How to remove unnecessary files from Xiaomi phone: complete memory cleanup without risk to the system

Why Xiaomi Phone Is Clogged With Garbage and How to Fix It

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI They're known for their functionality, but over time, even they start to slow down because of the accumulated unnecessary files, and the reasons for filling up memory are diverse, from automatic caching of applications to the remnants of remote programs that continue to take up space. This is especially important for models with 32/64 GB of internal memory, where every megabyte counts.

The manufacturer has integrated cleaning tools into the firmware, but they often work superficially. For example, the standard Cleanup feature in the Safety menu removes only temporary files, leaving duplicate photos, downloads from instant messengers and outdated system updates intact. Meanwhile, on devices with MIUI 13/14, up to 30% of memory can take up garbage that is not visible to the user through the standard file manager.

In this article, we will examine not only basic methods (like cleaning cache), but also hidden methods – from manual removal of system logs to use. ADB-All instructions tested on Redmi Note models 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 and flagships Xiaomi 12/13/14, But it is suitable for any device on MIUI.

1. Standard Cleaning through “Safety”: What Removes and What is Missing

The easiest way to free up space is to use the built-in Cleanup tool, which is available from the Settings menu → Security → Cleanup (or through a desktop widget).

• 🗑️ Application cache — temporary files that programs create to speed up work, and deletion is safe, but they will recover the next application launch.
• 📥 Downloads are files from browsers, instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and mail. Often duplicates and outdated documents accumulate here.
• 🗃️ Unnecessary APK — Remains of software installers that have long been removed.
• 🔄 Application residues – folders and files from uninstalled programs (e.g., WeChat’s com.tencent.mm if you deleted it).

However, this method has critical limitations:

⚠️ Note: Built-in cleaning does not remove system logs (/data/log), backups of updates (/cache), Google Play Services cache that can weigh up to 1-2 GB. She also ignores duplicate photos in the DCIM/.thumbnails and cache maps in Google Maps.

To make cleaning more efficient:

☑️ Maximum cleaning through “Safety"

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1. Start the analysis and mark all categories

2.Click "Deep Clean" (if available)

3. Go to Memory Management → Files and manually check Download, Bluetooth, Pictures/Screenshots folders

4. Delete files older than 3 months (use date sorting)

2. Manual deletion of hidden files: where to look for garbage in MIUI

For advanced users who are ready to dig through system folders, there is a way to free up 1-5 GB of extra space. You will need any file manager with access to root directories (such as MiXplorer or Solid Explorer). Open the Settings menu → Additional → Show hidden files.

Where to look:

A warning for MIUI 14 users:

The /system or /vendor folder stores critical firmware files, and deleting them will cause the device to blink (undownloadable). Also, don't touch files in /data/app, which are installed applications, and manually deleting them will disrupt the system. If in doubt, use ADB (see section 5).

3. Cleaning up Google cache and system applications

Even if you've never used Google Podcasts or Google Play Music, their cache can take hundreds of megabytes. The same goes for Mi Video, Mi Music and other Xiaomi apps pre-installed.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the All tab and sort by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
3. Open any system application (such as Google Play Services) and click Clear Cache and Clear Data (if possible).

Pay particular attention to:

• 🎵 Mi Music – caches album covers and previews of tracks.
• 📺 Mi Video - Stores video thumbnails and viewing histories.
• 🗺️ Google Maps – Cache of cards can weigh up to 2 GB.
• 🤖 Android System Intelligence – Collects Data from Google Assistant.

You can use SD Maid to automate the process (require root rights for full functionality).

• 🧹 Remains of uninstalled applications.
• 🗑️ Empty folders.
• 🔍 Duplicate files (including photos with the same content but different names).

4. Removal of duplicate photos and unnecessary media files

One of the biggest memory eaters is photos and videos, and on Xiaomi devices, duplicates appear because of:

• 📸 Automatic copy creation when editing in the Gallery MIUI.
• 🔄 Sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 📱 File transfers by file Bluetooth/ShareIt (saved in Bluetooth or ShareIt folders).

To find and remove duplicates:

1. Use the Files by Google app (the Cleanup tab → File Duplicates).
2. In the MIUI Gallery, go to Albums → Screenshots and delete old screenshots.
3. Check the DCIM/.thumbnails folder – it stores thumbnails that can be safely deleted.

For owners of POCO and Redmi with 128 GB of memory, the following advice is useful:

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Set up automatic cleaning in Google Photos: go to Settings → Free up space. The app will prompt you to delete local copies of photos that have already been uploaded to the cloud (saving up to 10-15 GB).

Also, look at the Pictures/Screenshots folder, which can contain hundreds of unnecessary screenshots from instant messengers (Viber, WhatsApp) and games. Use date sorting and delete files older than 6 months.

5. ADB-Experienced teams: deep cleaning without root

If standard methods don't work and root rights don't, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your phone to a PC, but allows you to delete files that are not available through the normal interface.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Platform Tools installed.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Clearing the cache of the Security app


adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/MIUI/backup/* # Removal of MIUI backups




adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Clearing temporary files

To remove the cache of Google Play Services (can free up to 1 GB):

adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms


adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gsf

⚠️ Note: pm clear will reset the application settings (e.g., in Google Play Services, this will lead to re-authorization in some services). -rf folder /system or /data/app — It'll cause the system to fail.

After you've completed the commands, restart your phone. Use:

adb shell df -h

6.Memory optimization: how to prevent refilling

To prevent garbage from accumulating again, set up your phone according to these rules:

• 📱 Turn off automatic media download in messengers: WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Autoboot Media (turn off for mobile data). Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoload Media (select “Never»).
• 🗑️ Set up automatic cleaning: In Settings → Battery and productivity → Clean up, turn on Auto Cleanup. In Files by Google, activate Alerts for Unnecessary Files».
• 🔄 Move the applications to SD-map (if supported): Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.

For models with 64 GB of memory and less, it is recommended:

• 🎬 Use Google Photos in High Quality mode (unoriginal resolution) to automatically upload photos to the cloud.
• 🎵 Store music in streaming services (Spotify, Yandex Music) instead of local files.
• 📂 Regularly (every 2 months) transfer photos and videos to a PC or external drive.

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The most effective way to prevent memory from filling is a combination of automatic cleaning (via "Security") and manual control of Download, DCIM and messenger cache folders.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi