How to Clean Xiaomi Smartphone on Android: 7 Proven Ways

Your Xiaomi has slowed down, discharged quickly or issued errors “Not enough memory”? 90% of the reason lies in a clogged system: temporary files, remnants of deleted applications, cache and background debris gradually eat up the resources of the device. Even the flagship models of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO F5 after a year of active use begin to “hang” without regular cleaning.

This article provides a complete overview of all cleaning methods, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features and third-party utilities, how to free up space on the internal drive, remove system debris without root rights, and which files can be easily erased and which cannot be touched (even if they take gigabytes), all methods tested on current MIUI 14/15 firmware and adapted to the features of Snapdragon and MediaTek processors in Xiaomi devices.

1. Built-in cleaning in MIUI: what removes and how to use correctly

The manufacturer has put a powerful basic cleaning tool in MIUI -- Safety → Cleanup -- but most users use it inefficiently, just by pressing "Clean" without analyzing it, and let's look at how to work with it professionally.

At the first start, the system scans:

• 🗑️ Application cache – temporary files that are created to speed up the work of programs (for example, thumbnails in the gallery or map data in Google Maps.
• 📁 Unnecessary APK — Remains from installed applications (often weighed by the 50-100 MBT each).
• 🔄 File Remains – folders of applications that you deleted, but their data remained in memory (typical for instant messengers and games).
• 📥 Downloads – files from the Download folder that you haven’t opened in a long time.

⚠️ Warning: Do not manually clean the Logs section through the file manager! These files are used to diagnose system errors. They can only be deleted through the built-in utility. MIUI, Otherwise, you risk losing critical data.

To ensure that cleaning is as efficient as possible:

1. Start settings → Security → Cleaning.
2. Click on “Deep Clean” (not just “Clean!”).
3. In the "Additional" section, tick all items except "Journal".
4. Scroll down and click “Clean Unnecessary Files” (this will remove duplicates and empty folders).

Close all active applications

Connect your phone to charge (the process can take 5-10 minutes)

Backup important files (photos, contacts)

Check the vacant space (should be at least 10% of the total volume)-->

Manual cleaning: which folders can be removed without risk

Xiaomi’s internal memory contains dozens of hidden folders, many of which can be safely cleaned, and the key is not to confuse them with system data. Here is a list of safe directories to delete (use the MI File Manager or Solid Explorer file manager):

⚠️ Note: Never manually delete folders with names:

• MIUI (except backup subfolder)
• Android/data/com.xiaomi.* (system applications)
• lost.dir (recovered files after crashes)

If you’re not sure what’s in the folder, use the Files by Google app – it automatically classifies files and shows which ones can be deleted.

3.Cleaning App Cache: When It Really Helps

App cache is temporary data that speeds up the re-launch of programs, like Instagram caches stories and YouTube previews videos, but over time, the cache grows to gigabytes, taking up space and sometimes causing crashes.

How to properly clean the cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Facebook or TikTok).
3. Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».
4. For complete cleaning, click "Delete data» (⚠️ This will reset the application settings!).

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for:

• 📱 System applications (Settings, Phone, Messages) – this can cause interface failures.
• 🎮 Online save games (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile – you risk losing progress.
• 📊 Applications with offline maps (Google Maps, 2GIS) – you will have to download data again.

To automatically clean the cache, use SD Maid (requires root) or CCleaner (free version is limited), which can find dead cache files that have been out of use for months.

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If after cleaning the cache, the application began to work slower, just restart it 2-3 times.

4. Removing duplicates and unnecessary files: top-5 applications

Manually searching for duplicate photos, videos and documents can take hours. Fortunately, there are specialized tools that analyze memory and find duplicate or similar files. We tested 15 apps and selected the best ones for Xiaomi:

For maximum effect:

1. Run Files by Google and remove obvious duplicates (photos, screenshots).
2. Use Duplicate Files Fixer for deep scanning of documents and music.
3. Run SD Maid (if there is root) to clean up system debris.
4. In Gallery Doctor, compress videos and photos that you rarely watch.

⚠️ Note: Before mass deletion of duplicates, sort files by date. Often the originals are older than the copies, especially if you have moved data between devices.

5. Autoboot Optimization: How to Disable Unnecessary Processes

Many apps run automatically when you turn on your phone, consuming RAM and battery power. MIUI has a hidden autoload manager, but it's hidden deep in the settings. Here's how to find it and configure it:

Method 1 (without root):

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as AliExpress or Wildberries).
3. Press Auto Start and turn off the slider.
4. For mass shutdown, use Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management → Application Selection.

Method 2 (with root):

• Install Greenify or Brevent.
• Give the app root access.
• Select programs to “freeze” (they won’t run in the background).

Applications that can be safely disconnected from autoload:

• 🛒 Shops (Ozone, Yandex Market, SberMarket).
• 🎮 Playing games (if you don’t play daily).
• 📰 News applications (Yandex Zen, News Break).
• 💰 Banking applications (except the one you use for payments).

⚠️ Note: Do not turn off auto-start for:

• com.android.phone (telephony)
• com.miui.securitycenter (security)
• com.google.android.gms (Google services)

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Turning off autoboot for 10-15 unnecessary applications can increase battery life by 15-20% and speed up system startup.

6. reset of partition cache (wipe cache partition): when it is necessary

If the phone is slowing down, rebooting spontaneously or issuing update errors, a Wipe cache partition will help, which does not delete your data, but clears temporary system files that may have been damaged.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

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 (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for selection).
4. Confirm the action and wait until the completion (it will take 1-3 minutes).
5. Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the cache, the phone is stuck on the logo MI longer than 10 minutes:

1. Turn it off with a long press on the power button.
2. Re-enter Recovery and select Reboot → Reboot to System again.
3. If it doesn’t work, reset to factory settings (Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data).

This procedure is recommended to be carried out:

• 🔄 Postmajor updates MIUI (For example, 14 to 15 version).
• 🐢 If the phone is too slow for no apparent reason.
• 📱 After installing custom firmware or mods.

7 Antivirus Cleanup: How to Remove Viruses and Spyware

Xiaomi Android-based is vulnerable to viruses, especially if you install apps from unknown sources (APK-Symptoms of infection:

• 📴 Advertising in the status bar or on top of other applications.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge (viruses mine cryptocurrency in the background).
• 📱 Installation of unknown applications spontaneously.
• 🌐 Redirecting in the browser to suspicious sites.

How to clean your phone from viruses:

1. Remove suspicious apps: Go to Settings → Apps → Application Management. Sort by installation date and remove unknown programs.
2. Scan with antivirus: Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light. Run a deep scan (it takes 10-20 minutes). Delete any threats you find.
3. Clean browsers: In Chrome or Mi Browser, delete history, cookies and cache. Reset your browser settings to factory.

Check the administrator rights:

• Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Device Administrator Rights.
• Remove the rights from unknown applications.

For prevention:

• 🛡️ Disable the installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special rights → Installation of unknown applications).
• 🔒 Do not connect to public Wi-Fi without VPN.
• 📥 Before installation APK Check the hash file on VirusTotal.