How to completely remove WhatsApp backup from Xiaomi phone: a step-by-step guide

WhatsApp backups take up gigabytes of memory on Xiaomi smartphones, even if you haven’t used the messenger in a long time. Local backups are stored in hidden folders, and cloud backups are stored in Google Drive, gradually clogging up space on the device and account. Especially the problem for owners of Redmi Note and POCO with limited internal memory is that the system begins to slow down, and notifications of space shortage appear daily.

In this article, 5 proven ways to remove WhatsApp backups on Xiaomi, including hidden files in /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases, cloud backups in Google Drive and cleaning tools in MIUI firmware. We’ll look at how to make room without losing chats if you plan to return the messenger later, and what to do if copies are not deleted by standard methods due to the error “File is used by another process”.

Why WhatsApp Backups Take So Much Space on Xiaomi

The messenger creates backups automatically, local (on the device itself) and cloud (on Google Drive), and on Xiaomi, the problem is exacerbated by the features of the MIUI file system:

• 📁 Local copies are stored in /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases and weigh 100 MB to 5+ GB (depending on the number of media files) Even after the messenger is deleted, the folder remains.
• ☁️ Cloud copies on Google Drive take up an account quota (usually 15GB at a free rate). WhatsApp doesn't clean them automatically, even if you haven't used the app in a long time.
• ⚙️ MIUI caches WhatsApp files in a folder /Android/data/com.whatsapp, What's more "eating" up to 1–2 GB memory.

For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with 256 GB of memory, users often find that backups take up to 20 GB – almost 10% of the total volume!

Method 1: Delete local copies through the file manager

The most reliable method is to manually clean through the built-in File Manager or third-party applications (such as Solid Explorer).

⚠️ Note: If you delete files from the Databases folder after reinstalling WhatsApp, but before the chats are restored, you will lose your message history forever.

Instructions:

1. Open the File Manager (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Inner Memory → WhatsApp → Databases.
3. Select all files with the.crypt14 extension (or.crypt12 for older versions).
4. Click Delete and confirm the action.
5. Return to the root folder and delete /Android/data/com.whatsapp (there are cached media files stored).

Is autosave disabled in WhatsApp (Settings → Chat → Backup)

Is the export of important chats manually (via "Export Chat")

Is there free space for temporary files (minimum 500 MB)

Is WhatsApp’s app closed in multitasking?-->

If the WhatsApp folder is not displayed, turn on the hidden files:

1. In File Manager, click ⋮ → Settings.
2. Activate the option to show hidden files.
3. Update the folder list (swipe down).

Method 2: Cleaning up cloud copies in Google Drive

WhatsApp cloud backups are stored in Google Drive and are not automatically deleted, even if you uninstall the messenger. They can only be cleaned through the web version of Drive or mobile app.

Instructions for the telephone:

1. Open the Google Drive app.
2. Click on the icon. ☰ → Backup copies.
3. Find the WhatsApp block (usually at the top of the list).
4. Stick to three points. ⋮ → Delete backup copy.
5. Confirm the action (the copy will be deleted in 24-48 hours).

Browser:

1. Go to drive.google.com and log in.
2. In the left menu, select Backups.
3. Find WhatsApp Messenger and click Delete.

💡

If the place is not vacant after deleting a copy in Google Drive, check the Recycle Bin (stores files for 30 days). ☰ → Basket and clean it manually.

Method 3: Using MIUI cleaning tools

MIUI firmware (versions 12–14) has built-in tools for finding and deleting large files, including messenger backups, which is a good technique if you don’t want to dig through folders manually.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Slip on the cleanup.
3. Select the Large Files tab.
4. In the list, find files called msgstore.db.crypt14 (these are WhatsApp backups).
5. Select them and press Remove.

For deeper cleaning:

1. In the same section Clean up go to the Unnecessary Files tab.
2. Activate the Deep Clean option.
3. Wait for the scan and delete files related to WhatsApp.

Method 4: Remove via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods do not work (for example, files are not deleted due to an access error), you can use the system. ADB-This requires connecting the phone to a PC and basic terminal knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on Xiaomi (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Commands for removal:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/*




rm -rf /sdcard/Android/data/com.whatsapp/*




exit




exit

If you have a Permission Denied error, you do not have root rights.

1. Connect the phone to the PC.
2. Enter the command: adb shell pm clear com.whatsapp This will reset all application data, including cache and backups.

💡

ADB-The method is the only way to remove backups if they are blocked MIUI But it requires caution: the wrong command can damage other files.

Method 5: Disable Autosave on WhatsApp

To prevent backups from being created, disable automatic backups in the messenger settings. This will not delete existing copies, but will prevent new ones from appearing.

How to turn it off:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap it. ⋮ → Settings.
2. Go to Chat → Backup.
3. Select Backup in Google Drive.
4. Slip Never.
5. Turn off the option to Enable Video (this will reduce the size of future copies).

For full control:

• 📵 Turn off Media Autoboot in Settings → Warehouse and data.
• 🗑️ Clean the folder regularly WhatsApp/Media from unnecessary photos and videos.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to reinstall WhatsApp on a new phone, first save the last copy manually (click Create a copy in the backup settings.

What to do if the copies are not deleted

Sometimes WhatsApp files are not deleted due to MIUI errors or process activity.

If none of these methods worked, try:

1. Restart the phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → Safe Mode), then re-delete.
2. Reset WhatsApp settings through Settings → Apps → WhatsApp → Storage → Clear data.
3. Update MIUI to the latest version (old firmwares have bugs with access rights).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing WhatsApp backups on Xiaomi