How to completely clean internal memory on Xiaomi phone: from cache to system garbage

Xiaomi’s internal memory is like a loft in the house: over time, so much stuff accumulates there that you can’t even remember why it was stored. Photos in three copies, cache from long-deleted applications, duplicate documents and “system garbage” that MIUI stubbornly does not want to remove itself.

The problem is compounded by the fact that Xiaomi is actively using the system upgrade section (up to 10 GB on some models), which the user can not clean with standard methods.In addition, after the MIUI update, there are often temporary files weighing several gigabytes. In this article, 7 proven ways to free up space, including hidden Xiaomi features that are not written in the official instructions.

1. Diagnostics: What exactly is taking up memory on your Xiaomi

Before you clean it, you need to understand which files are eating up space. Xiaomi has a built-in memory analyzer, but it doesn't show everything. Here's how to get the full picture:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see the total volume and distribution by category (apps, multimedia, systems, etc.).
2. Click on the category (e.g., "Applications") → "Sort by size." So you'll find the most voracious culprits.
3. For detailed analysis, use third-party utilities like Files by Google or SD Maid (they will show hidden cache files and duplicates).

Note the System section – if it takes up more than 15-20 GB on a phone with MIUI 12-14, then the updates are temporary files. They can be manually deleted (see section 4).

2.Cache cleaning applications: why the standard method doesn't work

Cache is a temporary file that applications create to speed up work. In theory, they can be deleted without consequences. But on Xiaomi, there is a caveat: standard cache cleaning through Settings → Applications often do not affect system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser), which can take up to 1-2 GB.

How to clean all cache, including hidden cache:

• 📱 For individual applications: Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Clear the cache. Repeat for all applications where the cache exceeds 100 MB.
• 🧹 Mass cleaning: Use Security → Cleanup → Deep cleaning (remove cache of even system applications).
• 🔧 For Advanced: Enable Developer Mode (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then in Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, activate Do Not Save Actions (this will limit the background activity of applications).

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the messenger cache (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) if you do not want to wait for the media files to be re-uploaded. Also avoid cleaning the Google Play Services cache - this can disrupt Google services.

Backup of important data

Close all background applications

Connect your phone to charge (the process can take 10-15 minutes)

Check the vacant space after cleaning-->

3. Removing Unnecessary Files: Where to Look for Rubbish on Xiaomi

The fattest folders on Xiaomi are usually hidden from the user.

Pay special attention to /MIUI/screenrecorder, which stores screen recordings that weigh 100-300MB each, and many users forget to delete them.

For convenience, use the built-in Explorer (Mi File Manager): it can sort files by size and shows hidden folders (turn on the display in the Explorer settings).

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If the phone says "Memory is full", but the settings show 10+ GB of free space, check the section /data/log — This can cause error logs to accumulate (especially after updates fail) and delete them via Root Explorer or ADB

4. System junk: how to delete temporary MIUI update files

After each update MIUI There are temporary files in the folder on the phone. /cache section /data/ota_package. They can borrow from 500 MB to 3 GB, but the system does not automatically remove them.

How to clean:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Delete the downloaded package”.
3. Use for complete cleaning ADB-command (inclusive debugging is required) USB): adb shell pm trim-caches 1000G adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* adb shell rm -rf /cache/*

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files from the folder /system — This can cause a phone to fail, and only use official methods to clean system partitions or TWRP (if established).

If you frequently update MIUI via Fastboot, check the /sdcard/MIUI/ota folder – there may be old firmware weighing up to 2-3 GB each.

5. Application optimization: what can be removed without consequences

Xiaomi has many system applications that cannot be removed by standard methods, but some can be disabled or replaced with lighter ones:

• 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video: Replaced with Mi Music VLC or AIMP (savings of up to 300 MB).
• 🌐 Mi Browser: Delete data through Settings → Apps and use Chrome or Firefox.

To completely remove system applications, root or ADB rights will be required. For example, to remove Mi Browser, do:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

A list of safe to remove apps for your Xiaomi model can be found on the forums 4PDA or XDA Developers (see device code, for example, redmi_note_10_pro).

6.Transfer data to memory card: why it doesn't always work

Xiaomi allows you to port some applications to microSD, but with reservations:

• 📁 Photo/Video: Transfers without problems through the Gallery or the Explorer.
• 🎮 Games: Only part of the data (e.g., in the PUBG Mobile can carry about 1 GB out of 2).
• 📱 Applications: Transfer is only possible for those that support adoptable storage (only for the MIUI It's off by default).

To enable full support for adoptable storage (the memory card becomes part of the internal memory):

1. Connect microSD (preferably UHS-I or A2) class.
2. In the new card notification, select “Settings” → “Inner Memory”.
3. Follow the instructions (the data on the map will be deleted!).

⚠️ Warning: Once you configure the card as internal memory, you can't just retrieve it, the system will emit errors, and the card will become unreadable on other devices without formatting.

Alternatively, use the card as a portable storage device, but manually transfer media files and documents to it.

7.Reset to factory settings: when it's the only way out

If there is still a lot of space left after all the manipulations, then it is a radical method, but it deletes all user data, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (if not saved to the cloud).
• 📱 Installed applications and their settings.
• 📞 Contacts, SMS, Call log (unless synced with Google or Mi Account).

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup through Settings → System → Backup or manually copy files to your PC.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select "Erase all data" and confirm.
4. After reset, do not restore data from the backup immediately – first check how much space is freed up.

On some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 9 Pro), the reset leaves undeleteable debris in the /data section, in which case only flashing through the Fastboot will help.

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Factory reset is a last resort. Try all other ways before you do, especially if you have a phone with 64GB of storage or less.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi