How to Free Your Android Xiaomi Memory: A Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their functionality, but over time, even 128 GB of memory can get clogged with unnecessary files. The system caches, apps accumulate temporary data, and high-resolution photos take up gigabytes. If your Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 starts to slow down, issue memory shortage notifications or refuse to install updates, it’s time to act.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 proven ways to make room on Xiaomi, including hidden MIUI features, ADB for power users, and secure cleanup methods without the risk of losing important data. We’ll focus on automated tools (like the built-in Cleaner) and manual methods for those who want full control.

1. Built-in MIUI cleaner: fast and safe

The easiest way to get started is to use the built-in Security app (or Cleanup in newer versions of MIUI), which analyzes the system and suggests removing unnecessary files in a few taps.

• 📱 Open the Security app (Icon with shield).
• 🧹 Select the tab "Cleaning" or "Optimization".
• ⚙️ Click on “Deep Clean” (confirmation may be required).
• 🗑️ Tick the categories for removal: application cache, residual files, downloads.
• 🔄 Confirm the cleaning and wait until it is completed (may take 1-3 minutes).

Note that the built-in cleaner doesn’t delete photos, videos or documents, only system debris. If less than 1-2 GB of memory is free after cleaning, move on to the following methods.

⚠️ Note: Do not use the "Accelerate" function in the "Optimize" section more than 1 time a day. Frequent forced closure of applications can, on the contrary, increase battery consumption, since the system will constantly restart processes.

2. Manual removal of application cache

Cache speeds up programs, but over time it takes up gigabytes, like YouTube or TikTok, can accumulate up to 500MB of cache each, and you can clean it up in two ways:

Method 1: Through application settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Google Chrome).
3. Press "Storage" → "Clear the cache".

Method 2: Mass cleaning (for MIUI 12 and later)

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
• 📊 Tap on "Other Apps" or "App Cache".
• 🧹 Select "Clean" (all applications cache will be deleted immediately).

After clearing the cache, some apps (like Instagram or VK) can take longer to load on the first run — that's normal.

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If the app becomes unstable after cleaning the cache (for example, Google Maps does not show maps offline), try reinstalling it. This will reset all temporary data.

3. manually delete unnecessary files

Most often, memory is occupied by:

• 📸 Photos and videos in resolution 4K (1 minute video = ~400MB).
• 📄 Downloads (PDF, APK, archive).
• 🎵 Music and podcasts (Spotify cache or Yandex Music).
• 🗑️ Residual files after deleting applications (folder) Android/obb).

To find and remove them:

1. Open Files (an app from Xiaomi or Google).
2. Go to the "Category" or "Storage Analysis" tab.
3. Sort files by size (the largest ones on top).
4. Remove unnecessary by holding your finger on the file and selecting "Delete".

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files from folders Android/obb or Android/data, This can cause games to crash (e.g. Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) or loss of progress.

4. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If you don't have enough internal memory and you don't want to delete anything, you can transfer your files to a microSD or cloud. At Xiaomi, you can do this.

MicroSD portability

• 📁 Insert a memory card (class recommended) UHS-I U3 speed).
• 🔄 In the storage settings, select "Transfer data to SD-map".
• 📂 Check the folder boxes (photo, video, music) and confirm the transfer.

Important: Not all apps support microSD, for example, WhatsApp does not allow you to transfer media files to a memory card without root rights.

Automatic upload to the cloud

For photos and videos, it is convenient to use:

• 🌥️ Google Photos (free 15GB, compression without loss of quality).
• 📦 Mi Cloud (5GB free, integrated into the MIUI).
• ☁️ Yandex Disk (10 GB free, automatic unloading).

To enable autoloading in Google Photos:

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Slip on the avatar → “Photo settings”.
3. Select "Backup and Synchronization".
4. Enter “High Quality” (unlimited storage) or “Original” (through Google Drive quota).

5. Cleaning the system through ADB (for experienced)

If standard methods don’t work, and your smartphone still shows “Memory is full,” try removing hidden system debris via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that is suitable for users willing to work with the command line.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on Xiaomi (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap to unlock "For developers").
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Steps for cleaning:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
3. Delete the cache of all user applications: adb shell pm trim-caches -1
4. Clear Dalvik cache (can help with system errors): adb shell rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/* If used incorrectly, you can damage the system. /data/ After cleaning the Dalvik cache, the smartphone will automatically restart.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of the methods worked, and the free memory is less than 10%, consider a full reset. This will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, but return the smartphone to a “clean” state.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
2. 🔄 Select “Erase All Data” (not to be confused with “Settings Reset” which does not delete files!).
3. 🔐 Enter the password from the Mi Account (if tied).
4. ⏳ Wait until it is completed (it will take 5-15 minutes).

Once reset, Xiaomi may require you to enter your Mi Account details even if you haven't used it. If you forget your password, restore it in advance on account.xiaomi.com, otherwise it will be difficult to unlock your phone.

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Before reset, be sure to back up via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.This will save contacts, SMS and some settings, but not photos or apps.

7. MIUI Optimization: Disabling Unnecessary Functions

MIUI contains many background processes that consume memory, and if you turn off some of them, you can free up an additional 500 MB-1 GB.

What can be turned off:

• 📡 Auto-update MIUI (Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update).
• 🎵 Musical effects (Settings) → Sound. → Sound effects).
• 📊 Statistics collection (Settings) → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Usage statistics).
• 📱 Secondary Spatial Screen (if not used).

We also recommend disabling autoloading of media files in messengers:

• On WhatsApp: Settings → Storage → Autoupload Media → Disable for Mobile Data.
• In Telegram: Settings → Data and Memory → Autoboot Media → Select “Never”.

8.Alternative methods: from root rights to firmware replacement

If you are willing to take drastic measures, consider:

• 🛠️ Getting root rights and removing system applications (Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) via Magisk or TWRP. Risk: Loss of warranty and possible problems with MIUI.
• 🔄 Install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience). Requires unlocking the bootloader and fastboot experience.
• 🔧 Connection to OTG Transferring files to the external SSD/flash drive (if the smartphone supports) USB OTG).

These methods are only suitable for power users, for example, unlocking a bootloader on Xiaomi requires:

1. Linking the Mi Account to the device.
2. Expectations of 7-15 days (on new models)
3. Use the official Mi Unlock Tool tool.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) Unlocking the bootloader can lead to loss IMEI And then you have to back up the partition before you do it. NVRAM.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up memory