How to Clean the System on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 7 Proven Ways

Xiaomi Redmi 9 has been slowing down over the years, with apps opening longer, the system hanging, and disk space melting away, and the reason is the accumulated digital garbage: residual files of deleted programs, cache, duplicate photos and unnecessary system data. But don't rush to reset your phone to factory settings! 90% of the time, a sufficiently deep cleaning system that will return the device to speed without losing personal data.

In this article, 7 working cleaning methods adapted specifically for the Redmi 9 (including the Redmi 9A/9C/9T models) will be analyzed both standard MIUI tools and hidden Android features that the manufacturer does not advertise, and you will learn why cleaning through Settings only removes 30-40% of garbage and how to get to the remaining 60%.

1.Pre-diagnosis: What exactly is stopping your Redmi 9

Before you clean the system at random, identify bottlenecks. On the Redmi 9 with a MediaTek Helio G80 processor and 3-4 GB of RAM, the typical problems are:

• 📱 Interface freezes - the fault of the overloaded cache MIUI background.
• 🐢 Slow application launch – lack of RAM due to “gluttonous” services.
• 🚨 Memory is full – temporary files, duplicate media or junk from Google Play Services have accumulated.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge – background activity of unnecessary system processes.

To pinpoint the problem accurately:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → System Status and check the CPU/RAM boot.
2. Start Settings → Memory → Memory Analysis – the system will show which files take up the most space.
3. Install the AccuBattery app (free on Google Play) to monitor battery consumption by process.

If you see in the System Status section that RAM is loaded 80+ in idle, the problem is background processes. If the Memory Analysis shows that more than 80 percent of internal storage is occupied, then garbage disposal is a priority.

Standard cleaning through MIUI: what removes and what is missing

The manufacturer has built-in cleaning tools, but they work superficially. Let's look at how to use them effectively.

Step 1: Quickly clean the cache

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Open each of the TOP-10 apps by size and click Clear Cache.

Step 2: Deep Cleaning Through “Safety”

1. Launch the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Select Cleanup. → Deep cleaning.
3. Check all items (cache, unnecessary APKs, residual files) and click Clear.

An important nuance: the built-in MIUI cleanup does not affect the /data/log and /data/tombstones system folders, where the error logs are stored. These files can take up to 1-2 GB!

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After cleaning the cache, restart the phone – this will force you to update system processes and free up additional memory.

Manual cleaning: hidden folders and unnecessary files

For advanced users: some files can be manually deleted without root permissions. Use any file manager with access to system folders (e.g. Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).

What can be safely removed:

• 🗑️ Download folder — this is where you accumulate downloads from browsers and instant messengers. Delete everything except the current files.
• 📁 folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo/video miniatures (you can automatically restore them).
• 📄 Files with.log,.tmp,.bak extension in application folders.
• 🎵 Music or Ringtones folder – remove unused tunes.

Attention, do not manually remove:

• Android, MIUI, Xiaomi folders are system data.
• Files with the extension.odex,.apk in /system.
• Alarm folder - this is where the alarm clocks are stored.

To clean the cache of messengers (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram):

1. Open Settings → Applications → [Messaging Name] → Memory.
2. Click Clear Cache and Clear Data (Warning: This Will Delete Chat History!).

4. Clean the system cache through Recovery Mode

If the phone has become noticeably slowed after the MIUI update, the problem may lie in the damaged system cache, and cleaning it through Recovery Mode helps in 70% of the cases of “lagging” interface.

Instructions for Redmi 9:

Turn off the phone.

Charge the battery by at least 50%

Prepare the buttons Power + Volume up

Don't plug in. USB-cable-->

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power and Volume buttons up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (volume buttons) and confirm OK.
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait until the completion (1-2 minutes).
6. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data, which erases all user data (photos, contacts, apps)!

Once you restart, the system will reassemble the cache, which can take 5-10 minutes, and during this period, the phone will warm up more than usual, which is normal.

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Cleaning the system cache does not delete personal data, but resets the settings of some applications (for example, widgets on the home screen).

5. Optimization of autoboot and background processes

One of the main reasons for the brakes Redmi 9 - background activity of applications that are launched at the start of the system and consume RAM.

Step 1: Turning off autoboot

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or AliExpress) → Auto Run.
3. Turn off all permissions (Autostart, Background Activity, Show notifications).

Step 2: Limit background activity

1. In the same settings of the application, select Battery → Background activity.
2. Install Restrict for all programs except instant messengers and system utilities.

Step 3: Disabling unnecessary system services

• 🔍 Settings → Google → Advertising → Turn off personalized advertising.
• 📡 Settings → Communication and exchange → Transfer of data → Turn off Auto Update in Roaming.
• 🔄 Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Turn off sync for unnecessary accounts.

Do not turn off auto-start for:

• 📱 MIUI System (system processes).
• 🔒 Google Play Services (required for Google Play).
• 📞 Phone and Contacts (responsible for calls).

6. Removal of embedded applications (without root rights)

Xiaomi preinstalles dozens of unnecessary apps (Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video, etc.) on Redmi 9 that can’t be removed by standard methods, but there’s a workaround through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times).
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and install ADB Tools (download from the official website).
4. Open the command line in the adb folder and type:

adb devices


adb shell




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




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




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.music

List of disposal packages:

⚠️ Attention! Do not delete the com.android. and com.google packets. This will cause the system to fail. Before deleting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.

Alternative methods: from formatting to resetting

If all of these things didn't work, there are radical measures, and let's look at them in terms of the severity.

Method 1: Formatting internal memory (without data loss)

This method cleanses the structure of the file system without affecting user data:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (File Transfer Mode).
2. Copy all important files (photos, videos, documents) to your computer.
3. Turn off your phone and go to Settings → Memory → Memory Cleanup → Format.
4. After formatting, return the files back.

Method 2: Reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

Delete ALL, including apps, settings and accounts. Use only if:

• The phone is very slow even after cleaning.
• There are errors such as “UI system stopped”.
• You sell or transfer the device to another person.

Instructions:

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm.

Method 3: Fastboot Flashing

It helps if the system is damaged by viruses or a failed update.

• Unlocked bootloader (Bootloader).
• The official firmware for Redmi 9 (download on the Xiaomi website).
• Mi Flash Tool.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Redmi 9