵 Turn off media caching in the messenger settings (in Telegram: Settings) → Data and memory → Autoboot media).

Backup important data |Close all applications |Check battery (minimum 30%)|Disable automatic application updates-->

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

Even after you delete applications through the Play Market or Settings → Applications, their files can remain in memory.

• 📦 Folder with settings (/data/data/com.package.name).
• 🗃️ Cache files in /sdcard/Android/data.
• 🔧 Residual APK-file /data/app.

To completely remove the app and its traces:

1. Use it. ADB-commands (required to include debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 press) → Additional settings → For developers: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.package.name adb shell pm clear com.package.name Replace com.package.name with an app ID (you can find out through App Inspector).
2. To remove system applications (such as Mi Browser or Mi Music) use: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser ⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may cause malfunctions MIUI (For example, the weather widget will disappear or gestures will stop working).

If you don't want to use ADB, use apps like SD Maid or Files by Google, which can find and delete residual files.

• 📂 /sdcard/Android/obb — This is where the game data is stored (may weigh) 10+ GB).
• 📂 /sdcard/Download — Downloaded files that are often forgotten to be deleted.
• 📂 /sdcard/MIUI/Wallpaper — Automatically loaded wallpapers.

4. Data transfer to SD-map: circumventing restrictions MIUI

Many Xiaomi models (especially the budget Redmi) do not support porting apps to the market. SD-The map is standardized, but there are workarounds:

If your device doesn’t support formatting SD as internal memory, try the following trick:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (file transfer mode).
2. Copy heavy files (video, music) SD-hand-write.
3. Use the Mixplorer app on your phone or FX File Explorer to create symbolic links from original paths to SD-For example, the map. -s /storage/1234-5678/Music /storage/emulated/0/Music This will make the system think that the files are in the internal memory.

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If, after transferring the applications to SD-They're starting to slow down, check the class of the memory card. UHS-I (U1 or U3) at a write speed of at least 30 MB/s. Cheap Class 4 or 6 cards can cause freezes.

5. Hidden MIUI functions for memory release

MIUI and HyperOS have built-in deep cleaning tools that are not advertised.

• 🧹 Deep Cleanup: Go to Settings → About the phone. Press 5 times on the version. MIUI, Then enter the password (if installed). the menu will appear Additional settings → Deep Clean. Choose Clear unnecessary files, which will delete temporary system data that is not visible in the standard menu.
• 🗑️ Clean Updates: Folder /cache/ota may take up 3-5 GB old firmware, which you can remove via Recovery or command: adb shell rm -rf /cache/ota/*
• 📉 Storage optimization: In Settings → Special facilities → System optimization, enable the option to optimize storage. This will cause the system to automatically compress rarely used files.
• Reset: Through the menu: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Delete all data through Recovery: Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data. After reset, don’t restore all data at once – first check how much memory is freed up. ⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ And HyperOS can take up to 30 minutes to reset, and don't interrupt the process, even if the screen is stuck on the Xiaomi logo for a long time, and interruption will cause the device to blink: 📥 Install only the necessary applications. 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates in the Play Market. 📁 Configure file saving by default on SD-8 Prevention: How to avoid filling up memory in the future To avoid having to regularly clean the memory, follow these rules: 📱 Automatic Cleaning: Include in Settings → Memory. → Autoclean. Set up cache cleanup once a week. 🚫 Download control: Turn off autoload media in instant messengers. Use the Light versions of applications (for example, Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, Messenger Lite). 📊 Monitor: Install the Storage Analyzer widget on the home screen. Check folders once a month /Download and /DCIM For unnecessary files, for devices with low memory (16-32 HB recommended: 📀 Use it. SD-class A2 portable. 🌐 Store photos and videos in the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud). 🎮 Remove games after play (or use streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming). 💡Regular memory cleaning not only frees up space, but also prolongs the life of the flash drive. The less free disk space, the more active the wear of memory cells, which leads to a slowdown of the device. FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup: Can memory be cleared without data loss? Yes, if you use the methods from the sections 2-6 (Clearing cache, removing unnecessary files, transferring to SD-Full reset (section) 7) It will delete all data, but it can be avoided if you regularly monitor the memory. Why does the memory fill up again after cleaning the cache? This is normal Android behavior: apps restore the cache to speed up. To reduce its size, limit the background activity of applications in Settings. → Battery → Power Saving Mode: How to clear memory on Xiaomi if the phone doesn't turn on? Connect the device to your PC in Fastboot mode + Volume down) and use the command: fastboot erase cache If you want to erase all data, run: fastboot erase userdata ⚠️ This will lead to a complete reset! Can Xiaomi's internal memory be increased? Physically, no, but you can expand the storage by SD-(Section 4) or use the cards OTG-drive-in USB-C). Some models, for example, POCO X3 Pro) Support external connection SSD It's an adapter. MIUI Does it show that memory is scarce, even though it is free: 📌 Memory fragmentation (reset or reset). 📌 Restrictions MIUI Minimum memory (usually 10%). 📌 Failure of the storage module (helps flashing).