How to completely clean the memory of the Xiaomi phone: from cache to system garbage

Clogged smartphone memory is a problem faced by every second owner of Xiaomi. Even the new models of Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or POCO F6 after a few months of use begin to “brake”, give notifications about the shortage of space or suddenly close applications, the reason lies not only in the accumulated photos and videos, but also in the system debris that MIUI actively generates in the background.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to delete a few applications or transfer files to a memory card, but this solves the problem only by 10-15%. In fact, 80% of the “invisible” garbage is hidden in the cache of applications, duplicate media files, remnants of deleted programs and temporary files of the system. This article will help not just free up space, but optimize memory so that the smartphone works faster and more stable.

We’ll look at both standard methods (via Settings → Memory) and hidden MIUI features that aren’t mentioned in the official instructions, and why memory re-enters within days of cleaning, and how to prevent this from happening.

1. Built-in memory cleanup in MIUI: what deletes and what is missing

The most obvious way is to use the built-in memory cleanup tool in MIUI firmware. It is available on all models, from the budget Redmi A3 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. To run it, go to:

Settings → Memory → Cleaning

The system will scan the device and show you how much garbage you can remove, and there are three key points here:

• 🗑️ Application cache — temporary files that programs create to speed up work. Delete them safely, but once cleaned, the first launches of applications can be slower.
• 📁 Unnecessary APK-Files are remnants of installed (and already deleted) applications.
• 🔄 Residual files – fragments of data that remain after uninstallation of programs. MIUI They don’t always find them automatically.

However, this method has a serious drawback: the built-in cleanup does not affect system temporary files and duplicate media. For example, if you save photos to the Gallery and Google Photos at the same time, MIUI does not recognize them as duplicates, nor does the tool clear the cache of system applications (for example, Theme or Security), which can take up to 1-2 GB.

⚠️ Note: Do not use the Deep Clean feature in Security – it aggressively deletes data, including application logs, which can cause some programs to crash.

2. Manual cleaning of the cache of applications: which can be removed without risk

If the internal cleaning didn't work, it's time to move to manual cache cleaning, which is more effective, but requires caution: removing the cache of some system applications can cause failures. Here's how to do it correctly:

Open up:

Settings → Applications → Application Management

Select an app, tap it, and tap Clear Cache. For maximum effect, sort programs by cache size (click on three dots in the upper right corner → Sort → Cache size).

Which apps can be cleaned safely and which ones can’t:

Pay special attention to the Gallery and Download apps — their cache often takes hundreds of megabytes due to thumbnails and temporary files. Also check Google Play Services: its cache can inflate to 500 MB or more.

Close all background applications

Check the vacant space (should be ≥10% of the total)

Make a backup copy of important data

Do not clear the cache of system applications without the need

Restart your phone after cleaning.-->

3. Removal of duplicates and unnecessary media files

One of the biggest memory eaters on Xiaomi is photo and video duplicates, which appear when you:

• 📸 Take pictures in mode. HDR (and the usual, and HDR-version)
• 🔄 Sync photos with Google Photos or Mi Cloud (sometimes copies are created)
• 📱 Use third-party cameras (such as GCam) that save files to a separate folder
• 📎 You receive media files through messengers (they are duplicated in folders). WhatsApp/Media, Telegram/Telegram Images)

To find and remove duplicates:

1. Open the Gallery → Albums → Duplicates (on MIUI 14+).
2. Select unnecessary copies and click Delete.
3. For deep verification, use third-party apps like Files by Google or CCleaner (they find duplicates even in hidden folders).

Also note the folders:

/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails


/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots




/storage/emulated/0/Download

They often accumulate unnecessary screenshots, uploaded pictures from the Internet and thumbnails that can be safely deleted.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete the Android folder in the root directory, it contains application data. Also avoid deleting files with the.nomedia extension, otherwise the gallery will display service folders.

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To prevent duplicates from being created in the future, disable autosave media files in instant messengers. On Telegram: Settings → Data and Memory → Autoboot Media → Select Never.

4. Cleaning up system debris through Recovery mode

If standard methods didn't work, and the phone still shows that the memory is full, it's time to move to deep cleanup through Recovery mode, which deletes temporary system files that are not visible through the normal MIUI interface.

Instructions for all Xiaomi models (including Redmi and POCO):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if there is one).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
6. Restart the device (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

This method removes:

• 🧹 Cache of system updates (can take up to) 1-2 GB)
• 📦 Temporary files of the application installer
• 🔧 Error logs and system dumps

Important: Wipe Cache doesn’t affect user data (photos, contacts, messages), but it will reset some settings (such as root rights, if any) if you choose Wipe Data over Wipe Cache, it will result in a complete phone reset!

5.Moving apps to a memory card: Does it work for Xiaomi?

Many users are trying to solve the problem of memory shortage, transferring applications to the Internet. SD-However, on modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the MIUI 12) this function is not working properly or is not working at all:

✅ The transfer works:

• 📁 Media files (photos, videos, music) – via Files → highlight files → Move it → choose SD-map.
• 📄 Documents and APK-Files (manually through file manager).

❌ The transfer is not working:

• 📱 Apps from Google Play (MIUI This function is blocked for stability of work).
• 🎮 Games (even if the game supports the installation of the SD, It will be lagging because of the slow speed of reading the map).
• 🔧 System applications.

If you still need to make room for applications, it is better to use the memory card as internal memory (Adoptable Storage function), but this has its drawbacks:

1. The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
2. The speed of applications will decrease (SD-cards slower than internal memory).
3. When you remove the map, the applications will stop working.

To activate this mode:

Settings → Memory → [Name SD- Cards] → Three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Internal Memory

But remember: after this operation, it will be impossible to format the card back to normal mode without losing data.

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A1/A2 memory cards (such as SanDisk Extreme) are better suited for application installation, but still inferior in speed to the built-in memory eMMC/UFS.

6. Hidden folders and files that can be deleted

MIUI creates many hidden folders that users don't even know they have, and can be safely deleted by freeing up an additional 500MB-2GB of content.

To see the hidden folders:

1. Use a file manager that supports hidden files (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Remove the contents of the folders listed in the table (but not the folders themselves!).

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders /storage/emulated/0/Android/ and /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/ It's going to crash the system, and only delete the contents if you're sure that the files aren't needed.

7 Automatic Cleanup: How to Configure to Keep Memory from Clogging

To avoid manually clearing your memory every month, set up automatic optimization in MIUI.

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
2. Turn on the Auto Clean option.
3. Set a schedule (e.g., every week).
4. Activate Clear Cache when screen locks (this removes unnecessary files when the phone is not in use).

We also recommend:

• 🔄 Configure automatic download of updates only over Wi-Fi (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings).
• 📥 Disable autosave media files in messengers (see tip above).
• 🗑️ Use cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to automatically sync and delete local copies.

For advanced users, there is another way – limiting the background activity of applications:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management → Applications Selection

Limit background work for programs that actively use memory (e.g. Facebook, TikTok, AliExpress) and not only save battery life, but also reduce the number of temporary files.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi