Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to MIUI 14/15

Your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO has become slow, applications suddenly close, and the system gives a warning “Not enough memory”? The problem is familiar to most smartphone users on MIUI – even flagship models are eventually clogged with unnecessary files. In this article, we will analyze 7 proven ways to clean up memory, including hidden MIUI functions that the manufacturer does not advertise.

The main cause of memory cache is app cache, residual files after updates, duplicate photos and system process debris. For example, on Xiaomi with MIUI 14/15 up to 30% of internal storage can take up the cache of Google Play Services and Xiaomi services that are not cleaned automatically. We will show you how to make room without resetting to factory settings and loss of personal data.

1. Built-in cleaning MIUI: What is missing and what is missing

The most obvious way is to use the standard tool Security → Cleanup.It is available on all Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.) and removes:

• 🗑️ Application cache (temporary files that are created when programs work)
• 📁 Residual files after uninstallation of applications
• 🔍 Log files (system error logs)
• 📥 Downloads (if not marked as important)

However, this method has critical shortcomings:

1. Does not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.miui.system or com.xiaomi.midrop).
2. It does not remove duplicate photos and videos (even if they take up gigabytes).
3. It does not affect MIUI update files, which can weigh up to 2-3 GB.

To start the cleanup:

1. Open Settings → Security → Cleaning.
2. Click on “Scan” and wait for analysis.
3. Select file categories to delete (we recommend ticking all items except “Large Files” – it is better to check them manually).
4. Click “Clear” and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: If less than 500MB of memory is free after cleaning, the problem lies in system files or hidden folders.

2. Manual removal of the cache of system applications

Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Browser, GetApps) accumulate cache that is not cleaned by standard means. On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro), the cache of Google Play Services can take up to 1-1.5 GB.

To clean it manually:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the top menu, select “All Apps” (not “Installed”).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Show Systems."
4. Find apps with a large cache (sorting by size is available in the same menu).
5. Open the application card → Storage → Clear the cache.

Pay special attention to these applications:

• 📱 com.android.vending (Google Play Store)
• 🌐 com.google.android.gms (Google Play Services)
• 📺 com.miui.video (Mi Video)
• 🛒 com.xiaomi.midrop (Mi Drop)
• 🔍 com.miui.search (Search) MIUI)

⚠️ Warning: Do not clean the data (clean all data) of system applications – this can lead to malfunctions MIUI. Just remove the cache!

3. Delete MIUI update files

Each MIUI update saves the installation package in the /sdcard/MIUI/ota or /sdcard/download/rom folder. These files can weigh between 1.5 and 3 GB and remain on the device even after the firmware has been successfully installed.

To remove them:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC or use any file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /sdcard/MIUI/ota (if there is no folder, check /sdcard/download/rom).
3. Delete all files with the.zip extension (e.g, miui_*_global_*.zip).

If you have updated through Fastboot, check the folder /sdcard/download — there may be files of the species fastboot_*.tgz.

4. Search and remove duplicate photos

The Gallery app on Xiaomi automatically creates thumbnails and copies of photos that can occupy up to 20-30% of the total volume of the DCIM folder.

• 📸 Import photos from other devices.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI (Sometimes the gallery duplicates files).
• ☁️ Sync with Mi Cloud or Google Photos.

To find and remove duplicates:

1. Install Files by Google (it is free and does not require root rights).
2. Open the “Cleanup” tab → “Duplicates of files”.
3. Select folders to scan (be sure to add DCIM, Pictures and Download).
4. Look at the duplicates found and remove the unnecessary ones.

Alternative applications for searching for duplicates:

• 🔍 Duplicate Files Fixer (there is a smart choice feature).
• 📁 CCleaner (Dublicates tab»).
• 🖼️ Remo Duplicate Photos Remover (specialized in images).

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Before mass deleting duplicates, back up your DCIM folder to your PC or cloud. Some duplicates may be edited versions of photos (such as filters).

5. Cleaning up Android/data folder: What can be deleted without harm

The /Android/data folder contains cache and application data, including games, which can accumulate gigabytes of unnecessary files, but deleting everything is dangerous, which will lead to malfunctions in programs.

What can be safely removed:

• 🎮 Cache of games (folders of the form com.game.cache).
• 📥 Download files from browsers (com.android.browser folders or com.miui.browser folders).
• 📺 Cache of streaming services (for example, com.netflix.mediaclient or com.spotify.music).

What can not be removed:

• 🚫 Folders with.obb extension (this is additional data for games).
• 🚫 Files with.dat or.db extension (application databases).
• 🚫 System application folders (e.g., com.xiaomi*).

How to clean safely:

1. Open a file manager with hidden folder permissions (e.g. Mi File Manager with the “Show Hidden Files” option enabled).
2. Go to /Android/data.
3. Sort folders by size (click on three dots → “Sort → By size”).
4. Remove the cache only of those applications that you no longer use.

⚠️ Attention: If after cleaning Android/data The app stopped working, reinstall it through Google Play. Some programs (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) store media files in this folder, and deleting them will lead to loss of chats.

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The /Android/obb folder contains additional data for games (such as graphics or levels), which can only be deleted if you are ready to download this data again the next time you start the game.

6.Use of ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to remove system debris, which requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and basic command line knowledge.

What can be cleaned through ADB:

• 🗑️ cache of all applications (including system).
• 📂 Temporary files in /data/local/tmp.
• 📦 Residual files from remote applications.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on your smartphone Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate the developer mode).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and type in the command line:

adb shell pm trim-caches 1000000000


adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




adb shell rm -rf /cache/*

These teams:

• Clear the cache of all applications (first command).
• Delete temporary files from /data/local/tmp.
• Clear the /cache folder (system cache).

⚠️ Note: Do not use the command adb shell rm -rf /data/* — This will cause a complete reset of the phone, and don't delete the files in the phone. /system, unless they are sure of their appointment.

Alternative methods: from formatting to resetting

If less than 10% of your free memory is left after all the manipulations, consider drastic measures:

How to make a reset to factory settings (if other methods did not help):

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select "Reset all settings."
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Once reset, the phone will look like new, but all the apps and data will disappear, and this method should only be used as a last resort.

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Before resetting, untie your Mi Account from the device (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out), otherwise, after rebooting, the phone may require you to enter an old password.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi