How to Free Up Space on Xiaomi Redmi: From Cache to Hidden Files

Your Xiaomi Redmi is constantly giving out a notification "Memory is full" and photos are not saved due to space shortages? The problem is familiar to most smartphone owners of this line — especially if you have a model with 32 or 64 GB of internal memory. Even after removing unnecessary applications, free space is melting in front of your eyes. What is the matter?

The reason lies in the features of MIUI firmware and user habits: the system creates hidden backups, the application cache grows to giant sizes, and multimedia files (especially messengers) take up the lion’s share of memory. Redmi often come with eMMC drives — they are cheaper, but slower and faster “clog” with garbage. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to make space on Xiaomi Redmi without root rights and loss of important data.

Spoiler: The most effective method is a combination of cleaning the cache, removing duplicates, and transferring files to the memory card, but everything in order.

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

Before you clean it, you have to figure out what's taking up space. MIUI has a built-in memory analyzer, but it doesn't always show the whole picture.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click on “Memory Analysis” and wait for the scan to be completed.
3. Pay attention to the “Applications”, “Images”, “Video” and “System Data” sections.

A typical picture on the Redmi Note 10 with 128 GB of memory:

Critical information: if the System Data partition takes up more than 20 GB, it is a sign of a MIUI malfunction, in which case only a factory reset will help.

For more detailed analysis, use third-party utilities such as Files by Google or SD Maid, which will show hidden files and folders that are not visible in standard Explorer.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete Android folders, MIUI or DCIM/.thumbnails — This can cause camera and app failures.

2.Cache cleaning applications: a quick way to free up 1-5 GB

Cache is a temporary file that apps create to speed up work, and over time, it grows to several gigabytes. Clearing the cache does not delete important data (logins, save games), but can reset the settings of some applications (for example, Instagram will have to re-sign in to your account).

Cleaning methods:

• 🧹 Through Settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → select the application → «To clean the cache, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Clear the cache of all applications».
• 🔄 Auto-cleaning in MIUI: Enable the Settings option → Memory. → Autoclean: The system will automatically delete unnecessary files when memory is low.
• 📱 Third-party utilities: Apps like CCleaner or Clean Master can clean the cache deeper, but beware – some of them become a source of garbage themselves.

On Redmi 9, after cleaning the cache of Facebook, Telegram and Google Play Services, you can free up to 3-4 GB. However, the cache will accumulate again, so repeat the procedure once every 1-2 months.

3. Removal of duplicates and unnecessary files

Photos, screenshots and downloads from messengers are often duplicated, taking up extra space. For example, the same photo can be stored in:

• 📸 pup DCIM/Camera (original)
• 📱 pup Pictures/Screenshots (screenshot)
• 💬 pup Telegram/Telegram Images (copy from chat)
• ☁️ Mi Cloud folder (backup copy)

To find duplicates, use:

• 🔍 Built-in tool MIUI: gallery → Albums. → Duplicates (available on MIUI 12 and newer).
• 📁 Files by Google: Go to the Cleanup section» → «Duplicate files».
• 🖼️ Photo Duplicates app: A specialized tool for finding similar images.

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, after removing duplicates and screenshots older than 3 months, users free up an average of 8-12 GB.

Outdated screenshots (over 6 months)

Duplicate photos from messengers

Downloads from the browser (APK, PDF, which are no longer needed)

Mini-application cache (e.g., games from Viber)

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4. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If your Redmi supports microSD cards (like the Redmi 9A or Note 11), transfer media files to it. Importantly, not all applications can be migrated to SD - this is a limitation of Android, not MIUI.

Instructions for transfer:

1. Insert a memory card (A1 or A2 class is recommended for speed).
2. Open Files → Categories → Images / Videos.
3. Select files → click “More” → “Move” → select a memory card.

For automation, use:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Backup photos and videos (5GB free) Enabled in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 📁 Google Photos: Unlimited storage of compressed photos (until 2021). Set up autosynchronization in the app.

⚠️ Attention: Don't put it on SD Android folder, which will cause app malfunctions, and avoid cheap, uncertified memory cards, which can damage files.

On Redmi 10, after transferring photos and videos to a 128 GB memory card, users free up 20-30 GB of internal memory.

5. Removal of system debris and MIUI backups

MIUI creates hidden backups of settings, log files and dumps that can take up to 10 GB. They can not be removed through standard settings, but there are workarounds:

Method 1: Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button and when the Redmi logo appears, hold the volume button until Safe Mode boots.
3. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup and delete “System Data”.

Method 2: Through ADB (for Advanced)

Connect your phone to your PC, turn on USB Debugging and execute the command:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.backup

This will remove MIUI backups.Critical information: after this command, you will have to reconfigure themes, wallpapers and some system settings.

Method 3: Manual cleaning through a conductor

With a file manager (such as Solid Explorer), delete the folders:

• 🗑️ /sdcard/MIUI/backup — backup.
• 📄 /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log — mistake.
• 🔄 /sdcard/MIUI/screenrecord — Screen recordings (if not required).

6. Application Optimization: What Can Be Deleted Without Harm?

Many preinstalled MIUI applications (bloatwar) cannot be removed by standard means, but they can be disabled or replaced with lighter versions.

List of safe apps to remove (on most Redmi models):

To remove system applications without root rights:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

Replace com.miui.videoplayer with the package of the desired application (a list of packages can be found on sites like XDA Developers).

⚠️ Note: Removing applications like com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.settings will cause your phone to fail!

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Before you uninstall your system applications, back up your phone via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will allow you to restore your phone if something goes wrong.

7. Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If all of the above methods failed and there is less than 1 GB of free memory, you will have to do a hard reset, which will delete all data, including photos, messages and applications, so first:

• 📤 Backup on PC or in the cloud.
• 📝 Write down logins and passwords from accounts.
• 🔐 Make sure you know the details from your Xiaomi account (linked to your phone).

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, you will get a clean system with 25-30GB of free memory (depending on the model).Remember to clean the cache regularly and keep track of duplicates so that the problem does not happen again.

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to return the "original" memory state, but use it only as a last resort. Once reset, the phone will run faster, but all data will be lost.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory release on Redmi