Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones sooner or later face a lack of free space in the device’s memory. Android system is overgrown with temporary files, app cache and remnants of remote software, which slows down the gadget. Cleaning up unnecessary directories is an effective way to speed up the device without installing third-party programs.
However, file system interference requires caution: Deleting system folders can cause MIUI to crash or even lose data, and in this guide, we will discuss which directories are safe to delete and which ones are best left alone so as not to disrupt the operating system.
Before you start manual cleaning, it’s worth noting that modern versions of MIUI have built-in optimization tools, but the manual method allows you to free up much more space, since you control the process of removing garbage.
Analysis of storage before deleting files
Before you mindlessly delete files, you need to understand what exactly takes up space. Xiaomi's built-in Explorer or third-party file managers allow you to visualize the data structure, which will help identify the "heavyweights" that you may not have known existed.
Look at the folders of messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, which often take up gigabytes of memory due to automatically uploaded photos and videos, and it is worth checking the Downloads section, where APK installation files and old documents can accumulate.
It's important to distinguish between cache and application data. Cache can be removed safely, it can be used to quickly load content. App data contains your logins, settings and game progress. Deleting the data folder will reset the application to its original state.
Safe to delete user folders
There are a number of directories at the root of internal memory that are created by applications that store temporary files, and can be deleted without fear of damaging the system, but it's worth remembering that once some of them are deleted, programs will recreate them the next time they run.
Here is a list of the main folders that are to be cleaned:
- 🗑️ MIUI/debug_log — Here are stored logs of system debugging, useful only to developers when searching for errors.
- 🗑️ Android/obb — Heavy game cache can be deleted if the game is already deleted or you are ready to download the data again.
- 🗑️ Android/data — It contains application data. Only clean the subfolders of remote programs.
- 🗑️ Download – standard browser and file manager download folder.
Special attention should be paid to the Tencent folder, which refers to the WeChat messenger or games from this company, which can contain gigabytes of garbage inside it. Also, feel free to delete folders with the names of remote applications, they often remain “hang” dead weight.
☑️ Check before deleting the folder
Keep in mind that cleaning up your Android/obb folder will require it to re-download resources the next time you run the game, which can take a lot of time and traffic, so delete this cache only if the space is critically needed.
System folders: what to touch categorically can not
There are partitions in Xiaomi’s file system that cannot be tampered with without Root rights and are extremely dangerous with rights, and deleting system files can lead to a device building or endless reboot.
⚠️ Warning: Never delete folders with system process names such as system, vendor, product or data (root.
You should also be careful with the DCIM folder. Although it is designed for camera photos, it can store thumbnails and gallery metadata inside it. Deleting the DCIM folder itself is safe (the system will create a new one), but you will lose all your photos and videos if you do not make a backup.
The table below gives examples of folders that should be treated with the utmost care:
| folder | Appointment | Risk of removal |
|---|---|---|
| Android/media | Application media files | Medium (loss of offline cards, music) |
| Bluetooth | Files received | Low (only file loss) |
| MIUI/Gallery | Cash and gallery effects | Low (reset gallery settings) |
| System | OS system files | Critical (system failure) |
What to do if you delete the system folder?
Cleaning the cache of messengers and social networks
Social media and instant messengers are the biggest devours of free memory, and apps like Telegram, Viber, and Instagram store every image and video they see into a local cache, which can grow to a snowball over time. 10-20 GB.
Unlike system files, messenger cache can be cleaned directly from the application settings. This is a safer method than manually deleting folders in the Explorer. For example, on Telegram, the path looks like: Settings → Data and memory → Memory Use → Clear cache.
If you do decide to manually clean files through a Explorer, look for folders with the names of the developers, such as com.whatsapp or com.instagram.android, which often contain folders cache or temp, the contents of which are safe to delete.
Remember, manually deleting files from instant messenger folders can cause thumbnails to disappear in chat rooms or old media files to stop opening, and it is safer to use the built-in cleaning functions inside the applications themselves.
Using Xiaomi's built-in cleaner
Xiaomi has equipped its smartphones with a powerful built-in tool called Clearer, which is located in the Security app or on the desktop in the Tools folder, and it can find duplicates, large files, and remnants of deleted applications.
To start deep cleaning, go to Security → Cleanup. The system will analyze the memory and suggest removing temporary files. Deep Cleanup is also available, which allows you to choose in more detail what to delete: large files, rarely used applications or similar photos.
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Use the Deep Clean feature once a week to keep your phone in optimal condition, which takes less time than manually searching for trash.
The advantage of the built-in tool is that it “knows” the specifics of MIUI and will not offer to delete important system files, but it may be less effective in finding residual files from long-deleted games than manually.
Manual cleaning through the conductor: step-by-step instructions
For those who prefer full control, consider a manual cleaning algorithm. You’ll need a standard Explorer app or a more advanced file manager, such as Total Commander or Solid Explorer.
Follow the following steps:
- 📂 Open the root folder of internal memory.
- 🔍 Sort folders by size to find the most voluminous.
- 🗑️ Delete Remote Applications and Cache Folders.
- 📸 Transfer photos and videos to your computer or cloud.
Pay special attention to the Download and Bluetooth folder, which often contains old presentations, installers and pictures that you once accepted, but you don't need them anymore.
⚠️ Warning: Before mass deletion of files, back up important data on your PC or in the cloud. The error in manual deletion is more difficult to recover than using a system cleaner.
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Manual cleaning is more effective than automatic cleaning, but it requires care. Only remove the one you are 100% sure of.