How to completely clean the memory on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: from cache to factory settings

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but even its 64 or 128 GB of memory is eventually clogged with unnecessary files. If your phone starts to slow down, applications fly out, and the system gives a notification "Memory is almost full," it's time to act. In this article, 7 proven ways to clean memory, from basic to radical, taking into account the features of MIUI firmware and the hardware limitations of the model.

We'll look at not only the standard methods (cache removal, garbage cleaning), but also the hidden MIUI features that few people use, like how to turn off automatic backups in Mi Cloud that eat up to 5 GB of memory monthly, or why cleaning through Settings → Memory often works inefficiently, and you'll learn which files can be deleted without risk to the system, and which are dangerous to touch - even if they take up gigabytes.

Important: all instructions are adapted for Redmi Note 9 Pro (models M2003J6A1G, M2003J6B1G, M2003J6C1G) with firmware MIUI 12-14. If you have another version, check the compatibility of methods at the end of the article.

1. Memory Occupation Analysis: What exactly takes place?

Before you clean it, you need to understand which files are eating up the memory. MIUI has a built-in analyzer, but it often shows the data inaccurately. Here's how to get the whole picture:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see a diagram of the distribution of memory by category (System, Applications, Multimedia, etc.).
2. Click on a category (e.g., "Apps"), and you'll see a list of the most voracious programs. You'll notice the Cash column, and you can clean it up without any consequences.
3. For detailed analysis, use third-party utilities such as Files by Google or SD Maid, which will show hidden files, duplicates and debris that are not visible in the standard manager.

Typical memory eaters on the Redmi Note 9 Pro:

• 📸 High-resolution photos and videos (especially if the camera is shooting in the video) 4K@30fps or 1080p@60fps). One roller long. 1 minute 400–600 MB.
• 🎮 Cache games (eg, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile accumulates up to 3-5 GB of temporary files).
• 📥 Downloads from Telegram/Messengers automatically save media files to the Download or Pictures folder.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI. The system stores the last 2–3 firmware version (before) 1,5 GB each) in a folder /MIUI/backup.

If the System category is more than 15-20 GB, this is a cause for concern, perhaps there are logs of errors or corrupted files, in which case only a factory reset (section 7) will help.

2. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work, and over time they accumulate and can take up to 10-15 GB. Clear the cache is safe, but there are nuances:

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like YouTube or Facebook) and click Clear Cache.
3. For mass cleaning, use a filter: tap on the icon 🔍 in the upper right corner, select "By size" and sort by "Cash".

Method 2: Clean the system cache (requires a reboot)

This method removes the cache of all applications and systems at once:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
2. Click "Deep Clean" → "Clear Cache".
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone. Once the system restarts, it will only restore the temporary files that are needed.

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data"; the second will delete all settings and application files (for example, saves in games or chats in instant messengers).

Clear the cache of messengers (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram)

Delete the browser cache (Chrome, Mi Browser)

Clean up the social media cache (Instagram, TikTok)

Delete temporary game files (such as service packs)

Ignore the cache of system applications (e.g., "Settings" or "Phone")-->

3. Delete unnecessary files and duplicates

Even if you regularly clean the cache, you still have “digital waste” in your memory: undeleted photos, duplicate documents, old ones. APK-Here's how to find them and delete them:

Step 1: Cleaning Download folder

By default, all files from the Internet, messengers and email are saved to /storage/emulated/0/Download.

• 📄 Outdated versions of documents (e.g, contract_v1.docx, contract_v2.docx).
• 🎵 Musical tracks downloaded from Vkontakte or Telegram.
• 📦 Archives (.zip,.rar) that you have already unpacked.
• 📱 APK-files of installed (and remote) applications.

To clear the folder:

1. Open Explorer (or Files by Google)
2. Go to the Inner Memory → Download.
3. Sort files by date (from old to new) and delete anything older than 3-6 months.

Step 2: Finding and removing duplicates

Duplicate photos and videos often appear when:

• 📲 Transfer files via Mi Share or Bluetooth.
• 🔄 Automatic backup in Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 📸 Shooting in mode HDR+ Night Mode (camera saves both source and processed photo).

To search for duplicates:

1. Install the Duplicate Files Fixer app or Files by Google.
2. Run scanning of DCIM, Pictures and Download folders.
3. Remove all duplicates except the best versions.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from the folder /MIUI or /system — This can lead to disruptions in work. MIUI. Also avoid folders with Android, data, or obb names (app data is stored here).

4.Storage optimization with Mi Cloud and Google Photos

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro syncs data with Mi Cloud by default, and can also automatically upload photos to Google Photos. These features are useful but often work inefficiently:

Problem 1: Double backups

If you have both syncs enabled (Mi Cloud and Google Photos), each image is copied twice, taking up space in both the cloud and the device, to disable duplication:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn off Gallery Sync (if you use Google Photos).
3. In Google Photos, click on the avatar → Photo Settings → Backup and Sync and select High Quality (free, files are compressed) or Original Quality (paid, but no loss).

Problem 2: Local copies of cloud files

Even after uploading to the cloud, the original photos and videos can remain on the phone to make room:

1. In Google Photos, click on the avatar → “Free up space.” The app will prompt you to delete local copies of files that are already stored in the cloud.
2. At Mi Gallery, go to Albums → Cloud and delete unnecessary local copies.

⚠️ Note: Before deleting local copies, make sure the files are actually uploaded to the cloud. check this through the web version of Google Photos (photos.google.com) or Mi Cloud (i.mi.com).

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If you often shoot 4K videos, turn on Google Photos' "Free up space automatically" option, which will delete local copies of videos older than 60 days if they are already uploaded to the cloud.

5. Transfer data to a memory card or external storage

The Redmi Note 9 Pro supports microSD cards up to 512GB, but not all files can be transferred to them.

Method 1: Transfer applications to SD-map

Not all apps support portability, but for those that support:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Spotify or Netflix) and click “Move to” SD-map".
3. Wait until the process is completed (may take a few minutes).

Limitations:

• 🚫 You can not transfer system applications (Settings, Phone, Messages).
• 🚫 Some games, for example, PUBG Mobile does not work with SD-map.
• 🚫 After the transfer, the application may run slower (depending on the class). SD-map).

Method 2: Save files by default to SD-map

To automatically save new photos, videos and downloads to the memory card:

1. Open the camera, press on ⚙️ "Settings" → "Place of preservation" and select "SD-map".
2. In Files by Google or Files by Google, go to Settings → Memory by default and install "SD-map".

⚠️ Attention: If you extract SD-The map, the applications that are moved to it will stop working, and it's also not recommended to use the class map below. UHS-I (U1) — It'll put you on the brakes.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all the previous methods didn't work, and the phone still brakes, it's a hard reset, and this method deletes all the data, including:

• 📱 Applications and their settings.
• 📸 Photos, videos, music (unless they are synced to the cloud).
• 📞 Contacts, SMS, Call logs (if not saved in Google Account).
• 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi and apps.

Before discharge, it is mandatory:

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Sync your contacts with your Google Account (Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync).
3. Save important files to your computer or cloud.

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select "Erase all data" (a password may be required).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the phone will reboot to the "out of the box" state, and you will need to reconfigure MIUI, log in to your accounts, and restore the data from the backup.

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to remove system debris that accumulates after multiple MIUI updates. If the phone has been used for more than 2 years, resetting can return up to 5-10 GB of "lost" memory.

7. Additional tips for advanced users

If you’re ready to dive deeper, here are a few non-obvious ways to free up your memory:

Advice 1: Disabling preloaded applications (bloatwar)

MIUI comes with a lot of unnecessary apps (Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps, etc.) that take up space and run in the background.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unnecessary app (such as Mi Pay) and click “Disable”.
3. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu and stop updating.

List of safe applications to disable:

• 🎵 Mi Music
• 🎬 Mi Video
• 🛒 GetApps (Xiaomi app store)
• 📰 Mi Browser (if you use Chrome)
• 🎮 Game Turbo (if you don't play)

Tip 2: Clean up /data/log folder (requires root or ADB)

This folder stores system logs that can take up to 1 GB. You can delete them through ADB (without root rights):

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/log/*




exit




exit

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you're not sure, skip this step.

Advice 3: Use of lightweight alternatives to standard applications

Some MIUI system applications consume a lot of memory, and replace them with lighter ones:

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If you often install APK-Files from Third Party Sources, Use the Application APK Extractor to back up installed programs, which will eliminate the need to download them again after resetting.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up memory