How to increase memory on the Xiaomi Redmi phone: from garbage cleaning to upgrade the drive

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones sooner or later face a shortage of internal memory — especially on budget models with 32 or 64 GB of storage. MIUI system itself takes up to 10-15 GB, and with updates, app cache and multimedia files, free space is melting before your eyes. But do not rush to buy a new phone: there are at least 7 ways to effectively increase memory, from basic to advanced.

In this article, we will discuss software and hardware methods, including hidden functions. MIUI, work SD-Maps, system debris cleaning, and even physical memory expansion, with a focus on nuances for different Redmi models. 9A Up to Redmi Note 12 Pro+), As features vary depending on the Android version and type of drive (eMMC vs. UFS).

Before you start, check your current memory status: Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. If less than 10% of the total is free, the system will slow down and some applications will refuse to update, and our goal is to return this to 20-30%.

1.Cache and garbage cleanup: A quick way to free up 1-5GB

The easiest and safest method is to delete temporary files. MIUI automatically accumulates cache of applications, log files and residual data after uninstallation of programs. Even if you regularly clean the gallery, these files can take up to 3-4 GB.

How to clean:

• 🧹 App cache: Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Clear the cache. Use Settings for mass cleaning. → The phone. → Memory. → Clean (Option "Dumpster cleaning").
• 🗑️ Residual files: After deleting applications, folders remain in /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/. Remove them manually through a file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager).
• 📁 Downloads and duplicates: The Download folder often contains unnecessary content APK, Archives and documents: Files by Google or CCleaner can help you find duplicate photos and videos.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) – this can cause interface failures. Also avoid “memory optimizers” from Google Play: many of them become a source of garbage themselves.

Data transfer to SD-Map: nuances for different models of Redmi

If your Redmi supports microSD, it's one of the most effective ways to expand memory, but there are important limitations:

• 📱 Hybrid slot models (e.g. Redmi Note 10): The memory card takes the slot second SIM. You will have to choose between additional memory and a second SIM card.
• 🔄 Formatting as internal memory: allows you to install applications on SD, But the card will be encrypted and not readable on other devices. UHS-I (Class 10 or higher.
• 📂 Manual File Transfer: Photos, Videos, and Documents Can Be Moved to SD No formatting, but applications only if you support Adoptable Storage (not available on all versions) MIUI).

Instructions for setting:

1. Insert a memory card (recommended volume: 64-256 GB, class A1/A2).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → SD card.
3. Select Format as internal memory (Warning: All data on the map will be deleted!).
4. After formatting in the application settings, the option to Change the storage location will appear.

Buy a Class 10 (U1/U3) or A1/A2 memory card

Make a backup copy of data from the card

Check the compatibility of the model with Adoptable Storage

Format the map in FAT32 (unless it is an internal memory)-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9T, Redmi Note 8 Pro) after formatting the card as internal memory, you may experience lags when writing files, in this case, it is better to use the card only to store media files, and leave the applications in internal memory.

3. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Functions to Save Memory

MIUI has built-in memory management tools that many users don't use, and here are the most effective ones:

The “Limit background processes” option is especially useful, allowing you to manually select which apps can work in the background, for example, messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) can be kept active, and games and social networks can be limited.

💡 Useful tip: Enable Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI In Settings → About phone) and activate the option Do not save actions in Settings → System system → For developers, this will prevent logs from being saved for system operations that can take up to 1GB.

4.Removing System Applications: What Can Be Safely Removed

MIUI is known for its abundance of pre-installed apps, many of which duplicate Google’s features or are useless at all. They can be removed, but with caution: some system APKs are critical to the phone’s performance.

List of safe apps to remove (via ADB or Root):

• 🎵 com.miui.player is a standard music player (can be replaced by Spotify or Spotify) VLC).
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer - video player (similar).
• 📰 com.miui.analytics – statistics collection (does not affect the work).
• 🛒 com.xiaomi.shop – Xiaomi’s branded store (useless outside China).
• 📡 com.miui.hybrid – Hybrid services (you can disable if you do not use Mi Account).

How to remove without Root:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI × 7 → Developer Settings → USB Debugging).
2. Download ADB Tools and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player (replace com.miui.player with the desired package).

⚠️ Note: Do not remove applications called com.android. or com.qualcomm. – this may result in loss of functionality of the camera module, mobile network or Wi-Fi. Before deleting, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

5.Using cloud storage: MI Cloud vs Google Drive

If physical memory expansion is not possible, consider cloud services. Xiaomi offers its own solution, Mi Cloud, but it has limitations:

• 🌥️ Mi Cloud: 5GB free, tight integration with the MIUI (Automatic backup of contacts, notes, photos, minus servers in China, possible access problems.
• 📁 Google Drive: 15GB free, more reliable for international users, supports automatic uploading of photos via Google Photos.
• ☁️ Yandex Disk: 10 GB free, convenient for users from Russia (fast download / download).

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

1. Install the Google Photos app from the Play Market.
2. Open the settings → Backup and synchronization.
3. Choose High Quality (unlimited storage) or Original Quality (considered from Drive quota).
4. Activate the option Download over the mobile network if you want to reserve photos without Wi-Fi.

💡 Useful tip: To save traffic in Google Photos, turn on the option Only when connected to Wi-Fi and configure Storage Optimization – it will automatically delete local copies of photos that are already uploaded to the cloud.

6 Hardware memory expansion: replacement of the drive

If software methods don't work, the radical way is to replace the built-in drive with a more capacious one, which is possible on most Redmi models, but requires parsing the phone and soldering skills (for models with eMMC).

What you need to know:

• 🔧 Memory type: Find out which chip is installed in your model (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro uses the same chip). UFS 2.1, and Redmi 8A — eMMC 5.1. The replacement must be selected with the same interface.
• 📏 Form factor: EMMC chips are usually in the case BGA-153 or BGA-221. For UFS A precise model is required (e.g, THGBF7G9L4LBATR).
• ⚠️ Risks: Incorrect replacement can lead to loss IMEI We recommend that you contact service centers with experience with Xiaomi.

📌 Where to buy a memory chip:

• 🛒 AliExpress – Cheap Options, but High Risk of Fakes.
• 🏬 Local service centers – often sell used chips with a guarantee.
• 🌍 Specialty stores (e.g. Kimovr) – original parts, but more expensive.

⚠️ Note: After replacing the drive, you will need to flash the phone through Fastboot, as the new memory will be empty. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

💡

Replacing a memory chip is a last resort, and only justified if the phone supports UFS 2.2/3.0 and you’re willing to spend 30-50% of its cost on upgrades.

7.Alternative methods: from reset to factory settings to OTG use

If none of these methods worked, consider the following options:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings: Delete all user data, but return the phone to its original state. → Additionally. → Backup.
• 🖥️ Use of the OTG-Driver: Connect the flash drive through USB OTG-Adapter: Not all applications support external drives, but it's a good option for media files.
• 📱 Switching to custom firmware: Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience takes up less space than MIUI, but require unlocking the bootloader and may deprive the warranty.

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Delete all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi) K40) After reset, you may need to re-authorize in Mi Account to unlock your phone!

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing memory on Xiaomi Redmi