How to completely remove excess from Xiaomi: from garbage to built-in applications

Why Xiaomi is “clogged” faster than other smartphones

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are known for their price-performance ratio, but many users face one problem: over time, the device begins to slow down, memory is clogged by unknown means, and programs appear on the list of applications that you did not install. What is the reason?

The MIUI shell, which aggressively caches data, preinstalles Xiaomi services (including ad modules), and automatically downloads updates for system applications. Even after deleting user files, free space is not restored because MIUI reserves up to 20% of memory for system needs, and this space is not displayed in the standard file manager, and many “extra” elements are hidden deep in the system and are not deleted by standard means.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to clean Xiaomi of everything you don’t need, from temporary files to embedded applications that can’t be removed through the menu, and how to prevent the system from clogging again.

1. Clearing cache and temporary files

The easiest and safest way to free up space is to delete the app cache and system temporary files.This does not affect user data, but can return anywhere from 500 MB to 3-5 GB of free space.

How to do this:

• 📱 Through Settings: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup. The system will scan the device and show how much space is occupied by unnecessary files (cache, application residues, duplicates».
• 🧹 Manual cleaning of the cache: in Settings → Annexes → App management select any app (like YouTube or Facebook) and click Clear Cache. Repeat for all heavy programs.
• 🔍 Hidden cache MIUI: Some system files don't show up in the standard manager. To see them, install a file manager. FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer and enable the display of hidden folders (.thumbnails,.cache).

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete Android folders, MIUI or system, which can cause a system failure, DCIM/.thumbnails cache of individual applications.

2. Removal of pre-installed applications (bloatware)

Xiaomi is known for installing dozens of unnecessary apps on devices: Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps, Mi Pay, partner games and advertising services, many of which cannot be removed by standard means, but there are workarounds.

Methods of disposal:

• 🚫 Disconnect (no root rights): go to Settings → Annexes → Manage apps, select an unnecessary app (like Mi Music) and click “Disable.” This hides it from the menu and stops background processes.
• 🗑️ Removal through ADB (without root: connect the phone to the PC, turn on debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — press 7 Once, then return to the additional → For developers) and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer Replace com.miui.videoplayer with the package of the desired application (a list of packages can be found on sites like XDA Developers).
• 🔧 Complete Deletion (root rights): If you have root, use Titanium Backup or Root Explorer to remove system APK-file /system/app.

⚠️ Note: Deleting system applications may disrupt some features (e.g. deleting Mi Account will result in sync errors). → System system → Backup.

Make sure that USB debugging is enabled

Download ADB-Drivers on PC (Platform Tools)

Create a backup copy of important data

Check the list of packages for compatibility with your Xiaomi model-->

3. Cleaning of memory from duplicates and junk files

MIUI has a nasty feature: it creates duplicate photos, videos and documents when editing or transferring files, for example, after cropping the photo, the original remains in the DCIM folder, and the edited version is saved in Pictures, over time this takes gigabytes of memory.

How to find and remove duplicates:

• 🔍 Built-in utility: in the Gallery → Albums. → Duplicate MIUI Finds duplicate files and suggests removing them.
• 📁 Manual Search: Check the folders: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails (thumbnail), /storage/emulated/0/Download (load), /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Extra (shell-file).
• 🤖 Third-party applications: Files by Google, CCleaner or SD Maid can search for duplicates, empty folders and remnants of remote programs.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete the Android folder completely - it stores app data (such as saving games.

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Before you delete files, sort them by date of change (Sort Settings → Date in the file manager) so you will see old, unnecessary files that have not been used for a long time.

4. reset to factory settings (hard reset)

If the device is severely slowed and memory is clogged, the latest radical method is a complete reset, which will delete all user data, applications and settings, returning the smartphone to a “clean” state. Importantly, after a reset, Xiaomi can re-install some of the preinstalled applications (this depends on the version of MIUI).

How to reset:

1. Create a backup through Settings → System → Backup or manually copy important files to your PC.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Delete all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO X3) After the reset, you may have an activation error Mi Account. If you forgot the password from the Xiaomi account, it will be difficult to unlock the device - you will need to contact the service center.

5. Optimization of autoboot and background processes

Many of the “extra” processes on Xiaomi are automatically triggered and consume memory even when you are not using them, such as Mi Push Service sending notifications, Analytics collecting data, and Cleaner scanning the system in the background.

How to turn off unnecessary autoboots:

• ⚙️ Through Settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Autorun. disable Autorun for unnecessary programs (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Video).
• 🛑 Background activity restriction: In the same app settings, select “Limit background activity” to reduce memory consumption and battery power.
• 📵 Disabling Notifications: Go to Settings → Notifications and disable alerts from unnecessary services (e.g. Mi Community, Themes).

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable auto-runs for system services like com.android.systemui or com.miui.home, this will cause interface failures.

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Turning off autoboot for 10-15 unnecessary applications can increase battery life by 15-20% and free up to 300-500 MB of RAM.

6.Removal of MIUI Advertising and Analytics

One of the most annoying features of Xiaomi is the built-in advertising in system applications (Browser, Music, Theme Settings), which can be turned off, but the methods vary depending on the firmware region.

How to remove ads:

• 🔕 For global firmware (Global) ROM): Open Themes Settings. Click on the profile avatar. → Settings → Turn off Recommendations and Personalized Advertising. → Accounts. → Mi Account → Disable msa (Mobile Services Analytics).

For Chinese firmware (China ROM):

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics


adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop

Blocking through hosts:

/etc/hosts

GitHub

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) Disabling msa can lead to update errors MIUI. In this case, it is better to use third-party ad blockers like Blokada.

7. Preventing re-clogging of the system

To prevent Xiaomi from getting “cluttered” again in a month, follow the simple rules:

• 📵 Turn off automatic installation of recommended applications: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-installation of applications.
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly: Use a task scheduler (MacroDroid or Automate) to automatically clean the cache once a week.
• 🚫 Do not use third-party cleaners: applications like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster itself becomes a source of advertising and background processes. MIUI.
• 📥 Control downloads: in Settings → Warehouse → Downloads enable the option “Delete files older than 30 days».