How to Free Up Xiaomi System Partition Without Losing Data

The system partition on Xiaomi smartphones is a protected memory area where operating system files, firmware and pre-installed applications are stored. Over time, it grows due to updates, cache and temporary data, taking up precious gigabytes. If your Redmi, POCO or Mi shows a message "Not enough memory in the system partition", it is not just an inconvenience - it is a risk of failures when updating and installing applications.

Unlike user memory, which can be manually cleaned, the system partition requires caution. Mistakes can lead to a device blink or loss of functionality. This article is a proven way to reduce its size, from safe to advanced, with an explanation of what methods are suitable for which models.

⚠️ Warning: Methods associated with changing system files (for example, debloating) may disrupt the work of Google Pay, Widevine L1 (for Netflix HD) Mi Account services. on devices with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi) 12T and newer) some methods will not be available without unlocking.

1. Cleaning the cache of system applications

The safest and fastest way to free up 100-500 MB is to delete the temporary files that MIUI and Android accumulate in the process, a method that does not require root rights and is suitable for all models, including the POCO X5 and Redmi 12.

The cache of system applications includes:

• 📁 Error Logs and Debugging Information (/data/log)
• 🔄 Updates to Google Play Services and MIUI System Launcher
• 🎨 Pre-loaded wallpaper and themes (/data/system/theme)
• 📡 Cache of ARCore and Google Lens modules

To clear the cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show System Processes".
3. Sort the applications by size (the "Size" button).
4. Select large cache apps (e.g. Google Play Services, MIUI Daemon, Media Storage) and click Clear Cache.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the data (clean all data) of system applications – this can reset network settings, accounts and even lead to a cyclical restart (bootloop).

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If the cache returns quickly after cleaning, turn off automatic app updates in Google Play → Settings → Auto Update and set a background activity limit in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization

2. Removal of updates to system applications

MIUI often updates pre-installed apps (Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps) via Google Play or its own servers, and these updates take up space in the system section, although they can be rolled back to the factory version.

List of applications that can be safely rolled back:

• 🌐 Mi Browser (savings) ~80MB)
• 🎬 Mi Video (savings) ~50MB)
• 📦 GetApps (saves) ~30MB)
• 📡 Mi Remote (savings) ~20MB)

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Mi Browser) and click on the three dots in the top corner.
3. Click "Delete Updates" (if the button is inactive, the application has not been updated).

🔹 Important: After rollback, some features may not work properly (for example, some sites will stop opening in Mi Browser).In this case, update the application again, but limit its background activity.

3. disabling unnecessary system components (without root)

MIUI contains many modules that most users don’t need: Mi Roaming, Mi Pay (in regions where it doesn’t work), Game Turbo, Second Space.

List of safe components to disable:

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Turn on the system processes display (three dots → "Show system processes").
3. Find an app (such as Mi Pay) and click “Disable”.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable components with the names com.android., com.qualcomm. or com.miui.core – this can lead to idle Wi-Fi, mobile network or complete system failure.

Backup of important data |

Check the name of the component in Google|

Disable no more than 2-3 applications at a time |

Reboot your phone after the changes-->

4. Debloating (removing embedded applications) with ADB

If previous methods have not helped, you can remove unnecessary applications through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method requires a computer and enabled debugging. USB, It doesn't need root rights. It's good for Xiaomi models. 11T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and others with an unlocked loader.

List of applications that can be safely removed:

com.miui.bugreport # Error Reports


com.miui.analytics # MIUI statistics collection




com.xiaomi.midrop        # Mi Drop




com.miui.videoplayer     # Mi Video




com.android.browser # Standard browser (if you use Chrome)




com.miui.player #Music player Mi Music




com.xiaomi.scanner #Document scanner




com.miui.notes #Mi Notes

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
4. Delete the application by command (example for Mi Video): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer Flag --user 0 means deletion only for the current user (no root).

🔹 Important: Some apps (Mi Video, Mi Music) may return after the update MIUI. To prevent this, use the command:

adb shell pm hide com.miui.videoplayer

⚠️ Warning: Deleting com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.settings will cause your phone to fail. Before experimenting, check the list of safe packets for removal on forums. XDA Developers or 4PDA.

5. Cleaning the /cache and dalvik-cache section

The /cache partition stores temporary update files and data for fast application download (Dalvik-cache). its cleaning does not delete user data, but can speed up the system. On some devices (POCO F4, Xiaomi 12 Lite), this partition takes up to 1 GB.

Cleaning methods:

• 🔄 Recovery: Reboot your phone to Restore Mode (Switch Off) → Press the power button + Volume up and select Wipe → Wipe Cache Partition.
• 💻 Through ADB: Execute the command: adb shell su -c 'rm -rf /cache/*' (requires root rights).
• 📱 Through Apps: Use SD Maid (System Cleaner section) or Universal Android Debloater (requires) ADB).

🔹 Effect: After cleaning, the first application launch may take longer (Dalvik-cache reassembles), but the system will run faster in the future.

⚠️ Attention: Don't clean. /data/dalvik-cache manually without root – this can lead to loss of application data and the need to reinstall all programs.

6. Transition to custom firmware (for advanced)

If the system partition is crowded due to MIUI updates (for example, on the Redmi Note 9 Pro after upgrading to MIUI 14), the radical solution is to install custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience, LineageOS or Xiaomi.eu), which will remove all unnecessary MIUI components and replace them with pure Android.

Advantages:

• 📉 Reduction of system partition by 1.5-3 GB (due to removal of bloat) MIUI).
• 🚀 More smooth operation (no background processes) MIUI).
• 🔄 Regular security updates from the community.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).
• 📱 Branded features don't work (IR Blaster, Game Turbo).
• 🔒 Risk of a breeze when incorrectly installed.

Minimum requirements:

• Unlocked bootloader (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
• Castomic recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox)
• Backup data (installation of firmware erases everything!).

🔹 For beginners, it is better to choose Xiaomi.eu – it is a modified one. MIUI Free of Bloat, Google Services and weekly updates.

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Custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets the phone to factory settings. On newer models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi K60), unlocking can take up to 7 days due to Xiaomi's policy.

7. Alternative methods: data compression and transfer

If the system partition is filled due to MIUI OTA updates (update.zip files), they can:

1. Manually remove: Go to /data/ota_package via root-rights file manager (e.g. Root Explorer) and delete old update files.

🔹 For models with Dynamic RAM (Xiaomi 12S Ultra, Redmi K50 Pro: Part of the system processes can be transferred to virtual memory, freeing up to 500 MB:

1. Activate the developer mode.
2. Enable Force allow apps on external (requires) ADB): adb shell settings put global pm_dexopt_bg_dexopt 1

⚠️ Note: Transfer of system files to SD-The card can cause the phone to slow down if the class card UHS-I slower.

FAQ: Frequent questions