What folders can be deleted on Xiaomi without consequences: full analysis for MIUI 14/15

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their functionality, but over time, even the most spacious models (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Xiaomi 13 Ultra) begin to suffer from memory shortages. Users often face the question: which folders can be deleted on Xiaomi to make room without disrupting the system?

It’s important to understand that MIUI 14/15 actively caches data to speed up work, and some folders (such as /data/app or /system) are protected from changes at the kernel level. We analyzed the structure of the Xiaomi file system, tested deletion on various models (from the budget Poco M5 to the flagship Xiaomi 14), and compiled a checklist of safe and dangerous folders.

Why Xiaomi is running out of memory and what to do about it

Xiaomi's main problem is aggressive caching and duplication of data, backing up photos, saving photos. APK-Update files and log files are stored even for standard applications. /MIUI/Backup It can weigh a few gigabytes, although the user has never used the backup function.

Here are the key reasons for filling up memory:

• 📁 App cache — especially social networks (TikTok, Instagram) and instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), for example, the cache of Google Play Services can take up to 1-2 GB.
• 🔄 Remnants of Remote Applications — MIUI It does not always completely clean up data after uninstallation (especially if deleted through Settings). → Appendices, not through MIUI Optimizer).
• 📸 Duplicate photos – the system creates thumbnails in the.thumbnails folder, and also saves edited versions in the file. DCIM/.edits.
• 📦 Update files - folder /cache and /data/ota_package They can store installation packages up to 3–4 GB.

The first thing to do is check the allocation of memory through Settings → Memory. If the System partition takes more than 15-20 GB, this is an occasion to consider cleaning. But never delete files directly through the Explorer unless you are sure of their purpose - this can lead to a reboot cycle or loss of functionality (for example, a camera or mobile network will fail).

What folders on Xiaomi can be deleted without risk

We tested folder deletion on Xiaomi 12T Pro (MIUI 15) and Redmi Note 11 (MIUI 14) – the data is relevant for most models in 2022-2026.

Special attention should be paid to the folder /Android/obb — This is where additional game data is stored (e.g. Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile may be used to access the game). 5–10 If you haven't played in a while, you can delete those files. /Pictures/Screenshots — Screenshots often accumulate unnoticed and take up several gigabytes.

⚠️ Note: Don't confuse the folder /Android/data (You can clean the remnants of remote applications. /data/data (System data - you can't touch it! - Also don't delete the folder. /MIUI The whole, only its contents individually.

Clear Download folder from unnecessary files |

Delete content /DCIM/.thumbnails|

Check /Android/obb for old games |

Clear cache through Settings → Memory → Clear cache|

Delete backup copies in /MIUI/Backup (if you don't use)-->

What folders on Xiaomi can not be deleted categorically

Some folders are critical to MIUI operation, and deleting them can lead to:

• 🔋 Quick battery discharge – if you damage files in /data/system, energy-saving.

Here is a list of forbidden folders (even if they take up a lot of space):

Also, don't touch:

• 📂 Folders with names com.android., com.xiaomi., com.google.* /data/data — These are system applications.

⚠️ Note: If you see the folder /data/app It's normal to weigh a few gigabytes. It stores the installed applications (APK-You can't manually delete them - use the standard uninstallation via Settings. → Annexes.

How to Clean Cache and Temporary Files

Cache is a temporary file that speeds up applications, but over time, it accumulates and takes up gigabytes of memory.

1. Through MIUI settings: Go to Settings → Memory → Clear cache. The system will show how much space you can free up (usually 1-3 GB). Click "Clean" - this is safe and will not delete important data.
2. For individual applications: Open Settings → Apps → Select App → Memory → Clear Cache. For Google Play Services, Telegram and Chrome, the cache can weigh 500 MB-1 GB.

Through the file manager:

• Open the Files app (or any other root guide, if any).
• Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data.
• Find folders with app names (such as com.whatsapp) and clean the cache folder inside.

Don’t confuse cache cleaning with data cleaning! If you see a Clear Data button on the app menu, it will delete all settings, accounts, and saves (such as in games or instant messengers).

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If the app gets slower after cleaning the cache, that's OK, and the cache recovers after a few runs, and the speed returns to its previous level.

How to Remove Remnants of Remote Applications

When you delete an application through Settings → Applications, MIUI does not always clear all associated files.

• 📂 Folders in /storage/emulated/0/Android/data and /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb.
• 📁 Settings files in /data/data (available only with root rights).
• 🗑️ Cash and temporary files in /cache.

To completely remove the application:

1. Remove it in the standard way through Settings → Apps.
2. Open Files and go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data.
3. Find a folder with the name of the application package (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook) and delete it.
4. Check the /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb folder for files with the same name.

For deep cleaning, you can use applications like SD Maid (requires root) or Files by Google, which can find junk files. However, beware: some applications (such as Xiaomi Cloud or Mi Video) can restore their folders after a reboot.

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If you delete an app but its folder in /Android/data is still there, it's not a mistake. MIUI leaves it in case you reinstall the app (so you don't download it again).

How to Clean a DCIM Folder from Duplicates and Unnecessary Files

The DCIM (Digital Camera Images) folder is one of the most voracious folders on Xiaomi.

• 📸 Photo and video from the camera (/DCIM/Camera).
• 🎥 Screenshots (/DCIM/Screenshots).
• 🖼️ Edited photos (/DCIM/.edits).
• 👁️ Miniatures (/DCIM/.thumbnails).
• 📤 Files for sending (/DCIM/Sent).

To make room:

1. Remove thumbnails: The.thumbnails folder can weigh up to 1 GB. It can be completely removed – it will recover automatically.
2. Clear the edited photos: The.edits folder stores copies of the photos after editing in the Xiaomi Gallery. If the originals have not changed, it can be cleaned.
3. Move your photo to your PC or cloud: Use Mi Cloud, Google Photos, or physical USB transfer.
4. Delete screenshots: The Screenshots folder often contains hundreds of unwanted shots. sort them by date and delete the old ones.

For automatic cleaning, you can use the built-in function of the Xiaomi Gallery:

1. Open the Gallery → click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select Memory Management → Clean up the trash.
3. The application will find duplicates, blurred photos and other unnecessary files.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete the folder DCIM It can cause errors in the camera, and don't touch the.nomedia files, which are used to hide some folders from the gallery.

How to securely delete MIUI update files

Folders with update files (/cache and /data/ota_package) can occupy up 3–4 GB: They can be removed, but with caution:

To clear the /cache folder without root:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery Mode.
3. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action – it won’t delete your data, only temporary files.

If you do not plan to update soon, you can delete files from the /data/ota_package via a file manager (e.g. Solid Explorer with root access). However, remember: next time you update, via Settings → The phone. → Update the system files will have to be downloaded again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Xiaomi