How to thoroughly clean Xiaomi phone: from cache to system files

Your Xiaomi is slowing down, quickly discharged or issuing messages about memory shortages? The reason is often not the “aging” of iron, but the accumulated digital garbage: the remains of deleted applications, fragmented cache files, duplicate photos and hidden logs of the system. MIUI. New models like Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+ After 6-12 months of operation require deep cleaning - but not a surface press of the button "Optimize" in the settings, and an integrated approach.

In this article, we will discuss 7 Key cleaning steps that will return your phone to factory-level performance: from removing unnecessary files to fine-tuning autoloads and hidden features MIUI. You will learn how to safely clean system partitions, which apps can be removed without risk, and why Xiaomi’s standard “Security Master” leaves you free to use. 30% All instructions are relevant to the devices on the MIUI 14/15 (including POCO, Black Shark and Redmi do not require root rights.

Warning: Some methods (like cleaning Dalvik cache or resetting Media Storage settings) may seem complicated, but we will explain each step in detail with illustrations and warnings about possible risks. If you are willing to spend 30 to 60 minutes on a full “cleanup” of your smartphone – here we go!

1. Diagnostics: What exactly is stopping your Xiaomi?

Before you start cleaning, it's important to understand what type of trash is clogging your phone the most. MIUI There are built-in analysis tools, but they often hide some of the problems:

• 📊 Checking the occupied space: Go to Settings → The phone. → Memory. Note the System Data (over 10 GB) and Other Applications (remnants of deleted programs may be hidden here).
• ⚡ Battery Analysis: C Settings → Battery → Battery use: see which apps are using up in the background, and if you're leading the way, com.miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.ab, you need to turn them off.
• 🐢 Performance Test: Install CPU Monitor or DevCheck from Google Play. If the processor loads more than 30% in plain, and RAM is clogged to 80%+ — background-burden.

Pay special attention to the "System Data" section, if it is more important. 15 GB on a phone with 128 GB of memory, that means MIUI accumulated a critically large number of logs, temporary update files and cache ART/Dalvik. This situation cannot be corrected by standard means - methods from the following sections will be required.

⚠️ Note: If you see a 1GB to 5GB item in the Memory section, don't try to manually clean it. These are encrypted files. MIUI, Remove them and you'll crash the system. Instead, reset your Media Storage settings (more on that below).

2.Cache and Temporary Files Cleanup: What Can Be Deleted Without Risk

So let's start with the safest, but most effective, method, which is cache removal. MIUI cache is divided into three types:

1. Application cache – temporary files that programs save for quick operation (for example, thumbnails in a gallery or map data in Google Maps).
2. Dalvik cache – optimized files to speed up application launches (accumulates after updates) MIUI).
3. System cache – error logs, update files and service data MIUI.

Standard cleaning through Settings → Warehouse → Clean only removes the first type. To get rid of the others, follow the instructions:

Remove the cache of all applications through Settings|Clear Dalvik cache in Recovery mode|Delete the.thumbnails folder in the gallery|Reset the Media Storage settings|Clear the cache of Google Play Services-->

1.Appendix cache:

Go to Settings. → Annexes → App management. Sort the list by size and manually clear the cache for apps that are over 100MB (especially Facebook, Instagram, Telegram). To speed up the process, use the Cash filter in the upper right corner.

Dalvik cache and system debris:

These files can only be deleted through Recovery mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. Select a language, then go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 2-5 minutes).

This procedure does not delete personal data, but resets the optimization of applications. After a restart, the phone can run slower than 10-15 minutes - this is normal (the system restores Dalvik cache).

Hidden gallery files:

The.thumbnails folder at the root of the internal memory stores thumbnails of all photos and videos, which can weigh up to 1-2 GB.

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager with the “Show Hidden Files” option enabled).
2. Move to the /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails.
3. Delete all files in this folder (they will be restored automatically the next time you view the gallery).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete the.thumbnails folder completely - it will be created again, but with rights that may cause errors in the gallery.

3. Remove unnecessary system applications and bloatware

MIUI It's known for its abundance of pre-installed applications (bloatware), many of which can't be removed in standard ways. These programs not only take up space, but also consume battery in the background. Here's a list of safe applications to remove (without risk to the system):

To remove these applications without root rights, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge):

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times on the line with the version, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect the phone to your PC, install ADB drivers and open the command line.
3. Enter the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer (replace com.miui.videoplayer with the desired application package from the table).

If you don't want to use ADB, You can disable unnecessary applications through Settings → Annexes → Application management → It won't make room, but it will stop background activity.

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Before removing system applications, make a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. In case of a failure, you can restore the system.

Storage optimization: search and removal of duplicates, large files and debris

Even after cleaning the cache, the phone still has:

• 📁 Duplicate photos (created when editing, sending in messengers or backups).
• 🎵 Unused audio files (downloads from Telegram, voice messages, cache of music applications).
• 📄 Downloads from browsers (PDF, APK, Archives that you have long forgotten).
• 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Applications (Folders in the /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/).

To find and remove them, use a combination of built-in and third-party tools:

Built-in "Storage Analysis":

Go to Settings. → Warehouse → The vault analysis is here. MIUI It shows you large files and categories of garbage:

• Large files – videos, archives, disk images.
• Downloads are everything that is downloaded through the browser.
• Unused files are app data that you haven’t used for more than 30 days.

Third-party applications for deep cleaning:

To find duplicates and hidden debris, we recommend:

• Files by Google – Finds unnecessary files and suggests that you delete them.
• SD Maid (requires root for full functionality) – cleans the remnants of remote applications and system debris.
• Duplicate Files Fixer – Looks for repetitive photos and documents.

Manual cleaning of folders:

With a file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer), check the following folders:

• /storage/emulated/0/Download – downloads from browsers.
• /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — Application data (you can delete folders of remote programs).
• /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb — Additional game files (there are often "tails" after uninstallation).
• /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Backup — backups.

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Regularly cleaning the Download folder can free up up to 3 to 5GB of space. Most files here are one-time downloads that you won't open anymore.

5. System Services Settings Reset: A Radical Method for Returning Speed

If your Xiaomi is slower after the update MIUI or installing multiple applications, the problem may be a failure of system services":

• Media Storage is a service that scans media (photos, videos, music) and is constantly restarted when it crashes, consuming battery and processor.
• Package Installer – Installation Manager APK. If errors accumulate here, new applications will be installed with delays.

How to Reset Media Storage:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all processes.
3. Find Media Storage (or Multimedia Storage).
4. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
5. Restart your phone. After that, the gallery and music players will temporarily stop working — wait until the system scans the files again (may take 5-15 minutes).

Reset Package Installer:

This procedure will help if you install APK-Errors such as "Application not installed" or "Parse error" appear":

1. In the same application settings, look for Package Installer (or Package Installer).
2. Clear the cache and data.
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Package Installer reset will delete the history of installed APK-If you installed applications from unknown sources, you'll have to re-authorize installation in Settings after resetting. → Security.

These methods are especially effective for phones that have not rebooted for a long time (more than 7 days). MIUI Temporary file system locks accumulate, and resetting services removes them.

6. Optimization of autoboot and background processes

One of the main reasons for Xiaomi’s brakes is uncontrolled app autoloading. Many programs (especially Chinese and social networks) are added to autoruns without your knowledge, consuming RAM and battery. MIUI There are hidden settings to manage this.

How to turn off autoboot:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Facebook or AliExpress).
3. Press Autostart and turn off the slider.
4. Also turn off Background Activity and Show notifications if they are not needed.

Hidden autoload settings:

Some system applications (e.g. com.miui.daemon or com.xiaomi.xmsf) are not displayed in the standard list.

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open the app and find Autostart (or Autostart).
3. The list will display all programs with the right to download, including hidden.
4. Disable unnecessary services (do not touch system services with the names Android, media or bluetooth).

Optimization of RAM:

V MIUI There is a hidden Memory Extension feature that uses part of the internal storage as a virtual memory. RAM. This is useful for phones with 4-6 GB of RAM (like the Redmi Note 10 or the Redmi Note). POCO X3):

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Expand memory.
2. Turn on the option and select the volume (recommended 1-2 GB).
3. Reboot the phone.

7. Final touches: defragmentation, update and virus check

Even after all the previous steps, the system may not work perfectly, and the final steps will help to consolidate the result:

Memory defragmentation:

V MIUI There is no built-in defragmentation, but it can be run through ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line.
2. Enter: adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job This command optimizes the location of application files on the disk.

2. Virus and spyware check:

Use Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light to scan. Pay special attention to folders:

• /storage/emulated/0/Download — There are often harmful ones hiding here. APK.
• /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — Some viruses are disguised as legitimate applications.

3. Update MIUI and nuclei:

Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest patches, even if your version is MIUI Sometimes “hot” fixes are released for specific models (for example, for Xiaomi). 13T or Redmi K60).

4. Resetting network settings:

If after cleaning the phone still brakes when connecting to Wi-Fi or mobile Internet, reset the network settings:

1. Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
2. Or through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Resetting network settings.

This is recommended every 3-6 months, especially if you are actively installing/removing apps or frequently connecting your phone to different Wi-Fi networks.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cleanup