How to remove system memory on Xiaomi: 7 proven ways

Why Xiaomi’s system memory is clogged and what to do about it

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones regularly face a problem: the device begins to slow down, issue a notification “Not enough memory”, although user files take only a few gigabytes, the reason for this is the system memory, which is filled with app cache, MIUI logs, updates and service data, and unlike user memory, it cannot be cleaned by standard means through Files.

The situation is complicated by the fact that on devices with 64-128 GB of storage for system needs can be allocated up to 10-15 GB, which eventually “swell” up to 20+ GB. This is especially critical for low-end models like Redmi 9A or POCO M3, where every gigabyte is on the account. In this article, we will analyze legal and safe ways to clean system memory without root rights, as well as risky methods for experienced users.

Before we start cleaning, it’s important to understand that you can’t delete some of your system files, which will cause MIUI or the device to crash, and we’ll focus on the data that can be removed without consequences: cache, temporary files, duplicates, and app debris.

1. Cleaning the cache of applications and systems through settings

The easiest and safest way is to remove the cache of applications and system processes. This does not affect user data, but can free up from 500 MB to 2-3 GB of memory.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select “Sort by size».
• 🗑️ For each major app (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, MIUI Gallery) tap "Clear the cache».
• 🛠️ For system applications (e.g. com.miui.home – launcher) use the same option.

For deep cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Cleanup.
2. Click on “Deep Clean” and wait for analysis.
3. Delete all the files you have submitted except Download (there may be important documents).

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) – this can reset security settings and require re-authorization.

Clear the cache of all applications|Delete temporary files from the "Junk" section"|Clear the cache of system applications (e.g. Gallery, Music)|Remove downloads older than 30 days-->

2. Removal of unnecessary system applications (no root rights)

MIUI installs dozens of pre-loaded apps (bloatware) by default, many of which cannot be removed in the standard way, but can be disabled or removed via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) without obtaining root rights.

List of safe to remove system applications (for most Xiaomi models):

Instructions for removal through ADB:

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times tap on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Activate "Debugging by" USB» In Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB Tools, and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer (replace com.miui.videoplayer with the desired package).

⚠️ Note: Deleting system applications may disrupt Xiaomi services, such as account sync or push notifications. Before deleting, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

Mi Video and Mi Music|Mi Browser|GetApps and Mi Pay|All of the above.|Nothing, I need them.-->

Cleaning of system logs and dumps

MIUI actively collects error logs and memory dumps for diagnostics, which can take anywhere from 100 MB to 1 GB, but you can’t delete them through the standard interface, and you’ll need a file manager with access to system folders (for example, MiXplorer or Solid Explorer with root mode enabled).

The path to the logs:

• 📁 /data/log/ — basic logics.
• 📁 /data/anr/ — App dumps that "hang».
• 📁 /data/tombstones/ — logistics of critical errors.
• 📁 /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log/ — logic MIUI (can be removed completely).

How to clean:

1. Open a file manager with root access.
2. Go to the specified folders and delete all files with the extension.log,.txt or.dump.
3. Reset the device.

4. reset of the partition cache (Wipe Cache Partition)

If the phone is slowing down after updating MIUI or installing a large number of applications, resetting the cache partition cache will help. This does not affect user data, but deletes temporary system files that may have been corrupted.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo (Recovery mode) appears.
3. Select a language, then go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
5. Reboot your device with Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) after cache reset, you may need to re-authorize in your Xiaomi account due to the reset of security keys.

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Resetting the partition cache is the only officially approved Xiaomi way to clean system memory without root rights. It is safe and does not lead to data loss.

5. Removing old MIUI updates

After installing updates MIUI their files (.zip) remain in the device memory and can take up to 2–3 GB. These files are stored in a folder. /sdcard/Downloaded_rom/ and are not automatically removed.

How to clean:

• 📂 Open any file manager (e.g. Files by Google).
• 🔍 Go to the Inner Memory → Downloaded_rom.
• 🗑️ Delete all files with the.zip extension (e.g, miui_HMNote9ProGlobal_V12.0.1.0.QFZMIXM_...).

If the folder Downloaded_rom missing, check in:

• 🔄 /sdcard/.sys_temp/ — Temporary update files may be located here.
• 🔄 /data/ota_package/ (need root or ADB access).

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To prevent future updates from downloading, turn off automatic download in Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-downloading updates.

6. Risky methods: cleaning with root rights

If none of these methods worked, and the system memory is still clogged, the radical option is rooting and manual cleaning, which is only suitable for advanced users, since the wrong actions can lead to a device failure.

What can be cleaned with root:

• 🧹 folder /data/dalvik-cache/ — Dalvik cache (deleted when rebooted).
• 🧹 folder /data/system/package_cache/ — cache.
• 🧹 Files in /data/app-lib/ — remote application library.
• 🧹 folder /data/local/tmp/ — time-file.

Instructions:

1. Get root rights through Magisk or SuperSU.
2. Install Root Explorer or MiXplorer with root access enabled.
3. Go to the specified folders and delete their contents.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Delete files in /system/ or /vendor/ Never modify files in these sections without knowing exactly what they are intended for, and remember that getting root rights will void Xiaomi's warranty.

7. Alternative methods: reset to factory settings

If the system memory is clogged to a critical level (less than 500 MB free) and other methods have not worked, then a hard reset remains, which will delete all user data, but return the device to its original state, including cleaning the system memory.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 Do not restore data from the backup immediately – first check how much free system memory is now available.
• 🔄 Install applications gradually, keeping track of occupied space.
• 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play.

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Factory reset is the last chance to bring the device back to life if the system memory is full, and use it only after unsuccessful cleanup attempts by other means.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi system memory