How to Clean Memory on Xiaomi Phone: A Complete 2026 Guide

Your Xiaomi (or Redmi/POCO) is slowing down, apps are crashing, and the system says "Not enough memory"? These are classic symptoms of clogged storage. Even on models with 128 GB and 256 GB, memory can run out due to accumulated debris: cache of applications, duplicate photos, remnants of deleted programs and temporary MIUI files. In this article, we will analyze 7 proven methods of cleaning, from standard tools to hidden functions, which 90% of users do not know.

Feature of Xiaomi smartphones — aggressive work of proprietary shell MIUI, which actively caches data to speed up the system. On the one hand, it is a plus (applications open faster), on the other hand — minus: without regular cleaning cache can take up to 10-15 GB on devices with active use. For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro after a year of operation without cleaning garbage takes on average 8-12 GB, and on budget Redmi Note — up to 5-7 GB.

It is important to understand that cleaning memory is not a one-time procedure. The optimal schedule for most users is: a complete cleaning 1 time per month + removing the cache of problematic applications as needed. If you are actively shooting 4K video or playing heavy games (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile), the interval should be reduced to 2-3 weeks.

1. Built-in utility "Cleanup" in MIUI: fast and without risk

The safest way is to use the proprietary Security → Cleanup tool, which analyzes the system and suggests removing unnecessary files without affecting critical data, and works on all models starting with MIUI 10 (including POCO Launcher and HyperOS on new devices).

How to start:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Press Clean (or Scanner in older versions).
3. Wait for the analysis to be completed (usually 10-30 seconds).
4. Click Clean next to the categories Garbage, Cash and Unused Files.

What removes the utility:

• 🗑️ Temporary application files (cache, logs, dumps).
• 📁 Remnants of remote programs (lib, odex folders).
• 📷 Miniatures and sketches from the gallery (files.thumbnail).
• 🔍 Search history and autocomplete files.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete the Download category through this utility - it erases ALL contents of the Download folder, including important documents.

2. Manual cleaning of the app cache: for advanced users

If the phone slows down when opening specific apps (like Instagram, Telegram or Google Chrome), the problem is most often a bloated cache.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a problem app (like Facebook).
3. Click on Warehouse (or Memory in newer versions).
4. Tap Clear cache. Don't click Clear data, it will delete accounts and settings!

Top.-5 Applications that most often clog memory:

💡 Useful tip: After cleaning the cache of Telegram or WhatsApp, download important media files (photos, videos) again, or they will disappear from chats.

3. Removing duplicate photos and videos: hidden MIUI function

Photos take up the lion's share of memory on any smartphone, especially if you're shooting in RAW or 4K. MIUI has a built-in tool for finding duplicates, but it's hidden in the depths of settings.

How to find and remove duplicates:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Slip on three points in the upper right corner → Control → Cleanup.
3. Select Duplicates or Blurred Photos (available on MIUI 12+).
4. View the proposed files and click Delete.

🔍 Hidden Opportunity: On Xiaomi Models 12/13/14 Redmi Note 11/12 The gallery has a photo compression function, which reduces the weight of images without any visible loss of quality (c) 5 MB to 1-2 To find her:

Gallery → Album → Select a photo → Three dots → Compress

⚠️ Note: Before mass deletion of duplicates, check the Recently Deleted folder (in the gallery!

4. Cleaning Download folder: where unnecessary files accumulate

Download folder is a real dump on any smartphone.

• 📄 Documents from messengers (WhatsApp, Viber).
• 🎵 Music and ringtones downloaded from the browser.
• 📦 APK-files of installed applications (remain after installation).
• 🖼️ Pictures and memes saved for later".

How to clean:

1. Open the File Manager (or File Manager) application.
2. Go to Categories → Downloads.
3. Sort files by Date or Size (shoot them by three points → Sort).
4. Select unnecessary files and click Delete.

💡 Lifehack: Not to look APK-Manually search for files, use extension. In Files, click on the magnifying glass and type *.apk, the system will show all the app installers.

5. disable automatic downloading of media in messengers

Messengers are the main memory eaters. Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber by default download all photos and videos in the background. In a month of active use, this can take 5-10 GB.

How to limit the download:

On Telegram:

1. Open the settings → Data and memory.
2. In the Auto Download Media section, select Never for Mobile Data and Wi-Fi.
3. Turn off the gallery's Save.

On WhatsApp:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse and data.
2. In the section Media Files in Auto-Download, uncheck all file types.

⚠️ Note: Once you turn off the autoload, new media files will only be downloaded manually, which means that when roaming or Internet is weak, photos/video will not automatically download, but you will have to open them manually.

6. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If your internal memory is full and you don't want to delete anything, you can transfer your files to a microSD or cloud, and you can do that without root rights on Xiaomi.

Method 1: Memory Card (microSD)

• 📱 Supported models: Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Xiaomi 10T/11T (check for the slot!).
• 🔄 How to transfer: Settings → Warehouse → Transfer data to SD-map.
• ⚠️ Restriction: Not all apps can be moved (for example, WhatsApp does not support the mobile app). SD).

Method 2: Cloud storage

💡 Tip: In Google Photos, enable Free Space (in settings) and it will automatically delete photos and videos from your phone that are already uploaded to the cloud (but will remain available for viewing).

💡

Regularly transferring photos and videos to the cloud or to the cloud SD-card-free 20-30% internal memory without loss of data.

7.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If all methods are tried and the memory is still clogged, then you will have a hard reset, which will remove everything from your phone, including your accounts, settings and files.

• 📉 The phone is slowing down even after cleaning.
• 🔄 Want to sell or transfer the device.
• 🐛 Suspected virus (but first check with antivirus!).

How to reset:

1. Create a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data.
4. Confirm the action with a password and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Note: HyperOS models (such as Xiaomi 14) may require re-assigning Xiaomi account to unlock after reset!

🔧 Alternative: If you do not want to lose data, try Easy Reset (available on the Internet). MIUI 13+). It only removes settings and apps, but it saves photos and documents. → Memory. → Cleanup → Light discharge.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup