How to completely clean the Xiaomi smartphone from unnecessary files: instruction 2026

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones and the new HyperOS are known for their functionality, but over time, even they start to “brake” due to the accumulated digital garbage. Unnecessary files take up precious space, slow down the system and drain the battery. Unlike the iPhone, where cleaning is reduced to a few taps, Xiaomi requires a comprehensive approach – here it is important not only to remove the cache, but also to find hidden “eaters” of memory, which most users do not even know.

Complicating the problem is that MIUI system processes actively cache data to speed up work, but rarely optimize it. For example, the Smart Cleanup feature in MIUI 14 by default ignores files weighing less than 50 MB, even if there are thousands of them. This can leave less than 20% after a year of using free space, even though you have long deleted all unnecessary photos and applications. This article will help you find and safely remove all types of garbage from obvious cache to hidden logs of the system.

1. Built-in cleaning tools: what can be done without third-party software

Let’s start with the basic features offered by MIUI/HyperOS itself, which do not require additional applications and cope with 60-70% of garbage.

The main tool is Cleanup (formerly Security) to open it:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory
2. Slip the Clean button at the bottom of the screen
3. Select the file category (cache, temporary files, APK)

The system will automatically scan the device and show how much space can be freed up, but there are pitfalls.

• 🔍 The application cache is the safest file type to delete, and once cleaned, the applications will simply recreate it the next time they run.
• 📁 Downloads are a folder where files from browsers and messengers are saved.
• 🗑️ The basket is in MIUI There is a separate file manager basket that needs to be cleaned manually.
• ⚠️ APK-Files are leftovers from installed applications. They can be deleted, but be careful: some of them are leftovers. APK You may need to re-install.

It is important to understand that built-in cleaning does not remove:

• 📸 Photo and video miniatures (they are stored in the.thumbnails folder)
• 📊 Logs of system and applications (folder) /sdcard/Android/data/com.miui.analytics)
• 🎵 Cache music applications (e.g. Spotify or Yandex Music)

2.Deep cleaning: hidden folders and system debris

For power users willing to dig deeper, there is a way to free up additional 1-3 GB of memory: These files are not visible through a standard file manager, but they can be found using a root or root Explorer. ADB-team.

The most fatty hidden folders in Xiaomi:

To access these folders:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer)
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings
3. Manually follow these paths and remove the contents

⚠️ Note: Delete files from the folder /data If you don't have root rights, you can have a critical system failure. If you're not sure what you're doing, use alternative cleaning methods.

An alternative way to use root without root is to use it. ADB-Connect the phone to the PC and do it:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.analytics.app

This team will clear MIUI analytics logs that can weigh up to 500MB.

3. Cleaning up the residues of remote applications

When you delete an application through Settings → Applications, MIUI often leaves behind tails: cache, settings, and temporary files. These residues can take up hundreds of megabytes.

How to find and remove them:

1. Open the file manager and go to /sdcard/Android/data
2. Sort folders by date of change (the oldest most likely from remote applications)
3. Delete folders with app names that you deleted long ago

Applications can be used to automate the process:

• 🧹 SD Maid – Finds the remnants of applications and clears the cache
• 🔍 Files by Google – has a built-in tool for finding duplicates
• 📦 App Cleaner – specializes in residue removal APK

Open Settings → Applications → Show all applications

Sort by size (the largest on top)

Check "Unused" in the Warehouse section

Delete folders in /sdcard/Android/data remote-->

Pay special attention to the folders:

• com.tencent.mm – WeChat residues (can weigh up to 1GB)
• com.facebook.orca - Messenger cache
• com.google.android.apps.maps – offline maps of Google Maps

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete folders of current applications! this can lead to loss of data (for example, saves in games) or malfunction of programs.

4.Photo and video optimization: how to free gigabytes

Media files are the main memory eater on any smartphone. Xiaomi has some unique features that help to cope with this.

Compression of photo at MIUI Gallery:

1. Open the Gallery → Choose an album
2. Tap. ⋮ → Press the photo
3. Select quality (high recommended for detail preservation)

This feature can reduce the weight of a photo by 40-60% without any visible loss of quality. For video, a similar tool is available in Gallery Settings → Tools → Compress Video.

Additional ways to save space:

• 📸 Disable saving RAW (If you are not a professional photographer: Camera settings → Format → JPEG
• 🎥 Reduce video resolution: Camera settings → Video resolution → Full HD (1080p)
• ☁️ Automatic Cloud Upload: Gallery Settings → Cloud. → Autoboot
• 🗑️ Screenshot cleaning: folder /Pictures/Screenshots It often contains hundreds of unnecessary photos.

💡

Use the Smart Albums feature in MIUI Gallery – it automatically sorts photos by person, place and event, making it easier to find and remove duplicates.

For advanced users, there is a way to compress all media files directly through ADB:

adb shell am start -n com.android.gallery3d/.app.CompressActivity

This command will open a hidden compression menu where you can process all photos and videos in a package.

5. Cleaning the cache of system applications

MIUI system applications (e.g. Topics, Security, Music) actively cache data, but standard cleaning does not affect them. These files can take up to 2-3 GB.

List of the most "gluttonous" system applications:

To clear their cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Tap it on. ⋮ → Show system-based
3. Find the right application → Storage → Clear the cache

For some applications (like Themes), the cache is secured.

• Use it. ADB-Command: adb shell pm clear com.android.themes
• Or delete the cache folder manually through the root-rights file manager

💡

Cleaning the cache of system applications gives a temporary effect - after 1-2 weeks it will recover. To constantly save space, turn off automatic updates of themes and widgets in the MIUI settings.

6. Cleaning automation: settings to maintain cleanliness

To avoid manually cleaning your phone every month, set up automatic optimization.

Enabling smart cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Cleanup
2. Activate the Auto Cleanup option
3. Set up a schedule (recommended daily at 3:00)

Additional settings for automatic space saving:

• 📥 Cleaning up downloads: Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning up the downloads → Automatically.
• 🗑️ Autocleaning the basket: Files → Basket → Settings → Clean in 30 days.
• 🔄 Cache Limitation: Settings → Additionally. → Cache restriction (500 MB)

For HyperOS users, the “Light Mode” function is available, which automatically:

• Limits background activity of applications
• Compresses media files when there is a lack of space
• Blocks automatic download of updates

To activate it:

Settings → Special features → Easy mode

7.Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If all the previous methods didn't work, and the phone still brakes, the last option is a complete reset, which is a radical solution that will delete all the data, including:

• 📱 Applications and their settings
• 📸 Photos, videos and music
• 📞 Contacts and messages (if not synced to your account)
• 🎮 Preservation of games

Before discharge, it is mandatory:

Make a backup copy through Mi Cloud

Copy photo/video to PC or disc

Record logins/passwords from important services

Make sure the battery is charged >50%-->

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings
2. Choose to erase all data
3. Enter the password from your Mi Account (if tied)
4. Confirm the action.

It'll take 5-10 minutes, and then you'll be asked,

• Recover data from backup
• Set up your phone as new
• Sign in to your Google and Mi Account

⚠️ Note: HyperOS models may need to re-activate the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool after the reset. Without this, some features (such as an air update) will not work.

Frequently asked questions