How to increase memory on Xiaomi Android smartphone: the complete guide

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face a lack of internal memory. Even models with 128 GB and 256 GB can be filled with junk files, app cache and heavy media. POCO M, where the basic versions are often equipped with only 64 GB of memory – of which the user is available no more than 50 GB.

Before you run to the store for a new phone, try to optimize your current device. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to increase memory on Xiaomi, from simple cache cleaning to advanced tricks with the help of a new device. ADB And formatting microSD as an internal drive, and it's important that not all methods are equally secure, so read the warnings carefully before you act.

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI (And its forks like HyperOS have unique memory management features, like Memory Extension, which allows new models to use up to 8GB of RAM as virtual storage. MIUI 12) formatting microSD as internal memory loses the ability to port applications, which is not widely reported. We took into account all the nuances and put together relevant solutions for 2026.

1. Cleaning up the system: delete unnecessary files without rooting

The first and safest step is to make room by removing the garbage. MIUI/HyperOS There are built-in tools, but they often skip hidden files. Here's what you can do without superuser rights:

Start with the built-in Cleanup utility. Go to Settings → The phone. → Memory. → Cleanup. This is where the system will show you the amount of files you don't need (cache, temporary data, empty folders) and on HyperOS devices, the cleaning algorithm has become more aggressive, removing up to 30 percent of the junk files that you're using. MIUI 14 left intact.

• 📁 App cache: Remove the cache for heavy apps (e.g. Telegram, Instagram, games). → Annexes → Application management → [Select the application] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🗑️ Download: Download folder is often clogged with old ones APK, PDF Check it through any file manager (e.g. Files by Google).
• 🎵 Media: Remove duplicate photos/video with Google Photos (Free Place) or Duplicate Files Fixer.
• 🔄 System Updates: After installing the firmware in the folder /data/ota_package file-weight 1–3 Remove them via Root Explorer (requires permission) or by connecting your phone to your PC.

If built-in tools don’t help, use third-party utilities:

1. SD Maid scans system folders for the remnants of remote applications.
2. CCleaner (from Google Play! only) clears the cache and history.
3. 1Tap Cleaner – removes empty folders and temporary files.

⚠️ Please do not use “optimizers” like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster – These apps often display false threats and consume resources themselves. In 2023, Google removed several of these utilities from the Play Market for fraudulent activity.

2. Transferring data to microSD: pros and cons

MicroSD cards are the most obvious solution for expanding storage, but Xiaomi has some nuances:

• ✅ MicroSD support up to 1TB (starting with Redmi Note 10 Pro and upcoming).
• ❌ On devices with MIUI 11 and older, you can not transfer applications to the map if it is formatted as a portable storage.
• ⚠️ Formatting as internal memory encrypts the card – once extracted, the data will not be available on other devices.

To use microSD as efficiently as possible:

1. Buy a class card A2 (for example, Samsung EVO Plus or SanDisk Extreme – it’s optimized for apps.
2. Insert the map and select Settings → Warehouse → [Name of the map] → Formatting as an internal.
3. After formatting, go to Settings → Annexes → [Select the application] → Warehouse → Change. → Map. SD.

Important: Not all apps support portability, such as WhatsApp, Banking apps and secure games (Genshin Impact, PUBG) will remain in the internal memory.

⚠️ Attention: If you retrieve a microSD formatted as internal memory, the phone may stop booting! Always back up before experimenting. On HyperOS devices, this problem is solved - the system automatically switches to internal storage.

3. Optimization MIUI/HyperOS: hidden-space-saving functions

Xiaomi is embedding tools in firmware that many people don't know about, such as the "Light Mode" feature (Settings). → Special facilities → Light mode reduces the weight of system animations and cache, and HyperOS has a Deep Clean Mode that removes unused language packs and fonts.

A few more hidden things:

• 📱 Media compression: Xiaomi gallery has a photo/video compression feature without loss of quality. Open album, click ⋮ → Squeeze.
• 🎮 Cleaning the game cache: In Game Turbo (Settings) → Additionally. → Game mode) can be removed cache for specific games.
• 🔍 Search for large files: In Files → Categories → Large files display all objects over 10 MB.

For advanced users, there is a team. ADB, which includes compression of the system (works on the MIUI 13+):

adb shell settings put global force_compress_system 1

After the reboot, the system will automatically archive rarely used files.

Remove the cache of system applications|Disable automatic update of applications|Transfer media files to the map|Checking for duplicate photos-->

4.Using Cloud Storage: What to Choose for Xiaomi

Cloud services don't increase physical memory, but they free up space by moving files to the network. Xiaomi has its own solution, the Mi Cloud, but it's limited to 5GB for free.

How to set up automatic uploading of photos in Google Photos:

1. Install the Google Photos app from the Play Market.
2. Go to Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
3. Enable the option “Backup” and select High (free) or Original (due to space in Google Drive).
4. In the Storage Management section, click “Free space” – this will delete local copies of photos already uploaded to the cloud.

⚠️ Warning: If you use Mi Cloud for backup, turn off automatic video downloads – they quickly eat up the free 5GB. It’s better to manually choose what to sync through Settings → Mi Cloud → gallery.

💡

If you have a slow Internet connection, you can only download Wi-Fi in Google Photos: Settings → Backup → Transfer of data.

5. Advanced methods: ADB, rooting and risky tricks

If standard methods don't work, you can take drastic measures. These methods require technical knowledge and can lead to data loss or device lockup! Use them at your own risk.

Method 1: Transfer applications to SD rootless ADB

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Open the command prompt and type: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This will force the system to install applications on the microSD by default.
3. To return everything back, use: adb shell pm set-install-location

Method 2: Removal of system applications (debloating)

Many pre-installed apps (Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) take up space and are not removed by standard means. ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

List of safe packet removal:

• com.miui.miservice – advertising services
• com.xiaomi.midrop - Mi Drop (if not used)
• com.miui.analytics – statistics collection

Method 3: Modification of section /data (advanced only)

On some devices (such as Redmi Note) 8 Pro) section may be extended /data expense /system assisted TWRP This method only works on devices with an unlocked bootloader and can lead to loss of power. IMEI!

⚠️ Note: After debloating through ADB Google Pay and Mi Pay may stop working due to a SafetyNet violation. Check them on AppBrain before uninstalling apps.

Alternative solutions: OTG-drive-and-drive

If the microSD is not suitable (for example, in the POCO F4 GT There is no card slot, consider other options:

• 🔌 OTG-flash drives: Connect USB-adapter OTG. Xiaomi smartphones support exFAT and NTFS (starting MIUI Read/write speeds will be faster than microSD.
• 🌐 Network disks (NAS): If you have a router at home USB-port (for example, Xiaomi Router) AX6000), Connect to it a hard disk and configure access to SMB or FTP.
• ☁️ P2P-Storage: Applications like Resilio Sync or Syncthing allow you to sync files between devices without the cloud.

To work with OTG-accumulator:

1. Buy an adapter. USB-C to USB-A (for new models or Micro-USB OTG (old).
2. Connect the flash drive – the system will automatically prompt you to open it in Files.
3. To use the flash drive as an internal memory, format it into FAT32 and select Settings → Warehouse → [The name of the flash drive] → Formatting as an internal.

Advantage OTG microSD:

• Higher read/write speed (up to 100 MB/s vs. 30-50 MB/s for cards).
• The ability to connect a hard drive to 1-2 TB (if there is external power).
• There are no restrictions on portability (unlike microSD).

💡

OTG-Drives are the best choice for devices without a microSD slot (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or other devices). POCO F5).

7. What to do if nothing works? Radical measures

If you have tried all the methods, but still lack memory, there are extreme measures:

• 🔄 Factory reset: Delete all data, but return the clean system. Pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 📱 Replacement with a model with a large amount of memory: for example, instead of Redmi Note 12 4/64 GB consider Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 8/256 GB: The price difference is often justified.
• 🛠️ Replacement of internal storage: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) you can change the memory chip in the service center. The cost is from 3,000 to 8,000 rubles for 128-256 GB.

Before resetting, check which data takes up the most space:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Memory. → Memory analysis.
2. Sort apps by size – perhaps one or two “gluttonous” apps (like TikTok or Call of Duty Mobile) are to blame.
3. Export important data (contacts, SMS, Photos) via Mi Mover or Google Account.

⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS devices, a factory reset can block the bootloader if you previously unlocked it. Before reset, check the bootloader status with the command: fastboot oem device-info If Device unlocked: true, after resetting the phone will require re-unlocking.

Cleaning up cache and garbage|Use of microSD|Transferring data to the cloud|Advanced methods (ADB, root)|Buying a phone with more memory-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory enhancement on Xiaomi