How to Free Up Your Xiaomi Redmi Phone: Complete Cleanup in 15 Minutes

Your Xiaomi Redmi is again showing a warning, “Not enough memory” even though you haven’t installed anything in a long time? This is a typical problem for smartphones with MIUI, where the system and applications actively cache data and accumulate debris unnoticed. Even on models with 128 GB or 256 GB of memory, users face a lack of space due to duplicate photos, residual files of deleted programs and hidden system logs.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 proven ways to free up memory on Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and other models, from basic (cache removal) to advanced (clean /data/log via ADB). All methods are tested on current versions of MIUI 14/15 and do not require root rights. You’ll learn how to find and delete hidden files that take up to 3-5 GB of memory, why Cleanup in the settings works ineffectively, and how to automate the process so as not to return to the problem every month.

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

Before you clean, you need to figure out which files take up the most space. MIUI has an in-built analyzer, but it often hides system data. Here's how to get the full picture:

Open Settings → Memory → Memory Analysis. The system will show the distribution by category: Applications, Multimedia, Files and Others. Note the "Other" section, which often hides:

• 📁 Logs of the system (/data/log) — before 1-2 GB on models with MIUI 13+.
• 🗑️ Residual files of remote applications (folder) Android/obb).
• 🔄 Photos created by Google Photos or Xiaomi Gallery.
• 📱 Telegram, WhatsApp cache that is not automatically cleared.

For detailed analysis, use third-party utilities:

• Files by Google – shows “junk” (temporary files, duplicates).
• SD Maid (requires root) – finds hidden system files.

⚠️ Note: If the Other section is more than 3GB occupied, do not manually delete files through Explorer - you risk damaging system data.

2. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cache speeds up programs, but it grows to giant sizes over time. On Xiaomi Redmi, there are three types of cache:

1. Application cache – temporary files (Instagram, TikTok, games).
2. Cache system - MIUI data (updates, themes).
3. Dalvik cache – files of the Android virtual machine (cleaned only through Recovery).

How to clean safely:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three points → Sort by size.
3. Select an app (like Facebook) → Storage → Clear the cache.
4. For mass cleaning, use Settings → Memory → Clean (but this only removes part of the cache!).

Clean the cache of the 5 most “heavy” applications

Delete the cache of system applications (Phone, Messages, Gallery)

Restart the phone after cleaning

Check the free space in the settings-->

On Redmi models with MIUI 14+, the cache of messengers (Telegram, Viber) can take up to 500 MB-1 GB. To clean it completely:

1. Open the messenger → Settings → Data and memory.
2. Select Clear cache (in Telegram it is Settings → Memory and data → Clear cache).

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the application data (Clear Data button) - this will delete accounts, settings and saves. cache is secure to delete.

3. Removal of duplicate photos and videos

Xiaomi Gallery and Google Photos automatically create duplicates when editing, backing up or optimizing. For example, a single photo in 1920×1080 can be duplicated at 720p resolution to save space.

Method 1. Built-in MIUI function:

1. Open the gallery → tap on three points → Control.
2. Choose Duplicates or Similar Photos.
3. Check the duplicates and remove the unnecessary ones.

Method 2. Files by Google application:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Market.
2. Go to the Cleanup tab → Duplicate files.
3. Select all duplicates and click Delete.

On Redmi Note 10 Pro and later, duplicates can take up to 2-3 GB. After deleting, check the folders:

• DCIM/.thumbnails – Photo miniatures (can be removed)
• Pictures/Screenshots are often duplicated screenshots.
• Download – Download files that are no longer needed.

4. Optimization of multimedia: compression of photos and videos

Photos in 48 MP resolution (as on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+) take 10-15 MB each, and 4K video up to 500 MB per minute.

Method 1. Built-in compression in MIUI:

1. Open the gallery → select a photo / video → Share.
2. Select the "Squeeze" (the icon with two arrows).
3. Specify the quality (High or Medium) and save the new version.

Method 2. Compression applications:

• 📸 Photo & Picture Resizer – Reduces photo resolution to Full HD.
• 🎥 Video Compress – compresses video without any visible loss of quality.

For automatic compression of new photos:

1. Go to the camera settings → Additional → Photo quality.
2. Choose High instead of Maximum (saving up to 40% of space).

💡

Before compressing, copy the original photos to your PC or cloud. In Google Photos, enable the “Original Quality” function (free to 15 GB) so that you do not lose details when editing.

5. Delete system logs and unnecessary MIUI files

System system MIUI It keeps detailed logs for debugging that are rarely needed by the average user. /data/log and /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log and can borrow up to 1–3 GB. There are two ways to remove them:

Method 1. Through Engineering Mode (without root):

1. Enter the dialer code ##4636##.
2. Select Usage Statistics → Clear logs.
3. Confirm the cleanup.

Method 2. Through ADB (advanced):

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → Tap 7 times → Return to Additional → For Developers).
2. Enter the command line: adb shell su rm -rf /data/log/* rm -rf /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log/*

⚠️ Note: Removing logs through ADB It requires an unlocked bootloader or root. MIUI 15 This method may not work completely - some logs will recover after the reboot.

Also check the folders:

• /sdcard/MIUI/backup – backups of themes and settings.
• /sdcard/Download — old-fashioned APK-file-up.
• /sdcard/Android/obb – cache of games (can be deleted if games are deleted).

6. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If you have a microSD slot on your phone, you can transfer your media and apps to it. On Xiaomi Redmi, you can do this.

Photo and video portability:

1. Open Files → select folders (DCIM, Pictures).
2. Tap to move. → choose SD-map.

Application portability (requires Adoptable Storage support):

1. Insert microSD (UHS-I class or higher).
2. When formatting, select Internal Memory (maps will be combined with main memory).
3. Go to Settings. → Applications, select the program → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.

💡

Transfer of applications to SD-The card does not work on all Redmi models, but on the Redmi Note 12 and later, this feature is disabled by the manufacturer.

For backup to the cloud:

• 🌥️ Google Photos – Automatic Photo/Video Upload (up to 15 GB free).
• 🌥️ Mi Cloud – 5GB free, integrated into MIUI.
• 🌥️ Yandex Disk – 10 GB when registering.

To enable autosynchronization in Google Photos:

1. Open the app → tap on the avatar → Photo settings →
2. Select Backup and Synchronization → Enable.
3. Set quality High (unlimited storage) or Original (counted from quota).

7. disabling automatic download in messengers

Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber) automatically download media files that quickly fill up memory.

Telegram:

1. Open the settings → Data and memory.
2. In the Autoload Media section, select: 📶 Mobile network → Never. 📶 Wi-Fi → Photo (video on request).

Clean the cache automatically

WhatsApp:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Select Storage Management → sort by size.
3. Remove unnecessary videos/gifs or click Clean.

To save space in Viber:

1. Open the Settings. → Media.
2. Turn off Autoupload Media on the mobile network.
3. Enable Compress the photos you send.

💡

In Telegram, you can limit the cache size: Settings → Data and memory → Cache size → set 500 MB.

8. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If you have less than 1GB of free time after all the manipulations, and the phone is slowing down, hard reset will help. This will delete all data, including accounts, photos and apps, so first:

• 🔄 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
• 📱 Copy photos/videos to PC or cloud.
• 📋 Write down logins/passwords from accounts.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter the Mi Account password).

After discharge:

• ⚡ Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It can contain garbage.
• ⚡ Install applications selectively, avoiding unnecessary ones.
• ⚡ Turn off auto-update apps in the Play Market.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MIUI 14+ Reset may lock your phone if it's tied to your Mi Account. → Xiaomi account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up memory