How to Free Up Space in Xiaomi: From Cache to Hidden Files

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face the problem of memory shortage. Even on devices with 128 GB and 256 GB, free space melts like snow in the sun - especially if you actively use the camera, messengers and games. But it is not only the obvious memory eaters. MIUI (branded shell Xiaomi) has features of data storage that are not always noticeable to the user.

In this article, we will examine not only standard cleaning methods (cache removal, file transfer to memory card), but also hidden MIUI functions that help free up gigabytes of space. You will learn which applications can be safely removed, how to find and remove duplicate photos, why Other ("Other") in memory analysis takes up so much space, and how to properly configure cloud storage so that it does not eat up local memory.

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

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand what exactly occupies space on your Xiaomi.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click on the memory usage schedule.
3. Wait for the analysis to be completed (it may take 1-2 minutes).

The typical picture on Xiaomi smartphones looks like this:

• 📷 Photos and videos – 30-50% (especially if you are shooting in the video) 4K or RAW).
• 🎮 Apps and games – 20-40% (Gendshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile games can weigh 5-10 GB).
• 🗃️ Other (Other) – 10-30% (most mysterious section, more about it below).
• 📥 Application cache – 5-15% (temporary files that can be safely deleted).
• 📄 Documents and downloads – 5–10% (PDF, APK, archive).

Pay special attention to the Other section. MIUI includes:

• 🔄 System Logs and Dumps (created when failures occur).
• 📂 Update files (remain after installing firmware).
• 🤖 Google Play Services and other system services.
• 📱 Backup copies MIUI (if automatic reservation is enabled).

2.Cache cleanup: Quick and safe

Application cache is a temporary file that speeds up programs but takes up a lot of space over time. There are two ways to clean up the cache in MIUI:

Method 1: Clearing the cache for all applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Select an app (such as YouTube or Telegram) → Storage → Clear cache.

Method 2: Quick cleaning through "Safety"

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Choose Cleanup → Garbage.
3. Tick the app cache and Unnecessary files, then click Clear.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second action will delete all the app settings (e.g., chats in Telegram or saved passwords in the browser).

3. Delete "Other" (Other): hidden files and system debris

MIUI's Other section is a real black hole for memory.

Step 1: Removal of logs and dumps

System logs take anywhere from 500 MB to a few gigabytes. Find them along the way:

/sdcard/MIUI/debug_log


/sdcard/MIUI/bug_report

Delete all files in these folders (they are created automatically when crashes occur).

Step 2. Clean up the Download folder

In the /sdcard/Download folder, the following are stored:

• 📄 Old ones. APK-Files (remain after application installation).
• 📥 Archives and PDF (e.g. tickets or checks).
• 🖼️ Images from messengers (if saved as is").

Sort files by size and remove unnecessary ones.

Step 3: Delete update files

After installing the firmware, the update files remain in the folder:

/sdcard/MIUI/ota

There may be archives weighing 1-3 GB. Delete everything except the current version.

4.Photo and video optimization: how to save gigabytes

Photos and videos are the main memory eaters, and there are several ways to reduce their weight on Xiaomi smartphones:

Method 1. Change the resolution of the camera

The default camera shoots at maximum resolution, but for social media, it's redundant.

1. Open the camera. → press on ⚙️ Settings.
2. Select Photo Resolution and set 12 MP instead of 48 MP or 64 MP.
3. For video, choose Full HD (1080p) over 4K (unless you’re shooting for professional processing).

Method 2: Enabling compression in Google Photos

Google Photos can automatically compress photos and videos without any visible loss of quality.

1. Open Google Photos → Click on the avatar → Photo settings.
2. Choose Download Quality → High Quality (unlimited storage) or Traffic Savings.

Method 3: Search and remove duplicates

MIUI has a built-in tool for finding duplicates:

1. Open the gallery → Albums → Duplicates.
2. The app will show you the repetitive photos. Select the unnecessary ones and delete them.

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If the Gallery does not have a "Dublicates" section, install the Files by Google app from the Play Market - it will find duplicates not only among photos, but also among documents.

5. Transfer applications and files to a memory card

If your Xiaomi supports memory cards (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro), you can transfer some of the data to the microSD.

What can be transferred:

• 📁 Photos, videos, music (via Files or Gallery).
• 📱 Some applications (but not all!).

How to move applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Spotify or VK Music).
3. Click Warehouse → Change → Select Memory Card.

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support portability SD. System applications and games (e.g, PUBG Mobile cannot be moved, and the memory card must be formatted as internal memory (but this will reduce its compatibility with other devices).

Removal of unnecessary applications and "bloat"

Xiaomi is known for preinstalling many unnecessary applications (called bloatware), some of which can be removed without consequences:

List of safe applications to remove (on most models):

• 🎵 Mi Music (if you use Spotify or Yandex Music).
• 📺 Mi Video (replace by Mi Video) VLC or MX Player).
• 📰 Mi Browser (if you use Chrome or Firefox).
• 🛒 Mi Pay (if you don’t use Xiaomi payments).
• 🎮 Games (a game center that only takes up space).

How to delete:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find an unneeded app (like Mi Browser).
3. Click Remove (if the button is inactive, the application is system).

⚠️ Note: Do not remove system applications such as Security, Settings or Services, which can cause a malfunction. MIUI. If there is no Delete button but Disable, use it.

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Removing pre-installed applications (bloat) can free up to 1-2GB of storage, but do so carefully – some applications are associated with system functions.

7. Cloud Storage Setup: Mi Cloud and Google Photos

Cloud services help relieve internal memory, but they need to be configured properly so that they don’t duplicate files.

Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud):

• 📁 Free gives 5 GB (you can increase to 100 GB for a fee).
• 🔄 Automatically synchronizes photos, contacts and notes.
• ⚠️ But: if Gallery sync is enabled, files remain on both the phone and the cloud (doubling the space occupied!).

How to set up Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select the Gallery → Synchronization settings.
3. Turn on Wi-Fi-only Sync and turn off Original Quality (select Compressed).
4. After synchronization, delete local copies of the photo (manually through the Gallery).

Google Photos:

• 📸 Offers unlimited storage for high quality photos (up to 16 MP).
• 🎥 Videos are compressed to 1080p.
• ✅ After downloading files can be deleted from the phone (they will remain in the cloud).

⚠️ Attention: If you delete photos from your phone before they load into the cloud, they will be gone forever. Check the sync status in Google Photos (cloud icon with a tick).

8.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If all of the above methods didn’t work, and there is critically little free space (less than 1 GB), you can reset to factory settings.

What to do before resetting:

• 🔄 Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup.
• 📱 Copy photos and videos to a computer or memory card.
• 📝 Write down logins and passwords from important accounts (they will disappear!).

How to perform the reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Confirm the action (you will need to enter a password or a pattern lock).

Once reset, the phone will be like new, with all the apps pre-installed, but no data you have, and this method frees up 100% of user memory, but requires a complete reconfiguration of the device.

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Factory reset is the most radical way to clean up memory, only use it if other methods have failed and you have a backup of the data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi