Cleaning the conductor on Xiaomi: how to remove garbage, cache and free memory MIUI

The file manager on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a document viewer, but a whole memory management center of the device, and over time, it gets clogged with unnecessary files: remnants of deleted applications, cache, duplicate photos, temporary data and hidden folders of system utilities. If you notice that the phone has become slow and there is less free space, the problem is probably here.

In this article, we will analyze all methods of cleaning the conductor on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO — from basic (built-in tools) MIUI) up to advanced (manual cleaning of hidden folders and working with ADB). Special attention will be paid to the unique “chips” Xiaomi, which will not be found on other Android devices: for example, how to properly remove garbage from the folder MIUI Why you should not touch the file miui_optimization needlessly.

The instructions are valid for all firmware versions (including: MIUI 14 and HyperOS), and also take into account the features of the latest models – Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and POCO F6. If your smartphone is released before 2020, check out the section on outdated devices – there are important nuances.

1. Basic cleaning: built-in tools MIUI

So let's start with the simplest of things, the standard cleaning features that the system itself offers, which don't require root rights or special knowledge, but they can free up the power of the system. 3-5 GB of memory on the loaded device.

The main tool is the Cleanup (formerly called Security) to open it:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Slip the "Clean" button at the bottom of the screen.
3. Wait for the analysis (may take 1-2 minutes).
4. Select file categories to delete (we recommend that you note everything except Downloads, which may contain important documents).

What exactly does this tool remove:

• 🗑️ Application cache — temporary files that programs create to speed up work, and deletion is safe, but the next time they run, applications can load longer.
• 📁 Unnecessary APK — Remains of manually installed applications (e.g., from.apk files).
• 📸 Miniatures – reduced copies of photos and videos that the system creates for the gallery.
• 🔍 Logs and dumps are debugging files that are created when they crash.

⚠️ Attention: If after cleaning some applications (for example, messengers or social networks) began to work slower - this is normal. cache will recover gradually. Do not repeat cleaning more than 1 time a week - this can lead to wear and tear of flash memory.

Manual cleaning of the conductor: what can be removed manually

Built-in cleaning doesn't always work with deep debris, like, you know, it doesn't touch:

• 📂 Remote Applications (Remain in the /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/).
• 🔄 Photo and video duplicates (especially relevant after updates) MIUI).
• 📄.nomedia files – they hide folders from the gallery, but take up space on their own.
• 📦 Archives and backups created by system utilities (e.g. Backup or Mi Mover).

To remove it manually:

1. Open Explorer (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Internal Memory (or Device in New Versions) MIUI).
3. Turn on the display of hidden files: tap on the three dots in the upper right corner → "Settings" → Enable "Show hidden files".
4. Go through the following folders (delete their contents completely if you are not sure about the need for files): /Android/data/ — This is where the application data is stored. Only delete folders of programs you deleted long ago. /Android/obb/ — Cache files of games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) can be deleted if you do not use the games. /MIUI/ — Do not delete the entire folder, but you can clean the subfolders. debug_log extra. /Download/ — download from the browser. Check for unnecessary files. /DCIM/.thumbnails — Photos can be removed without consequences.

Backup of important files|Check the vacant space (should be available) ≥10%)|Close all applications|Disable Cloud Sync (Mi Cloud, Google Photos)|Connect charging (if the battery level) <30%)

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Pay special attention to the folder /MIUI/. It's kept:

• 📋 miui_optimization — system optimization file. Do not delete it, otherwise MIUI brake.
• 🔧 debug_log — You can delete it if you're not in the development business.
• 🎨 Theme is the themes. If you don't use custom themes, you can clean the folder.

3. Cleaning the app cache through settings

Application cache is a temporary file that programs create to speed up work, and over time it grows to a giant size (for example, the TikTok cache can take up a cache). 1-2 GB and Google Play Services up to 500 There are two ways to clean it:

Method 1: One annex

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or YouTube).
3. Put it on the vault.
4. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – this will delete all app settings!).

Method 2: Mass cleaning (for the purpose of MIUI 12 and newer):

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Select the "App Cache" tab.
3. Check the unneeded programs (or click "Select All").
4. Put "Pure" on it.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications like com.android.systemui or com.miui.home – this can cause shell malfunctions. MIUI (If you accidentally cleared the cache of an app, restart your phone.

4. Removal of duplicate photos and videos

One of the most common problems on Xiaomi is duplicate media files, which are caused by:

• 🔄 Automatic backup in Mi Cloud or Google Photos.
• 📱 Sync with other devices via Mi Mover.
• 📸 Photo processing with built-in tools (for example, "Magic of cloning" in the MIUI Camera).
• 🔄 Firmware updates (sometimes) MIUI Create copies of the files just in case").

To find and remove duplicates:

Method 1: Built-in utility MIUI

1. Open the gallery.
2. Slip on three points in the upper right corner. → "Management" → "Duplicate".
3. The system will show all the duplicate files, and you can delete them all at once or manually select them.

Method 2: Third-party applications (if no built-in function exists):

• 📱 Files by Google – has a built-in duplicate search.
• 🔍 Duplicate Files Fixer – a more advanced tool with sensitivity settings.
• 📁 SD Maid – cleans not only duplicates, but also other types of garbage (requires root for full functionality).

Important nuance: if you use Google Photos with the function "Free space", check the folder /DCIM/.googlephotos. It can store miniatures that take up space but are not displayed in the gallery.

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Before mass deletion of duplicates, sort files by date of change. Often the originals are older than the copies, and they can be left behind and the rest deleted.

5. Cleaning Hidden System Files (for Advanced)

If you're willing to go beyond standard methods, you can clean hidden system files that aren't visible in a regular Explorer.

• 🔧 Root rights (optional, but expands the possibilities).
• 📱 File Manager with root access (e.g. Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🔒 Caution – Deleting incorrect files can cause system failure.

What files can be deleted (only if you are confident in your actions!):

If you do not have root rights, but want to clean some system files, you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge, for example, to remove the Dalvik cache:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*




reboot

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/ or /system/ without root can lead to a device blink (completely inoperable). ADB, Better to use safer cleaning methods.

6.Conductor optimization after cleaning

After cleaning the file manager, it is recommended to perform several actions to make the system work more stable:

1. Restart the phone – this will update the system cache and apply changes.
2. Run the optimization. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Optimize the system. Wait for the process to be completed (takes 2-5 minutes).

Check the storage settings

• Open Settings → Memory → Storage settings.
• Activate the option "Autoclean" (remove garbage automatically if there is a shortage of space).
• Turn off "Save thumbnails" if you don't use the gallery MIUI.
• Update the firmware - in new versions MIUI HyperOS optimized work with memory.

If the conductor is still slow after cleaning, try:

• 🔄 Reset the settings of the "Conductor" application (Settings) → Annexes → Conductor → Reset).
• 📥 Install an alternative file manager (e.g., Total Commander or FX File Explorer).
• 🔧 Turn off animations in MIUI (Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Remove animations).

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Regularly cleaning the conductor (once every 1-2 months) increases the life of the flash memory and prevents the system from slowing down. However, do not get carried away - frequent cleaning of the cache can, on the contrary, reduce performance.

7. Features of cleaning on older Xiaomi models (until 2020)

If your smartphone is released before 2020 (e.g. Redmi Note 7, Mi 9, POCO F1), He may have specific problems with the conductor:

• 📉 Little internal memory (16–64GB) that runs out quickly.
• 🐢 An outdated version MIUI (10–11, which lacks modern cleaning tools.
• 🔄 Sectional problems /cache, which is overflowing due to firmware errors.

Recommendations for older devices:

1. Use a memory card – transfer photos, videos and applications to it (in Settings). → Select "Move to the Applications" SD").
2. Turn off automatic backup in Mi Cloud and Google Photos – it eats up a lot of space.
3. Remove system applications (if there is root): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics #Analytics MIUI pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.cloudservice # Mi Cloud pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.miservice # Advertising Services
4. Update your firmware to the latest available version – even if it’s not. MIUI 14. MIUI 12, it can be corrected errors with memory.

If the device has less than 10 percent of the available space, the system will start to slow down due to a lack of cache memory.

• 📤 Transfer as many files as possible to your PC or cloud.
• 🔄 Perform reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).
• 🛠️ Consider replacing your internal drive (on some models, such as the Redmi Note 5, it’s possible).

8.How to prevent clogging of the conductor in the future

To avoid having to clean the conductor every week, follow these tips:

• 🚫 Turn off autoloading media files in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram). → Warehouse → Autoboot media → Select "Never." Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media → turn off for mobile internet.
• 📁 Set up automatic cleaning in Settings → Memory. → Auto-cleaning.
• 🔍 Check Download regularly – delete unnecessary files immediately after downloading.
• 📱 Use the cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to store photos and videos, but set up “Free space” after downloading.
• 🔄 Update apps – new versions often optimize your cache work.

If you install applications from.apk files frequently, create a separate folder for them (e.g, /Download/APK/) And clean it regularly. Remove.apk after installation, because they take up space and may contain vulnerabilities.

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Turn on file sorting by date of change in your Explorer settings so you can quickly find old and unnecessary files that haven't been used in a long time.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning conductor on Xiaomi