Where did the memory on the Xiaomi phone: deal with the expert

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi memory is melting like snow in the sun, even though you haven't downloaded anything? Or has the phone suddenly started issuing warnings about the lack of space, even though everything was fine yesterday? This problem is familiar to millions of smartphone users of the brand - and it has logical explanations.

Unlike the iPhone, where memory is controlled by a rigid system, Android devices (including Redmi) are used to control the memory, POCO and Mi) often suffer from "invisible" files, application cache and features MIUI. In this article, we will not just list the banal tips like “clean the cache”, but will analyze the hidden mechanisms that eat gigabytes of your memory without your knowledge – from system logs to “junk” update files.

You'll find out exactly how. MIUI It tells you what your storage is, what are the main applications that eat up the space, and what to do if you run out of memory again after a week, and how to prevent this problem in the future without resorting to radical measures like factory resets.

System files and “invisible garbage" MIUI

The first and most insidious reason for memory loss is system files that are MIUI It creates automatically. It's not about the app cache (you'll see it in the settings), it's about:

• 📁 Logs of the system (/data/log/) — They can borrow up to 1–3 GB after updates or crashes.
• 🔄 Update files (/cache/ and /data/ota_package/) — Even after installing the firmware, they often remain.
• 🗑️ Temporary files (/data/local/tmp/) — They are created by both the system and applications.
• 📊 Usage statistics (/data/system/usagestats/) — is collected to analyze the operation of the device.

This “garbage” is especially prevalent on devices with MIUI 12–14, where the system actively logs for diagnostics, such as postmajor updates (e.g., with a MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) file /cache/ Maybe stay until 500–800 MB of unnecessary files.

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete files from system folders manually through Explorer - this can cause crashes! Use only the proven methods described below.

How to check and clean:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click on "System Data" (or "Other").
3. If it’s more than 1-2GB, use the built-in cleaning or Files by Google app.

2. App cache: why it grows like a leap of faith

Cache is a temporary file that applications save to make things faster, and in theory, it should be automatically cleared, but in practice:

• 🎵 Music services (Spotify, Yandex Music) cache tracks even in offline mode.
• 📺 Social networks (TikTok, Instagram) save videos and stories.
• 🗺️ Maps (Google Maps, Yandex Maps) download offline maps and routes.
• 🎮 Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) stores textures and updates.

For example, TikTok can accumulate up to 500 MB-1 GB of cache per week of active use, and Google Maps can accumulate up to 2-3 GB of offline cards.

How to check:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app and click "Storage".
3. Compare the size of “Data” (this is your files) and “Cash” (temporary files).

⚠️ Attention: Cleaning the cache in MIUI sometimes resets the settings of the application (for example, WhatsApp can disappear chats if you do not make a backup).

3. "Heavy" applications: who eats the most space

Some apps initially take up a lot of space, but over time they grow to incredible sizes.-5 "Memory Eaters on Xiaomi:

WhatsApp is especially dangerous: it automatically downloads all media files from chat rooms to a folder /WhatsApp/Media/. During the year of active use there can be accumulated 10–20 GB photos, videos and gifs!

How to reduce:

• 📁 On WhatsApp: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Manage storage and delete unnecessary files.
• 🗑️ On Facebook: Turn off autoplay video in the app settings.
• 🗺️ In Google Maps: Remove unnecessary offline maps in Settings → Offline maps.

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V MIUI There is a hidden function to clean up junk files: enter the code ##4636## in the Phone application, then select Storage and click Clear Cache".

Updates MIUI: Why do they "weigh" more than they seem?

Every update MIUI (It leaves a trace in your memory. This is what's really going on:

• 📦 Update folder (/cache/ota/) Often not removed after installation.
• 🔄 Double files: The system saves the old and new firmware versions for the duration of the update.
• 📝 Logs of updates (/data/log/ota/) can occupy up 500 MB.

For example, an update MIUI 14 officially weighs 2.5 GB, but after installation, there may be 1-1.5 GB of tails left in memory. If you update regularly, these tails accumulate 5-10 GB per year!

How to clean:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Delete downloaded package".
3. Use Files by Google to search for files with the.zip extension in the folder /cache/.

⚠️ Note: If you manually delete update files through Explorer, the next update may not install. Always use built-in tools MIUI.

5.Duplicate files: how they appear and how to find them

Duplicates are copies of the same files that are created:

• 📷 When you transfer a photo from the camera to the gallery (sometimes the original is left in the gallery). DCIM And a copy in Pictures).
• 🎵 When downloading music from different sources (e.g., the same song in Spotify and Download folder).
• 📄 When creating backups (for example, WhatsApp can duplicate media files in Backup).

According to Google, up to 30% of smartphone memory is duplicate, and Xiaomi is especially concerned about this because of the way it works. MIUI Gallery, which sometimes creates thumbnails and copies automatically.

How to find and delete:

1. Use the Files by Google app (Cleanup tab" → "Duplicate files").
2. Manually check the folders: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/ /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/ /storage/emulated/0/Download/
3. For music, use Music Player with the duplicate search function.

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Duplicates not only take up space, but also slow down the gallery and media player, and regular cleaning can speed up the opening of photos by 20 to 30 percent.

6. Hidden MIUI features that eat up memory

MIUI has several features that users are often unaware of, but which are actively consuming storage:

• 🎥 Screen recording: Videos are saved in high resolution (up to) 50 MB/min) in the folder /Movies/ScreenRecords/.
• 🔍 Device search: When enabled, creates location logs (/data/miui/location/).
• 📱 App cloning: duplicates application data (e.g. two WhatsApps) = double-memory).
• 🌐 MIUI Optimization: A utility app that can cache up to 1GB of data.

For example, if you use screen recording for streaming or gameplay a lot, 5-10 GB of video that you don’t even remember to shoot can accumulate in a month’s memory!

How to turn off or clean:

• 🎥 Screen recording: Settings → Additionally. → Screen recording → Quality settings (reduce resolution).
• 🔍 Device search: Settings → Xiaomi account → Find the device (unplug if you are not using it).
• 📱 Application cloning: Settings → Annexes → Cloning applications (remove unnecessary copies).

7 Viruses and malware applications: an unexpected source of the problem

If memory disappears "by itself", the fault may be:

• 🦠 Advertising viruses that download banners and videos in the background.
• 🕵️ Spyware that collects data and sends it to servers.
• 💰 Cryptocurrency miners (rarely, but found on pirate firmware).

Symptoms of infection:

• Memory ends for no apparent reason.
• The phone is warming and discharges quickly.
• In Settings → Battery you can see unknown processes with high consumption.

How to check:

1. Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light and scan the device.
2. Check the list of applications in Settings → Apps for suspicious (for example, with names like com.system.update).
3. Open the Settings. → Battery → Battery usage and see if there are no unknown processes.

⚠️ Note: If you installed firmware not from the official Xiaomi site, the risk of infection with viruses increases by 5-10 times. MD5-hashing.

8 Radical Solutions: When Nothing Helps

If you've tried everything, but your memory is still running out, there are some radical measures left:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (remove everything, including viruses and system debris).
• 📱 Switch to custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), where there is no "heavy" MIUI.
• 🔧 Replacement of memory (relevant for older models like Redmi Note) 4X, where the memory is 16 GB).
• ☁️ Transfer of data to SD-Map (but not all applications support this feature).

Factory reset solves 90% of memory problems, but requires backup.

1. Use Mi Cloud for contacts, notes and photos.
2. Copy the folders. DCIM, Download and WhatsApp on PC.
3. Save the list of applications through Google Account (Settings) → Google → Backup).

If you decide on a custom firmware, remember:

• 🚨 Guarantee burns out.
• 🔧 You need an unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 📱 Not all functions. MIUI will work (for example, will work, IR Blaster or Game Turbo).

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Factory resets are the last chance to bring the phone back to life, but if there is a problem with physical memory (like the wear of a flash drive), it will only help to replace the chip.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions