Photos on modern Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi lines) take up more space – a camera with a resolution of 48-200 MP easily generates images weighing 10-30 MB each. Even 128 GB of memory quickly fill up if you actively shoot in RAW format or use HDR+/Night Mode modes. Reducing the size of the photo without critical quality loss becomes necessary to free up memory, speed up sending via messengers or uploading to the cloud.
In this article, 7 proven ways to compress images directly on a Xiaomi phone, from built-in MIUI features to third-party applications with advanced algorithms.
- 🔍 Standard tools in the gallery and camera settings (without software installation).
- ⚡ Quick compression for sending to Telegram, WhatsApp or by mail.
- 📱 Top.-5 Applications for batch processing hundreds of photos at a time.
- 🔧 Technical nuances: how to avoid artifacts and save EXIF-data.
We will focus on the unique MIUI 14+ feature, which is automatic compression when memory is scarce, which works in the background and can reduce the weight of images by 40-60% without you, and we will also uncover myths about “quality loss” and show how to test the real effect of compression using built-in analysis tools.
1. Built-in compression in the Xiaomi gallery: step-by-step instructions
The easiest way to reduce photos is to use the standard Xiaomi Gallery (com.miui.gallery).The compression function is hidden in the editing menu and supports both single shots and batch processing. Works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T.
How to reduce one photo:
- Open the gallery and select the desired photo.
- Slap the icon. ✏️ Edit in the bottom panel.
- Go to the Tools tab (image) 🔧).
- Select Size (on some firmwares - "Reduce size").
- Specify the target size: Small (≈300 KB), Medium (≈1 MB) or Large (≈3 MB).
- Click Save as a copy (the original will remain intact).
For batch compression of several photos:
- 📂 Press the first photo in the gallery, then mark the rest.
- 🔽 Slap the icon. ⋮ (three-point) → Squeeze.
- 📉 Select the compression level and confirm the action.
Wait for the photo indexing to be completed (if the gallery is updated)
Check the space available (you need ≥ 10% of the volume of compressed photos)
Turn off battery optimization for the Gallery app (Settings → Applications → Gallery → Battery → No Limits)
Close the background applications (especially messengers)
-->
⚠️ Note: When compressed through the gallery Xiaomi is lost EXIF-Data (meta-information about camera model, shooting settings, geolocation) If it's important, use third-party apps like Photo & Picture Resizer with the option to save metadata.
2. Automatic compression with memory shortage (hidden MIUI function)
Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi’s firmware has a background memory optimizer that automatically compresses photos and videos at a critical level of free space (usually <5 GB), which works imperceptibly, but can be configured or disabled.
How to control automatic compression:
- Go to Settings. → Memory.
- Slip on Memory Cleanup → Optimize photos.
- Turn on or off the Automatic Compression option.
- Set the trigger threshold (not available on all models).
| Parameter | Redmi Note 11/12 | POCO X4/X5 | Xiaomi 12/13 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support for automatic compression | ✅ Yes (MIUI 13+) | ✅ Yes (MIUI 14+) | ✅ Yes, all versions) |
| Max. compression (original 10 MB →?) | ≈3-4 MB | ≈2-3 MB | ≈1.5-2.5 MB |
| Preservation of EXIF | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| Reconstruction of the original | ✅ 30 days | ✅ 30 days | ✅ 30 days |
🔹 How the algorithm works: The system analyzes the photo according to three criteria: file size, resolution and viewing frequency:
- 📸 Screenshots and memes (compression to 500 KB).
- 🌃 Night photos (noise is removed, bitrate is reduced).
- 📁 Duplicates and similar photos (compression is more aggressive).
💡
If the automatic compression works by accident, the original photos are stored in the folder.thumbnails/optimized (available through the file manager with the hidden files shown on).
3. Compression through camera settings: shooting "light" photos initially
The best way to save space is to set up the camera so that it initially saves the photo in the optimal size. The camera app on Xiaomi has hidden parameters that affect the weight of the shots.
How to reduce the size of new photos:
- Open the camera and tap the icon. ⚙️ Settings.
- Go to the photo resolution.
- Choose: 9 MP (4:3) for social networks and instant messengers, 12 MP (16:9) - balance of quality and size, 48/64/200 MP - only for printing or professional processing.
Save it in RAW.
.dng
20-50 MB
Additionally.
HDR+
Super Night Mode
📌 Comparison of formats:
Format | Resolution | Weight of photo (note.) | Suitable for
HEIF (.heic) | 12 MP | 1-2 MB | iPhone, macOS, MIUI 12+
JPEG | 12 MP | 3-5MB | Universal
JPEG | 48 MP | 10-15MB | Printing, processing
RAW (.dng) | 48–200 MP | 20-50MB | Professionals⚠️ Note: When shooting in format HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format photos take up 40% less space, but may not open on older devices and PCs. HEIF:
- Go to the camera settings → save format.
- Select HEIF (available on Xiaomi 11/12/13 and POCO F4/5).
- Install the HEIF Viewer app on your PC to view.
JPEG (standard)
HEIF (saves space)
RAW (maximum quality)
I don't know what it is.-->
4. Fast compression for sending in messengers
If you need to reduce your photos to Telegram, WhatsApp or VK, use the built-in tools of these apps, which optimize images on the fly, saving traffic and loading time.
How to compress a photo when sending:
- 📱 Telegram: Select a photo in the chat. Before sending, tap the icon 📶 (Select compress the image (weight decreases to ~500 KB).
- 💬 WhatsApp: Attach the photo to the message. In the preview window, select Press (Icon) 🗜️). Weight will decrease to 100-300 KB (depending on the original size).
VK:
- When uploading a photo to an album or message, turn on the option Optimize for the web.
- The maximum size is 2048×2048 px (~1 MB).
🔹 Secret trick for Telegram: If you send a photo as a file (hold the icon of the paper clip) → The file will be downloaded in original quality, but compressed by Telegram servers to the original ~5 MB (instead of 1.5 MB for standard shipping) Suitable for saving parts.
Why is WhatsApp so tightly compressing photos?
5. Top.-5 professional compression applications
Xiaomi’s standard tools are good for basic compression, but if you need to process hundreds of quality-preserving photos or EXIFs, use third-party apps. We tested the top 5 on Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO F5 devices:
| Annex | Max. Compression. | Sohr. EXIF. | Butch mode. | Ratings. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo & Picture Resizer | 90% | ✅ Yes. | ✅ 500+ photo | 4.8 |
| Image Shrink | 80% | ❌ No. | ✅ 1000+ photo | 4.6 |
| Compress Images & Resize Photos | 85% | ✅ Yes (option) | ✅ 200+ photo | 4.7 |
| PicsArt | 70% | ❌ No. | ✅ 50 photos | 4.5 |
| Adobe Lightroom | 60% | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | 4.4 |
📌 The leader of the rating – Photo & Picture Resizer:
- 🔹 Supports JPEG, PNG, WEBP and HEIC.
- 🔹 Allows you to specify the exact size in pixels or percentages.
- 🔹 Keeps it. EXIF, geotagged.
- 🔹 There is a function of Smart Compress — AI Analyzes the photo and selects the optimal compression.
💡
If the photo weighs less than 500 KB after compression, but has a resolution of 12 MP, this is a sign of aggressive compression with losses. Optimal balance: 1-3 MB at 12 MP or 3-5 MB at 48 MP.