How to Clean Memory on Xiaomi: From Cache to Hidden Features MIUI

The memory clog on Xiaomi is a problem that every second user faces. The system starts to slow down, applications fly out, and not knowing "Insufficient memory" appears at the most inopportune moment. 90% In some cases, the situation can be corrected 10-15 minutes using built-in tools MIUI And some proven tricks.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods of memory cleaning - from basic (cache and garbage removal) to advanced (hidden developer settings and optimization of background processes). MIUI 14/15, And that's not in standard Android, and why simply deleting files often has a temporary effect. 12, POCO X5 Xiaomi 13T You are on the right track, you are on the right path.

1. Diagnosis: how much memory is occupied and what

Before cleaning, you need to understand what exactly takes up space. MIUI There's a built-in memory analyzer, but it hides some of the data:

Open Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see a diagram of the allocation of memory by category: System, Applications, Media Files, Cash and Other. Click on each category to see the details:

• 📱 System: usually takes 10-15 GB, if it's here. >20 GB – Log files or updates may have clogged.
• 🎵 Media: photos, videos, music, often weighing hundreds of gigabytes due to duplicates and unoptimized videos.
• 🗑️ Cash: temporary application files. May take up to 5-10 GB, but cleared in one click.
• 📦 Others: the most insidious. This includes remnants of deleted applications, downloads and service files. MIUI.

If the “Other” section is occupied >3GB is a warning sign. Most of the time, it's accumulating:

• 📁 Update residues (.zip files in the folder) Downloaded_rom)
• 🔄 Log files of the system (/data/log)
• 📥 Unremoved downloads from browsers and messengers

⚠️ Note: If the "System" section is occupied >25GB and the phone hasn't been updated in a long time - don't manually clean it! MIUI. It is better to reset to factory settings (more on this in section 6).

2. Cleaning of cache and garbage without programs

The fastest way to free 1-5 GB - remove the app cache and system debris. MIUI There are two tools for this:

Method 1: Integrated cleaning of MIUI

Go to Settings. → Annexes → Cleaning (or Security) → Cleaning in old versions:

1. Click "Analysis" and wait for the scan.
2. Check all categories (Cash, Unused Files, Advertising Files).
3. Click “Clean” (usually frees 500 MB-3 GB).

Method 2: Manually cleansing cache for individual applications

Some apps (e.g. Telegram, YouTube, TikTok) can accumulate gigabytes of cache to clean it selectively:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (e.g. Google Play Services or Gallery).
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – this will remove all settings!).

Pay particular attention to:

• 📺 YouTube (video cache can weigh) >1GB)
• 📷 Gallery (miniatures and temporary files)
• 🎮 Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile - up to 5 GB of cache)

Delete the cache of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

Clearing Google Play Services Data

Check the folder Downloads to unnecessary files

Delete temporary files from the Gallery-->

3. Removing duplicates and optimizing media files

Photos and videos are the main memory eaters. On a Xiaomi smartphone with a 108 MP camera, one photo in format RAW It can weigh up to 50 MB and a minute video can be used in 4K — It's up to 400MB. Here's how to reduce it:

Step 1: Find and remove duplicates

V MIUI 14/15 There is a built-in search for duplicates:

1. Open the gallery → Albums → Duplicates.
2. Click on “Select All” and delete unnecessary copies.

If this feature is not available (on older models), use third-party apps:

• 📱 Files by Google (free, finds duplicates and large files)
• 🔍 CCleaner (Paid version looking for similar photos)

Step 2: Compress photos and videos without loss of quality

Standard instruments MIUI They can’t compress media files, but there are workarounds:

• 📸 For photos: use Google Photos (automatic compression when downloading in "High quality»).
• 🎥 For video: Video Compress app (compresses) 4K full HD minimally).

Example: Video weighing 1 GB after compression in Video Compress with settings «720p, 30fps» weigh ~200 MB, and visually the difference is almost imperceptible.

Step 3: Move your photo to the cloud or PC

If there is little space left on the phone, and it is pathetic to delete the photo - transfer them:

• ☁️ Google Photos (15GB free, automatic synchronization)
• 💻 Mi Cloud (5GB free, integrated into the MIUI)
• 🔌 Connect your phone to the PC by USB and copy the files manually (folder) DCIM).

⚠️ Warning: When using Mi Cloud, check your sync settings! By default, it can only download thumbnails and the originals will remain on your phone. To transfer full-size photos, open Mi Cloud → Settings → Download quality and select “Original».

4. Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

The average user installs ~50 Applying but actively using only 10-15. The rest take up space not only by themselves, but also by their cache, data and residues after deletion.

Step 1: Find and remove the “dead” apps

Open the Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications and sort the list by date of last use:

• 📱 Applications that were not used >3 months
• 🎮 Games that have not been played in a long time (especially the “heavy” ones like Call of Duty Mobile)
• 🔧 Duplicate utilities (e.g., two file managers)

Pay special attention to Xiaomi pre-installed apps (Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) that cannot be removed by standard means, but you can disable:

1. Open the application settings.
2. Click “Disable” (this will remove the updates and stop the background work).

Step 2: Clean up the Remnants of Remote Applications

Even after deleting applications often leave behind files in folders:

• 📁 /Android/data/[Packet name: This is where the settings and cache are stored.
• 📁 /Android/obb/[Packet name: Game files (may weigh) >1 GB)

To remove them:

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
2. Go to the file. /Android/data and delete folders with names of remote applications.
3. Repeat for /Android/obb.

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete the folders of current applications! This will cause crashes. Before cleaning, check that the application is indeed removed from the system.

💡

To find the most “heavy” apps, open Settings → Annexes → Storage and sort by size. Often, games, social media and maps are on the top (Google Maps can weigh). >2GB due to offline cards).

5. Hidden MIUI features for memory cleanup

MIUI It hides a few powerful tools that you can't see in the main menu, and activating them can free up additional tools. 2-5 GB.

Function 1: Deep Cleaning (Deep Clean)

This option removes not only cache, but also system log files, update residues and unused ones. APK. To turn it on:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 5 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the “Deep Clean” option and turn it on.
5. Now on the Security menu → The cleaning will appear a new section.

Function 2: Clearing the folder. Downloaded_rom

Update MIUI through OTA Firmware files are saved in the folder /Downloaded_rom They don't automatically remove them. They can take up to 3-4 GB!

To remove them:

1. Open Mi File Manager (or any other file manager with access to root folders).
2. Move to the /Downloaded_rom.
3. Delete all files with the.zip extension (these are firmware archives).

Function 3: Optimization of background processes

MIUI aggressively caches data in a background that eats up memory to limit it:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select “Optimization” and turn on “Balanced” or “Charge Saving” mode.
3. In the Auto Start section, turn off autoboot for unnecessary applications.

Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If all the above methods did not help, and free memory is critically small (<5 GB, you have a hard reset, which will delete all the data, including photos, apps and settings, but it will return the phone to a clean state.

How to do the reset correctly

Before discharge, it is mandatory:

• ☁️ Backup in Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 50%.
• 📡 Connect to Wi-Fi (after reset, you will need to download updates).

Next:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Enter your password (if installed) and confirm.

The process will take 5-10 After the reboot, the phone will be like new.

What to do after a reset

• 📱 Recover your data from backup (but not all!) Only return contacts, messages and important photos).
• 🚫 Don’t install all old apps at once – add only those you use regularly.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.

⚠️ Note: If the phone fills up memory quickly again after reset, there is a problem with hardware wear (for example, a damaged memory chip), in this case, only replacing the module in the service center will help.

💡

Resetting to factory settings is the last chance to bring the phone back to life, but if it is clogged again in a week, it is a sign of a physical malfunction (for example, wear and tear of flash memory).

7.Prevention: How to avoid memory filling in the future

To avoid cleaning your memory every week, follow these rules:

• 📴 Turn off automatic download of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram). → Mediavisors → Autoboot → Choose “Never” or “Only on Wi-Fi».
• 🎥 Shoot the video in Full HD, not 4K (If you don't need a professional shot, the difference in file size is 3-4 once!
• 🗑️ Clean the cache once a week through Security → Cleanup.
• ☁️ Set up an automatic upload to the cloud (Google Photos or Mi Cloud) and delete the originals from your phone.
• 📱 Remove unused apps immediately after installation (if you don’t like them).

It is also useful to set a warning about memory shortage:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Settings.
2. Enable the option to Warn if memory is scarce and set a threshold (e.g. 10% free space).

If you install/remove games or programs frequently, consider buying a microSD card (for models with expansion support). A2 Samsung EVO Plus (they are faster than regular cards and are suitable for applications).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup