How to Free Up Space on Xiaomi Redmi 9: From Basic Methods to Hidden MIUI Chips

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with excellent value for money, but its main Achilles heel is limited internal memory. Even models with 64 GB are often clogged with “nothing known”, and the notification “Memory is full” appears at the most inopportune moment. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to make room on the Redmi 9 – from standard MIUI tools to little-known tricks that do not require root rights.

The memory problem on Redmi 9 is compounded by the fact that the system reserves some space for its needs, and the user is left even less. MIUI It's actively caching data, and many applications are creating duplicate files, and we're not going to recommend trivial things like "remove unnecessary photos" -- instead, we're going to show you how to find and remove hidden debris, move applications to the next one. SD-map (yes, it’s possible even without official support!) and optimize the system so that memory doesn’t clog up so quickly.

It's important to understand that Redmi 9 came in a few versions, 32, 64 and 128 GB of storage. Cleaning methods are suitable for all options, but owners of 32 GB versions will have to pay special attention to this issue. If you've already tried to clean the cache through the settings and this did not help, don't rush to drop the phone to the factory. Chances are you just don't know about half the methods that we will describe below.

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

Before you clean it, you have to figure out what's taking up space. MIUI offers a built-in memory analyzer, but it often shows data inaccurately. Here's how to get the whole picture:

Go to Settings → Phone → Memory. Here you will see a diagram of the allocation of memory into categories: System, Applications, Multimedia and Other. Click on each category to see details. Pay attention to the "Other" item, which is where the main garbage is often hidden: temporary files, remnants of deleted applications and cache of system processes.

• 📊 The system is usually 8-12 GB. It is an immutable part of the firmware, it cannot be reduced without root.
• 📱 Apps – it is important to look not only at the size APK, But also on "Data" (cache) + For example, Facebook or Telegram can weigh 1-2 GB only due to cache.
• 🎵 Multimedia - photo, video, music. MIUI Often duplicates media files in a folder MIUI (for example, wallpaper or screenshots).
• 🗑️ The other is the most insidious partition, and it could be update files, logs, and even the remains of old firmware (MIUI/backup).

For more detailed analysis, use third-party apps like Files by Google or SD Maid to show the exact paths to the large files and folders that MIUI hides. For example, many people don't know that an Android/data folder can weigh several gigabytes, which stores game and application data that is not always deleted when uninstalled.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files from folders Android/obb or Android/data, Some games, like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, store critical data there, and deleting it will cause a reset of progress.

2.Cache and garbage cleanup: standard and hidden methods

The most obvious way to free up space is to clear the cache, but most users do it wrong by only removing the cache of individual applications. MIUI has more effective tools:

Method 1: Cleaning through "Safety"

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the "Cleaning" section" → "Deep cleaning".
3. Click "Scan" and wait until it's finished.
4. Select all items (especially "Residual Files" and "App Cache") and click "Clean".

Method 2: Manually cleansing the cache of system applications

Some system applications (such as Mi Video, Music or Browser) accumulate gigabytes of cache but do not appear in the standard cleanup menu to delete their data:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the top menu, select "All Apps".
3. Find system applications (the icon with the green android man) and open their settings.
4. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data” (if you are not afraid of resetting settings).

Method 3: Delete update files

MIUI downloads updates to either the Download/rom or MIUI/backup folder, but doesn't always delete them after installation. These files can take 1-3 GB to find.

• 📁 Open any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager).
• 🔍 Enter in the search "update.zip" or".
• 🗑️ Delete all files found with the.zip or.pkg extension.

3. Transfer of applications to SD-map: circumventing restrictions MIUI

Redmi 9 does not officially support the transfer of applications to the SD-The method works only with microSDXC memory cards (from 64 GB) and requires some manipulation.

Method 1: Through Application Settings (Partial Transfer)

Some apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) allow you to transfer only media files to the Internet. SD-map:

1. Open the app settings (e.g. WhatsApp → Settings → Storage).
2. Select "Save incoming media files to" SD-map".
3. Restart the app.

Method 2: Forced transfer via ADB (for advanced)

If you want to migrate applications completely, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a computer and enabled USB debugging:

Enable the Developer Mode (Settings) → The phone. → 7 times press "Version" MIUI")

Activate debugging over USB (Settings → Additional → For developers)

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer

Download. ADB-Drivers (for example, from the Xiaomi website)

-->

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command will force the system to install new applications on the SD-Default card to move the already installed:

adb shell pm move-package com.example.app /sdcard

Replace com.example.app with the batch name of the desired application (you can find out through the App Inspector).

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support the work with SD-System programs (Mi Home, Security) and online-authorized games (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire can be faulty or slow down.

4. Removal of duplicates and unnecessary media files

MIUI has the unfortunate feature of creating duplicate photos and videos, for example, when editing in the Gallery, the original file is saved, and the modified version is created as a new file, the same thing happens when clipping videos or using filters.

To find and remove duplicates:

• 🔍 Use the Files by Google app (Section Cleanup" → "Duplicate files").
• 📁 Check the folders: DCIM/.thumbnails — Miniatures that can be safely removed. Pictures/Screenshots — Screenshots that are often forgotten to be deleted. MIUI/Camera — There may be some older versions of the photo.
• 🎥 For video: Open the Gallery, sort files by size, and remove unnecessary videos in resolution 4K (They weigh 300-500 MB each).

Another source of garbage is downloaded files from messengers, and in Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber, media files are stored in folders:

• WhatsApp/Media
• Telegram/Telegram Images
• Android/media/com.viber.voip

Open these folders and delete unnecessary files, so that messengers do not automatically download media, turn off auto-save in their settings.

💡

Before mass deleting a photo, back up your photos in Google Photos (settings → “Free space”), which will remove the originals from your phone, leaving them in the cloud.

5. MIUI Optimization: Disabling unnecessary functions

MIUI is one of the heaviest shells on Android, and many of its features run in the background, eating up memory and resources, and turning off some of them will not only make room, but also speed up the phone.

What can be safely disabled:

• 🎨 Theme Store: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times, then in Settings. → Additionally. → Topics and disable auto-update themes.
• 📡 Mi Cloud: If you are not using the Xiaomi cloud, turn off sync in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 📰 News Feed: Swipe left on the home screen, click three dots → "Settings" → Turn off "Show recommendations".
• 🔄 Auto-Update Apps: In Play Market, turn off auto-update or allow it over Wi-Fi only.
• 📊 Data collection: c Settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Improve user experience, turn off all switches.

Background cleaning:

MIUI aggressively caches applications in memory, which causes it to overflow, to limit this:

1. Enable the Developer Mode (as described above).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the "Background Process Limit" and select "No Background Processes" or "Maximum 2 Processes".
4. Turn off "Windows Animation" and "Transition Animation" (this will speed up the work).

⚠️ Note: Disabling background processes may cause messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) to receive notifications more slowly. If this is critical, leave a limit on 4 processes.

6. reset of the partition cache (wipe cache partition)

If standard methods didn’t work and the phone started to slow down, try resetting the partition cache. This won’t delete your data, but will clear temporary system files that can take up to 1-2 GB.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power and Volume buttons simultaneously until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu.
4. Use volume buttons to navigate and select "Wipe & Reset".
5. Select "Wipe Cache" and confirm the action.
6. Once completed, select “Reboot” to reboot.

This method is particularly useful if:

• The phone became very slow after the MIUI update.
• Memory “disappears” for no apparent reason (for example, free 5 GB, and after a day – 1 GB).
• Apps have started to fly out or not updated.

7. Radical measures: what to do if nothing helps?

If you’ve tried all the ways, but your memory is running out anyway, it’s time to consider radical solutions:

Option 1: Installation of custom firmware

Stock MIUI weighs about 8-10 GB, and custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can take 2-3 times less.

• Unlock the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
• TWRP Recovery installations.
• Backup all data (it will be erased).

Cons: loss of warranty, possible bugs with the camera or sensors.

Option 2: Connection OTG-storage

If your Redmi 9 supports OTG (check Settings → Connections → OTG), you can connect a flash drive or an external SSD.

• Buy it. OTG-adapter (Type-C) → USB-A).
• Connect the flash drive (preferably exFAT format for files >4 GB).
• In the file manager, select "Move to" USB-accumulator".

Option 3: Cloud storage with automatic booting

Set up automatic upload of photos and videos to Google Photos or Yandex.Disk:

1. In Google Photos: Settings → Backup and Sync → Enable download over Wi-Fi.
2. In the Xiaomi Gallery: Settings → Cloud → Autosynchronization.
3. After downloading, delete the originals from the phone (the option "Free space").

💡

If you’re constantly running out of memory, consider buying a 128GB Redmi 9 or a larger model (like the Redmi Note 10) that’s cheaper in the long run than constantly fighting for every gigabyte.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory release on Redmi 9