Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are famous for their price-performance ratio, but over time even powerful devices start to work slower. The main reason is the overflow of internal memory and the accumulation of system debris that inevitably forms during the use of the Android operating system and the MIUI shell. Users often notice that free space disappears on its own, and applications open longer than usual.
Cleaning your phone completely isn't just about removing photos, it's about a comprehensive optimization approach: you need to get rid of the residual files from remote programs, clean up the cache of system services, and in extreme cases, do a full data reset. Regular maintenance of your gadget prolongs its life and keeps it running at a high level.
In this article, we'll look at all the available ways to free up space, from built-in tools to radical measures. You'll learn to find hidden folders that take up gigabytes, and you'll learn how to safely prepare a device for sale or reflashing. The optimization process requires care, but the result is worth it.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The first and easiest step is to use the software from the developers. Every Xiaomi smartphone has a Security app preinstalled, which combines the functions of an antivirus and a memory cleaner. Run it and press the Clean button. The system automatically scans the device for temporary files, advertising cache and remnants of uninstall processes.
However, standard cleaning is often superficial. For a deeper analysis, go to the Cleanup section inside the application and select the Big Files category. Here the scan algorithm will show you the videos and archives that take up the most space. Be careful: the system does not always distinguish between important documents and debris, so carefully look at the path to the file before deleting.
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Run a deep cleanup in the Security app periodically, especially after updating large apps or games, as they often leave behind older versions of libraries.
Special attention should be paid to the Apps section, which will show programs that you rarely use but that occupy a significant amount of space, removing such heavyweights can instantly free up several gigabytes, and remember that cleaning the cache in this menu does not delete your personal data, but only temporary files, speeding up the mobile device.
Manual cleaning through File Manager
Automatic tools don't always deal with specific garbage, especially from instant messengers. You'll need a standard Explorer (File Manager) to do that. Go to the root folder and look at the Android/data and Android/obb directories. This is where game and application data is stored. Deleting folders from already remote programs is a safe way to reclaim space.
Social media folders deserve special attention. Telegram and WhatsApp store all received media files by default; find Telegram/Telegram Video or WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Images folders. Inside, there may be thousands of unnecessary pictures and videos that you haven't even opened, and manually deleting them is the most effective way to combat memory shortages.
☑️ Checking garbage folders
Also check the Download folder. Browsers and apps often save installations there. APK-files that become useless when installed. Android file system doesn't delete them automatically. Sort files by size and date to quickly find the extra files.
⚠️ Attention: In the folder Android/data You can find the settings for many games. If you delete the folder of the game you're still playing, progress can be lost if it's not stored in the cloud.
Deep cleaning of cache and hidden partitions
Some system processes and applications store data in hidden, restricted areas, and require enhanced rights or use. ADB-There are simpler methods, like cleaning the cache. DNS and temporary files via the developer menu can solve connection problems and free up space.
To get into the developer menu, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version 7 times. Then, in the advanced settings, find “Debugging by USB.” This will allow you to connect the phone to your PC for deeper cleaning, but for the average user, it will be enough to clear the cache of Google Play Services.
What is a dalvik-cache?
Another hidden space eater is the.MIUI or MIUI/Gallery/cloud folder, where deleted photos are stored in a cloud bin. Go to the Gallery, select the "Deleted" album and clean it up. Files there can be stored for up to 30 days, taking up precious gigabytes of memory.
Comparison of Memory Cleaning Methods
The choice of method depends on how drastic the measures you are willing to take. Below is a table comparing the effectiveness and risks of different approaches to vacating space on Xiaomi Redmi.
| Method | Efficiency | Risk of data loss | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Annex | Low (up to 500 MB) | No. | Low. |
| Manual folder cleaning | Medium (1-5 GB) | Medium. | Medium |
| Removal of the application cache | High (depending on usage) | Low (logins only) | Medium |
| Reset to factory settings | Maximum (100%) | High (all data) | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, the first two methods are sufficient for daily use, but if the phone is sold or transferred to another person, a complete reset is required. Performance analysis shows that manual cleaning provides a better balance between safety and vacated space.
Full reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)
If the software methods don't work and the system is unstable, the last argument is Hard Reset, which completely deletes all user data, returning the phone to the "out of the box" state. Before you start, make sure that the battery is at least 50%, and all important contacts are synchronized with a Google account or Mi Cloud.
There are two ways to reset. The first is through the settings menu: go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset. Select Settings Reset and confirm the action. The phone will restart and begin the deletion process, which can take 5 to 15 minutes.
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Hard Reset is the only solution when you infect your phone with a miner virus or if you forget your pattern lock (provided you have debugging or your Mi Account enabled).
The second way is through Recovery Menu. Turn the phone off completely. Then press both the power button and the volume button. When the Mi logo appears, release the power, but keep the volume up until the Recovery menu appears. With volume buttons, select the language (English), then Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm.
⚠️ Note: After resetting via Recovery on modern versions MIUI You may need to enter a password from a Mi Account or a Google account that was previously synced to the device (FRP Lock).
Cleaning before selling the device
If your goal is to sell a smartphone, simply cleaning files is not enough. Data can be recovered by special utilities. After a full reset, it is recommended to fill the freed memory with unnecessary files (for example, record several hours of high-resolution video), and then reset again, which will make it almost impossible to restore old data.
Also remember to unplug the device from the services. Go to the Mi Account settings and click "Off" and remove the device from the trusted list in Google settings, which will prevent the device from being blocked by the new owner and problems with two-factor authentication.
Visually get your phone in order: wipe the screen, check the charging connectors for dust. Clean externally and software smartphone sold faster and more expensive. buyers appreciate the transparency and readiness of the device for immediate use.
Why record video after reset?
Prevention and useful advice
To avoid going back too often to the issue of cleaning, make a habit of keeping a digital space hygienic. Set automatic cache cleaner in the storage settings. Check the Recycle Bin folder in the gallery and files regularly. A proactive approach saves time and nerves.
Use cloud storage for photos and videos. Services like Google Photos allow you to free up space on your device at a single click, leaving a preview in the gallery. This is ideal for owners of models with a small amount of internal memory, for example, 32 or 64 GB.