Cleaning up Xiaomi’s internal memory: from cache to deep optimization

Xiaomi’s internal memory has a nasty twist: even with the few apps installed, it gets littered in a matter of months, owing to the aggressive MIUI caching policy, background activity of system services and hidden update files. If your Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 has started issuing space shortage notifications and photos have stopped being saved, it’s time to act.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven methods of cleaning memory, from basic (deleting cache and unnecessary files) to radical (reset to factory settings). Particular attention will be paid to hidden MIUI folders, which take up gigabytes but are not displayed in the standard file manager. All instructions are relevant for devices on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS, including the Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 11 Pro and POCO F5 models.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly eats memory?

Before you delete files at random, you need to figure out which data is the lion's share of memory. MIUI has a built-in tool for this, Settings → Memory. Here, the system shows the categorization of applications, media, system files and cache. However, this data is often unreliable — for example, a.MIUI folder with backups can weigh 5-10 GB, but not show up in the statistics.

For accurate analysis, use third-party utilities:

• 📊 Files by Google – Shows Hidden Files and Offers to Clear Duplicates.
• 🔍 SD Maid (requires root) – scans system folders, including /data/log and /cache.
• 📁 Storage Analyzer – visualizes occupied space in the form of a diagram.

Pay attention to the following memory eaters:

• 🎥 folder DCIM/Thumbs — Photo and video miniatures (can weigh up to a maximum of two) 1–2 GB).
• 📦 APK-file /Download — leftovers of manually installed applications.
• 🔄 Update files in /MIUI/OTA — old firmware (up to) 3–4 GB).
• 🤖 Google Play Services cache can grow to 500 MB-1 GB.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete the folder /MIUI/backup manually, this will cause a system recovery failure. → Memory. → Backup copies.

2. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cache is a temporary file that speeds up applications but eventually turns into digital garbage. In MIUI, the cache is divided into two types:

• Cache of user applications (for example, Instagram or Telegram).
• Cache system services (including Google Play Services and MIUI Launcher).

To clear the cache of a separate application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For mass cleaning, use:

1. Settings → Memory → Cleaning (includes “Cash”).
2. Check the unneeded apps and click Clear.

The system cache (/cache) is cleared through the recovery mode:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the MIUI logo appears.
3. Select Wipe → Wipe Cache Partition (control – volume buttons).

Remove the cache of unnecessary applications|Check the folder size /cache|Do not touch the cache of system services manually|Restart the phone after cleaning-->

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the cache of Google Play Services may lead to login errors in Google services. If Gmail or YouTube stop working after the procedure, restart the device.

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

Even after removing the application through Settings → Applications on the smartphone remain:

• 📂 Folders with data in /Android/data and /Android/obb.
• 🔗 Symbolic references to /data/app.
• 📋 Configuration files in /data/data.

To remove them completely, use ADB (you need to enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version):

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app


adb shell pm clear com.example.app

To remove system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) by mass, use App Inspector (available on Google Play) to show which applications can be safely uninstalled without any system consequences.

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Before you uninstall system applications, back up your Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will allow you to restore them in case of errors.

4. Optimization of multimedia: photos, videos and music

Photos and videos in 4K resolution take up to 50-100 MB each, and music tracks - 5-10 MB.

• 📸 Compress photos via Google Photos (settings) → "Make room").
• 🎥 Reduce video resolution with Video Compress (up to) 720p economy).
• 🎵 Transfer music to a memory card or to the cloud (Yandex Music, Spotify).

To automate the process, use the “Waste Cleanup” function in MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Select the Multimedia tab.
3. Tick boxes for unnecessary files (duplicates, screenshots, uploaded memes).

The hidden memory eaters:

• 📸.thumbnails folder - thumbnails of photos (up to 1 GB) Delete it via Files by Google.
• 🎬 Cash. TikTok/Instagram — Videos saved for offline viewing (folder) /Android/media/com.zhiliaoapp.musically).
• 🎮 Screenshots from the games are automatically saved to /Pictures/Screenshots.

5. Clean Update Files and Backups

Xiaomi stores firmware files in /MIUI/OTA and backups in /MIUI/Backup. This data can take up to 5-10 GB, but it is dangerous to manually delete them.

To remove old firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove downloaded packets.

To clean up backup copies:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Choose backup management and remove unnecessary ones.

If these methods do not work, use ADB:

adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/MIUI/OTA/*


adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/MIUI/Backup/AllBackup/*

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /MIUI/OTA If your smartphone is in the process of installing the firmware, wait until it is completed.

6. factory reset: when nothing helps

If after all the manipulations of the free space is less than 10%, and the system slows down, it is time to do a hard reset.

• 📱 Applications and their settings.
• 📂 Personal files (photos, videos, documents).
• 🔑 Google and Mi accounts.

Step-by-step:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, set up your smartphone as new.

Alternative method (through recovery mode):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume up + Nutrition.
3. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.

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Factory reset is a last resort, and before the procedure, check if the memory filling is due to a virus (e.g. Shamoon or Loapi) that creates thousands of hidden files.

7.Prevention: How to prevent memory filling

To prevent the problem from recurring, set up your smartphone according to these rules:

• 📲 Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play (settings) → "Auto-update").
• 📷 Configure saving photos to the cloud (Google Photos or Mi Cloud).
• 🔄 Limit the cache for social networks (in settings) Facebook/Instagram Select "Clear the cache when you exit").
• 📥 Reconfigure the downloads to the memory card (settings) → "Warehouse → Default location").

For advanced users:

• 🛠️ Install Magisk and module SD Maid for automatic garbage cleaning.
• 📊 Use Tasker to create a weekly cache cleaning task.
• 🔒 Block background activity of unnecessary apps through Settings → Battery → Energy saving regime.

If your smartphone supports memory expansion (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with a microSD card slot), transfer the media and some applications to it.

1. Insert a memory card (recommended class - UHS-I).
2. Go to Settings → Storage → SD card.
3. Select Format as internal memory (Warning: The card will be tied to the device!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup