How to find out how much memory is left on your Xiaomi phone: all the ways

Why it is important to keep an eye on the free space on Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their performance, but even they start to slow down when internal memory is full. The system uses free space for cache, temporary files and background processes — if it is less than 10-15% of the total volume, the phone can slow down, apps can fly out, and updates can refuse to install.

The problem is compounded by the fact that Xiaomi often releases fixed memory devices (without a microSD slot in budget models).For example, in the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 at 128 GB of memory, the user is only available ~110 GB due to the preinstalled firmware and system files.

In this article, you’ll find 5 proven ways to find out how much memory your Xiaomi has left, including hidden MIUI features and deep analysis tools, and at the end, tips on how to make room without losing important data.

Method 1: Through the standard “Settings” Xiaomi

The fastest and most versatile method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It works on all models, from Redmi 9A to Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and does not require the installation of additional applications.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
  2. Scroll down and select the About Phone section.
  3. Stick to the item Warehouse (or Memory in older versions of MIUI).
  4. The system will show a diagram with the distribution of memory by categories: System, Applications, Images, Videos, etc. Free space is displayed at the top.

⚠️ Note: In some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 for the global version) the path may be different: Settings → Memory and storage → Internal memory. If you can't find a section, search by settings (lamp in upper right corner).

Pay attention to the category "Other" - there are often accumulated unnecessary files |Look at how much space is occupied by messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|Check the section "Cash" - it can be cleaned in one tap |Compare the volume of "System" with the norm for your model (see table below)

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In the same menu, you can immediately clear the cache or delete unnecessary files without leaving the settings, for example, the Garbage Tap will open the Cleanup tool, which will find temporary files, remnants of deleted applications and duplicates.

Method 2: Through “Security” and In-built Cleanup

The Security app (or Global Firmware Security) is Xiaomi’s “Swiss knife” for optimization, and not only shows you free space, it helps you free it up.

How to check your memory:

  • 🔍 Open the Security app (shield icon with tick).
  • 📊 Go to the Cleanup tab (or Storage).
  • 📱 At the top of the screen will display the total amount of memory and free space in gigabytes.
  • 🧹 Below is the Clean button that will remove cache, file residues and unnecessary data.

💡 Useful tip: In this section, you can turn on Auto Cleanup so that the system can remove the garbage once a week. → Settings → Autocleaning.

Once a week | Once a month | Only when the phone starts to brake | Never checked

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The advantage of this method is visualization: MIUI shows which files occupy the most space (for example, large videos in the Gallery or TikTok cache), which helps to pinpoint the unnecessary without wasting time on manual search.

Method 3: Through Xiaomi File Manager

Each Xiaomi smartphone has a File Manager (or Files) that can analyze memory and sort files by type, which is suitable if you need to not only find out the space, but also understand what it takes.

Step-by-step:

  1. Open the File Manager (Blue Labeled Folder Icon).
  2. In the lower menu, select the Category (or Storage) tab.
  3. At the top of the screen, a memory usage diagram will be displayed, broken down by folder: Downloads, Images, Videos, Audio, etc.
  4. Slip by any category to see specific files sorted by size.

⚠️ Note: This manager displays all files, including system files. Do not delete folders with names. MIUI, Android or com.xiaomi – this can cause a system crash!

folderWhat it keeps.Can we clean it?
DCIM/CameraPhoto and video from the cameraYes (except for important files)
DownloadUploaded files from the browser / messengersYes (check for documents)
Android/dataApplication data (cache, game saving)Partially (only through application settings)
MIUI/BackupBackups of the systemNo (risk of damaging the backup)
Pictures/ScreenshotsScreenshotsYes (if you don't need to)

🔹 Key takeaway: Xiaomi's file manager shows real memory allocation with megabyte accuracy, as opposed to the generalized data in Settings. This is the best way to find memory eaters, such as forgotten videos in the video. 4K Telegram archives.

Method 4: Through the Engineering Menu (for Advanced)

If standard methods don't show the whole picture (for example, the sum of all files doesn't match the total memory), you can look at the engineering menu, which is suitable for advanced users, because it requires input of code.

How to open it:

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Enter the combination: ##4636##
  3. In the menu that opens, select Storage Information (or Storage Information).
  4. The full memory report will be displayed here, including hidden system partitions.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change any settings in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose! Incorrect actions can lead to data loss or firmware failure.

What if the #4636## code doesn’t work?
On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13T with MIUI 14), this code can be blocked. Alternatives: 1. Use the code ##284## (memory test). 2. Install the MTK Engineering Mode app from the Play Market (MediaTek processors only). 3. Connect the phone to your PC and check the memory through ADB (adb shell df -h command).

In the engineering menu, you'll see sections like /data, /system and /cache. For the average user, the /data string is the user's memory where applications and files are stored. The free space in this section is what you need.

Method 5: Third-party applications for deep analysis

If the built-in MIUI tools don't seem informative enough, you can use third-party utilities that not only show you the space available, but also analyze which files take up the most space, including duplicates and debris.

Top.-3 apps:

  • 📊 Files by Google is a simple and secure manager with a cleanup function, shows "heavy" files and offers to delete unnecessary ones.
  • 🔍 SD Maid is an advanced tool for finding garbage, remnants of deleted applications and empty folders, suitable for tech-savvy users.
  • 📈 DiskUsage — visualizes memory as an interactive map, where each block is a file or a folder, and visualizes where gigabytes are leaking.

💡 Useful tip: Check Play Market ratings and reviews before installing third-party apps. Some memory optimizers become a source of advertising and junk themselves. For example, avoid apps called Super Cleaner or Phone Booster, which often collect user data.

Example of a report from DiskUsage:

You’ll see 10GB of video, 5GB of photos, and another 3GB of WhatsApp cache, highlighting the largest files that can be deleted or migrated to microSD (if the slot is supported).

How to make room for Xiaomi: 5 working tips

Finding out how much memory is left is half the battle, and the key is to effectively release it without deleting important data.

  1. App cache clearing: Go to Settings → Apps → App management, select the heaviest (like Facebook or TikTok) and click Clear Cache. This will free up 500 MB to 2-3 GB.
  2. Remove duplicate photos: Use the Google Gallery (Utilities → Free up space) or the Duplicate Files Fixer app to find the same photos.
  3. Transfer files to microSD or cloud: In File Manager, highlight large files (video, archives) → Move → select Memory Map or Google Drive.
  4. Disable automatic download in instant messengers: On WhatsApp or Telegram, go to the settings and turn off autoloading of media files (especially videos). 5-10 GB per month.
  5. Remove unnecessary APKs and updates: The Download folder is often crammed with outdated installation files (.apk).

⚠️ Note: Do not use features like “Clean Up Acceleration” in optimizer applications! Android/data, which leads to failures in games or messengers.

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Regularly cleaning the cache and removing duplicate photos is the safest way to free up 3-5 GB of memory without risk to the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory on Xiaomi

Why is Xiaomi only available 110GB of memory with 128GB?
This is normal: some of the memory is taken up by firmware (MIUI weighs ~10-15 GB), the core of the system and pre-installed applications. For example, on the Redmi Note 11 of 128 GB, the user is available ~112-115 GB.
Can I increase memory on Xiaomi if there is no microSD slot?
Physically, not, but you can: Use Google Drive, Mi Cloud. OTG-drive (flash drive via adapter) Remove unnecessary system applications through ADB (requires unlocking the loader).
What if the phone says “Not enough memory” but there is a place to go?
This is a memory markup error. It will help: Reboot your phone. Clean the cache through Settings → Memory → Clean. Reset (if the error repeats).
How to check memory on Xiaomi through a computer?
Connect your phone to USB (File Transfer Mode), open this computer on your PC. The phone's memory will appear as a removable drive. Use WinDirStat or TreeSize for detailed analysis.
Why does memory run out quickly after cleaning?
Guilty: 📸 Automatic download of media in messengers. 🎮 Cash games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact). 📁 System Logs and Dumps (check folder) /sdcard/bugreports). Turn off autoboot and clean the game cache regularly.