How to Clean Up System Memory on Android Xiaomi: The Complete 2026 Guide

Why Xiaomi’s system memory is clogged and how to fix it

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) are based on a modified Android shell MIUI. Despite the optimization, users face a shortage of system memory over time, even if the internal drive is not full, the reason lies in the peculiarities of the application cache, system logs and background processes that MIUI actively uses to speed up the interface.

The first signs of clogged memory: the phone begins to “slow down” when switching between applications, opens the gallery or camera longer, and in the settings there is a notification of insufficient space in the “System” section. Unlike user files (photos, videos), system memory cannot be cleaned by simple deletion - special methods are required, which we will discuss below.

It is important to understand the difference between:

• 📱 Internal Memory – This is where your files are stored (available for manual cleaning).
• 🖥️ System memory – a redundant partition for OS, cache and temporary files (requires deep cleaning).
• 🔄 Operational memory (RAM) — Responsible for multitasking (cleaned differently).

1. Built-in cleaning MIUI: quick-fast

The safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. They do not require superuser rights (root) and do not delete critical files. The instructions are relevant for all modern models: Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/11, POCO F5/X5, etc.

How to start cleaning:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Slip the Clean button in the “Junk” section (usually 1-3 GB of unnecessary files are detected).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-2 minutes).

What is removed in this process:

• 🗑️ Application cache (temporary files that can be restored).
• 📝 Logs of the system (journeys, crash reports).
• 🔍 Residual files of remote programs.
• ⚠️ Do not touch: application data, photos, messages.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is running slower after cleaning, it's OK! It takes 10-15 minutes for the system to recover the cache of commonly used applications. Don't panic or repeat the clean more than 1 time per week.

2. Manual cleaning of application cache: for power users

Some apps (especially social networks and instant messengers) accumulate gigabytes of cache that is not always removed by a standard cleanup. 5–7 GB in the section /data/data, In this case, the application settings will display everything. 100–200 MB.

How to clean the cache manually:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Gallery or Chrome).
3. Slip the vault. → Clear the cache.
4. For a complete reset, click Clear Data (⚠️ This will remove all settings and inputs!).

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If the application becomes unstable after cleaning the cache, restart the phone. MIUI automatically restores the necessary temporary files.

3. Remove unnecessary system applications (without root)

MIUI preinstalles dozens of apps that can't be removed in the standard way (e.g. Mi Browser, Music, Mi Video) that take up space in the system partition and can run in the background, and fortunately, they can be disabled or removed without superuser permission.

Method 1: Disconnecting through ADB (without loss of warranty):

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.video

Replace.

com.miui.browser

4PDA

XDA

Method 2: Use MIUI Hidden Settings (Hidden Functions Application):

• 🔧 Download. MIUI Hidden Settings from Google Play.
• Go to the App Manager section.
• Find the unneeded app and select Uninstall for all users.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete system services with the names com.android., com.qualcomm. or com.xiaomi.findevice - this will lead to the failure of the phone.

4. Cleaning the /cache and Dalvik-cache section

The /cache partition stores temporary update files and recovery data, and the Dalvik-cache stores optimized versions of installed applications. Cleaning these partitions can free up to 1-2 GB, but requires a reboot to Recovery mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the MI logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
5. Reboot your phone (Reboot → System)

What this procedure does:

• ✅ Deletes residual update files (if the phone was updated over the air").
• ✅ Resets Dalvik-cache (useful after mass installation/removal of applications).
• ❌ Does not affect user data (photos, messages).

5. Factory reset: a last resort

If none of the methods worked and the system memory is still full, it will be a full reset, which will delete all data, including applications, settings and files, but return the phone to a “clean” state. On modern Xiaomi, the reset takes 5-10 minutes and does not require a connection to a PC.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Reset and confirm the action.
4. After restarting, set your phone as new.

What will be removed:

• 📱 All installed applications and their data.
• 📸 Photos, videos and music (if stored in internal memory).
• 🔑 Accounts, Wi-Fi passwords, screen settings.
• ⚠️ Will not be deleted: files on SD-map (if it is installed).

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to completely clear the /data partition where residual files and application settings are stored.

6.Memory optimization: how to prevent filling

To prevent system memory from clogging too quickly, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Regularly (once every 1-2 weeks) clean the cache through Settings → Memory.
• 🚫 Turn off auto-update apps on Google Play (or limit to Wi-Fi).
• 📵 Remove unused widgets from the home screen (they consume) RAM cash).
• 🔍 Use lightweight alternatives to heavy apps (e.g. Chrome Lite instead of Chrome).

You should also disable unnecessary MIUI functions:

Settings → Special features → Simplified mode (disable)


Settings → Lock screen → Unlock animation (set “No”)

These small things reduce the burden on system resources.

7.Verification for viruses and malware

Sometimes system memory is clogged by hidden miners or adver applications that disguise themselves as system processes, such as Android.Triada, which creates /system/bin files that cannot be deleted without special tools.

How to check your phone:

1. Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light from Google Play.
2. Start a deep scan (not fast!).
3. Remove any threats and reboot your phone.

Signs of infection:

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge (even in standby mode).
• 📶 Increased mobile data traffic.
• 🖥️ Unknown Processes in Settings → Annexes → Working.

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If the antivirus does not find threats, but the phone behaves suspiciously, check the list of installed applications for suspicious names (for example, System Update, Android Service with an unknown developer).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup