Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to All Models

Your Xiaomi is slowing down, apps are crashing, and your system is constantly warning you of a memory shortage? These are classic symptoms of clogged internal memory. Even new models like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or POCO F6 accumulate cache, temporary files and app debris over time. But don't rush to buy a new smartphone — in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved by software cleaning.

In this article, we will look at all the available ways to free up memory on Xiaomi phones, from basic to advanced. You will learn how to properly clean the cache, delete unnecessary files without harming the system, and what hidden MIUI features will help restore the smartphone to its previous speed.

Important: The methods will work for all current versions of MIUI 14/15 and Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO models from 2020-2026. If you have an older device, some menu items may differ - but the general logic remains the same.

1 Built-in tools MIUI: Quick cleaning

Start with the standard features of the system — they are secure and do not require the installation of third-party applications. MIUI has two key tools: Cleanup and Storage.

To open the cleaning menu:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Slip the "Clean" button at the top of the screen.
3. Wait for the analysis (usually takes 10–30 seconds).
4. Click “Clean [X]MB” – the system will remove the application cache, temporary files and garbage.

This method removes up to 1-3 GB of unnecessary data (depending on the intensity of smartphone use), but it does not affect user files (photos, videos, documents) and does not clear the deep cache of some applications.

The Warehouse section can also:

• 📁 View occupied space by category (applications, images, videos, etc.).
• 🔍 Find large files (e.g. forgotten videos or unused APK).
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary downloads from the Download folder.

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete the MIUI folder or Android manually through the file manager!

2.Cleaning the app cache: Deep cleaning

Application cache is a temporary file that is created to speed up programs, accumulates over time and takes up gigabytes of memory, and unlike standard cleaning, manually deleting the cache allows you to control what data is deleted.

How to clean the cache of individual applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or TikTok).
3. Slip the Storage" → "Clear the cache".
4. To completely reset the app, click Clear Data (but note that this will delete all settings and accounts inside the app!).

Top.-5 Applications that most often clog memory:

To automate the process, you can use Light mode in some applications (for example, Facebook or Instagram), which limits the download of media files in high quality, saving space.

Backup of important data in applications

Close all background programs

Connect your phone to charge (for long-term operations)

Check the vacant space after cleaning-->

3. Removal of duplicates and unnecessary files

One of the main memory eaters is duplicate files.

• 📸 Same photos (e.g. screenshots with slight differences)
• 🎵 Copies of music tracks (downloaded from various sources)
• 📄 Documents with similar titles (e.g., the final.docx report and the final_ver2.docx report).
• 🎥 Videos saved in both gallery and instant messengers.

To find duplicates, use:

1. Built-in MIUI tool: Gallery → Albums → Duplicates (available on MIUI 14+).
2. Third-party applications: Files by Google (free, no ads), CCleaner (there is a function of searching duplicates), Duplicate Files Fixer (paid version with advanced filters).

When removing duplicates, be careful:

• 📅 The dates of the creation of files (sometimes differ by seconds).
• 🔍 Dimensions (duplicates may have different resolutions).
• 📂 Folders (e.g., photos from WhatsApp and the main gallery).

⚠️ Warning: Some system files MIUI may appear duplicates (e.g., miui_version in different folders). Do not delete them, this will lead to update errors!

After removing duplicates, it is recommended to start optimization of storage:

Settings → Special features → System optimization → Optimize storage

4. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If internal memory is sorely lacking, consider moving some of the data to a microSD or cloud storage, which doesn’t clean up the memory physically, but makes room for new files.

How to transfer data to a memory card:

1. Insert microSD (class 10 or UHS-I is recommended for speed).
2. Open Files → Categories → Select files (such as photos or videos).
3. Tap "More" (three dots) → Move → Select a memory card.

Important nuances:

• 📱 Not all apps support porting to SD (e.g. WhatsApp or Telegram store media only in internal memory).
• 🔄 Memory cards are slower than internal memory — don’t transfer frequently used applications to them.
• 🔒 Format the card as "Internal Storage" only if you are willing to lose data on it (it will become "tied" to the phone).

Cloud services for backup:

To enable automatic uploading of photos in Google Photos:

Open Google Photos → Profile → Settings → Backup and Sync → Turn on the switch

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Before perenosoming data to the memory card, check its speed using the A1 SD Bench application. If the write speed is below 10 MB / s, the card will slow down the system.

5. Hidden MIUI functions for memory release

MIUI contains a few hidden tools that few people know about, which help free up an additional 500 MB – 2 GB of memory without deleting personal files.

Cleaning the system's junk folders

MIUI has service folders that can be safely cleaned:

• /storage/emulated/0/Download – downloads from browsers.
• /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails – photo thumbnails (restored automatically)
• /storage/emulated/0/Android/data – cache of some applications (remove only the folders of remote programs!).

2. disabling unnecessary system applications

Many pre-installed Xiaomi apps (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) cannot be removed, but you can disable:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Select the Unnecessary → Disable

Resetting the "Security" settings

Sometimes the Security module accumulates erroneous data.

Settings → Memory → Three points (menu) → Settings → Data reset

4. Cleaning Dalvik cache (for advanced)

This method requires root or unlocked bootloader rights, but allows you to free up to 1 GB of:

1.Reboot to TWRP Recovery.


2. Select Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache.




3. Confirm the action and restart.

⚠️ Warning: Do not manually delete the /data/dalvik-cache folder through the file manager, this will result in a system boot cycle!

6. Radical methods: reset to factory settings

If all previous methods failed, a hard reset remains, which will remove all data from the phone, including apps, photos and settings, but return it to a “clean” state.

When to do the reset:

• 🐢 The phone is slowing down even after cleaning.
• 📱 The memory is filled with unknown files.
• 🔄 Plan to sell or transfer the device.
• 🆕 After a major update MIUI, there were glitches.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Backup: 📱 Through Settings → About Phone → Backup (saves contacts, SMS, settings). 🖥️ Copy photos/video to PC or cloud.

• 🔑 Delete your Google account in Settings → Accounts.
• 🔑 Get out of Mi Account (important for unlocking after reset!)
• Run reset: Settings → About Phone → Reset → Erase All Data

After discharge:

• ⚡ Do not restore the backup right away – check the phone first.
• 📥 Install applications gradually, watching the free space.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI last-minute.

⚠️ Warning: Some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require re-assigning your Mi Account after a reset to unlock the bootloader. Make sure you remember your login and password!

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Factory resetting is a last resort, and 80 percent of the time, the problem of clogged memory can be solved with the less radical methods described above.

7. Prevention: How to prevent memory clogging

To avoid having to clean your memory regularly, follow the following simple rules:

1. Automatic cleaning settings

Put it on MIUI:

Settings → Storage → Three points (menu) → Settings → Auto Cleanup

Recommended parameters:

• 🗑️ Clean the cache once a week.
• 📥 Delete files from Download older than 30 days.
• 🎵 Limit downloading of media files in messengers.

Control of the installation of applications

• 📌 Remove unused programs once a month.
• 🔍 Check the app reviews before installing (many cleaners clog the phone themselves).
• 📦 Use Lite versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

3. Optimization of media file storage

• 📸 In Google Photos, enable "Saving Place" (the photos will be saved in compressed form).
• 🎥 Set the camera to record video in Full HD resolution instead of 4K unless you need maximum detail.
• 🎵 Store music in the cloud (Yandex Music, Spotify) instead of downloading it to your device.

Regular inspections

Every 2-3 months:

• 🔍 View the Warehouse section for large files.
• 📊 Use DiskUsage (an application for visualizing occupied space).
• 🔄 Update MIUI — newer versions often optimize memory.

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If you shoot videos frequently, set up the camera to automatically divide the videos into segments of 2-3 GB. This will make it easier to transfer and edit them.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup

Connection to PC

If nothing helps, contact the service center - the problem may be in the hardware (for example, damaged flash memory).