Noticing that Xiaomi's smartphone is slowing down and the space on the internal drive is melting away? The reason is often hidden debris: app cache, remnants of deleted files or bloated data from system services. Unlike the iPhone, where memory analysis is integrated into settings, MIUI offers several diagnostic methods, from a basic storage menu to hidden tools for power users.
In this article, you will find unique methods of memory analysis specific to Xiaomi, including little-known Security features and ADB commands that are not described in the standard instructions. We will discuss how to distinguish useful data from garbage, why MIUI 14 may not show occupied memory correctly, and what to do if the system persistently “does not see” the free space after cleaning.
1. Standard Memory Analysis through "Settings"
The easiest way is to use the built-in storage menu. It is available on all Xiaomi smartphones starting with MIUI 9, but the functionality varies depending on the version of the shell. For example, MIUI 14 added detailing by file categories (photos, videos, documents), and MIUI 12 had to be content with general numbers.
To open the analysis:
- Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory (or Settings → Memory in new versions).
- Wait for the scan to complete (it can take up to 30 seconds on the filled drives).
- Click on the category (such as “Apps” or “Media Files”) for detail.
Note the System Data section, which often hides up to 5-10 GB of garbage that is not cleaned by standard methods, and if this category takes up more than 15% of total memory, use the methods in the following sections.
2. Hidden tools in the application "Security"
Xiaomi’s Security app contains advanced analysis tools that don’t duplicate Settings data.
- 📱 Residual files after uninstallation of applications (often take 1-3 GB).
- 🗑️ Cache of mini-programs (e.g. from Mi Video or Mi Browser).
- 🔍 Duplicate files that the system does not show in the standard menu.
How to use:
- Open the Security app (shield icon).
- Go to the Cleanup or Deep Cleanup section (depending on the MIUI version).
- Click on "Scan" and wait for the report. Pay special attention to "Residual Files" -- it's often skipped.
- To detail, tap by category (such as App Cache) and manually select what to clean.
⚠️ Warning: Do not manually clean the System Logs category – this can cause malfunctions MIUI. Use only automatic cleaning through the button “Optimize».
☑️ What to check for in Security
3. Analysis through File Manager
Xiaomi’s built-in File Manager not only browses folders, but also analyzes occupied space by data type, and the advantage of this method is the ability to see hidden folders (such as.thumbnails or Android/data) that are not displayed in the standard storage menu.
Instructions:
- Open the File Manager (File Icon).
- Go to the tab "Analysis" (or "Storage" in new versions).
- Select “Inner Memory” and wait for the chart to be built.
- Slip on large segments (such as “Other Files”) for detail.
It is especially useful to check the following folders:
- 📁 Android/obb — It contains heavy games (may take up to a maximum of two games). 20 GB).
- 📁 DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo miniatures that are not deleted when cleaning the gallery.
- 📁 MIUI/Backup — backups of the system that are created automatically.
| folder | What it keeps. | Can I remove it? |
|---|---|---|
| Android/data | Application data (save games, settings) | Partially (for remote applications only) |
| DCIM/Camera | Photo and video from the camera | Yes (except for the files you need) |
| MIUI/Backup | Backup copies of system and applications | Yes, unless you're planning a recovery. |
| .thumbnails | Miniatures for quick viewing | Yes (automatically regenerated) |
4.Using ADB for in-depth analysis
If standard methods don't show where the space has gone, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) can provide a detailed account of the space occupied, including system files that are hidden from the user, a method suitable for power users and requires a smartphone to connect to a PC.
Step-by-step:
- Install ADB Tools on your computer.
- Turn on “Debugging by USB” on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate the developer mode), then Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line:
adb shell
df -h # Shows the occupied space by section
du -sh /storage/emulated/0/* | sort -rh # Sorts folders by sizeThe result will show a list of folders sorted by size. Notice non-obvious directories like /storage/emulated/0/tencent (WeChat cache) or /storage/emulated/0/Alipay (Alipay data), which can take up gigabytes.
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders /system, /vendor or /data through ADB — This will lead to a device brilliance. /storage/emulated/0 (user-general).
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
5. Third-party applications for memory analysis
If the built-in MIUI tools seem inadequate, use third-party utilities that offer more visualization and additional features, such as searching for duplicates or large files.
- 📊 Files by Google – shows “junk” files and offers cleaning in one tap.
- 🔍 SD Maid is a deep analysis of cache, residual files and databases. There is a root access plugin).
- 📈 DiskUsage – visualizes occupied space in the form of an interactive map.
Example of Files by Google:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Open the "Cleanup" tab.
- Click on “Free Place” and select categories to delete (such as “Unnecessary Screenshots” or “Old Memes”).
The advantage of third-party apps is that they often find debris that MIUI misses. For example, SD Maid can detect remnants from long-deleted applications in the /data/data folder that take up to 500 MB.
💡
Before using third-party cleaners, back up important data. Some applications (such as SD Maid) can delete files that MIUI considers system-based.
6.Why is Xiaomi showing busy memory incorrectly?
Sometimes Xiaomi’s smartphone stubbornly “does not see” the vacant space even after cleaning.
- 🔄 Memory fragmentation is especially important for eMMC devices (instead of eMMC devices). UFS).
- 📱 File system errors (for example, after incorrect extraction) SD-map).
- 🛠️ Failures in operation MIUI, When the system does not update the free space data.
How to fix it:
- Format the drive (last resort, erases all data!). To do this, go to Settings. → Memory. → Settings (⚙️) → Format.
If the problem persists, it may be the wear and tear of flash memory that is to blame: Devices with eMMCs (such as the Redmi 4X or Redmi Note 5A) after 2-3 years of use can lose up to 20% of capacity due to physical wear and tear of the cells.
💡
If after all the manipulations free space does not appear, check the health of the drive through ADB-Adb shell dumpsys diskstats command. bad_blocks indicate hardware malfunction.
7.How to prevent the memory from being filled in the future?
To avoid a shortage of space, follow the simple rules:
- 🖼️ Disable auto-save media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
To clean automatically, set up Power Saving Mode in Security, which limits the background activity of applications, reducing the cache volume, and it is also useful to disable App Auto Update in Google Play to avoid uncontrolled data growth.
On devices with MIUI 14, the “Light Mode” feature has been introduced, which optimizes memory usage by simplifying animations and background processes. Activated in Settings → Special Features → Easy Mode.