What is the memory on Xiaomi: how to check and free up space

Xiaomi’s smartphone memory fills up unexpectedly quickly, even if you don’t install new apps. System updates, messenger cache, duplicate photos in the cloud and hidden application files can eat gigabytes unnoticed. In this article, we’ll look at how to determine exactly what memory is occupied on your Redmi, POCO or Mi – from analysis through embedded tools to hidden folders that are not disclosed in official instructions.

The MIUI firmware feature is aggressively caching data to speed up work, but often it leads to the fact that even after removing applications, memory is not freed. We will show you how to distinguish useful files from garbage, what data can be cleaned and what not to touch (risk breaking the system). At the end of the article, a checklist for quick cleaning and answers to frequent questions on specific models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.).

1. Built-in memory analyzer in MIUI: what it shows and what it can’t see

The fastest way to check the space is to use the standard MIUI tool, which is available on all Xiaomi smartphones, regardless of the model and firmware version.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory (on some versions, the path: Settings → Storage).
2. Wait for the scan to be completed (it can take up to 30 seconds).
3. Click on any section (such as "Apps" or "Multimedia") to see the details.

The analyzer will break down the occupied memory into categories:

• 📱 Applications – weight of installed programs (including updates).
• 📁 Files - documents, downloads, APK.
• 🎵 Multimedia – Photos, Videos, Music (including duplicates from Google Photos or Mi Cloud).
• 🗑️ Cache – temporary application files (often 1–3 GB!).
• 🔧 System - firmware, logs, backups.

What the built-in analyzer doesn't show:

• 🔍 Hidden application folders (e.g..thumbnails with thumbnails).
• 📦 Files created by the system for recovery after a failure (lost.dir).
• 🔄 Duplicate files in cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive).
• 🤖 Cache of system processes (e.g. com.android.systemui).

⚠️ Note: If the "System" section is more occupied 10 GB on a smartphone 64/128 GB of memory is normal. MIUI Attempt to clean it manually may cause bootloop!

2. Hidden folders and files: where to look for invisible garbage

Even if the built-in analyzer shows that memory is scarce, the real situation can be worse. Many files are hidden from the user, but take up space.

To see hidden folders, use any file manager that supports hidden files (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer). In MIUI, the default hidden files are not shown - turn on the option in the manager settings.

How to securely clean hidden files:

1. First, check the contents of the lost.dir folder – there may be important files after a crash.
2. Remove the contents of.thumbnails – it will be restored automatically.
3. In the Android/data folder, delete only the cache of specific applications (e.g. com.tencent.mm for WeChat).

3. Memory analysis via ADB: for advanced users

If standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for detailed analysis, which is suitable for users willing to work with the command line.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Analysis teams:

adb shell df -h # Shows occupied space by section


adb shell du -sh /data/* | sort -rh | head -n 20 # Top-20 large folders in /data




adb shell pm list packages -f | grep -i "com.xiaomi" # List of Xiaomi system packages

Critical information: The du-sh /data/media/0 command will show the actual size of user data, which may differ from the one displayed in MIUI by 5-15% due to the features of the F2FS file system.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in /data/data or /system through ADB without understanding the consequences! This can cause the firmware to fail and require a complete reset.

4.Memory analysis apps: which is better than Files by Google or built-in tool

Third-party applications can show more detail than the built-in MIUI analyzer. Let's consider two popular options:

How to use Files by Google:

1. Install the application and give access to the files.
2. Go to the Cleanup tab – the program will automatically find unnecessary files.
3. In the section Analysis of storage, look at the distribution by category (here you can see even hidden duplicates of the photo).
4. Click Clean to remove garbage (but first check what gets removed!).

SD Maid is suitable for power users. It finds:

• 🗑️ Residual files after deleting applications.
• 🔄 Empty folders and symbolic links.
• 📂 Files in the Recycle Bin That Haven't Been Cleaned For A Long Time.

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Before using SD Maid, back up important data. The application can delete files that seem like garbage, but are needed for some programs to work (for example, cache cards in Google Maps).

5. Frequent memory eaters on Xiaomi and how to deal with them

Some MIUI applications and system processes are known to take up too much space, and here are the main culprits and ways to pacify them:

• 📸 Google Photos / Mi Gallery: Creates duplicate photos in the cloud and on the device. Turn off autoload in the settings or use the Free up space function in Google Photos.
• 💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber): Cache media files. Clean the cache manually in the settings of each application (for example, in Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Clear the cache).
• 🎮 Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG, Call of Duty: Weigh 2-10 GB each, remove unnecessary ones or transfer them to a memory card (if supported).
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: Update files (*.zip) remain in the folder /cache. Once the update is installed, you can remove it manually.
• 📊 Logs and dumps: Folder /data/tombstones It contains crash reports, and you can clean it if the phone is stable.

How to reduce the weight of messengers:

1. On WhatsApp: Settings → Storage → Storage Management → sort by size and remove unnecessary media.
2. In Telegram: Settings → Data and Memory → Autoclean Media → Set a limit (e.g. 1 GB).
3. In Viber: Settings → Device → Clear cache.

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Regularly cleaning the messenger cache can free up to 3-5 GB of memory, especially if you are in groups with active media sharing.

6.Transfer data to memory card: Does it work on Xiaomi

Many users try to solve the problem of memory shortage by transferring data to microSD, but on Xiaomi smartphones there are nuances:

• ✅ What can I transfer: 📷 Photo and video (via camera or gallery settings). 🎵 Music and documents (manually through file manager). 📱 Some apps (if supported by Adoptable Storage, but this is rare) MIUI).
• ❌ What can't be moved: 📱 Applications and their data (except for individual games with support) SD). 🔧 System files and updates. 📁 Cash app.

How to set up photo saving on a memory card:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Press on. ⚙️ Settings → Preservation site.
3. Select a Memory Card (if the option is active).

⚠️ Note: On new models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and newer) transfer of applications to SD-The card is often blocked. MIUI filesystem F2FS, It does not support Adoptable Storage.

7.When to do a reset to factory settings

If you've had all the manipulations, you still have a memory that's not clear, and your smartphone is slowing down, maybe a full reset will help.

• 🔄 Residual files after deleting applications.
• 🗑️ System debris and fragmented data.
• 🔧 Incorrect settings leading to memory overrun.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to Erase All Data (not Settings Reset is the same!).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔒 Don’t restore all data at once – check first if the problem is coming back.
• 📱 Install applications gradually, keeping track of occupied space.
• 🔄 Turn off autoload media in messengers.

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After reset, take your time to recover data from the backup of Mi Cloud or Google Drive. First, check if the memory problem is coming back - sometimes it is backups containing broken files that are to blame.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions