How to increase memory Xiaomi Redmi 9: the complete guide

Budget smartphone owners often face a shortage of space, and the question of how to increase memory on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 becomes especially relevant after a year of active use. The device, which has modest characteristics by modern standards, quickly fills with system logs, app cache and user content. This leads to a slowdown in the interface, the inability to install updates and constant notifications of overflow storage.

There are many ways to optimize space, from simple gallery cleaning to more complex manipulation of system partitions. Internal memory is a critical resource that you can't ignore if you want to keep your gadget running. In this guide, we'll look at proven methods that will help free up gigabytes of space without losing important data.

Don’t go for a radical reset like factory resets. MIUI, the Redmi 9’s shell, provides enough tools to manage your files properly, and the right approach will allow you to use your device comfortably for a long time, even if the base version is only 64 or 128 GB.

Analysis of occupied space and search for hidden files

Before you delete anything, you need to understand what exactly is clogged up. Often users do not even suspect that messengers or streaming services take up tens of gigabytes. The standard memory analyzer in the settings of a smartphone gives only the overall picture, but does not show the details.

For in-depth analysis, we recommend using the built-in Security app or third-party snails like DiskUsage, which visualize data by showing the heaviest folders. Look at the Android/media and Android/data folders, where social media cache often accumulates.

Here are the main categories that most often take place:

• 📸 Photos and videos from WhatsApp and Telegram that are saved automatically.
• 📱 Cache navigation maps and offline music service playlists.
• 🎮 Data from games that can weigh several gigabytes each.
• 📥 The folder “Downloads” where all downloaded files from the browser fall.

The.thumbnails folder in DCIM directory is a hidden folder where the system stores thumbnails of all your images for quick viewing in the gallery. Over time, this file can grow to several gigabytes, and its safe removal is the first step to freeing up space.

Using a MicroSD memory card as a memory extension

Xiaomi Redmi 9 has a memory card slot, which is a salvation for models with a small amount of built-in storage. However, just inserting a card is not enough – you need to properly configure the system to work effectively. SD-The card can be used as a portable storage device or as part of internal memory.

When you format a card as an internal drive, the system encrypts it, and it's only available on that device, so you can transfer applications and their data to it, and if you choose portable storage mode, the card will only store photos, videos and documents.

The adjustment process is as follows:

1. Put the card in the slot and wait for notifications.
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
3. Choose yours. SD-map and click "Configure».
4. Select “Use as internal storage” for maximum effect.

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Use UHS-I or higher (U1/U3) memory cards to avoid interface brakes when working with apps on the map.

Remember, the memory card's speed is always lower than the speed of the built-in flash module. SD-The file system of the card must also be compatible, usually the system itself will offer formatting in exFAT or FAT32.

Cleaning the cache and removing system debris

Regularly cleaning the cache isn't just about deleting temporary files, it's a necessity for Android to work steadily. Apps accumulate data to load faster, but over time that cache becomes redundant and takes up useful space. Redmi 9 has a built-in Cleanup tool in the Security app.

However, standard cleaning is often not a waste disposal solution, and you can use a developer mode to work more efficiently. ADB-It's a very safe place to manually go through the app settings.

Manual cleaning algorithm for the most “heavy” applications:

• 🧹 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• 🧹 Find an app (such as YouTube or Instagram).
• 🧹 Select Memory and click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Everything»).

⚠️ Warning: Don’t use the dubious Play Market client apps that promise to “speed up the phone in one click” and are often the source of advertising and data collection, and their effectiveness on modern versions of Android is minimal.

Also worth checking is MIUI/Gallery/cloud/cache, if you don't use Xiaomi's cloud service, the contents of this directory can be deleted through the file manager, which will free up space occupied by cloud photo previews.

Transfer applications and work with messengers

Messengers like WhatsApp and Telegram are the main memory eaters on Redmi 9. They store every photo and video you see in the device’s memory by default. Without the right setup, these apps can take up 10-20 GB in a matter of months.

In Telegram settings, you can limit the amount of cache. Go to Settings → Data and memory → Memory use and set a limit, for example, 1 GB. Also enable auto-delete the cache if it has not been used for a week. This automatic maintenance will save you from manual cleanings.

WhatsApp is more complicated because it stores a database of media files locally, and it is recommended to back up chats regularly in Google Drive, and then delete old media files through the built-in storage management tool in WhatsApp itself:

WhatsApp settings → Data and storage → Storage management

You can pick up large files or files that are older than a certain period and delete them en masse, which is much more efficient than deleting them through a gallery where they can be scattered across different folders.

Table of comparison of methods of cleaning memory

To make it easier for you to navigate optimization methods, we have compiled a comparison table that will help you choose a strategy that suits your situation with space shortage on Redmi 9.

As you can see from the table, installing a memory card is the biggest volume gain, but it costs a lot, and removing duplicates and cleaning messengers are the safest and freest ways to use them regularly.

Radical measures: Resetting and reflashing

If the software methods don't work and the phone continues to signal a lack of space, there may be a buildup of errors or fragmentation of the file system, in which case the only way out is a complete reset, and a full reset removes absolutely all the data from the internal memory, returning the phone to the "store-like" state.

Before this procedure, be sure to back up your contacts, photos and important documents in the Google cloud or on your computer, without which you risk losing all personal information irretrievably.

The discharge process:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Select “Reset” → “Erase all data”.
3. Confirm the action with the unlock password.

Once reset, the system works as quickly as possible, as all temporary files and logs are deleted, and this is the best way to revive an old smartphone if you are willing to take the time to reset your accounts.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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Regular maintenance of storage once a month takes 5 minutes, but extends the life of the smartphone for years, preventing critical memory filling.