How to completely clean the memory on the Xiaomi smartphone: from cache to system garbage

Xiaomi smartphones are some of the most popular in Russia, but even flagship models eventually start to “brake” due to clogged memory. If your Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro shows a notification “Not enough memory”, and photos are not saved, it’s time to act. In this article, we will analyze all the cleaning methods, from basic to radical, taking into account the features of MIUI firmware (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS).

It’s not just user files that are the problem: application cache, duplicate photos, residual data from deleted programs, and even the “junk” from updates can take gigabytes. We tested every method on real devices, from the budget Redmi A2 to the top Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and identified those that maximize free space without risk to the system.

1. Analysis of busy memory: what exactly "eats" the place?

Before you clean it, you need to figure out which files take up the most space. MIUI has an in-built analyzer, but it doesn't always show the full picture. Here's how to get accurate data:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Memory (or Settings → Storage in newer versions) Here you will see a diagram of the allocation of memory by category: System, Applications, Media Files, etc.
2. Click on a category (like Apps) → sort by size. Most likely, the leaders are messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), social networks (TikTok, Instagram), and games.
3. For detailed analysis, use third-party utilities, such as Files by Google or SD Maid (requires root rights for a full scan).

Please note the “Other” section, which often hides:

• 📁 Residual files of remote applications (folders in the /Android/obb/ and /Android/data/)
• 🗑️ System Logs and Error Dumps (especially after Failures)
• 🔄 Duplicate photos (created when editing in the Xiaomi Gallery)
• 📥 Unloaded files from messengers

2.Cleaning App Cache: A Quick Way to Free 1–3 GB

Cache speeds up programs, but over time grows to uncontrollable sizes, for example, Facebook can accumulate up to 500 MB of cache, and Google Play Store — up to 200 MB. Clearing the cache is safe: the applications will simply recreate it the next time you run.

Method 1: Clearing the cache for individual applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (e.g. YouTube) → Storage → Clear the cache.
3. For mass cleaning, click on three dots in the upper right corner → Sort by size → Clear the cache for the top-10 «glutton».

Method 2: Automatic cleaning with MIUI Optimizer

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Memory optimization (in) MIUI 14 ways are different).
• 📊 Enable the Auto Cache Clean option and set a schedule (e.g. once a week).
• ⚡ Use the Deep Clean feature (available in the Security App) → Cleanup).

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After cleaning the cache, restart the smartphone - this will help the system correctly recalculate the free space and avoid "phantom" busy gigabytes.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data”! The second option will remove all application settings (for example, logins in the app). VK play-through).

3. Delete unnecessary files and duplicates

Photos, videos and documents often take up 50-70% of memory, and the problem is not only in their number, but also in hidden takes. For example, the Xiaomi Gallery automatically creates thumbnails (.thumbnail) and backups when editing.

How to find and remove garbage:

• 📸 Duplicate photos: Use the built-in feature in the Gallery → Albums. → Duplicates or Google Files app (Section Cleanup»).
• 🎥 High-resolution video: Video in 4K or 1080p60 They can weigh 100 to 200 MB per minute, and you can transfer them to a PC or a cloud.
• 📄 Downloads: Folder /Download/ often crammed with outdated APK, PDF Check it out through Xiaomi Explorer.
• 🎵 Offline music: Services like Yandex Music or Spotify cache tracks. Clear the cache in the app settings.

Hidden folders of garbage:

4. Application optimization: what can be removed without harm?

Many pre-installed Xiaomi apps (bloatware) cannot be removed by standard methods, but they can be disabled or removed via ADB. This will free up to 500-800 MB and reduce background activity.

List of safe applications to remove / disable:

• 📱 Mi Video, Mi Music – if you use alternatives (VLC, Spotify).
• 🛒 GetApps (Xiaomi Store) – if you install apps only through Google Play.
• 📰 Mi Browser – if you use Chrome or Firefox.
• 🎮 Games, Game Turbo – if you don’t play mobile games.
• 📊 Analytics, MSA (Mi Statistics Agent – collect data for Xiaomi (you can disable without consequences).

How to disable system applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Press three points. → Show all the processes.
3. Select the unnecessary application → Disable (if the button is inactive, you will need ADB).

Install Platform Tools on PC|Turn on Debugging. USB developer-setting|Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging|Download the list of safe packets to remove (for example, with XDA Developers)-->

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB This can cause crashes if you remove a critical component (such as MiuiSystemUI).Always check the package list for relevance to your version. MIUI!

5. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If a smartphone has a microSD slot, transferring files to it can free up tens of gigabytes, but there are nuances: not all applications support external memory, and the read/write speed on the card is lower than in internal memory.

How to transfer files to microSD:

1. Insert a memory card (we recommend UHS-I Class 10 for speed).
2. Open Explorer → select files (photos, videos, documents) → Move → select a memory card.
3. For applications: Settings → Annexes → select the application → Warehouse → Change. → choose SD-map (not available for all programs).

Cloud services for backup:

• ☁️ Google Photos – Automatic Photo/Video Uploading in Original Quality (up to 15 GB Free).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – 5GB free, integrated with MIUI (automatic backup of contacts, notes, SMS).
• ☁️ Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud – 10–100 GB free of charge when connecting mobile tariffs.

Important: Check before transferring to see if the app supports external memory, for example, WhatsApp does not allow you to save media files to the Internet. SD-Map and Telegram is only partially.

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Transfer of applications to SD-The card can impair their performance, and it's better to use the card to store media files, not for games or instant messengers.

6. Reset to factory settings: a radical method

If none of these methods worked, and there is a critically small amount of free space (less than 1-2 GB), there is a complete reset, which will delete all data, including accounts, settings and files, but return the smartphone to a “clean” state.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Back up your important data (contacts, photos, messages) and use Mi Cloud or Google Account to sync.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select Erase all data → Confirm the action (you may need to enter a pattern lock).
4. After resetting, configure your smartphone as new, but do not restore data from the backup – this will return some of the garbage.

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔄 Install only the necessary applications (avoid cluttering»).
• 📵 Turn off automatic download of media files in messengers.
• 🔧 Set up weekly automatic cache cleanup in the Security App.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 with) MIUI 13) Mi Account activation error may appear after reset. To avoid blocking, unplug Xiaomi account before resetting to Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Delete the account.

7. Additional tips for advanced users

If you’re willing to dive deeper, these techniques will help free up even more space and speed up your smartphone.

1. Cleaning Dalvik cache (requires recovery):

• Turn off your smartphone → Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
• Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
• Reboot the device. This will clear the cache of the Android virtual machine, which is useful after updates.

2. Remove old MIUI updates:

• The update folder is located on the path /cache/ota/.
• Delete files with the.zip extension (weigh 1-2 GB).
• Use Root Explorer or ADB to access the site.

3. Disabling the background activity of applications:

• Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
• Select the application → Background activity → Limit.
• This will reduce battery consumption and reduce memory load.

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If you often install APK-files, clear the folder. /Download/ and /Android/obb/ Many games download additional data there, and after deleting the game, the files remain.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup