How to safely delete the folder of the game on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Deleting a folder with a game on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones often becomes a non-trivial task due to the features of the MIUI file system. Even after uninstalling the game through the application menu, its folder with cache, saves and additional files can take up gigabytes of memory, remaining invisible to standard tools. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of removal – from simple to advanced, including working with ADB, hidden directories and restoring access rights.

Xiaomi’s feature is that the system creates several types of folders for games: the main one in /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/, the cache in /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/, as well as temporary files in /data/local/tmp/. Some games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) leave behind tails in the form of configuration files that are not deleted automatically. If you encounter an error “Insufficient memory” or want to completely erase all traces of the game before selling this game, this will help to do the system.

1. Delete via the standard MIUI file manager

The most obvious, but not always effective, way is to use the built-in Files by Google or standard MIUI File Manager, which is suitable for deleting visible folders, but often does not show hidden directories or restricted files.

To try this method:

📁 Open the Files app (File icon on the desktop).
🔍 Go to the Internal Memory section → Android → data → obb.
🗑️ Find a folder with the game name (e.g. com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact) and delete it.
🔄 Reboot your phone to make the changes take effect.

⚠️ Note: If the folder is not deleted and the message "No permissions" appears, then it is protected by the system. ADB or get root rights.

💡

Before deleting, check the game folder size in the storage settings (Settings → About Phone → Storage). Sometimes games take up to 10-15 GB, even if you deleted them long ago through the app menu.

2.Using MIUI Cleaner and built-in tools

MIUI has a built-in garbage cleanup tool called the Security App (or “Security” in Russian firmware) that allows you to delete residual game files, but it doesn’t always cope with deep cleaning.

How to use:

Open the Security app (shield icon).
Go to the Cleanup section. → Deep cleaning.
Select the category “Residual Files” or “App Cache”.
Find the name of the game in the list and click “Clear”.

🔹 Limitation of method: MIUI Cleaner does not delete folders in /Android/obb/, if they were created manually or through third-party installers (e.g. APKMirror) they will require manual cleaning to remove them.

📊 What file removal method do you use more often?

Standard File Manager

MIUI Cleaner

ADB-team

Root rights

Don't delete.

3. Removal via ADB (without root rights)

If standard methods don’t work, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is the most reliable way to delete the game folder without getting root.This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 and Black Shark 5.

Instructions:

Turn on USB Debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.

command-line

Terminal

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear).

adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/Android/obb/com. title.games

(Replace the com.name.games with a real-life package, such as com.activision.callofduty.shooter for Call of Duty Mobile).

⚠️ Attention: Inappropriate use of rm -rf This can cause system files to be deleted. Always check the path before executing a command!

☑️ Preparation for removal through ADB

Enable debugging over USBInstall ADB on PCCheck the connection (adb devices)Download the list of packages (adb shell pm list packages)Create a backup copy of the data

Done: 0 / 5

4. Manual removal via TWRP (for advanced users)

If you use custom recovery (such as TWRP), you can remove the game folders directly from the file system, including hidden directories, which is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader.

Step-by-step:

🔧 Put the phone on mode. TWRP (power + Volume Up).
📂 Go to the Advanced section → File Manager.
🔍 Find ways: /data/data/com.Title: Games (Basic Data) /sdcard/Android/obb/com.Title: Games (additional files)
🗑️ Select folders and click "Delete».
🔄 Reboot the phone.

🔹 Advantage of the method: TWRP It allows you to delete files that are not available even through ADB, But this method requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets all the data on the phone.

What if TWRP can't see the folder?

If File Manager in TWRP does not display internal memory, try mounting /data manually: go to Mount → Mark Data → Swipe to Mount.

5. Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If a game leaves behind undeleteable files or corrupts system settings (for example, after using modified APKs), the only reliable way is to completely reset, which erases all data on the phone, including accounts, photos and apps.

How to reset:

Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
Select "Settings Reset."
Check “Clear internal memory” (optional).
Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Deleting method	Need root/ADB?	Removes all traces?	Risk to the system
File manager	❌ No.	❌ Partially.	⚠️ Low.
MIUI Cleaner	❌ No.	❌ Just the cache.	✅ Absent.
ADB	✅ Yes, but no root)	✅ Completely.	⚠️ Medium.
TWRP	✅ Yeah. + recovery)	✅ Completely.	⚠️⚠️ High-pitched
Resetting settings	❌ No.	✅ Completely.	⚠️⚠️⚠️ critical

⚠️ Warning: Once reset, the phone will return to the "out of the box" state. DCIM If you sell a phone, this method is guaranteed to erase all personal data and traces of games.

💡

Factory reset is the only way to 100% delete modified game files, but it erases all the contents of the phone. Use it only as a last resort.

6.How to find hidden folders of games on Xiaomi

Some games (like Honor of Kings or Free Fire) create additional folders in non-obvious places.

🕵️‍♂️ /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ — baseline.
🕵️‍♂️ /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ — Additional files (usually weighing several GB).
🕵️‍♂️ /data/local/tmp/ — installer-file.
🕵️‍♂️ /sdcard/Download/ — Here we can stay. APK game-archive.
🕵️‍♂️ /data/media/0/ — Hidden folders with saves (requires root).

To view hidden folders in MIUI File Manager:

Open the file manager.
Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
Select “Settings → Show hidden files”.

If you are using Total Commander or FX File Explorer, enable the display of hidden files in the application settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing games on Xiaomi

🔹 Why After Deleting the Game Through Settings, the folder Remains in Memory?

When uninstallation through the application menu MIUI remove only APK-file, but leaves: Cash in /Android/data/; Additional files in /Android/obb/; Save in the cloud (if the game syncs with your account). ADB oral.

🔹 Can I delete the game folder without a computer?

Yes, but with limitations: Through MIUI Cleaner (only cache removed); through file manager (if you have permissions); through applications like SD Maid (requires root); To delete completely without a PC, you need root or TWRP.

🔹 How to find out the exact name of the game folder?

The folder name corresponds to the packet identifier (e.g. com.epicgames.fortnite). You can find it through adb shell pm list packages | grep "name"; Google Play (in the browser address bar after id=); App settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management).

🔹 What to do if the game folder takes up all memory?

If the game is, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact took 10+ GB and not removed: Try ADB (If it doesn't work, disconnect your phone from your Mi Account (sometimes blocking deletion). ⚠️ Don’t use garbage cleaning apps (like Clean Master) – they often delete useful files.

🔹 Why does it appear again after the game is deleted?

This is due to: Residual files in /data/app/ (delete via ADB); Auto Sync with Google account (disable in Settings → Accounts); Viruses (check the phone through Malwarebytes).