How to Clean Memory on Xiaomi Redmi Phone: From Cache to Hidden Files

Why Redmi Phones Are Braking and How It Related to Memory

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi Redmi has become slower, applications have been slow to open, and the system gives notifications about memory shortages? 90% of the time, it is because of clogged storage. Even if you have a model with 128 GB or 256 GB of memory, over time it fills up with unnecessary files: app cache, remnants of deleted programs, duplicate photos and debris from MIUI updates.

The performance of a smartphone depends on the space available, when there is less memory. 10-15%, The system starts using memory (RAM) For temporary storage, which leads to lags and sudden reboots, especially for low-end Redmi models (e.g. Redmi). 9A, Redmi Note 10), volume RAM limited 3-4 GB.

In this article, we will discuss 7 ways to clean up memory, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features that even experienced users do not know about, and learn how to free up to 5-15 GB of space without root rights and loss of important data.

1. Built-in memory cleanup in MIUI: a quick way

The easiest way is to use the built-in Cleanup utility (formerly called Security), which automatically finds unnecessary files, cache and remnants of deleted applications, and to run it:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Slip the Clean button (or Release in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Select file categories to delete (we recommend that you note all items except Download – there may be important documents).
4. Confirm the action with the button Clean [X] MB.

This method removes:

• 🗑️ Application cache (temporary files that take up to the 1-3 GB).
• 📁 Remnants of remote programs (folders lib, cache in) /data/data/).
• 📄 Empty folders and duplicates of thumbnails (especially relevant for the gallery).
• 🔄 Logs (logcat, dumpsys) take up to 500 MB).

⚠️ Note: Built-in cleaning doesn’t remove files from folders DCIM (Photo/video, Downloads (downloads) and WhatsApp/Media. They will have to be cleaned manually (in the following sections).

2. Manual cleaning of app cache: freeing up 1-5 GB

Cache is a temporary file that apps save to make things faster, and over time, it grows to giant sizes, like the cache of YouTube or TikTok can take 500 MB-1 GB, and games like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact can take up to 2-3 GB.

To clear the cache of individual applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Facebook or Instagram).
3. Slip the vault. → Clear the cache.
4. For complete cleaning, click Clear Data (⚠️ This will reset the application settings and exit the account!).

Top.-5 "Cache-free "apps" on Redmi:

💡 Useful tip: After cleaning the cache, restart the phone - this will help the system recalculate the free space and avoid memory glitches.

3. manually deleting unnecessary files: where to look for "garbage"

Even after the cache is cleared, there are still gigabytes of unnecessary files in memory, which can be found in standard Explorer (or through Google Files, if installed).

• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures (you can delete them, they will be restored automatically).
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Downloads — downloads from the browser (often there are outdated ones) APK, PDF, archive).
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Backup — backup MIUI (If you haven’t done backup manually, they can be removed).
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ — Application data (there are often files from remote games).
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Bluetooth — Bluetooth files (usually duplicated in Downloads).

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders Android/obb/ — It stores game data (such as Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings) and deleting it will require you to download files again (until you can download them). 10 GB!).

For convenience, use Google Files (the app from Google):

1. Download it from the Play Market (if not installed).
2. Open the Cleanup tab.
3. Select the categories Large files, Duplicates, Unused applications.
4. Remove all unnecessary (check the files first!).

4.Memory Cleanup via ADB: for power users

If standard methods don't work, you can use the Android debugging bridge (ADB), which is suitable for removing system debris that is not visible in the Explorer, such as remnants of MIUI updates or the cache of Google Play Services.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official website).

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd) in the ADB folder.
4. Follow the commands in turn: adb shell devices (device should appear) adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media (clears media cache) adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms (clears the cache of Google Play Services)

⚠️ Note: Do not use the command adb shell rm -rf /data/* — This will completely erase all data on the phone, including photos and apps!

💡

ADB-Cleaning helps to remove system debris, but requires caution!

5. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If you're running out of memory and you don't want to delete files, you can move them to a microSD or cloud. You can do that without root rights on Redmi.

Method 1: Transfer to a memory card

• 📱 Insert microSD (recommended class) UHS-I or A1/A2 speed).
• 📁 Open the Conductor. → Internal memory.
• 🔄 Select files (photos, videos, music) → Move over → Memory map.
• 🎯 For applications: Settings → Annexes → [Select an application] → Warehouse → Change. → Map. SD (It doesn't work for all programs).

Method 2: Cloud storage

To automatically sync photos and videos, use:

• 🌥️ Google Photos (free 15GB, compression without loss of quality).
• 🌥️ Mi Cloud (5GB free, integrated into the MIUI).
• 🌥️ Yandex Drive (10GB free, easy to use for documents).

💡 Useful tip: In Google Photos, enable the function Free up space – it will automatically delete from the phone photos that are already uploaded to the cloud.

6.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If the phone is so full that even ADB and manual cleaning don't help, it's hard reset, which will delete all data, including apps, photos and accounts, but return the phone to a "clean" state.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data.
4. Confirm the action (you will need to enter a pattern lock or PIN).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro) may require re-activation of the Mi Account after reset!

What will be removed:

• 📱 All installed applications and their data.
• 📸 Photos, videos, music (if not transferred to the memory card).
• 📞 Contacts, SMS, Call log (unless synced with Google or Mi Cloud).
• 🔧 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, layout).

Once reset, the phone will be like new, with the best possible memory, but remember, this is an extreme method that should only be resorted to if other methods have not worked.

7 Prevents Memory Filling: 5 Rules for Redmi

To prevent memory from getting clogged again, follow these recommendations:

1. Turn off automatic media download in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber). To do this: Settings → Storage → Autoload Media → Select Never or Only over Wi-Fi.
2. Limit the cache to individual apps. For example, on YouTube, you can turn off video caching: Settings → Background → Cash video → Never.
3. Remove unused apps once a month. Use Settings → Apps → Unused.
4. Set up a schedule for cleaning the cache. MIUI has Auto Clean: Settings → Battery and Performance → Cleanup → Turn on Auto Cleanup.
5. Use the lightweight versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, YouTube Go) that take up 2-3 times less space.

💡 A useful tip: if you have a Redmi model with a 64 GB of memory or less, try to keep it free at least 10-15% This will prevent lags and sudden reboots.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi