How to Free Memory on Xiaomi Mi 9: A Complete Guide with Hidden Chips MIUI

Xiaomi Mi 9 even with 128 GB of memory sooner or later begins to “suffocate” from the accumulated files. MIUI They eat gigabytes invisibly, unlike today's flagships. UFS 3.1, Mi 9 equipped UFS 2.1 - and when filling the memory at 90%+ Read/write speeds drop 2-3 times. It's not just an inconvenience: camera lags, sudden reboots, and "Not enough memory" errors are becoming the norm.

7 Proven Ways to Free Memory on Xiaomi Mi 9 (Including Mi 9 Models) SE mi 9T), From basic to advanced. We'll take a look at this:

• 🧹 How to remove system debris and cache without harm MIUI
• 📁 Where to move apps and games if internal memory is clogged
• 🔍 Hidden settings MIUI, Which eat up to 5GB of “invisible” memory
• ⚙️ Optimizing background processes to save space

All methods tested on Mi 9 with firmware MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions) If your smartphone is slowing down or is issuing a memory shortage warning, follow the instructions in order.

1.Rabble Memory Analysis: What Eats Space on Xiaomi Mi 9

Before you clean it, you need to figure out which files are taking up memory. The Mi 9 has a built-in analyzer, but it hides some of the data.

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Slip on the schedule "Occupied" - will open the detail by category.
3. Pay attention to the points: 📱 System (includes firmware, updates, log files) 🎮 Applications (the most “heavy” – games and social networks) 📸 Media files (photos in HEIF, video 4K, screenshot) 🗑️ Other (cache, temporary files, remnants of remote applications)

🔎 The Hidden Moment: MIUI Does not show Dalvik-cache (Android virtual machine cache) and files /data/log, weighable 1–2 GB: You'll need Root access to see them, or ADB.

If you have more than 3 GB in the Others section, that's a good reason to clean it up.

2. Cleaning cache and garbage without Root: step-by-step instructions

Start with secure methods that don't require superuser rights, and even if you're a beginner, these steps will free up 2 to 5 GB of storage.

Removal of the application cache

Cache speeds up programs, but it grows to giant sizes over time, for example, Facebook can accumulate up to 1 GB of cache, and Google Maps can accumulate up to 500 MB.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management

Select an app (such as Instagram)

Stash the "Storage» → «Clear the cache»

Repeat for top-10 «heavy" applications (see list below)

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• 📌 Top.-5 applications with the largest cache on Mi 9: Facebook (up to) 1.5 GB Google Play Services (up to) 800 MB YouTube (up to) 600 MB TikTok (up to) 500 MB) MIUI Gallery (do) 400 MB)

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for MIUI Launcher and Security – This Can Cause Screening Failures.

2.2. Deletion of unnecessary files through “Cleaning”

MIUI It has a built-in security tool. → Cleaning, but it only removes surface debris to clean deeper:

1. Launch Security (Shield icon).
2. Select “Cleaning” → “Deep Cleaning”.
3. Check the boxes: 🗑️ Temporary files 📁 Remains of annexes 🔄 Files. APK (fitting-pack)

Click "Clear" and confirm.

💡 Useful tip: If after cleaning the memory is not free, restart the phone. MIUI Sometimes it doesn’t update the free space data immediately.

2.3 Removal of duplicate photos and videos

Mi 9 with its triple camera (48 MP) + 12 MPs + 16 MP) creates duplicate photos when shooting in HDR Or night mode, to find them:

1. Open the gallery. → tap three points in the upper right corner.
2. Select “Management» → «Duplicate».
3. MIUI It will automatically find the duplicate images.

💡

Use Files by Google to find duplicates, and it finds 20 to 30 percent more repeats than a standard Gallery.

3. Transfer applications and files to a memory card

Xiaomi Mi 9 doesn’t support memory expansion via microSD (no slot), but there are workarounds. SE or Mi 9T with a slot - you can transfer some data to the map.

3.1. Transfer of applications to SD-map (for Mi) 9T/SE)

Not all apps support portability, but even partial migration will free up 1-3GB of migration:

1. Insert microSD (UHS-I U3 class is recommended for speed).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select an app (such as Spotify) → «Warehouse» → «Change» → «SD-map».

Set up autoload in Google Photos:

1. Open the app. → tap on the avatar → «Photo stream».
2. Enable "Backup and Synchronization".
3. Choose the quality “High” (unlimited place) or “Original” (place counter).

💡

Cloud services save space, but consume traffic. Configure your Wi-Fi download only in sync settings.

4. System garbage removal: hidden folders and log files

MIUI It creates a lot of service files that you can't see through standard Explorer, and you can delete them manually or with the help of a computer. ADB.

4.1. Cleaning the Download folder and DCIM/.thumbnails

These folders are automatically clogged:

• 📥 Download – here all downloads from the browser and messengers are stored.
• 🖼️ DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures (can weigh up to a maximum of two) 1 GB).

How to clean:

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/.
3. Delete unnecessary files from Download and the.thumbnails folder (it will be restored automatically).

Removal of old updates MIUI

Each firmware update weighs 1.5-2.5 GB, but MIUI It doesn't automatically delete old versions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Slip on three dots in the top corner. → «Remove downloaded packages».
3. Confirm removal.

🔧 Advanced Method: If updates are not removed through the menu, use ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.updater

This command will disable the system update application (you can return via adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.updater).

5. MIUI Optimization: Disabling Unnecessary Functions

MIUI It's overloaded with functions, many of which are in the background and take up memory. If you turn off the extra, you'll free up to 1 GB and extend battery life.

5.1. Disconnection of Mi-space and duplicate services

Mi 9 by default includes Xiaomi services that duplicate Google features:

• 🌐 Mi Browser (can be deleted if you use Chrome)
• 📧 Mi Mail (replace with Gmail)
• 🎵 Mi Music (alternatively YouTube Music)
• 📱 Mi Video (replace with the VLC)

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Tap "Disable" (not "Delete" to avoid crashes).

Restriction of background activity

Many apps continue to work in the background even when they are not needed.

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management
2. Select "Select applications» → Mark apps that shouldn’t work in the background (e.g. Facebook, AliExpress).
3. Set the “Energy Saving” limit.

📊 The effect:

• 🔋 Saving battery power up to 15%.
• 📉 Reducing memory load (background processes take up to 500 MB of RAM and 1-2 GB of storage).

6. Reset to factory settings: when necessary

If you have less than 10 percent of the memory after all the manipulations, and the system is slowing down, you have a hard reset, which is a radical method, but it will bring the Mi 9 back to its "pure" state.

Preparation for discharge

Before discharge, it is mandatory:

Backup photo/video (via Google Photos or PC)

Export your contacts to a Google Account or VCF-file

Write down passwords from Wi-Fi (use) QR-router)

Make sure it's on the phone. ≥30% charge (resetting at low charge can damage firmware)

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6.2. Performance of discharge

There are two ways:

1. Through Settings: Go to Settings → The phone. → Reset settings. Select "Erase all data» → Enter the password. Confirm the reset.
2. Using Recovery (if the phone doesn't turn on): Turn off Mi 9. + Volume up before the Mi logo appears. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Manage volume buttons).

⚠️ Note: After resetting, the Mi 9 will require you to enter a Mi Account if Find Device was enabled. If you forget your password, you will have to wait 72 hours to unlock or contact the service.

7. Root access: Radical cleanup for advanced

If you're willing to take risks, Root access will open up opportunities for deep cleaning.

• 🗑️ Remove system applications (Bloatware).
• 🔧 Clean up /data/log and /cache fully.
• 📁 Move applications to an external drive (even without Adoptable Storage support).

🔴 Warning:

• Root voids the warranty (if it is still valid).
• The wrong actions can “brick” the phone.
• Some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) will stop working.

7.1 Getting Root on Xiaomi Mi 9

Firmware instruction MIUI 12–14:

1. Unblock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (you will need an account binding).
2. Install. TWRP Recovery for Mi 9 (version must match model code: cepheus for global version).
3. Fly Magisk through TWRP scoop.

📌 List of safe to remove system applications (after Root):

Teams in Terminal Emulator or ADB:



su




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics # MIUI Analytics




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop        # Mi Drop




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer     # Mi Video




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player          # Mi Music

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete:

• com.android.cts.ctsshim (leads to bootloop).
• com.qualcomm.qti (responsible for the modem).
• com.miui.securitycenter (will cause malfunctions) MIUI).

💡

Root gives you complete control of the system, but you need to be careful. Always backup NANDroid before you delete your system files.

FAQ: Frequent questions about freeing up memory on Xiaomi Mi 9