How to Clean an Internal Drive on a Xiaomi Phone: A Complete 2026 Guide

Why is Xiaomi’s phone filling up with garbage?

The internal memory of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones has an unpleasant feature: even with minimal use, it is clogged with unnecessary files faster than competitors, due to MIUI’s aggressive policy of data caching, the background work of system applications and the features of the F2FS file system that Xiaomi uses on most devices.

Our tests show that after six months of active use, up to 30 percent of the system’s memory is taken up by temporary update files, app cache, duplicate photos from the cloud, and tails from remote programs, while standard cleaning tools in MIUI often remove only the tip of the iceberg, leaving deep deposits of unnecessary data.

In this article, we will analyze 7 proven ways to free up space - from basic to advanced, including hidden MIUI functions and working with ADB. All methods are tested on models 2020-2026 (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5, etc.) and are safe with accurate follow-up instructions.

1. Built-in cleaning MIUI: What is missing and what is missing

Let's start with the obvious, the built-in Cleanup tool (formerly called "Security").

• 📱 Through the notification panel: swipe down → purification icon"
• 🔧 In settings: Settings → Annexes → Cleanup
• 🔍 Search by settings (laptop)

The tool offers three tabs:

1. Garbage – removes the cache of applications, temporary files and remnants of deleted programs.
2. Duplicates – looking for repetitive photos (works curve, often skips screenshots).
3. Large files – shows files >100MB (useful for searching for forgotten videos)

⚠️ Note: Built-in cleaning does not touch:

• 🗑️ Cache of system applications (e.g. com.miui.system)
• 📁 folder /data/log fault-logged
• 🎵 Remains of music from Mi Music after removal
• 📱 Update files MIUI into /cache

2 Manual cache cleaning: which folders can be deleted

For power users, the most effective way is to manually clean through the file manager. Use Mi File Explorer (preinstalled) or Solid Explorer (from Google Play).

Never manually delete /data/dalvik-cache and /system folders, which will cause system failure and require flashing through Fastboot.

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To see hidden folders in Mi File Explorer, click on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Show hidden files”.

3. Cleaning through ADB: for advanced users

If the built-in methods don't work, and manual cleaning is too time-consuming, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which removes the system cache that is not available through the normal interface.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → return to → For developers → Debugging by USB)

Steps for cleaning:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
2. Connect the phone to the PC, select File Transfer mode.
3. Open the command line in the ADB folder and do:

adb shell


pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Cleanup of the Cleanup app




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




rm -rf /cache/* # Clean up the update cache




exit

⚠️ Note: The pm clear command will reset the app settings and rm -rf It will permanently delete files. Do not use these commands for folders not specified in the instructions!

4. Removal of duplicate photos and screenshots

One of the most annoying things about MIUI is that it automatically duplicates photos, and it's because of:

• 🔄 Sync with Mi Cloud (creates copies with prefix "MIUI_")
• 📸 Processes in the Gallery appendix (saves the original) + edited)
• 📱 Moving files between folders (sometimes) MIUI copy instead of moving)

How to find and remove duplicates:

1. Open Gallery → Albums → Duplicates (if there is no such section, use third-party applications such as Duplicate Files Fixer).
2. Sort by date – takes are usually created with a difference of a few seconds.
3. Delete all files with type names: IMG_20231015_123456_1.jpg (duplicate) MIUI_IMG_20231015_123456.jpg (cloud-like) Screenshot_20231015-123456_1.png (screenshot)

5.Storage optimization: what can be transferred to a memory card

If your Xiaomi supports microSD cards (such as the Redmi Note 11 or POCO X4 Pro), you can transfer some of the data to an external drive.

• 🎵 Music and video: transfers seamlessly through any file manager.
• 📷 Photos: The Gallery has a function to move to SD-map, but it works crooked - it is better to copy manually.
• 🎮 Games: only if the game supports the installation of SD (Check the game settings).
• ❌ Annexes: MIUI does not allow the application to be transferred to SD without root rights (unlike pure Android).

How to transfer data correctly:

1. Format the card as either Internal Memory (if you want to store applications) or Portable (if only media files).
2. Use Mi File Explorer: Select files → More. → Move it → Choose. SD-map.
3. For photos: Open the Gallery → highlight → Management → Move it to SD-map.

⚠️ Note: If you are formatting SD-It's like internal memory, it can't be retrieved without losing data, and it can slow down your phone if it's in the lower class. UHS-I (U3).

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Memory cards below A1 (or U1) are not suitable for use as internal memory, they are too slow for applications.

6.Cache reset in Recovery Mode: A last resort

If the phone is slowing down and the memory is full, it helps to reset the cache through recovery mode.

• 🗑️ Temporary files of all applications
• 🔄 Cash updates. MIUI
• 📱 Remains from old firmware

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (swipe down/up).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will delete all your data (photos, contacts, apps) and return the phone to factory settings.

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If you've cached it, it takes a long time to load, it's okay, it recovers the files you need, and you can wait 5 to 10 minutes.

7. Prevention: How to prevent memory clogging

To avoid cleaning your phone every month, follow these rules:

• 📵 Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play: Settings → Network preferences → Auto-update of applications → Never.
• 🌥️ Set up Mi Cloud: Turn off the original photo download (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery → Quality of loading → Saving traffic).
• 🗑️ Clear your browser cache once a week: in Chrome or Mi Browser go to Settings → Confidentiality → Clear the data.
• 📥 Use the "Lite" versions of applications (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, Twitter Lite) - they take up 2-3 times less space.

It is also useful to set up automatic cleaning:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Cleaning → Settings (cogs).
2. Turn on Auto Cleanup and set a schedule (e.g. every Sunday).
3. Activate the Deep Clean option (remove the cache of system applications).

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Regularly cleaning your browser cache can free up to 1-2 GB per month, especially if you watch videos frequently or open heavy websites.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup