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

Xiaomi smartphone owners are facing memory problems sooner or later. Even if you bought a 128GB or 256GB device, after a year or two, there is less active use of free space. High-resolution photos, app cache, system updates and downloaded files eat up gigabytes invisibly. But don't rush to buy a new phone - there are at least 10 ways to effectively increase memory on Xiaomi without losing important data.

In this article, we will discuss software and hardware methods: from basic cache cleaning to using microSD as an internal drive (yes, this is possible even on new models!). MIUI — 12 to 14 -- and we'll explain why some "people's" tips can hurt your device. FAQ end-of-article.

1. Clear cache and unnecessary files through built-in tools

The fastest way to free up a few gigabytes is to use built-in utilities. MIUI. The system automatically analyzes what data can be safely deleted without affecting personal files. (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13) This tool is called “Cleanup” and is available right in the settings menu.

To start the cleanup:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Slip on "Clean" at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select file categories to delete (cache, temporary files, duplicates).
4. Confirm the action by clicking “Clear”.

On the old versions. MIUI (up to 12.5) the path may be different: → Warehouse → Note that up to 5-7 GB of garbage can be removed here if you haven’t cleaned it for a long time, but not all files in this section are safe to delete – for example, some applications’ cache (such as Google Maps) may slow down when cleaned.

• 🧹 Application cache is temporary data that can be deleted without consequences, but once cleaned, applications can take longer to load when they first run.
• 📁 Downloads are a folder where installers (.apk), documents and archives are stored, often containing hundreds of megabytes of unnecessary files.
• 🗑️ Recycle bin -- deleted photos and videos are stored here for 30 days, and cleaning the cart will make room immediately.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in the Android folder manually through Explorer! this can cause app crashes, especially if you do not know the destination of specific files.

2. Transfer applications to a memory card (for supported models)

Many Xiaomi users are unaware that some models can use microSD as an internal drive, not just for storing media files, which allows you to transfer applications and their data to the map, saving space in the main memory.

• ✅ It works on devices with MIUI Up to version 12.5 (on new firmware, the function is disabled).
• ⚠️ The memory card must be high speed (class) UHS-I U3 or higher, otherwise the applications will slow down.
• ❌ Not all apps support portability (especially system and secure games).

Instructions for supported models (Redmi Note 9, POCO X3, Mi 10 Lite, et al.):

1. Insert the memory card into the slot (if the hybrid slot is supported, you will have to donate the second one). SIM-card).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
3. Select “Format as an internal drive”.
4. After formatting, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
5. Select the app and tap "Move to" SD-card (if the option is active).

If the transfer option is not available, try an alternative method through ADB (requires a computer and enabled debugging USB). However, it is risky – the wrong commands can cause the system to fail.

3. Optimization of photo and video storage

Media files take up the lion's share of memory on a smartphone, like one photo in the format. RAW Xiaomi 13 Ultra can weigh up to 50 MB, and a minute video in the video 4K — And it's up to 400MB. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce that without losing quality.

Method 1: Enable photo compression in the camera

By default, Xiaomi’s camera saves high-resolution images, but you can reduce their weight:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Tap on. ⚙️ «Settings» → «Photo permission».
3. Choose 12 MP instead of 48 MP or 200 MP (if available).
4. Activate the option “Compress Photos” (if any).

Method 2: Use Google Photos to Back Up

Google Photos allows you to automatically upload photos and videos to the cloud and delete them from your device, saving space.

• 📱 Install Google Photos from Play Market.
• 🔗 Sign in to your Google account.
• ☁️ Enable “Backup and Sync” in the App Settings.
• 🗑️ Select “Free up space” after downloading files.

Method 3: Convert video to lighter formats

Video in the video 4K/60fps borrow 3–4 More space than Full HD. If you don't edit videos professionally, you can compress them without any noticeable loss of quality, and you can do that with apps like Video Compress or CapCut:

• 🎥 Permission: 1920×1080 (Full HD)
• 🔄 Frequency of frames: 30 FPS (60)
• 📊 Bitrate: 8-12 Mbps (instead of 20)+)

⚠️ Attention: If you're shooting video for professional processing, don't compress the source codes! It's better to transfer them to a computer or an external drive, and leave only the finished videos on the phone.

4. Removal of system debris and duplicate files

Over time, duplicate photos accumulate on the phone, unused APK-files, system logs and other "invisible" data, which can be found and deleted as built-in tools MIUI, and third-party applications.

Built-in utility "Cleaning" (available on MIUI 13/14):

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Select the “Deep Cleaning” tab.
3. Wait for analysis and delete unnecessary files (especially pay attention to “Duplicates” and “Big Files”).

Party of the cleaning annex

If the built-in tools aren’t enough, try:

• 🧹 Files by Google – Finds duplicates, temporary files and suggests removing unnecessary apps.
• 🔍 SD Maid – an advanced utility for cleaning cache, databases and residual files after removing applications.
• 📂 CCleaner is a classic cleaner, but be careful with settings to avoid removing important data.

One of the most effective ways is to search for large files, like forgotten movies in the Download folder or backups of chats from Telegram can take several gigabytes to find them:

1. Open Explorer (or Files by Google)
2. Sort files by size (slip on “Size” in the top menu).
3. Check files that are 100MB or higher – often unnecessary.

Outdated. APK-file in the Download folder|Duplicate photos and screenshots|Cash cards (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps)|Logs and dumps of the system (folder) /sdcard/log)|Backups of applications (.bak,.zip)-->

5.Using cloud storage and streaming

If you're running out of physical memory and you don't want to buy a new phone or memory card, you can move some of the data to the cloud, and the main advantage of this method is that you can access files from any device.

1. Xiaomi Cloud (Mi Cloud)

Each Xiaomi smartphone has a cloud pre-installed by default from the manufacturer, it offers 5 GB for free, and for 100-200 ₽/You can expand the month to 200 GB to enable automatic synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select categories for synchronization (contacts, notes, photos, videos).
3. Activate the “Outload” option for photos and videos.

2. Google Drive/Google Photos

Google is offering 15GB for free on all services (including Gmail and Google Photos) to automatically upload photos to the cloud:

• 📱 Open Google Photos.
• ☁️ Go to "Settings" → Backup and synchronization».
• 🔄 Choose “High” (unlimited storage) or “Original” (counted from 15 GB) quality).

3.Yandex.Disk and Mail.ru Cloud

Russian services offer 10-32 GB free of charge when registering, and are convenient for backing up documents and media files, such as Yandex.Disk, which allows you to set up automatic photo uploads:

1. Install the Yandex.Disk application.
2. Log in to your account and turn on “Autoupload photo” in the settings.
3. Select folders for synchronization (for example, DCIM/Camera).

4. Streaming instead of downloading

Music and video eat up the lion's share of memory, and instead of downloading tracks and movies, use streaming services:

• 🎵 Spotify, Yandex Music, VK Music – cache tracks, but do not take up much space.
• 🎬 YouTube Premium, Kion, Okko – let you watch videos without downloading.
• 🎮 Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce NOW — streaming games that do not require installation.

⚠️ Note: When using cloud storage, make sure you have a stable Internet connection. If you are often offline (for example, in the subway or outside the city), it is better to leave critical files on your phone.

6. disable automatic downloads and updates

Many applications and the system itself MIUI They download data in the background, taking up memory and traffic, and by turning off unnecessary automatic downloads, you can save a few gigabytes a month.

1. Disable the auto-update of applications

By default, Play Market updates apps automatically.

1. Open the Play Market.
2. Tap on the profile avatar. → «Settings».
3. Select “Auto-Update Apps” → “Do not update automatically”.

2. Limit the background activity of applications

Some programs (e.g. Facebook, TikTok, VK) download content in advance, even when you're not using it, to prevent it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as TikTok).
3. Slip on "Mobile Data" and turn off "Background mode".
4. In the Battery section, select “Limit background activity”.

3. disable automatic downloading of media in messengers

WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber have autoloaded photos and videos by default, which quickly clogs up memory, especially if you're in active chat rooms, to change settings:

• 💬 Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media → Choose “Never” or “Only on Wi-Fi».
• 📱 WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Autoboot media → Turn off download for mobile data.
• 🔵 Viber: Settings → Media and files → Autoboot → Select "Only over Wi-Fi».

4. Stop downloading updates MIUI mobile-data

Updates to firmware weigh from 1.5 GB to 3 GB. So that they do not download automatically:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Tap on. ⚙️ «Settings” (upper right corner).
3. Turn off “Automatic download over mobile network”.

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If you still want to update apps automatically but economically, select the Play Market option “Wi-Fi Only”, which will save both memory (updates will not accumulate while waiting for connection) and traffic.

7. factory reset (last resort)

If all of these methods didn't work, and the phone still gives a "Memory is full" notification, the radical way is to reset to factory settings, which will delete all data from the device, including apps, photos and settings, but return the phone to "clean" state.

Before resetting, it is necessary to:

• 🔄 Make a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos, messages).
• 📝 Write down logins and passwords from accounts (they may be required after resetting).
• 🔌 Charge your phone at least 50% to avoid turning off during the process.

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the phone will reboot and you can configure it as new, a method that is guaranteed to free up all user memory, but takes time to recover data. If you haven't done a backup, use file recovery software (such as DiskDigger or Recuva), but the chances of getting it back are slim.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) After reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account account. Make sure you remember your username and password, otherwise the phone may be blocked!

8 Hardware methods: replacement of the drive or use OTG

If the software is exhausted and there's still not enough memory, there are hardware solutions that are expensive, but they can radically solve the problem.

1. Installation of a larger memory card

If your Xiaomi supports microSD, you can replace your current card with a more capacious one.+) Support cards up to 1 TB. When choosing, pay attention to the:

• 🔄 Speed class: minimum UHS-I U3 (videotape 4K).
• 🏷️ Brand: SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston are preferred (cheap no-name cards are often forged).
• 🛡️ Protection from water and shock (if you are often in nature).

2.Use of OTG-storage

If the phone does not have a microSD slot (like the Xiaomi 13 or the other one). POCO F5), You can connect an external storage device through USB-C OTG. It's gonna take a while:

• 🔌 OTG-Adapter (costs about 200-500) ₽).
• 💾 flash drive or external SSD (SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive).

Once you plug in, the flash drive will be defined as an external drive, so you can transfer files to it, and the downside of this method is that you always have to carry the drive with you.

3. Replace the built-in drive (only for power users!)

In some models (POCO F1, Redmi K20 Pro) can be replaced by the built-in memory, but this:

• ⚠️ Difficult – requires disassembly of the phone and soldering.
• 💰 Expensive: A new memory chip could cost half the price of a phone.
• ❌ It is not guaranteed (if it is still valid).

This method is only useful if you are versed in electronics or the phone is no longer warranty.

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Hardware memory expansion techniques are not for everyone, and if you're not sure about your skills, you'd better use cloud storage or optimize your current space.

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing memory on Xiaomi