How to Clean Memory on Xiaomi Phone: 7 Proven Ways

Why Xiaomi phone brakes and how does it relate to memory?

Xiaomi Android phones eventually start to slow down, even if the hardware is modern, the main reason is filled memory. When there is less than 10-15% of free space, the system begins to “choose”: apps open longer, photos are stored with a delay, and games slow down. But the problem is not only the volume — fragmented files, accumulated cache and duplicates “eat” performance.

MIUI (the Xiaomi brand shell) has built-in cleaning tools, but they often miss key points. For example, the standard Cleaner does not remove the Google Play Services cache, which can weigh several gigabytes, or residual files after uninstalling applications. This article will help free up to 30% of the memory without root rights and loss of important data if you act systematically.

Before you start, check how much space is occupied right now: Settings → About Phone → Memory. If the graph shows less than 1 GB freely, it’s time for a cleanup. And if there’s enough memory, but the phone still “lays”, the problem can be hidden in the background consumption of RAM (for this, in a separate section).

Method 1: Built-in MIUI cleaner - what it can and what is missing

The easiest method is to use Xiaomi's proprietary tool. It's available in two places: Settings → About Phone → Memory → Clean or through the Security app (shield icon).

• 🗑️ Application cache – temporary files that can be deleted without risk.
• 📁 Unnecessary APK — Remains after installing programs from third-party sources.
• 🔍 Duplicate files – copies of photos, videos or documents.
• 🧹 Garbage files – logs, dumps and other technical “tails».

However, this method has critical limitations:

⚠️ Attention: Cleaner MIUI does not remove the cache of system applications (for example, com.miui.gallery or com.android.vending), which often occupy the cache of system applications. 500 MB–1 GB. It also ignores files in the folder. Android/obb — It stores game data that can be transferred to SD-map.

How to use the cleaner correctly:

1. Open Security. → Cleaner.
2. Press Deep Clean (not fast!)
3. Manually check the Cash and Unnecessary Files points – uncheck the boxes from what you want to save (for example, downloads from instant messengers).
4. Click Clean and restart the phone.

Method 2: Manually clean the cache for each application

If the built-in cleaner fails, it’s time to act point-by-point. The cache of some applications (especially social networks and instant messengers) can grow to giant sizes, for example, Telegram or WhatsApp, when actively used, accumulate 2-3 GB of garbage in the folders cache and media.

How to clean the cache manually: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Select program → Storage → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second action will delete all settings and files of the application (for example, correspondence in messengers or saved games).

Top.-5 «Xiaomi’s “gluttonous” apps that are worth checking out first:

Make a backup copy of important data (photos, correspondence)

Close all background applications

Connect your phone to charge (the process can take 10–30 minutes)

Do not interrupt cleaning until completed-->

Method 3: Delete unnecessary files through Explorer

The MIUI file manager (or a third-party one, such as Solid Explorer) will help you find and remove debris that is not visible through the settings.

• 📂 Download folder - here accumulate APK, archives and documents you have long forgotten.
• 🎮 folder Android/obb — game data (can be transferred to the SD-map).
• 📷 folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video sketches (can be deleted without losing the originals).
• 📄 folder MIUI/ss — Screenshots that are not automatically cleaned.

How to securely delete files:

1. Open Explorer (or Files in MIUI)
2. Go to the Inner Memory.
3. Sort files by size (click on three dots → Sort → by size).
4. Remove anything older than 6 months and not in use (e.g.,.apk installation files, old backups).

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Before deleting the Android/obb folder, check if the data is used in the games. Some titles (such as Genshin Impact) require re-uploading files when they are not.

Method 4: Transfer of data to SD-map

If memory is critically lacking, and you do not want to delete anything - transfer files to an external medium. SD-cards up to 2 TB (depending on the model), but there are nuances:

• 📱 On hybrid slot phones (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) you have to choose the following: SIM memory-card.
• 🔄 Not all applications can be transferred to SD — Only those that support Adoptable Storage (in the MIUI This function is disabled by default).
• ☁️ Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Yandex Disk) are suitable for photos and documents, but not for games.

How to transfer files to SD-map: Conductor → Select the files → Press "More» → Move over → Choose. SD-map.

Use the Settings for automation → Warehouse → Transfer of data to SD-map (not available on all models).

The transfer of applications will require:

1. Insert SD-map (exFAT format or FAT32).
2. Open Settings → Annexes → Select a program → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.
3. Confirm the transfer (some applications may be slower).

Method 5: Clean Memory with Recovery Mode

If the phone is full and doesn't respond to standard methods, hard cleaning through Recovery Mode will help.

• 🧹 cache of all applications (including system).
• 📱 Temporary update files MIUI.
• 🔄 Residual data after resetting settings.

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Wipe Cache and Wipe Data! The second option will erase all user data (photos, contacts, apps).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (control – volume buttons, choice – power button).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
5. Restart the phone (Reboot).

This method is particularly useful if:

• The phone is not turned on due to lack of memory.
• After the MIUI update, glitches and lags appeared.
• Standard cleaning methods do not give results.

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Clearing the cache through Recovery does not delete personal files (photos, videos, documents), but resets the settings of some system applications (for example, the MIUI launcher).

Method 6: Using third-party applications for deep cleaning

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, third-party tools will come to the rescue.

• 🛠️ SD Maid – deletes residual files after uninstallation, cleans databases.
• 🧹 CCleaner – analyzes cache, duplicates and unnecessary APK.
• 📊 Files by Google – Finds large and unused files.

How to use SD Maid (for example):

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Start analysis (CorpseFinder for program residues, SystemCleaner for system debris).
3. Check the list manually for important files.
4. Press Run and wait until it is completed.

Advantages of third-party cleaners:

• ✅ Deep analysis (finding debris that misses) MIUI).
• ✅ Automatic cleaning on schedule.
• ✅ The ability to transfer files to the cloud directly from the application.

⚠️ Warning: Some cleaners (such as Clean Master) aggressively delete files and may disrupt the system.

Method 7: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all the previous methods didn't work, you'll have a complete reset.

• 📱 All installed applications and their data.
• 📞 Contacts, messages, settings.
• 📷 Photos and videos (if not saved on the SD-map).

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Move your important files to your PC or cloud.
3. Open Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
4. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.

After discharge:

• 🔄 The phone will reboot and return to the “out of the box” state».
• 📥 Restore data from backup (but not all applications can recover correctly!).
• 🔒 Reset your phone, avoiding unnecessary software installations.

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to completely remove viruses or malware if they have penetrated system files.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup