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

Why Redmi 9 is clogging memory and how to fix it

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face a problem: the phone suddenly starts to slow down, applications fly out, and the system gives a warning “Not enough memory.” The reason lies in the architecture of the smartphone: the model is equipped with only 32/64/128 GB of internal memory (depending on the modification), of which up to 10-15 GB is taken by MIUI firmware and preinstalled applications. Even if you do not install games, memory is clogged with cache, temporary files and “garbage” from background processes.

Redmi 9 features the use of eMMC 5.1 instead of faster UFS. This means that when you fill up memory by 80% or more, the read/write speed drops by 2-3 times, which causes lags. You can solve the problem without buying a new phone: clean up memory properly, delete unnecessary data and optimize the system. In this article, 7 proven methods, from simple to radical, with step-by-step instructions and warnings about possible risks.

Before you start cleaning, check what exactly takes up space.

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Study the memory distribution diagram by category (applications, multimedia, cache, etc.).
3. Note the System Data section – if it takes more than 5GB, a deep cleanup will be required.

Method 1: Cleaning the application cache

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work, accumulates over time and can take up to 3-5 GB of memory, and unlike these applications, the cache can be deleted without risking loss of important information.

How to clear the cache for all applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Open each major app (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, Telegram) and click Clear Cache.

For mass cleaning:

• 📱 Use the built-in utility: Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache (releases) ~1-2 GB).
• 🧹 Install CCleaner or Files by Google for automatic cleaning (but be careful with access rights!).
• ⚠️ Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) – this can cause malfunctions MIUI.

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If after cleaning the cache, the application began to work slower, just restart it - the cache will recover automatically.

Method 2: Remove unnecessary files and debris

High-resolution photos, uploaded videos from instant messengers, duplicate files, all eat away at memory. Redmi 9 has a built-in garbage-search tool:

Instructions:

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. Go to the "Cleaning" tab (broom icon).
3. Click on “Scan” and wait for analysis.
4. Delete: 🗑️ Duplicate files (especially photos and screenshots). 🎵 Audio files from Downloads and Bluetooth folders. 📁 Empty folders and temporary files with.tmp extension.

For deep cleaning, use third-party utilities such as SD Maid (requires root rights for full functionality).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from Android folders, MIUI or system, which can cause firmware to fail. Also avoid cleaning the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails, Otherwise, the gallery will stop displaying preview photos.

Method 3: Transfer data to a memory card

Redmi 9 supports microSD cards up to 512GB, but not all data can be transferred.

Important: MicroSD cards of A1/A2 class (such as SanDisk Extreme) are faster and longer lasting. Avoid cheap cards without certification - they can slow down the system.

If the application has stopped working after the transfer:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📲 Check if the settings in the application have reset (for example, logins).
• 🚫 Do not portable system applications (for example, MIUI Launcher – this will cause errors.

Method 4: Remove pre-installed applications (bloatware)

Xiaomi is known for downloading its smartphones with unnecessary apps: Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video, games from partners, etc. Many of them can not be removed by standard means, but there are workarounds.

Safe ways:

• 🔧 Disconnect: Go to Settings → Apps, select the unwanted app and click "Disable." It will disappear from the menu, but will remain in memory.
• 🗑️ Removal through ADB: Connect your phone to your PC, turn on Debugging. USB and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser Replace com.miui.browser with the desired application package (a list of packages can be found on the network).

List of safe applications to remove (no risk to the system):

• 🌐 com.android.browser (Mi Browser)
• 🎵 com.miui.player (Mi Music)
• 🎮 com.xiaomi.glgm (Game Center)
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer (Mi Video)

⚠️ Warning: Do not remove apps with com.android., com.qualcomm. or com.miui.home packages, which will cause the system to crash and require a flashing. Also avoid removing Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms) or Google’s services will stop working.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (hard reset)

If previous methods didn't work, and the phone still slows down, there's a radical solution, a complete reset, which will delete all data, including apps, photos, accounts and settings, but return the smartphone to a "clean" state.

Step-by-step:

1. Back up your important data (contacts, photos, messages) and use Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
3. Enter the password (if set) and confirm the reset.
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 Don’t restore data from a backup right away – check how the clean phone works first.
• 📱 Install applications gradually, watching the free space.
• ⚠️ Don’t update all apps right away through the Play Market – it can clog up memory cache again.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 9 resets via Recovery Mode (Power buttons) + Vol Up) can cause a bootloader to lock if you have previously changed firmware. Use only a reset from the settings menu!

Method 6: Optimize MIUI for memory savings

MIUI has hidden features that help reduce memory consumption.

Settings for savings:

• 🔄 Limiting Background Processes: Go to Settings → Special facilities → Optimize memory and select Standard Mode (reduce the number of applications running in the background).
• 📴 Turn off animation: Turn on developer mode (click 7 times on "Version" MIUI» About the phone" and then in the settings. → Additionally. → For developers, install "Windows Animation" and "Switching animation" on 0.5x or shut it down completely.
• 🗃️ Data compression: In Settings → Memory. → Additionally, enable the option “Memory Compression” (not available on all versions) MIUI).

It is also useful to disable unnecessary system functions:

• 📡 Auto-update MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Settings → Auto-update → turn off.
• 🔍 App Search: Remove the search widget from the home screen – it constantly indexes files.
• 🎨 Topics and Wallpaper: Turn off automatic themes loading in Settings → Wallpaper and themes → Settings → Auto-update.

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Optimizing MIUI can free up to 1-2 GB of memory by reducing the size of system logs and firmware cache.

Method 7: Using Cloud Storage and Alternative Solutions

If physical memory is sorely lacking, consider the options for “expanding” it:

Cloud services:

• ☁️ Google Photos: Automatically upload photos in "High Quality" (unlimited storage). Set up in the app: "Settings → Backup and synchronization».
• 📁 Mi Cloud: 5GB free for backups.Activate in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud.
• 🔗 Telegram: Save files to your favorites or the Telegram cloud (up to 2 GB per file).

Alternative solutions:

• 🔌 OTG-Driver: Connect the flash drive through the adapter USB-C → USB-A And transfer the media files to it.
• 🖥️ Streaming instead of storage: Use Spotify, YouTube Premium or Netflix to listen to music and watch videos without downloading.
• 📱 Install Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite or Twitter Lite – they take up 2-3 times less space.

To automatically clean up your memory, set up Google Files or CCleaner to scan regularly, for example, in Files by Google you can enable the option “Clean up at low memory”, and the application will delete unnecessary files itself.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)