How to Clean Xiaomi Redmi Phone From Unnecessary Files: The Complete 2026 Guide

Why Xiaomi Redmi is getting littered faster than other smartphones

Xiaomi Redmi smartphone owners often face memory problems despite regularly cleaning the gallery and removing unnecessary applications.The fact is that MIUI firmware actively caches data to speed up work, and pre-installed services (for example, Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) create hidden files even with minimal use. In addition, the Redmi Note 10/11/12 and Redmi 9/10 models have a “Smart Cleanup” feature that does not always correctly detect unnecessary files, leaving behind up to 3-5 GB of “invisible” garbage.

Another feature is media duplication. The Gallery app in MIUI automatically creates thumbnails (.thumbdata) and backups of edited photos that don't show up in the standard Explorer, and if you've ever used Google Photos or Mi Cloud, there might be temporary sync files left in your memory -- you have to delete them manually, too.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to clean up Xiaomi Redmi from unnecessary files – from standard MIUI tools to hidden features and third-party utilities. All methods are tested on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 10C and Redmi 9A models with MIUI 14 and HyperOS firmware.

Method 1: Built-in cleaning in MIUI – what removes and what is missing

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Cleanup tool (the broomstick icon in the app menu).

• 🗑️ Application cache – temporary files that can be safely deleted without data loss.
• 📁 Unnecessary APK — Remains from installed (and remote) programs.
• 🔍 Duplicate files – copies of photos, videos, and documents (but doesn’t always find everything).
• 🧹 Remains of chats – media from WhatsApp, Telegram and other messengers.

However, this tool has 3 critical drawbacks:

1. Does not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. MiuiDaemon or SecurityCenter).
2. Does not delete files from the Android/obb folder where game data is stored (can take up to 10 GB).
3. Ignores temporary files from Google Play Services and Mi Account.

To start the cleanup:

1. Open the Cleanup app (or find it through a search system).
2. Click Scan and wait for the analysis to be completed.
3. Select file categories to delete (we recommend that you note everything except Download).
4. Click Clean and confirm the action.

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If after cleaning the memory is freed less than 1 GB, then the garbage has accumulated in the system folders – go to method 3 or 4.

Method 2: Manually Cleaning Folders – Where to Look for Hidden Garbage

The standard MIUI Explorer doesn't show all the folders where the garbage is piling up.

1. Install a third-party file manager (e.g. FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Go to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/).

Where to look for unnecessary files:

Make a backup of important files|Check the free space before and after|Do not delete folders called com.xiaomi.*|Restart your phone after cleaning.-->

Folder warning Android/data/:

⚠️ Note: Deleting files from active application folders (e.g. com.whatsapp or com.facebook.katana) will cause them to malfunction!

Method 3: Cleaning the cache of system applications (without root)

MIUI system applications (e.g. Security, MiuiHome, MiAccount) accumulate cache that is not removed by standard means.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all processes.
3. In the list, look for system applications (their names begin with com.xiaomi. or com.android.).
4. For each, click Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

List of the most "gluttonous" system applications on Redmi:

• 📊 com.miui.securitycenter – Security Center (cache up to 1 GB).
• 🏠 com.miui.home – launcher (cache of widgets and icons).
• 🔄 com.xiaomi.market - GetApps (remainders of updates).
• 🎵 com.miui.player - Music player (cover miniatures).

Important: Do not clean the data (Clear all data) of system applications – this can cause MIUI to malfunction!

Method 4: Removing duplicate photos and videos with Gallery

The Gallery app in MIUI has a built-in tool to find duplicates, but it doesn't work perfectly.

1. Open the gallery and go to the album All photos.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Control → Search for duplicates.
3. Wait until the scan is completed (it can take 5-10 minutes).
4. Look at the duplicates found and choose which ones to delete (you can delete them all at once).

If the built-in tool does not find duplicates, use third-party applications:

• 🔍 Files by Google – Looking for duplicates and large files.
• 📸 Duplicate Files Fixer – specializes in media files.
• 🗃️ SD Maid – Finds duplicates in system folders (requires caution).

Tip: Before mass removal of duplicates sort files by date of creation – so you will save the latest versions of the photo.

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The built-in duplicate search in the MIUI Gallery does not see files in the WhatsApp Images and Telegram Pictures folders – they need to be checked separately.

Method 5: Cleaning Remnants of Remote Applications

When you delete an app through Play Market or Settings, its data folder often stays in Android/data/ or Android/obb/. To find and remove these tails:

1. Open a file manager with root access support (such as FX Explorer).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/.
3. View the folder list – the names correspond to the application packages (e.g. com.instagram.android).
4. Delete the folders of those applications that you have long since deleted.

How do I know what the name of the package is?

• 🔍 Use the Google Play site in the address bar after id= will be the name of the package.
• 📱 Install App Inspector from Play Market – it shows the package names of all installed programs.

Example: If you delete Facebook, but the folder com.facebook.katana is still in the Android/data/ folder, you can safely delete it - it takes up to 300-500 MB.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders named com.xiaomi., com.android. or com.google.* are system components, and deleting them will cause unstable phone performance.

Method 6: Using ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced)

If you're ready to use a computer, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) can delete files that are not available through standard means.

• 🗃️ Google Play Services cache (can take up to 2GB).
• 🔄 Remains of updates MIUI file /cache/.
• 📱 Temporary files from Mi Cloud and Xiaomi Account.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB on your computer (download Platform Tools from Google).
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Return to Additional Settings → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and type in the command line:

adb shell


pm clear com.google.android.gms # Google Play Services cleanup




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files




rm -rf /cache/* # Clean up the update cache (requires root)

Warning: Rm-rf commands without root rights may not work. Do not use adb if you are not sure of your actions - an error can cause the system to crash.

Method 7: Automatic cleaning with MacroDroid (for lazy people)

If you don't want to clean your phone manually regularly, you can set up automatic cleaning with MacroDroid, which lets you create macros that will:

• 🗑️ Clear the cache on schedule (for example, every Monday at 3:00 am).
• 📂 Delete files from the Download folder older than 30 days.
• 🔄 Run the built-in cleaning MIUI when connected to Wi-Fi.

Example of macros for automatic cache cleaning:

1. Install MacroDroid from Play Market.
2. Create a new macro: Trigger → Time / Date → Schedule (select a convenient time).
3. Add Action: App → Clear the app cache (select all or specific).
4. Save the macro and activate it.

Pros: It doesn't require manual control, it works in the background, and it doesn't clean system folders or delete duplicates.

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Automatic cleaning is suitable for maintaining order, but will not replace a full manual “general cleaning” every 2-3 months.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Xiaomi Redmi