How to Free Memory on Xiaomi Phone: A Complete Guide with Proven Methods

The memory of a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone is clogged to the limit, and the system constantly issues warnings about space shortages? This problem is familiar to many users of devices based on MIUI. Even with 128 GB of internal memory, you can face a situation where there is less than 1 GB of free space — and the phone begins to slow down, applications fly out, and photos are not saved.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 proven ways to free up memory on Xiaomi without losing important data. You’ll learn how to remove hidden debris, optimize cache, transfer files to a memory card, and even disable unnecessary system processes that devour gigabytes. All methods have been tested on the latest versions of MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 (including HyperOS for new models).

Special attention will be paid to hidden folders with duplicate photos, messenger cache (Telegram, WhatsApp) and system logs that MIUI does not show in the standard file manager. These “invisible” files often take up to 30% of the total memory of the device.

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

Before you clean it, you need to figure out which files are taking up space. Xiaomi has a built-in tool for this — Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here the system shows the distribution of memory into categories: applications, media, cache, system files.

But standard analysis often hides the real picture, like the MIUI/Backup folder that can weigh 5 to 10 GB due to automatic backups, and the Google Play Services cache can weigh up to 2 GB.

• 📁 Use third-party file managers (like Files by Google or Solid Explorer) that show hidden folders like /data/com.miui.gallery/cache or /Android/obb.
• 🔍 Check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — Here are the photos and videos that can weigh up to 1–2 GB.
• 📊 Settings menu → Annexes → App management sort programs by size, and often the culprits are messengers, games, or social media.

Note the System Data category in memory analysis, which is more than 10GB, and that’s a reason to go deep (see section 5).

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

Cache is a temporary file that applications create to speed up work, and over time, it accumulates and can take up gigabytes. At Xiaomi, the cache is cleaned in two ways:

Method 1: Manual cleaning for individual applications

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Telegram or Facebook).
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – it will delete accounts!).

For messengers (WhatsApp, Viber), the media cache is cleaned separately: in the chat settings there is an option “Clear Media”.

Method 2: Mass cleaning of cache of all applications

• 🧹 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Cleanup.
• 🔄 Click on “Deep Clean” (reboot may be required).
• ⚠️ Do not use the Clear Data option for system applications (such as Mi Account or Security) as this will cause crashes!

After cleaning the cache, some apps (like Google Maps or YouTube) will load longer when you first run it – that’s normal.

3. Removal of duplicate photos and videos: hidden “eaters” of memory

One of the main sources of garbage on Xiaomi is duplicate photos and videos, which are caused by:

• 📸 Automatic copy creation when editing in the Gallery MIUI.
• 🔄 Sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 📱 Transfer files between devices via ShareMe (formerly Mi Drop).

To find and remove duplicates:

1. Open the Gallery → Click on three dots in the upper right corner → “Manage” → “Dublicates”.
2. The system will show groups of identical files. Select the ones that are unnecessary and click "Delete".
3. For a deep check, use apps like Duplicate Files Fixer or Files by Google (Clean up section).

Pay special attention to the folders:

• DCIM/Camera — lie down RAW-files (weigh by 20–50 MBT each).
• Pictures/Screenshots – Screenshots can take up to 1-2 GB.
• MIUI/ScreenRecorder – Screen recordings (weigh 100-500 MB).

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Before removing duplicates, sort files by size (in the Gallery or file manager). HDR-Photos or Live Photos that can be compressed or converted into JPEG.

4. Transfer files to a memory card or cloud

If you have a microSD slot on your phone, transferring files to a memory card is one of the most effective ways to free up internal memory.

How to use a memory card correctly?

• 📱 Supported formats: FAT32 (Up to 32GB), exFAT (up to 2TB). >64GB mandatory exFAT.
• 🔄 B Settings → Memory. → Select “Format as internal memory” (Android 9 only)+). This will allow you to install applications on SD.
• ⚠️ Do not remove the card without first “Safe Retrieval” in the settings – this can damage files.

For file transfer:

1. Open Files (or Files by Google)
2. Select folders (DCIM, Downloads, Music).
3. Click “Move” and select a memory card.

Cloud storage: pros and cons

To automatically upload photos to Google Photos:

1. Install the Google Photos app.
2. In the settings, turn on “Backup and Synchronization”.
3. Choose the quality “High (free)” or “Original” (through quota).

5. Cleaning of system files and MIUI logs

System logs and temporary files are invisible garbage that Xiaomi doesn’t show in the standard file manager, which range from 500MB to 3-5GB and include:

• 📜 Logs of error (/data/log).
• 🗑️ Update cache (/cache).
• 🔄 Backup copies of settings (/data/com.miui.backup).
• 📁 Residual files of remote applications (/data/app-lib).

To remove them:

Method 1: Engineering menu (for experienced users)

1. Enter the code in the Phone app: ##4636##.
2. Go to the Storage» → «Clear the data».
3. Confirm the action (this will delete the logs, but will not affect the personal files).

Method 2: Using ADB (PC required)

If you are familiar with ADB, follow the following commands:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /cache/*

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files from folders /system or /vendor — This can lead to a phone blink (breakdown!

Method 3: Deep cleaning applications

For automation, use:

• 🛠️ SD Maid (CorpseFinder section) finds residual files).
• 🧹 CCleaner (clears cache and temporary files).
• 🔍 Files by Google (Section Cleaning» → «Unnecessary files»).

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System logs (/data/log) can be safely deleted every 1-2 months, they are only for debugging and do not affect the operation of the phone.

6. Disabling unnecessary system applications

Xiaomi preinstalles a lot of system applications that can't be removed by standard means, but can be disabled, freeing up to 1-2 GB of memory and reducing background activity.

How to disable system applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Show all apps”.
3. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
4. Click "Disable" (the "Delete" button will be inactive).

⚠️ Attention: Don't turn it off:

• Mi Account (will cause problems with the Xiaomi account).
• Security (responsible for the security of the system).
• System UI (Calls the Interface Crash)

Root rights will be required to completely remove system applications, but this is risky – you can lose the warranty or “brick” the phone.

7. Optimization of messengers: Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber

Messengers are one of the main memory eaters, for example, Telegram can take up to 10 GB due to:

• 📁 Cached media files (photos, videos, stickers).
• 🗃️ Local database (especially in large chat rooms).
• 🎵 Automatic download of music and voice messages.

How to clean:

Telegram

1. Open Telegram → Settings → Data and memory.
2. In the "Memory Use" section, click "Clear the cache."
3. In Auto Download Media, turn off automatic uploading of photos/video in mobile data.

WhatsApp

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Sort the chats by size and remove unnecessary media files.
3. Enable the Save to Gallery option only for important chats.

Viber

1. In Settings → Device → Memory, click “Clear the cache”.
2. Turn off automatic download of stickers in Settings → Stickers.

For all messengers useful:

• 🔄 Regularly archive and delete old chats.
• 📁 Transfer media files from messengers to the cloud or memory card.
• 🚫 Disable autoboot in large groups.

8.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If all the previous methods didn't work, and the phone still gives out memory warnings, it's a factory reset, and it's a radical way of erasing all the data, including:

• 📱 Applications and their settings.
• 📁 Photos, videos, music (if not on a memory card).
• 🔑 Accounts and passwords (except Mi Account data if the phone is tied).
• 📋 Messages, calls, notes.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup copy: 📱 Through Settings. → The phone. → Backup (saves contacts, SMS, setting). 🖥️ Copy files to a PC or memory card.

Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset

Resetting settings

Delete all data

Confirm the action (you will need to enter a pattern lock or password).

⚠️ Attention: After discharge:

• 🔄 The phone will reboot and return to the “out of the box” state».
• 📱 When you first turn on, you will need to configure the language, Wi-Fi and Mi Account.
• 🔒 If you forget your Mi Account, your phone may be locked (Mi Cloud Activation Lock).

Resetting helps in 90% of cases where memory is clogged with unknowns, but it is often not recommended to use it, as it is an emergency measure.

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Before reset, check if the phone is tied to the Mi Account. If so, remember the username and password, otherwise the device may be locked after reset!

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory release on Xiaomi