How to completely clean internal memory on Xiaomi Redmi 6: from cache to system files

Xiaomi Redmi 6 with its modest 32 or 64 GB of internal memory quickly clogs up with unnecessary files, especially if you actively use messengers, social networks or camera. Even after removing photos and applications, free space melts before your eyes - the reason for this is hidden cache, residual files and features of the MIUI 9/10 firmware. In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods of cleaning memory, including little-known tricks for Redmi 6 that do not require root rights.

The main problem of the model is the lack of a microSD slot in the version with two SIM-This means that the owners of Redmi 6 3/32 GB has to fight for every megabyte. We've tested all the methods on firmware. MIUI Global 10.2.3.0 and MIUI 11 (For those who have updated, so the instructions are valid regardless of the version of the software. Important: some actions may lead to the deletion of data without the possibility of recovery - backup!

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

Before you clean it, you need to understand which files take up the most space. Redmi 6 has built-in tools for this, but they're hidden in the depths of the menu.

Settings → Storage → Internal Memory

Here you'll see a diagram of the memory distribution by category: Apps, Images, Video, Audio and Other. Click on each category to see the details:

• 📱 Apps: a list of programs sorted by size (including cache), most often led by Facebook, Telegram and Google Chrome.
• 📷 Images: photo from the gallery, screenshots (Pictures/Screenshots) and downloads from messengers (WhatsApp/Media).
• 🎵 Audio: Music, voice messages from Viber/WhatsApp and tape recordings.
• 🗑️ Other: the most insidious category! It hides the logs of system applications, temporary files and remnants of deleted programs.

Note the System Data section, which is more than 5-7 GB, and is a signal for deep cleaning (see section 5). Also check the Download folder, as many users forget to remove APK installers and archives.

2.Cleaning App Cache: A Quick Way to Free 1–3 GB

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work, and over time, they accumulate and can take up to 3-5 GB. In Redmi 6, the cache can be cleared in two ways:

Method 1: Clearing the cache for individual applications

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or Facebook).
3. Press "Storage" → "Clear the cache".

For instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) also available option "Data Management", where you can delete downloaded media files.

Method 2: Mass cleaning of the cache

To avoid cleaning each application manually:

Settings → Storage → Internal Memory → Cache Data

Click "Clean" and it will remove the cache of all applications at once, and after the procedure, some programs may take longer to load when they first run.

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If after cleaning the cache, the application began to work slower, restart the phone - this will help restore performance.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse "Clear Cache" and "Clean Data"! The second action will delete all application settings (logins, saves), and it will have to be reconfigured.

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

Many users delete applications through an icon on the desktop, but that doesn't free up the memory completely.

• 📲 Go to Settings. → Annexes.
• 🔍 Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Video or Mi Music if you don't use them).
• 🗑️ Click "Delete" (if the button is inactive, it means that it is a system application).
• 🧹 After deleting, check the folders. Android/data and Android/obb via any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager) – remote game files may remain there.

Pay special attention to Xiaomi pre-installed apps that cannot be removed by standard means.

Settings → Applications → Select the application → Disable

This won’t free up memory, but it will stop background activity. Complete removal of system applications will require unlocking the bootloader and ADB is a topic for a separate article.

4. Transfer of files to SD-card (if there is a slot)

Redmi 6 supports microSD cards up to 256 GB, but only in a single SIM (hybrid slot) slot version. If you have one, file transfers will help free up internal memory.

• 📸 Photos and videos: Use Google Photos to automatically upload to the cloud, then delete local copies. Or manually transfer it to Mi File Manager:
• 🎵 Music and Documents: Apps like VLC or WPS Office allows you to save files directly to the card.
• 📱 Not all programs support the transfer to SD. To check:

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of applications to SD This can cause them to work unstable, especially if the memory card is slow (class below). UHS-I). Also after extraction SD-These programs will no longer work.

5.Deep cleaning: removal of system debris and logs

Over time, MIUI accumulates system logs, error dumps, and temporary files that are not visible to the user, which can be deleted using hidden features or third-party utilities.

Method 1: Integrated cleaning of MIUI

Settings → Additional → Cleaning

Options are available here:

• 🗑️ Garbage files: Remnants of deleted applications, temporary files.
• 📄 Large files: Videos and documents size > 10MB.
• 🔄 Duplicate files: repetitive photos or audio.

Method 2: Manual deletion of logs (for experienced)

With root file manager (such as Root Explorer) or ADB, you can delete:

• /data/log folder is the logs of the system.
• /data/tombstones folder: error dumps.
• *.prof files in /data/misc are performance profiles.

Without root rights, these folders are not available, but they can be cleared through Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.

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Cleaning through Recovery doesn't delete user data, but resets network settings and accounts, and after the procedure, you have to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords.

6.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If none of these methods worked, and there's less than 1 GB of free memory left, you'll have to do a complete reset, which will delete all the data, including photos, contacts and apps, so first:

Make backup photos and videos (Google Photos, computer)|Export contacts to VCF-file|Record logins/passwords from accounts|Make sure it's on the phone. >50% charge|Delete your Google account (if you sell your phone)-->

Resetting instructions:

Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting settings

Once reset, the phone will restart and return to the "out of the box" state. The first turn on will take 5-10 minutes - do not interrupt the process!

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 6s MIUI 10 After reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. If you forget your password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

7.Prevention: How to prevent memory filling

To avoid clearing your memory every week, follow these simple rules:

• 📵 Limit background activity: Turn off autoload media in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram). → "Mediavisors" → "Download Media" and select "Never" or "Only over Wi-Fi".
• 🔄 Set up automatic cleaning: In Settings → Turn on the “Autoclean” option and set a schedule (e.g. once a week).
• ☁️ Use cloud services: Google Photos (up to 15 GB free), Mi Cloud (5 GB) or Yandex Drive (10 GB) will help relieve internal memory.
• 🛑 Block ads: Many apps download banner ads to cache. Install AdGuard or enable background restriction for adverts SDK In Settings → Special facilities → Rights of annexes.

Also check the Download folder regularly – many files (such as APK or PDF) are downloaded there by default and forgotten.

Mi File Manager → Downloads → Menu (three dots) → Sort → By date →

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If you often install APK-files, use the application APK Extractor to save them directly to SD-map, bypassing internal memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Redmi memory 6