Cleaning Xiaomi memory through your computer: a complete guide with 5 working methods

The memory clog on Xiaomi’s smartphone is a problem that every second user faces: high-resolution photos, app cache, system updates and temporary files take up gigabytes, slowing down the device. Cleaning directly through the phone is not always effective: some system files are not available without root rights, and embedded tools often remove only surface debris.

Connecting to a computer opens up new possibilities, from deep cleaning through ADB to managing files using proprietary Mi PC Suite software. In this article, 5 proven ways to free up Redmi, POCO or Mi memory via PC, including methods for users without technical skills and advanced techniques for experienced. All instructions are relevant for devices on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS running Android 10-14.

1.Preparation of phone and computer: what to do before cleaning

Before you start cleaning, it's important to set up the connection between the devices correctly, and without that, none of the methods will work, and incorrect actions can lead to malfunctions in the smartphone.

• 🔌 Cable USB: Use the original Xiaomi cable or a certified USB-Type C with data support. Charging cables are often not suitable for file transfer.
• 🔒 Developer Mode: Activate it in the phone settings (About Phone) → Version. MIUI, press 7 times. This is required for the methods with ADB.
• 🖥️ Drivers: Install official Xiaomi drivers or Google package USB Driver (for Driver) ADB).
• 📱 Permissions: When you first connect to your PC, confirm access to files on your phone (pop-up "Allow access to data?").

Pay special attention to the setup of debugging over USB:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
2. Activate the debugging switch over USB.
3. In the USB Configuration section, select File Transfer (MTP) by default.

⚠️ Note: If you connect your phone to a public computer (e.g., in an Internet cafe), do not allow access to files. use cleanup methods that do not require data transfer (e.g., via Mi Cloud).

2. Method 1: Clean up via Mi PC Suite (official Xiaomi software)

Mi PC Suite is a proprietary utility from Xiaomi that allows you to manage files, backups and phone memory from a computer, the advantage of this method is simplicity and security: the program automatically detects junk files and offers to delete them without risking damage to system data.

Download the latest version of the Mi PC Suite from the official website (avoid third-party sources to avoid viruses).

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. Run the Mi PC Suite and wait for the program to recognize the device.
3. Go to Optimization (or Cleaner in English).
4. Click Scan - the utility will analyze the cache, temporary files and remnants of remote applications.
5. Check the unnecessary files and click Clear.

In the same section, the Deep Cleaning function is available, which removes:

• 🗑️ Application cache (including system cache)
• 📁 Remains after uninstallation of programs
• 📎 Temporary download and update files
• 📊 System Logs and Error Reports

⚠️ Note: Do not delete via Mi PC Suite files in folders MIUI, Android or manual system - this can cause firmware to crash.Trust automatic scanning.

Method 2: Manually delete files through Windows Explorer

If you prefer to control the cleaning process yourself, you can delete unnecessary files through Windows Explorer.This method is suitable for removing large files (video, photos, APK), but requires caution - accidental deletion of system data can disrupt the phone.

Once you connect your phone to your PC, open this computer, and your device will appear as a removable disk (like Redmi Note 12).

For safe disposal:

1. Sort files by size (View → Sort → Size) and delete the largest ones.
2. Use extension search: type.apk (installation files) or.tmp (temporary files) in the search bar.
3. Before removing folders in Android/data, check if they are used by current applications.

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To quickly find duplicate photos, use CCleaner (Dublicates section) to scan the DCIM folder and find identical photos even with different names.

Method 3: Deep cleaning through ADB (for power users)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a powerful tool for controlling a smartphone through the command line, which can remove the cache of all applications, clear the /data folder, and even reset to factory settings. It requires command knowledge, but gives maximum control over memory.

To work with ADB:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive to the root of the C:\ drive.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\platform-tools
4. Check the connection of the device: adb devices (should display the serial number of the phone).

The main cleaning commands are:

• 🧹 Delete the cache of all applications: adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.miui.home (replace com.miui.home with the desired application package).
• 🗑️ Clear the cache folder (/cache): adb shell su -c "rm -rf /cache/*" (Root rights are required).
• 📱 Reset settings (full cleaning): Adb shell recovery --wipe_data (Delete all data except files on SD-map).

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf If you don't specify the right path, you can delete critical system files, rendering your phone inoperable.

5. Method 4: Using Mi Cloud for Remote Cleaning

If you don't have access to a cable or a computer, you can clear the memory through Xiaomi's Mi Cloud, a method that is suitable for removing backups, photos and documents synced to your account, and the main advantage is that you don't need to connect your phone to your PC.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Xiaomi account.
2. Select the device in the list (if there are several).
3. Go to File Management or Backups.
4. Mark unnecessary files and click Delete.

You can use Mi Cloud to:

• 📸 Remove photos and videos from the Gallery (they will also be deleted from the phone if synchronization is enabled).
• 📄 Clean up backups of applications and settings.
• 🔄 Reverse the device to a previous backup (if the current version of the system is unstable).

Limitations of the method:

• You cannot delete the application cache or system files.
• It is only available for files uploaded to the cloud.
• The free Mi Cloud tariff is limited to 5 GB (a paid subscription will be required to clean up the larger volume).

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Mi Cloud is the only way to clean Xiaomi memory remotely, without physical access to the phone.Suitable for deleting media files and backups, but does not replace a complete cleanup via PC.

6. Method 5: Resetting to factory settings via Fastboot

If the phone is heavily cluttered and standard methods don't work, you can do a full reset via Fastboot mode, which will delete all data, including apps, settings and media files, but return the device to a "clean" state. Use it only as a last resort!

Procedure:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down before the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the command to reset: fastboot erase userdata (delete all user data) or fastboot -w (complete reset with cache clearing).
5. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

After discharge:

• 🔄 The phone will reboot to its original state (as after purchase).
• 📱 It's gonna take a reconfiguration. MIUI and restore the data from the backup (if any).
• ⚠️ All files on internal memory will be deleted without recovery.

⚠️ Note: If you sell or transfer a phone, after reset via Fastboot, additionally follow the command: fastboot erase frp - this will remove the link to the Xiaomi account (protection) FRP).

7.How to avoid repeated memory clogging: 5 preventive tips

Cleaning up the memory is a temporary solution, so that the problem does not come back, follow simple rules:

1. Set up automatic cache cleanup: In MIUI, go to Settings → Storage → Cleanup and enable Auto Cleanup. The system will delete unnecessary files once a week.
2. Transfer files to SD-Map or Cloud: In the camera settings (Storage) select saving photos on SD-For documents, use Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
3. Limit the cache for applications: In Settings → Applications → Application Management, select the program and click Clear Cache. For games (like Genshin Impact), set a cache limit in the game settings.
4. Remove preinstalled apps: Many Xiaomi system apps (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music) can be turned off: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer
5. Turn off automatic download of media in instant messengers: In WhatsApp or Telegram, go to Settings → Data and storage and turn off auto downloading photos / videos.

Check your occupied space regularly in Settings → Storage. If less than 10% of the memory is available, your phone’s performance will drop by 30-40%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Xiaomi memory via PC