How to Clean Memory on Xiaomi Redmi 9: From Cache to Deep Optimization

Why Redmi 9 is slowing down and how it relates to memory

Your Xiaomi Redmi 9 is getting hung up, apps are opening for a long time, and the Not Enough Memory notification appears every day? 90% of the time is due to clogged storage. Even with 64 or 128 GB of internal memory, the smartphone is cluttered with unnecessary files, cache and remnants of remote applications over time. This is especially true for the budget models of the Redmi series, where the manufacturer saved on fast memory eMMC 5.1 – it is slower than UFS 2.1, and every extra megabyte of garbage slows down the system.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to clean up memory on Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T versions) that work on MIUI 12, 13 and 14. No magic programs, just built-in tools and secure methods. Important: check before you start how much space is occupied. Go to Settings → About Phone → Storage. If less than 10% of the total is free, start cleaning immediately - this is critical for stable MIUI.

⚠️ Note: Do not use Google Play cleaners (like Clean Master or CCleaner) that not only do not help, but can also delete system files. MIUI, And that's going to cause a crash in the camera or the mobile network, and all the tools are already built into the firmware.

1.Cache cleaning applications: a quick way to free up 1–3GB

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work, accumulates over time and takes up gigabytes of memory. On Redmi 9, the cache can be cleared in two ways: for individual applications or globally for all at once.

Method 1: Clearing the cache for a specific application

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or Facebook).
3. Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».

Method 2: Mass cleaning of the cache (recommended)

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Slip on the item "Other data Cash".
3. Confirm the cleanup – this will remove the cache of all applications except system ones.

⚠️ Warning: After cleaning the cache, some apps (like Google Maps or Instagram) will load longer when you first run it is normal.Do not clean the cache more than 1 time per month, otherwise the applications will constantly reload data.

2. Delete unnecessary files through the “Cleanup” in MIUI

V MIUI There is a built-in tool "Cleanup", which analyzes memory and finds garbage: duplicate photos, old ones APK-Files, unused documents, and remnants of deleted applications are safer than manual cleaning, because the system determines what can be removed without harm.

How to start:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Select the "Cleaning" tab.
3. Wait for the analysis to be completed (it may take 1-2 minutes).
4. Click “Clean” – the system will delete unnecessary files.

🔹 What exactly is removing this tool:

• 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Applications (com.example.app folders in the /data/data).
• 📁 Temporary download files (e.g., under-quality Telegram videos).
• 📸 Miniatures and cache gallery (files.thumbnail).
• 📄 Empty folders and duplicate documents.

Make sure important files are saved in the cloud

Close all applications (especially messengers)

Connect charging (the process can take up to 5 minutes)

Do not interrupt cleaning until completed-->

3.Storage optimization: What can be manually removed

If the automatic methods don't work, you'll have to manually delete the files. Redmi 9 takes up the most space:

🔹 How to safely remove:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (in File Transfer mode).
2. Open the folders from the table above and manually check the contents.
3. Delete only those files you are sure of (such as old APKs or duplicate photos).

💡

Before deleting Android/data or Android/obb folders, make sure you have saved progress in games and app settings. These folders contain user data!

4. Data transfer to SD-Map: How to properly expand memory

Redmi 9 supports microSD cards up to 512 GB, but many users face a problem: the system does not allow you to transfer applications to the Internet. SD. That's a limitation. MIUI, But there are workarounds.

What can be transferred to SD without root:

• 📷 Photos and videos (folders) DCIM, Pictures).
• 🎵 Music and Podcasts (Music folder).
• 📄 Documents (.pdf,.docx,.xlsx).
• 🎮 Data of some games (if the game supports external storage).

How to move:

1. Put it in. SD-map (class recommended) UHS-I U3 speed).
2. Open Files (standard MIUI application).
3. Select files, click "More» → «Move to» → choose SD-map.

⚠️ Note: Not all applications can be moved to SD even ADB. For example, WhatsApp and Telegram block this feature due to data encryption. SD-Card as internal memory (Adoptable Storage function) – this will slow down the phone due to low speed read/write cards.

5. Factory reset: a last resort

If nothing works and critically little free memory (less than 5%), there is a hard reset, which deletes all data, including apps, photos and settings, but returns the phone to a "clean" state. On Redmi 9, you can reset in two ways:

Method 1: Through settings (recommended)

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Enter your password (if installed) and confirm.

Method 2: Recovery (if the phone is not turned on)

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the MI logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select “Wipe Data” (manage volume buttons).
4. Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

🔹 What to do after a reset:

• 🔄 Restore data from a backup (if it was created in Mi Cloud or Google Drive).
• 📥 Install only the necessary applications – do not clog up memory immediately.
• 🔧 Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play (Settings) → Auto-update).

💡

Factory reset is the only way to remove MIUI system debris that accumulates after firmware updates. But use it only as a last resort!

6. MIUI Optimization: Disabling Unnecessary Functions

MIUI is known for its heavy interface, which consumes memory and resources. Redmi 9 can turn off several functions to reduce the load on storage:

What can be safely disabled:

• 📊 Analytics MIUI: Settings → Memory. → Three points (⋮) → System analytics → turn off.
• 🎨 Themes and wallpaper: Settings → Wallpaper. → Remove unnecessary themes (up to 500MB).
• 🔊 Voice assistant XiaoAI: Settings → Annexes → Application management → XiaoAI → «Shut down».
• 📡 Auto-update MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points (⋮) → Settings → Auto-update → select "Off.».

🔹 Additional settings to save memory:

• Limit the background activity of applications: Settings → Battery → Application selection → Set “Limit” for unnecessary programs.
• Turn off autoload media in instant messengers: in WhatsApp and Telegram, turn off “Downloading” for photo / video.

7. Alternative methods: for advanced users

If you're willing to go beyond standard methods, here are some advanced ways to clean up memory: They require caution, but they can free up an extra 2 to 5 GB.

Method 1: Removing system applications without root

Some pre-installed MIUI applications (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Video) can be removed via ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer


adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.mipay.wallet

🔹 How to do this:

1. Install Platform Tools on your PC and enable USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → Tap 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands above.

Method 2: Cleaning the /data/log folder

This folder stores system logs that can take up to 1 GB. You can delete them via File Manager+ (root application) or ADB:

adb shell rm -rf /data/log/*

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in folders /system or /vendor — This will cause the phone to crash. /data/data, If you are not sure of your actions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Redmi memory 9