How to Free Up Space on Xiaomi: A Complete Memory Cleanup Guide

Why Xiaomi is running out of memory and what to do about it

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Often, you run into a problem: memory fills up in a matter of weeks, even though you haven't installed new apps or downloaded large files. MIUI. The system aggressively caches data, duplicates files for backups, and some applications (for example, com.miui.gallery) create thumbnails even for deleted photos.

In our experience, before 30-40% Xiaomi’s memory is occupied by system debris: temporary update files, error logs, Google Play Services cache and duplicate media files. MIUI file /data/ota_package It can be a weighty archive. 1-2 Another trap is cloned apps (like the second WhatsApp or Telegram) that take up space but are often forgotten by users.

In this article, we will discuss 10 proven ways to free up memory on Xiaomi – from basic (cache cleaning) to advanced (manual cleaning of system folders through the cache) ADB). All methods tested on current versions MIUI 14/15 They work on models from Redmi Note. 10 Xiaomi 14 Ultra.Important: Before any manipulation of system files, back up via Settings → The phone. → Backup.

🔍 Method 1: Memory analysis through embedded tools MIUI

Before you remove something, you need to understand what exactly takes up space. MIUI There's a built-in memory analyzer that shows you how you categorize your files:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Click on the chart at the top of the screen (or tap on the inscription “Memory Analysis”).
3. Wait for the scan to be completed (may take 1-2 minutes).

The system will show you the distribution by categories: Apps, Images, Videos, Audio, Documents, and others. Pay attention to the Others section, which is where the garbage is often hidden: cache, logs, temporary files. If this partition takes up more than 5 GB, then it's time to clean the system folders (about this in method 5).

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V MIUI 15 has a Deep Analysis feature that looks for duplicate photos and large files. To turn it on, tap three dots in the upper right corner of the memory analysis screen.

Pay particular attention to the Apps section, which shows not only user programs, but also system services (e.g. com.xiaomi.midrop or com.miui.video), some of which can be turned off without consequences, as described in method 3.

🧹 Method 2: Cleaning the application cache and system

Cache is a temporary file that applications create to speed things up, and over time, it accumulates and can take up several gigabytes. MIUI There are two types of cache:

• 📱 Application cache – files of individual programs (for example, Instagram or YouTube cache).
• ⚙️ System cache - files MIUI, including shell cache, Google services and Android kernels.

To clear the cache of individual applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose an app (such as Chrome or Facebook).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For mass cleaning of the cache of all applications:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Slip on Clean in the "Cash of applications" section.
3. Confirm the action.

The system cache is cleared through Recovery Mode, which is a more radical method, but it helps if the phone starts to brake.

Turn off the phone.

Press the power button. + Loudness up before the logo appears MI

Choose a language (if required)

Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache

Confirm the action and restart the phone-->

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will reset your phone to factory settings and delete all your data.

🚫 Method 3: Remove or disable unnecessary applications

Firmware MIUI The default is dozens of pre-installed apps, many of which are never used, such as Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser, GetApps (Xiaomi store) or Mi Pay, which take up space and run in the background, using up battery power.

There are three ways to get rid of them:

1. Disabling (the application remains in the system, but does not work and is not updated).
2. Remove updates (returns the app to the factory version, freeing up space).
3. Complete deletion (requires superuser rights or ADB).

The safest method is to shut down.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, click Remove Updates first).

List of applications that can be disabled without risk to the system:

Complete removal of system applications will be required ADB. It's a risky method -- wrong commands can cause a system to crash. If you're ready to experiment, follow the instructions:

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications may disrupt some functions MIUI (For example, check reviews about a particular package on forums before removing them. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

📁 Method 4: Cleaning up garbage folders manually

MIUI It creates a lot of hidden folders that get clogged with unnecessary files over time. Here are 5 key directories that you can safely clear:

• 🗑️ /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/ — It stores temporary files of themes, wallpapers and system updates, and you can delete everything except the wallpaper folder (if you use standard wallpaper).
• 📦 /storage/emulated/0/Download/ — Download folder. It's often the old folder that accumulates. APK-Files, archives and documents. Check it through the file manager.
• 🖼️ /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/ — Photo and video thumbnails. You can delete all the contents (miniatures will be restored automatically).
• 🔄 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ — cache and application data. You can only delete folders of programs that you have deleted (for example, if you uninstall TikTok, feel free to clean the folder com.zhiliaoapp.musically).
• 📥 /data/ota_package/ — Firmware archives after updates. To access, you need a Root or a file manager with superuser rights (for example, Mixplorer).

Use the built-in file manager to clean up MIUI Or third-party apps like Files by Google, to see hidden folders:

1. Open the file manager.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Enable the option to show hidden files.

Critical: Do not delete folders with Android names, MIUI (Alarm, Notifications or Ringtones – this can cause a system failure.

🔄 Method 5: Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If internal memory is sorely short of space, some of the data can be transferred to a microSD or cloud storage, but there are limitations to this method:

• 📱 Starting with Android 11, porting apps to a memory card is blocked (you can only transfer media files).
• ☁️ Cloud services (e.g. Google Photos or Mi Cloud) require stable internet and can charge a fee to a location.
• 🔄 Not all files can be transferred – some system data is tied to internal memory.

To transfer files to microSD:

1. Insert the memory card (if you haven’t already done so).
2. Open Files → Categories → Images / Videos.
3. Select files, press More. → Move and select a memory card.

To automate the transfer of media files:

1. Open the Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
2. Turn on the option to save new photos and videos to the memory card.

If you prefer cloud storage, set up automatic download via Google Photos:

1. Install Google Photos from the Play Market.
2. Open the app. → tap on the avatar → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization.
3. Enable backup and select quality (High quality – free, Original – ranks in Google Drive).

⚠️ Note: After transferring files to a memory card or to the cloud, do not delete them from internal memory until you make sure they have been successfully copied. Use the "Move" option, not "Copy" to avoid duplication.

🔍 Method 6: Finding and Deleting Duplicate File

One of the main memory eaters on Xiaomi is duplicate photos, videos and documents, which appear when:

• 📸 Import photos from other devices (the phone creates copies in the device) DCIM/Camera and Pictures).
• 🔄 Backup via Mi Cloud or Google Photos.
• 🎵 Download music from multiple sources (for example, a track can be duplicated in the Music and Download folders).

To search for duplicates, use specialized applications:

Instructions for using Files by Google:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Open it and go to the Cleanup tab.
3. Slip on Duplicate Files and select categories to scan.
4. View the duplicates found and click Delete.

For manual duplicate search:

1. Open the file manager and go to DCIM or Pictures.
2. Sort files by Change Date or Size.
3. Look for files with the same name (for example, IMG_20230515_123456.jpg and IMG_20230515_123456(1).jpg).

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Before removing duplicates, check if they are backups (such as files with the.bak extension or in the Backup folder).

🛠️ Method 7: Advanced Methods (for experienced users)

If the standard methods didn't work, you can use advanced tools, but they require technical knowledge. Here we'll look at three methods:

1. Cleaning through ADB (rootless).
2. Magisk modules (requires an unlocked bootloader).
3. Hand-cleaning of the folder /data (root).

1. Clear cache and temporary files through ADB

This method allows you to remove system debris without superuser rights. Connect your phone to your PC and follow the commands:

adb shell pm trim-caches 256M #Cleaning up app cache


adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Cleaning system cache

2. Magisk modules for memory optimization

If your phone is unlocked and Magisk installed, try the modules:

• 🔧 Universal GMS Doze – Optimizes Google Services by Reducing Their Impact on Memory.
• 🗑️ SD Maid (Magisk version) – deep cleaning of system folders.
• 📦 App Systemizer – transferring user applications to the section /system (Frees up space in internal memory).

3. Hand-cleaning of the folder /data (root-only)

with the help of Root Explorer or ADB root-accessible can be cleaned:

• /data/log/ — Logs of the system (you can delete everything).
• /data/dalvik-cache/ — Dalvik cache (remove and restart your phone).
• /data/app-lib/ — remote application library.

⚠️ Attention: Wrong actions in the folder /data This can cause data loss or a cyclical restart of the phone. TWRP or Mi PC Suite.

📱 Method 8: Optimization MIUI reduce memory consumption

Firmware MIUI It's voracious, and it creates a lot of background processes and backups, but you can turn off some of the functions to save space:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic backup: Go to Settings → The phone. → Backup. Turn off Automatic Backup. Remove old backups in Settings. → Memory. → Backup copies.
• 📸 Set your camera to shoot in lower resolution: Open the camera → Settings → Photo resolution. Select the photo. 9MP instead 48MP/108MP (If you do not need photos for printing).

Turn off the download of album covers

1. Open Muisc (or Google Play Music)
2. Go to Settings. → Download covers and turn off the option.

Another way to save space is to turn off animations and visuals. MIUI:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 taps according to the MIUI version in the phone settings).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Set the window animation scale, the transition animation scale and the animator duration scale on Disabled.

These actions won’t free up gigabytes, but will slow memory filling and improve the performance of the phone.

❓ FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Xiaomi