Manual cleaning of internal memory on Xiaomi Redmi: 7 working ways without root

Xiaomi Redmi’s internal memory is getting clogged up faster than it seems. Even after removing apps and photos, the system continues to eat gigabytes of unknown origins. The reason is hidden cache files, remnants of deleted programs, duplicate MIUIs and background processes that are not automatically cleaned. In this article, we will discuss 7 manual cleaning methods that work on all Redmi models (from Redmi Note 4X to Redmi 13 Pro) without superuser rights and third-party utilities.

Xiaomi users have a problem with knowing which files to delete and which to touch, and many are afraid of accidentally erasing system data and turning the phone into a brick, explaining in detail what can be manually cleaned and what is best left alone, and how to find and delete:

• 🗑️ Application cache (including hidden folders.thumbdata and.nomedia)
• 📂 Residual files after uninstallation of programs
• 🔄 Duplicate MIUI (For example, copies of photographs in MIUI/Gallery/cloud)
• 📱 System trash in folders /data/log and /cache

All of these methods are tested on MIUI 12-14 firmware and do not require root rights. If you've tried cleaners like Clean Master or CCleaner, but your memory is running out, this is for you. Let's start with the safest way and gradually move on to a deeper cleanup.

1. Clean the application cache through MIUI settings

The easiest and safest way to free up 1-3 GB of memory is to remove the cache of installed applications. Unlike data, the cache can be cleaned without risking losing important information (for example, saving in games or setting up messengers).

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. In the list, find the apps with the largest cache (usually YouTube, Telegram, Google Play Services or MIUI Gallery).
4. Click on the app. → «Clear the cache».

Pay special attention to system applications:

• 📷 com.miui.gallery – here accumulates a cache of miniatures (.thumbdata), which can weigh up to 500 MB.
• 🎵 com.miui.player (Music) – Stores album covers and metadata.
• 📱 com.android.systemui - Cache interface MIUI (Cleaning can speed up the phone).

Important: Don't confuse Clear Cache with Clear Data!* The second action will delete all the app settings (such as WhatsApp chat history or browser bookmarks). The cache can be cleaned every day - these are temporary files that the app will restore the next time it runs.

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If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, just restart the phone. MIUI sometimes hangs up the first time you run programs after cleaning.

2. garbage disposal through the built-in utility "Cleaning"

Xiaomi built into MIUI own utility for cleaning memory - "Security» → «Cleanup. Many people dismiss it as useless, but it actually removes up to 800MB of garbage that you can't see manually. Here's how to use it properly:

1. Launch the Security app** (Shield icon).
2. Select the “Cleanup” tab** and wait for the scan.
3. Click on Deep Clean (not just Clean, but Deep!).
4. In the list, tick all items except the "Journal"** (it is better not to touch them if you do not know why they are needed).
5. Slip "Clean" and confirm the action.

What Deep Cleaning Removes:

Why is this often ignored? Because MIUI only shows surface cleaning (100-200 MB) by default. Deep cleaning finds 3-5 times more garbage, but it needs to be run manually. Do this once every 1-2 weeks, and the memory won't run out as quickly.

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Deep cleaning in Security removes debris that is not visible through the file manager, including remnants of uninstalled applications.

3. Manual cleaning of folders with garbage through the file manager

If standard methods don’t work, it’s time to go into hidden folders where MIUI and apps store unnecessary files, and you’ll need any file manager with access to root folders (like the built-in Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).

Open the file manager and go to /storage/emulated/0/, where you need to find and clear the following folders:

Android/data

Android/obb

MIUI/Gallery/cloud

Download

.thumbnails

-->

More on each folder:

• 📁 Android/data and Android/obb: It stores game and application data. Once you delete the program, the folder stays and takes up space. Only delete folders that match the names of the remote applications (e.g., com.tencent.ig for the first time). PUBG Mobile).
• 🖼️ MIUI/Gallery/cloud: Xiaomi duplicates photos when synced with Mi Cloud. If you don't use the cloud, this folder can be cleaned completely.
• 🗑️.thumbnails: Gallery thumbnail cache. Deleting this folder won't hurt, but once cleaned, the gallery will load longer when first opened.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders called com.android., com.xiaomi. or com.miui.* are system data. Android/media, If you don’t want to lose music and videos.

The critical cleanup folder is /data/log. It stores system logs that can weigh up to 1 GB. To see it, turn on the hidden file display in the file manager (in Mi File Explorer: three dots → “Show hidden files”). Delete all the contents of this folder, it will recover automatically.

4. Clearing the cache of Google Play Services and other system applications

Google and MIUI are the main memory eaters, for example, Google Play Services can take up to 2 GB of cache, and MIUI Daemon can take up to 500 MB. They can not be removed, but the cache can be cleaned, but you need to clean.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → All applications.
2. In search, type “Google Play Services” and open the app.
3. Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».
4. Repeat for the following applications: 🔍 Google Play Store 📊 Google Services Framework 📱 MIUI Daemon (responsible for system updates) 🔄 Download Manager (Download Manager)

Why does it matter? Google Play Services cache accumulates because of background activity: contact sync, geolocation, push notifications. If you don't clean it once a month, it swells to a giant size. After cleaning, you may need to reboot — some functions (such as location) will work slower until the cache recovers.

5. Removal of duplicate photos and videos

Xiaomi Redmi has an unpleasant feature: when editing a photo or video in a standard gallery, the original file is not replaced, but a copy is saved, as a result, after six months of use, hundreds of duplicates accumulate on the phone, occupying up to 5-10 GB.

How to find and remove them:

1. Open the gallery and tap three points. → «Albums».
2. Scroll down and find the albums: 🖼️ «Edited"** - here are copies after processing. 📁 «Screenshots** - often duplicated with folder Pictures/Screenshots. 🎥 «Videos** - Check for copies after cropping.

"Delete"

To automatically search for duplicates, use apps like Files by Google (the Cleanup tab → Duplications of Files tab) and it finds identical photos even with different names.

⚠️ Note: Before mass removal of duplicates, check if they are backups, MIUI Sometimes creates copies of photos before sending to messengers (they are stored in the Internet). MIUI/Gallery/Sent).

6. Disabling unnecessary system applications

Many pre-installed MIUI applications cannot be removed, but they can be disabled, freeing up memory and reducing background activity.

• 🎵 Mi Music (if you use Spotify or YouTube Music)
• 📺 Mi Video (if you watch videos in other players)
• 📰 Mi Browser (if you use Chrome or Firefox)
• 🎮 Game Turbo (if you don't play mobile games)
• 📡 Mi Remote (if you do not use the remote for equipment)

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find an unneeded app (like Mi Browser).
3. Click "Disable"** (not "Delete", but turn off).
4. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu and stop updating.

What does that do?

• ✅ Frees up 200-500 MB of memory (by removing updates and cache).
• ✅ Reduces background activity (some system applications are constantly synchronized).
• ✅ Increases battery life (less processes in the background).

If you need to return the application then go to Settings → Applications → Disabled and click “Enable”.

7. reset the partition cache (wipe cache partition) through Recovery

If all previous methods failed and the phone still shows that the memory is full, it’s time to deep-clean the system cache through Recovery Mode, which deletes temporary files that are not visible through a regular file manager, and often solves problems with “hung” memory (when the system shows that the space is occupied, but it is not clear what).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button + volume button and hold until the MI logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to Recovery Mode (English menu).
4. Select "Wipe & Reset"** (manage - volume buttons, choose - power button).
5. Then select “Wipe Cache”** (NOT “Wipe Data” is a factory reset!).

What does that do?

• 🧹 Removes update cache, temporary system files and remnants of deleted firmware.
• 🔄 Corrects errors like “memory is full” when there is actually enough space.
• 🚀 Speeds up the work of the phone (especially if you have not done a cache reset for a long time).

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse "Wipe Cache" with "Wipe Data"! The second option will erase all your data (photos, contacts, apps) and return the phone to factory settings. Wipe Cache is secure and does not affect personal files.

This procedure is recommended to be done every 3-6 months, especially if you install/remove applications or update your firmware frequently.

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Recovery cache resetting is the only way to remove system debris that is not visible through standard MIUI tools.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi