Backups on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones take up gigabytes of memory, even if you haven’t created them in a long time. MIUI automatically saves backups of applications, SMS, call logs and settings — often without the user’s knowledge. After 6-12 months, such files can “eat” up to 15-20 GB of internal storage, especially on devices with 64/128 GB of memory.
The problem is that standard cleaning tools (like Settings → Memory) don’t always show these files. Backups hide in /MIUI/backup/ or /data/com.miui.backup/, and some are created by Google and Mi Cloud. In this article, 5 proven ways to find and delete unnecessary copies, including hidden ones, without risking damage to the system.
1.Remove via the built-in MIUI menu
The easiest method is to use the local backup tool, which is available on all devices with MIUI 12 and later (including HyperOS). Suitable for removing backups created manually or through Settings → About Phone → Backup.
How to find the menu:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Backup.
- 🔍 Scroll down to the Local Backups section».
- 🗑️ Click on the unnecessary copy → Delete (or select a few by holding your finger on the file).
⚠️ Note: Only user backups are displayed here, automatic copies of applications (such as from WhatsApp or Viber) and system dumps are not available here).
2. Cleaning through Files (MIUI conductor)
If the backup menu is empty, check the folders manually. The backups are stored in multiple locations, depending on the MIUI version and smartphone model.
- 📁 /Internal Storage/MIUI/backup/ — backup MIUI.
- 📁 /Internal Storage/Android/data/com.miui.backup/ — hidden copies of system settings.
- 📁 /Internal Storage/Backups/ — Backups from third-party applications (e.g. Swift Backup).
- 📁 /Internal Storage/Tencent/MicroMsg/Backup/ — WeChat backups (if you use them).
Instructions:
- Open the Files app (folder icon).
- Go to Internal Memory → find the folders from the list above.
- Keep your finger on an unnecessary folder/file → Delete.
- Confirm the action (a password or pattern lock may be required).
🔹 Tip: Enable the display of hidden files in Files → ⋮ (menu) → Settings → Show hidden files. This will help you find folders like.backup or.miui.
☑️ Backup folders check.
3. Removal of automatic application backups
Android and MIUI automatically back up the app data via Google Drive and Mi Cloud, which are not visible in the Explorer, but take up space in the cloud and cache, to delete:
For Google backups:
- Open Settings → Google → Backup.
- Click Backup Management → select the device.
- Delete unnecessary copies or disable the feature (Google Drive Backup → Off).
For Mi Cloud:
- Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Select Backups → Remove Older Versions
- Disable Auto-Creation: Backup settings → Automatic Backup → Off.
⚠️ Attention: Removing backups from Mi Cloud doesn't free up space on your phone - only in cloud storage. To clear your local cache, use the method in Section 4.
| Type of backup | Where it's stored | How to remove |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI hand backups | /MIUI/backup/ | Through Settings → Backup or Conductor |
| Google autobacks | Google Drive Cloud | Settings → Google → Backup |
| Backups Mi Cloud | Xiaomi's Cloud | Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud |
| Cash backups | /Android/data/com.miui.backup/ | Only through a root or ADB conductor |
4. Cleaning through Recovery Mode (for experienced)
If backups are not removed in standard ways (for example, folders are protected from change), use Restore mode. This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader or custom TWRP.
Instructions for stock recovery (standard):
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
- Select the language → Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (this won’t remove backups, but will clear the cache).
For complete removal via TWRP:
1. Go to TWRP (Loudness Up + Nutrition).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Find the folders:
- /data/media/0/MIUI/backup/
- /data/data/com.miui.backup/
4. Select folders → Swipe to Delete.
5. Reboot.⚠️ Note: Delete files through TWRP If you don't have a backup, you can lose data if you make a mistake with the folder. /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/ — It's a system setting!
What if Recovery doesn’t see the folder?
5. Removal via ADB (for Advanced)
If backups are protected from removal (e.g. root rights are not available), use Android Debug Bridge (ADB).The method works on all Xiaomi devices but requires a computer.
Steps:
- Download ADB Tools and install drivers.
- Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:
adb shell
su
rm -rf /sdcard/MIUI/backup/*
rm -rf /sdcard/Android/data/com.miui.backup/
exit🔹 Note: If the su command is not working, you do not have root rights:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.backupThis command will disable the backup service (but will not delete existing files).
💡
Before using ADB, back up your important data. rm -rf deletes files irrevocably!
Third-party cleaning applications
If you don't want to mess with manual methods, install specialized utilities. The best options for Xiaomi:
- 🧹 SD Maid finds and deletes unnecessary backups, cache, duplicates. There is a feature CorpseFinder to find "dead" files.
- 🔄 Files by Google is a simple memory explorer that shows large files, including backups.
- 📦 Swift Backup (requires root) – manages backups of all applications, including system.
⚠️ Note: Apps like Clean Master or CCleaner often delete useful data along with garbage. Use only proven utilities from Google Play with a rating of 4.5+.
🔹 How to choose: Files by Google is enough for surface cleaning — SD Maid (paid version) Swift Backup (but root is required) for full backup control).
💡
Third-party applications cannot remove MIUI system backups without root rights. Use ADB or TWRP to do this.