How to completely clean Xiaomi of garbage and unnecessary files: 7 proven ways

Why Xiaomi is “clogged” faster than other smartphones

Xiaomi smartphones, despite the powerful hardware and optimized MIUI firmware, eventually start to work slower, because of accumulated system debris, residual files of remote applications, cache and duplicate media. Unlike naked Android, MIUI actively uses background processes to speed up work, but this also leads to the accumulation of unnecessary data.

According to our tests, for 6 months of active use on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with 256 GB of memory accumulates up to 12-15 GB of garbage - even if you do not install games and do not download movies.

• 📁 Application cache (up to 5GB): Temporary files that should be deleted automatically but often remain;
• 🗑️ Residual files (3-4 GB): “tails” from deleted programs, updates and updates MIUI;
• 📸 Photo/video duplicates (2-3 GB): copies created by instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and cloud services;
• 🔄 Logs and dumps (1–2GB): System error reports that are never cleared.

Worst of all, the standard MIUI Optimizer removes only the tip of the iceberg, and to really free up space and speed up a smartphone, you have to do everything from manual cleaning to the developer’s hidden settings.

Method 1: Integrated MIUI tools – what really works

MIUI firmware (even in the latest versions of MIUI 14/15) has built-in cleaning utilities, but most users use them incorrectly.

1. «Cleaning up in security settings It's not just cache removal - there are hidden options for deep cleaning. → Annexes → Clean and tap the Deep Clean button: 🗃️ Unnecessary APK-Files (remainders from application installation); 📄 Empty folders and temporary files; 🔍 Duplicate contacts and calendar events. ⚠️ Note: Do not use the “Remove Unused Apps” option – it often suggests removing system components. MIUI, which could cause disruption.
2. «Storage" with detail by category B menu Settings → Select a category (e.g., Images or Videos) and click Clear: 🖼️ Delete screenshots older than 30 days; 🎥 Clean up uploaded videos from messengers; 📄 Delete old documents (PDF, DOCX).

Battery Optimizer (Hidden Function)

Few people know, but in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimizer is an option to Clear Background Processes. It does not free up memory, but forcibly closes applications that consume resources in the background (for example, Facebook or TikTok).

Run Deep Clean in Security Settings | Check Storage for Large Files | Delete Screenshots Over 30 Days | Hand-clean the cache for frequently used applications (Instagram, Chrome) | Close background processes in Battery Optimizer-->

Method 2: Manual Cache Deletion – Which Apps to Clean First

Cache speeds up the work of programs, but over time grows to giant sizes. For example, Google Chrome on Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 can accumulate up to 1.5 GB of cache per month, and Instagram – up to 800 MB. Clear the cache must be selectively so as not to break the work of applications.

How to do it right:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
3. Select the app and tap the Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Top.-5 «Xiaomi’s “gluttonous” apps (according to our tests):

Do not clear the cache for system applications like com.android.systemui or com.miui.home, which can cause the interface to crash and reboot the phone.

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Before clearing the cache of Google Play Services or Google Play Market, restart your phone – this will prevent account sync errors.

Method 3: Recovery Cleanup – When Standard Methods Don’t Work

If Xiaomi’s smartphone is slowing down so much that even the settings menu is delayed, it’s time to use Recovery mode. This is an “emergency” method that deletes temporary system files without affecting user data (photos, contacts, etc.).

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for selection).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 2-5 minutes).
5. Restart your phone through Reboot → System.

What is removed in this mode:

• 🗑️ Cache of all applications (including system);
• 📦 Temporary update files MIUI;
• 🔄 Error logs and memory dumps;
• 🚫 Not deleted: photos, videos, messages, applications.

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data - the second option will reset the phone to factory settings! Also do not interrupt the cleaning process, otherwise you risk getting a "brick" (defaulting device).

Method 4: Remove duplicates and unnecessary media files

One of the most annoying effects of using Xiaomi is the automatic duplication of photos and videos.

• 🤖 MIUI Gallery: creates miniatures and copies for smart albums»;
• ☁️ Google Photos: Syncs Media in Original and Compressed Quality;
• 📱 Messengers: Telegram and WhatsApp save sent/received files to separate folders.

How to find and remove duplicates:

1. Through MIUI Open the Gallery, tap three dots in the upper right corner and select Management → The system will automatically find the duplicate files and prompt them to be deleted.
2. Through Files by Google Install Files by Google from Play Market and go to Cleanup tab → Duplicates: 📸 Delete repetitive photos (including screenshots); 🎵 Find duplicate audio files; 📄 Clear uploaded documents (PDF, DOCX).

Manual search of messenger folders

Open Explorer (or Files by Google) and go to:

/storage/emulated/0/Telegram/


/storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media/

It stores all the media files that you get through messengers, and you can clean the Sent and Received folders, and they only contain copies.

Photographer’s Tip: If you shoot in RAW format frequently (like on Xiaomi 13 Ultra), use the DigiKam or Adobe Lightroom app to find duplicates – they’re good at comparing image metadata, not just file names.

Method 5: Cleaning system logs and dumps (for advanced ones)

MIUI maintains detailed logs that are never automatically deleted, which take anywhere from 500MB to 2GB and are stored in hidden folders, and can be safely deleted, but require access to root directories.

Instructions:

1. Install a root Explorer (such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings.
3. Go to /data/log/ /data/tombstones/ /data/anr/ /data/system/dropbox/
4. Delete all files with extensions.log,.txt,.trace.

What's stored in these folders:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in folders /data/app/ or /system/ — If you're in doubt, you'd better skip this one.

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Log cleaning is especially relevant for smartphones with 64-128 GB of memory, where every gigabyte counts. On Xiaomi with 256 GB+, this method will give less effect, but still speed up the system.

Method 6: Disable unnecessary system applications (without root)

MIUI default installs dozens of pre-loaded apps (bloatware) that cannot be removed by standard methods, but they can be disabled, freeing up to 1-1.5 GB of memory and reducing background activity.

List of safe applications to disable (checked on MIUI 14/15):

• 🎵 com.miui.player – Music (if you use Spotify or YouTube Music);
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer - Video player (replace with video player) VLC);
• 📖 com.miui.notes – Notes (if you use Google Keep);
• 🌐 com.miui.browser – Mi Browser (replace with Chrome);
• 🎮 com.xiaomi.glgm – Turbo mode (if you are not playing);
• 📊 com.miui.analytics – Collecting statistics (switching off will speed up the phone).

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app from the list above.
3. Tap Disable (if the button is inactive, first click Remove Updates).

What can I not turn off:

• 🚫 com.android.phone - Phone calls;
• 🚫 com.miui.home - Launcher MIUI;
• 🚫 com.google.android.gms – Google Services (will cause synchronization errors).

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After disabling unnecessary applications, restart the phone - this will free up the memory they occupy.

Method 7: Resetting to factory settings – when nothing helps

If all previous methods failed, the last resort is a hard reset, which will delete all data (photos, contacts, apps), but return the phone to factory speed. Xiaomi recommends resetting every 1-2 years to “rejuvenate” the system.

Step-by-step:

1. Make a backup copy: 📱 Contacts: Export to Settings → Contacts → Imports/exports; 📸 Photo/video: copy to PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud); 🔐 Passwords: Check that they are saved in Google Account.

Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings

Erase all data

After restarting, set your phone as new.

What the dumping does:

• ⚡ Frees up to 5-8 GB of memory (by removing garbage and residual files);
• 🚀 Accelerates work by 30-50% (according to the tests on the Redmi Note 11 and the RMB). POCO X5);
• 🔄 Eliminates the “glitch” of the interface (hangs, lags when scrolling).

⚠️ Note: If you used Mi Account to lock your phone (Find Device option), you will need to enter your Xiaomi account password after reset»!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cleanup