How to Delete Files on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to All Models (2026)

Deleting files on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones only seems like a simple task. In practice, users face hidden system folders protected by MIUI data, and unexpected consequences like app crashes or loss of important settings. This article is not about basic “press and remove” — here we will analyze all possible scenarios from manual cleaning through the conductor to working with ADB and restoring the system.

Feature of Xiaomi devices - its own shell MIUI, which actively caches data and creates duplicate files (for example, in a folder) MIUI/Extra). Even after visible deletion, photos or videos can remain in thumbnails or Mi Cloud backups, showing how to find and remove these tails, and avoiding common mistakes such as randomly formatting internal memory instead of the same. SD-map.

1. Standard removal through MIUI Conductor

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Explorer (the Files app) which supports sorting by size, type and date, which is convenient for finding large or old files.

• 📁 Does not show hidden system folders (for example, /data/data/ or /system/)
• 🔒 It does not allow you to delete files of some system applications (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music)
• ⚠️ Does not clear the cache of applications – this requires a separate section in the settings

To delete files through the Explorer:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Select the category: "Images", "Video", "Audio" or "Downloads".
3. Press your finger on the file → select others (if you need several) → click “Delete” (basket icon).
4. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

⚠️ Note: Delete files from the folder DCIM/Camera It doesn't clear them from Google Photos. If you're synced, the photos will stay in the cloud. To delete them completely, go to Google Photos. → "Basket" → "Clean the basket".

Backup of important files to Mi Cloud or PC| Checking free space after deletion (Settings → Memory)| Turning off Google Photos autosynchronization (if you don't need to save copies) | Check that you're not in the system folder (the path should not start with /system or /vendor)

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2. Delete via Settings → Memory

MIUI has a built-in memory analysis tool that shows which files are taking up the most space, which is convenient for finding junk data — like downloaded APKs, old updates, or a game cache — to use:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Wait for the analysis to be completed (it may take 10–30 seconds).
3. Click on the category (e.g., "Apps", "Media Files" or "Other Files").
4. Select unnecessary files and click "Delete".

The “Other Files” section is especially useful – here are often hidden:

• 📦 Archives (.zip,.rar) from downloads
• 🎮 Cash games (folders) Android/obb or Android/data)
• 📄 System Logs (.log,.txt in folder) /sdcard/log/)

However, this method has a downside: it doesn’t show files smaller than 10MB (the threshold can only be changed through ADB).If you need to delete small files (such as application configurations), use Explorer or Total Commander.

Standard Explorer MIUI|Settings →Memory |Total Commander, FX |Through PC (MTP or ADB) |I don't delete files, I have enough memory

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3. Clearing the cache and application data

Many users forget that app cache can take up gigabytes of memory, such as Telegram or VK storing media files in the /Android/media/ folder, and games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile download resources in Android/obb.

Method 1: Through Settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or TikTok).
3. Click "Memory" → "Clear cache" (deletes temporary files) or "Clear data" (resets the application settings to factory).

Method 2: Storage Sense (MIUI 14+)

Newer versions of MIUI have added Storage Sense, which automatically cleans unused files:

1. Open the Settings → Memory → Storage Sense
2. Enable the option "Automatic cleaning".
3. Choose which files to delete: cache, downloads, duplicate photos.

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the app data (not the cache!) will result in logging out of your account and losing local settings. For example, on WhatsApp, this will delete chat history if you don't make a backup.

5. Delete files via PC (MTP and ADB)

Sometimes it's easier to manage files through a computer -- especially if you want to move or delete large amounts of data -- and there are two ways to connect:

Method 1: Media Transfer Protocol (MTP)

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. On a PC, open "This Computer" and the phone will appear as a removable disk.
4. Delete unnecessary files through Windows Explorer or Total Commander.

Method 2: ADB (for experienced users)

If files are not deleted via MTP (for example, due to access rights), use ADB:

1. Install Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on "Debugging by" USB" on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → Developer settings → Debugging by USB).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/Download/* (substitute /sdcard/Download/ pathway).

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf If you don't specify the right path, you can delete critical system files. Always double-check the path. -rf /data/ This will cause a complete reset of the phone.

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6. Delete files after resetting or firmware

If you reset to factory settings or reflashed your phone, some files may remain in memory.

• 🔄 Fastboot firmware doesn’t always format a partition /data.
• 📱 Resetting via settings can leave files in /sdcard/MIUI/backup/.
• 🔒 Encrypted data (if encryption was enabled) can remain as junk files.

To completely clear the memory:

1. Load the phone into Recovery mode (turn off → pinch Power + Volume up).
2. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (full formatting).
3. If you use TWRP, select Advanced Wipe → Tag Dalvik, Cache, Data, Internal Storage → Swipe to Wipe.

After that, the phone will be as new as it is, but all data (including files on internal memory) will be deleted irrevocably.

7.Automation: Cleaning Planner in MIUI

MIUI 12-14 has a built-in scheduler that can automatically delete unnecessary files to configure it:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Autoclean.
2. Enable the option "Automatic cleaning".
3. Select file types to delete: 🗑️ Application cache 📥 Unused. APK 📁 Duplicate photos 🎵 Unsolicited audio files

Set a schedule (for example, once a week).

This method is good for keeping your memory clean, but it won't replace a full manual cleaning, like, you know, it won't delete:

• 🎮 Cash of games (only if the game has not been used for more than a month).
• 📂 Document or archive folders.
• 🔒 Secure system files.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When deleting files on Xiaomi, users often make critical mistakes:

1. Removing the Android folder → This will cause the collapse of most applications.
2. Formatting internal memory instead of SD-map → phone will stop loading.
3. Delete.nomedia files → Gallery will start showing service files.
4. Google Play Services data cleanup → account sync issues.

To avoid problems:

• 🔍 Always check the path to the file before deleting it.
• 📱 Backup important data in Mi Cloud or on PC.
• 🛠️ For system files, use TWRP or ADB.

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FAQ: Answers to popular questions