How to Clean Storage on Xiaomi: A Complete Memory Freeing Guide

Clogged storage on Xiaomi is one of the most common problems users face. Even on devices with 128 GB or 256 GB of memory, space is running out over time due to accumulated cache, duplicate photos, unnecessary apps and system debris. Unlike iPhone, where memory cleaning often requires a connection to a computer, on Xiaomi, most operations can be performed manually — without additional programs.

In this article, we will discuss 7 Proven ways to effectively clean up storage on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, including hidden functions MIUI, You'll learn how to delete unnecessary files without risking the system, which applications are safe to uninstall, and how to automate the cleaning process. MIUI 14/15, which are not available in standard Android – for example, deep cleaning through Security or optimization of storage for games.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly is the memory?

Before we start cleaning, we need to understand which files are eating up the space. MIUI There is a built-in storage analyzer that shows the distribution of memory into categories: applications, multimedia, cache, system data, etc. To use it:

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Slip the chart at the top of the screen (it shows the total amount of memory occupied).
3. Wait for the analysis to be completed (may take a while) 10-30 seconds).

The system will give a detailed report where you will see:

• 📱 Applications – a list of programs sorted by location (including cache and data).
• 📷 Multimedia – photo, video, audio (often hidden duplicates and unsuccessful pictures).
• 🗑️ System data – cache, logs, temporary files (can be cleared without risk).
• 📁 Other files - downloads, documents, APK (Often unnecessary archives are accumulated here).

Notice the Other section, which is where you often hide residual files after you delete apps or updates, like after you update. MIUI The system can back up old versions that are up to 1-2 GB.

2. Cleaning cache and garbage through “Security” (no root)

V MIUI There is a built-in Security application that can deeply scan the system for unnecessary files. Unlike standard cleaning in settings, there are additional options available, for example, deleting residual files after uninstalling applications or cleaning the Dalvik cache (important to speed up the system).

How to use:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab (or Cleaner in English).
3. Click on Deep Clean and wait for the scan.
4. Check all categories except “Important Data”.
5. Slip "Clean" and confirm the action.

What can be safely removed through Security:

• 🧹 Application cache – temporary files that are automatically restored.
• 🗑️ Residual files – “tails” after deleting programs (e.g. folders) Android/obb play-off).
• 📄 Logs and logs – system debugging files (not needed by the average user).
• 🔄 Repetitive files – duplicates of photos, audio or documents.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually clean the Important Data section, which may cause some apps to crash, such as instant messengers or banking services. MIUI System – This can cause synchronization errors.

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and their data

Many Xiaomi users are faced with the problem of pre-installed applications that cannot be removed by standard means. However, even these can be disabled or deleted data to free up space. 100-300 MB each, although no one uses them.

How to remove or disable unnecessary programs:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by size (tap on the three dots at the top) → «Size-based sorting»).
3. Select an unnecessary app and click “Delete” or “Disable” (if deletion is blocked).
4. For complete cleaning, tap "Storage» → «Clear the data" and "Clear the cache».

List of apps that can be safely removed or disabled on most Xiaomi devices:

Root rights will be required to completely remove system applications, but it is risky to disrupt the stability of the system. ADB-Deinstallation teams without root:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser

Replace com.miui.browser with the batch name of the desired application (you can find it through the App Inspector in the Play Market).

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Before removing system applications through ADB Make a backup copy in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset, which will help restore the system if something goes wrong.

4.Photo and video optimization: how to reduce their weight

Multimedia files are the main memory eater, like one photo in the format. RAW weigh 20-30 MB, and a minute video in 4K — before 500 MB: Xiaomi has several ways to reduce the volume of media files without losing quality:

Method 1: Convert photo to photo HEIF/HEIC

Format HEIC (Used in iPhone) takes up 2 times less space than JPEG, It's the same quality as Xiaomi:

1. Open the camera. → Settings (cogs) → Photo format.
2. Choose «HEIF» instead «JPEG».
3. Reset the camera.

Method 2: Compress video through Gallery

In the gallery. MIUI There is a built-in tool for video compression:

1. Open the video in the Gallery app.
2. Tap on three points. → «Squeeze the video».
3. Choose quality ("High", "Medium", "Low").
4. Save a compressed copy (the original will remain intact).

Method 3: Automatic backup to the cloud

If you’re using Google Photos or Mi Cloud, enable automatic uploads of photos and videos to the cloud, and then delete local copies:

• 📤 In Google Photos: Settings → Backup and synchronization.
• ☁️ In Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery.

After uploading all files to the cloud:

1. Open the Gallery → Albums. → The device.
2. Select all photos/video → press "Delete».
3. Confirm deletion only from the device (files will remain in the cloud).

⚠️ Note: When deleting photos from your device, make sure they have successfully uploaded to the cloud. Sometimes due to poor Internet, files may not sync. Also remember that free storage in Google Photos is limited to 15 GB (shared with Gmail and Drive), and in Mi Cloud - 5 GB.

5. Cleanup of downloads and temporary files

Download folder is one of the most polluted places on your smartphone.

• 📄 APK-Installation files (can be deleted after installation).
• 📦 Archives (ZIP, RAR), which have already been unpacked.
• 📑 Documents (PDF, DOCX), long-awaited.
• 🎵 Audio files from messengers (voice messages, music).

How to Clean Download folder:

1. Open the Files application (Files) → Go to "Downloads».
2. Tap it on three points. → «Sorting» → «By size (to see the heaviest files).
3. Select unnecessary files and click “Delete”.

It's also worth checking the folders:

• 🗃️ Android/obb — This is where game data is stored (you can delete files from long-deleted games).
• 🗃️ Android/data — Application cache (cleared through Settings) → Warehouse).
• 🗃️ DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo miniatures (you can delete them, they are regenerated automatically).

For convenience, use the filters in the Files application:

• 🔍 Big Files filter – shows files from 10 MB.
• 🔍 Duplicates filter – Finds duplicate files.
• 🔍 Unused File – Files that have not been accessed for more than a month.

6.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If all previous methods failed and the device still lacks space, it will be a hard reset that will delete all data, including apps, photos, settings and accounts, so only use this method as a last resort.

How to reset:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data”.
4. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.

Once reset, the device will reboot and return to the "out of the box" state.

• 🔑 Set up Wi-Fi and account Google/Xiaomi.
• 📱 Install the necessary applications (it is better to selectively, rather than restore everything from a backup).
• 📷 Transfer photos and videos from the cloud or computer.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) a locked bootloader may remain after the reset if you have previously unlocked it, in which case it will take 7 days to re-unblock (Xiaomi policy).

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to completely remove system debris that has accumulated after multiple updates MIUI. However, it will also delete all user data, so only use this method if other methods have not helped.

7. Cleaning automation: settings to maintain order

To avoid manually cleaning the storage every month, set up an automatic cleaning in the MIUI. For that:

Step 1: Enable automatic cache cleaning

1. Open Security → Cleanup → Settings (cogs).
2. Turn on Auto Clean and set a schedule (e.g. once a week).

Step 2: Set a limit for the basket

By default, deleted files go to the bin and are stored there for 30 days, so that they are deleted immediately:

1. Open the files. → Basket → Settings (three points).
2. Select “Clean the cart automatically” and set a deadline of “1 day” or “Immediately”.

Step 3: Limit the background activity of applications

Many programs (especially social networks and instant messengers) constantly cache data in the background, to limit this:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Power Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or TikTok) → «Limit background activity».

Step 4: Use cloud services to automatically sync

Set up your photos and videos to the cloud automatically so they don’t take up space on your device:

• 📤 Google Photos: Enable Backup and Sync and select High Quality (unlimited storage for photos up to 16 MP).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: activate “Autosync Gallery” in your account settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up storage on Xiaomi