How to Clean Xiaomi Phone Storage: The Complete 2026 Guide

Your Xiaomi (or) Redmi/POCO) Did you slow down, give notifications about memory shortages, or refuse to install new applications? 90% And one of the cases is a clogged storage, even if you have a model with a 128 GB 256 GB, the system over time “overgrown” with unnecessary files: application cache, duplicate photos, remnants of remote programs and hidden debris from the system. MIUI. In this article, we will understand 7 Proven ways to clean up memory – from basic to advanced, including hidden shell functions.

Xiaomi Storage Cleanup Different from Other Android Devices Due to Firmware Features MIUI. For example, there is a built-in Memory Optimizer, but it often skips large files created by system services (such as com.miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.midrop). We will show you how to find and remove such garbage without root rights, and also teach you to distinguish safe to delete files from critical to the system.

1. Built-in tools MIUI: what can be cleaned without risk

Let’s start with the simplest, standard functions. MIUI. They don't require third-party apps to be installed and are suitable for beginners. The main tools are hidden in the Settings menu. → Memory (or Storage in newer versions) where the system automatically analyzes the occupied space and offers cleaning options.

The first thing to look at is the garbage file section.

• 🗑️ Application cache is the temporary data that programs create to speed up work, and it can be deleted without consequences (the applications will simply recreate the cache the next time they run).
• 📁 Residual files – “tails” from remote programs (for example, folders) Android/obb Games you have long since uninstalled).
• 📥 Downloads – files from the Download folder that you downloaded and forgot (PDF, APK, archive).
• 🔍 System logs – error logs and crash reports (accumulate over time and can weigh several gigabytes).

To start the cleanup:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
2. Click on “Analyze” and wait for the scan to be completed.
3. Select file categories to delete (we recommend that you mark everything except “Large Files” – it is better to check them manually).
4. Click “Clear” and confirm the action.

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If the memory is quickly filled up again after cleaning, check the sync settings of Mi Cloud and Google Photos – they can automatically download backups to the device.

Please note the “Big Files” section, where you can often find the following:

• 🎮 Save games (folder) Android/obb or Android/data).
• 🎥 High-resolution video (especially if you are shooting in the video) 4K 60 FPS).
• 📊 Application databases (for example, offline maps of Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator).

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Built-in cleaning MIUI It only removes surface debris. For deep optimization, use the methods in the following sections.

2. Manual cleaning: which folders can be manually removed

If the built-in tools didn't work, it's time to look into the file system manually. Any file manager -- the standard file manager -- would do that. MI File Manager (or third-party, FX File Explorer: Do not delete files that you do not know the purpose of, especially in the system, vendor or folder. MIUI.

Here is a list of safe folders to clean (paths are indicated for internal memory):

Pay special attention to the folder /MIUI/screenrecorder — It's a place where you can store screen recordings that you might have made and forgotten. 500 MB for 1 minute!

Make a backup of important files|Check hidden folders (enable display in file manager settings)|Do not delete files with the.db or.odex extension|After cleaning, restart the phone.-->

If you are actively using instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber), look into their folders:

• 📥 /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media — Here are stored all received photos, videos and stickers.
• 🎵 /Android/media/com.telegram/Telegram — cache of voice messages and thumbnails.
• 📁 /Android/media/com.viber.media — backups of chats and media files.

Once a month|Only when memory ends|Never cleaned.|Using automatic cleaning.-->

3.Cleaning App Cache: Why It Matters and How to Do It Right

App cache is the temporary data that programs store to make things faster, like Instagram caches stories and photos from the feed, Google Maps caches maps, and YouTube previews videos, and over time, the cache grows to a few gigabytes, but you need to delete it wisely.

There are two ways to clean the cache:

1. Selective cleaning (recommended): Go to Settings → Annexes → App management. Select an app (like Facebook or TikTok). Click Storage» → «Clear the cache».
2. Mass cleaning (may cause slowdown): Open Settings → Memory. → Cleanup → Cache applications. Click "Clean" (all applications cache will be deleted).

After a mass cache clearing, some programs will load longer on their first run (like Google Play Store or social media).

Important: Don’t confuse Clear Cache and Clear Data! The second action will reset all the app settings (e.g. WhatsApp will delete chats, and in games – progress).

If you notice that the cache is quickly accumulating again, try:

• 🔄 Limit the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Energy saving regime.
• 🚫 Disable autoload media in messengers (in chat settings).
• 📵 Use the “Lite Version” of apps (such as Facebook Lite or Messenger Lite).

4. Removal of duplicates and unnecessary files: tools and life hacks

One of the biggest memory eaters is duplicate photos, videos and documents, which are produced when:

• 📸 Transfer files from your computer (copy instead of moving them).
• 🔄 Sync with the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 📱 Use multiple galleries (standard and from Google).

You can use the following to search for duplicates:

1. Standard facilities MIUI: Open the gallery. → press three points → «Management» → «Duplicates. It'll show you the same photos and videos. You can manually delete unnecessary copies.
2. Third-party applications: Files by Google – has a built-in tool for finding duplicates and large files. Duplicate Files Fixer – analyzes not only media, but also documents. CCleaner – finds duplicates and clears the cache (caution: aggressive settings can delete the desired files).

Before removing duplicates, check:

• 🔍 Photo resolution – sometimes duplicates have different quality (for example, the original and the compressed version for the messenger).
• 📅 Date of creation – it may not be a duplicate, but two versions of the same file (before and after editing).
• 📂 Location – files may be in different folders (e.g, DCIM/Camera and Pictures/Screenshots).

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If you often take screenshots, enable automatic deletion of old ones in Settings → Additionally. → Screenshots (available on MIUI 13+).

Another source of unnecessary files is browser downloads, and the Download folder often contains:

• 📄 Old tickets (PDF, JPG) trains/planes.
• 📦 Archives (ZIP, RAR), which you have unpacked and forgotten.
• 📱 APK-files of installed (and remote) applications.
• 🎵 Music or podcasts downloaded for offline listening.

To automate the cleaning of downloads:

1. Open Files by Google.
2. Go to the section "Cleaning up» → «Downloads».
3. Select files older than 30 days and click “Delete”.

5. MIUI Optimization: Disabling Unnecessary Functions

MIUI It's known for its abundance of embedded services, many of which run in the background and take up space on the disk. Disabling unnecessary functions will not only free up memory, but also prolong battery life:

1. Analysis and reporting services:

• 📊 com.miui.analytics – collects data about phone usage (you can turn off without consequences).
• 🔍 com.xiaomi.midrop – Wi-Fi Direct file transfer service (unplug if you don’t use it).
• 📡 com.xiaomi.scanner - scanner QR-codes (available in a standard camera).

To disable these services:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search, type the name of the package (e.g. com.miui.analytics).
3. Click "Disable" (not "Delete"!).

2. Automatic download of media in messengers:

• On WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Autoboot media → Turn off the upload of photos/video on the mobile network.
• In Telegram: Settings → Data and Memory → Autoboot Media → Select “Never”.

Backup copies MIUI:

• The system automatically creates backups in the folder /MIUI/backup. If you don’t plan to drop your phone, you can delete it.
• Turn off automatic reservations in Settings → The phone. → Backup.

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Disabling system services does not result in loss of functionality, but may hide some interface elements (for example, a weather widget).

4. Data cleanup MIUI-applications:

Some standard Xiaomi apps accumulate gigabytes of data:

• 🎵 Mi Music – cache of album covers and offline tracks.
• 📺 Mi Video - previews and video miniatures.
• 📖 Mi Browser – cache of web pages and downloads.

To clean them up:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Find the right app (such as Mi Music).
3. Press "Storage» → «Clear the data" (this will delete all application settings!).

6 Advanced Methods: ADB and Hidden Commands

If standard methods don't work, and memory is running out anyway, it's time to move on to advanced methods, which require you to connect your phone to your computer and use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge is suitable for power users and allows you to delete files that are not available through the standard interface.

What you'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions for cleaning through ADB:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and allow debugging.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell


pm list packages -f | grep 'xiaomi' | awk -F= '{print $2}' | sort

This command will display a list of all Xiaomi system packages, and you can now delete the cache of a particular application, such as:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.analytics

For mass cleaning of the cache of all applications:

adb shell "su -c 'find /data -name 'cache' -exec rm -rf {} +'"

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause a system failure. Don't delete files in folders. /system or /vendor — That'll knock out the phone!

Another useful command is to search for large files (over 100 MB):

adb shell "su -c 'find /sdcard -type f -size +100M -exec ls -lh {} +'"

This will help you find “invisible memory eaters,” such as log files or game data.

If you are not sure about your actions, use a safer method: Safe Mode.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button and hold your finger on the screen when the logo appears. MI.
3. Only system applications work in safe mode – it is easier to find the culprit of filling the memory.

7. Final touches: how to keep the storage clean

Cleaning up your memory is not a one-time thing, it's a regular process, so you don't have to go back to the problem every month, but follow these tips:

1. Automate cleaning:

• 🤖 Include “Autocleaning” in Settings → Memory. → Settings (cog icon) → Automatic cleaning.
• 📅 Set up a schedule (for example, once a week).

2. Control the installation of applications:

• 📱 Remove unused programs through Settings → Annexes → Unused.
• 🚫 Avoid junk apps (such as memory cleaners from unknown developers—they often become a source of garbage themselves).

3. Optimize media storage:

• ☁️ Set up an automatic upload to the cloud (Google Photos or Mi Cloud) and delete local copies.
• 🎥 Take the video in resolution 1080p instead 4K, If you do not need maximum detail.
• 📸 Enable photo compression in the camera (Camera settings) → Permission → High (compressed)).

4. Keep an eye out for updates:

• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI — In new versions optimize the work with memory.
• 📲 Check for updates for installed apps (in the Google Play Store).

5. Use external drives:

• 💾 If your Xiaomi supports microSD cards, transfer media files and some applications to it.
• 🔌 Connect the externals. SSD through OTG-cable for storing large files (video, backups).

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To transfer the application to the memory card, go to Settings → Annexes → Select a program → Warehouse → Change. → Map. SD. Please note that not all applications support this functionality.

If after all the manipulations, memory still runs out quickly, consider the following options:

• 📱 Reset to factory settings (last resort, removes everything from phone).
• 🔧 Replacement of the drive (relevant for older models with eMMC memory, which degrades over time).
• 🆕 Update phone – new Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) have more effective memory management.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions