How to Free Your Memory at Xiaomi Redmi: A Complete 2026 Guide

Your Xiaomi Redmi constantly issues a notification “Not enough memory”, apps are slowed down, and photos are not saved? This problem is familiar to most owners of budget and mid-budget smartphones of the brand. Even models with 64 GB or 128 GB of memory over time get clogged with unnecessary files, cache and remnants of remote applications. In this article, we will discuss 10 proven ways to effectively clean memory without losing important data, including hidden MIUI functions and third-party tools.

Redmi's feature is aggressive caching of system processes and preloading content to speed up work. On the one hand, it increases performance, on the other, it eats up gigabytes of precious space. We analyzed the memory cleaning algorithms in MIUI 14/15 and found which methods give maximum effect and which are only temporary solutions. Importantly, not all the tips from the Internet work on new versions of firmware, so we tested each method on the current models of Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and POCO X5.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what eats up memory?

Before you clear your memory at random, identify the culprits of overflowing. MIUI has a built-in analyzer, but it's hidden in the depths of settings.

Settings → About the phone → Memory → Memory analysis

The system will show you the categorization of apps, media files, cache, etc.

• 📱 System applications (e.g. com.miui.gallery or com.xiaomi.midrop) – often occupy 5-10 GB for no apparent reason.
• 📸 Photos and videos in the “Other” are thumbnails, edited copies and files from instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp).
• 🗑️ Google Play Services Cache – Can Bloat Up to a Bigger Bloat 1-3 GB after updates.
• 🎮 Games with OBB-Files (e.g. Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) – store data in a separate folder.

If the “Other” section is more than 3 GB, it is a signal about fragmented files or remnants of deleted applications. These cannot be cleaned by standard means – special utilities will be required (this is discussed in Section 5).

2.Cache cleanup: Quick and safe

Cache speeds up applications, but eventually becomes digital junk. MIUI has two levels of cache: user cache (you can clean manually) and system cache (requires superuser rights).

1. Clear the cache of individual applications: Go to Settings → Apps → App Management, select a program (like YouTube or Facebook) and click Clear the cache. For bulk cleaning: Settings → Memory → Cleanup → Select unnecessary → Clear
2. Auto Clean: Enable the feature in Settings → Memory → Auto Clean. The system will delete the cache once a week, but this does not affect media files and documents.

Don't clear the cache for:

• 📱 Launcher (com.miui.home) – This will result in the reset of wallpaper and widgets.
• 🔒 Banking Applications – Reauthorization may be required.
• 🎵 Music services (Spotify, Yandex Music) – offline tracks will be removed.

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After cleaning the cache, restart the phone – this will speed up the re-caching of only the necessary data.

3. Removal of duplicates and unnecessary media files

Photos and videos take up 60 percent of Redmi's memory, and the problem isn't the number of photos, but the hidden duplicates:

• 📸 Miniatures (.thumbnail) – created automatically when viewed in the gallery.
• 🎥 Videos from messengers - saved in the folder WhatsApp/Media or Telegram/Telegram Video.
• 🖼️ Edited copies - gallery MIUI retaining the original + edited.

To find duplicates, use:

1. Built-in Gallery: Open Gallery → Albums → Duplicates. The system will find similar photos, but miss videos and files in the folders of messengers.
2. Third-party apps: We recommend Files by Google or CCleaner. They scan deeper, including DCIM/.thumbnails folders and Pictures/Screenshots.

4. Application optimization: what can be removed without harm?

The average Redmi user installs 50-80 apps, but only actively uses 10-15. The rest take up space and work in the background. Here's how to reduce their impact:

• 🧹 Uninstall pre-installed applications: Many system programs (Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) can be deactivated without root permissions. → Annexes → Application management → All apps, select the ones you don't need and click "Disable." This won't delete files, but it will stop them from working.
• 📦 Cleaning Remnants of Remote Programs: After uninstallation, applications often leave folders in the /Android/data and /Android/obb. Remove them manually through any file manager (e.g. Solid Explorer).
• 🔄 Transfer of applications to SD-Map: Works only for a portion of the programs. Go to Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Change. → SD-Not all applications support this function, and after transfer, they can run slower.

🔹 Remove unused games (especially from the OBB-file)

🔹 Disable Auto Update in Google Play

🔹 Clear the cache of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

🔹 Check the folder. /Android/data Remnants of remote programs-->

Don't manually delete folders.

• /Android/secure — contains data from protected applications.
• /MIUI - System firmware files.
• /lost.dir – Recovered files after crashes.

5. Hidden MIUI functions for memory release

Xiaomi has added a few hidden memory tools to MIUI 14/15 that it doesn’t advertise.

• 🔍 Deep Cleanup: Activated via ##4636## (enter in dialer) → «Warehouse» → «Clear the data. Delete temporary files of system processes, but do not touch the Dalvik Cache section - this will lead to crashes!
• 📁 Memory compression (RAM Boost: In MIUI 15 has a function to compress unused processes in RAM, which indirectly frees up permanent memory. → Special facilities → Memory. → Memory compression.
• 🔄 Transfer of system updates to SD-Card: If you have Redmi with MicroSD support, you can transfer update files (weigh). 2-4 GB in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Update repository → SD-map.

Attention! The Low Memory Cleanup feature (Settings → Memory → Auto Cleanup → Advanced Settings) can delete important files if a threshold of less than 500 MB is set.

6. Memory Expansion: Memory Cards and Cloud Services

If cleaning didn’t work, consider physical memory expansion options:

To use Adoptable Storage (conversion) SD-card-part):

1. Insert MicroSD (UHS-I class or higher).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → [Name of name SD-map] → Three points (⋮) → Settings → Formatting as an internal.
3. Confirm the formatting (all data on the map will be deleted!).
4. Select “Move Data Now” or “Move Data Later.”

After formatting. SD-The map can't be retrieved without losing data, and the speed of applications that have been moved to the map can be retrieved. SD, It will be lower than the internal memory.

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Use a MicroSD class at least A2 (or U3) to port applications. Class A1 or U1 cards are only suitable for storing media files.

7.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If none of these methods worked, and there's less than 1 GB of free memory, you'll have to do a hard reset, which will delete all the data, including photos, messages and installed apps. Make sure you back up!

Step-by-step:

1. Save important files to your PC or cloud (use Mi Mover or Google Photos).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
3. Enter the password (if set) and confirm the reset.
4. After restarting, set your phone as new.

Attention! Redmi models with MIUI 14+ may require re-assignment of Xiaomi account to unlock the bootloader after reset. If you forget your password, use the recovery service.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Do not restore data from the backup right away – check first if there is enough memory.
• 📱 Install applications gradually, keeping an eye on the free space.
• 🔒 Turn off auto-update in Google Play (Settings) → Auto-update of applications → Not update automatically).

8 Prevention: How to avoid memory loss in the future

To avoid the problem recurring, follow simple rules:

• 📸 Auto-upload to the cloud: Set up autoload photos in Google Photos or Mi Cloud, then delete local copies. → Backup and synchronization → Remove copies from the device.
• 🎮 Cache Limitation: In game settings (e.g. Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG) Set the cache limit: Game settings → Additionally. → Clearing the cache → Limit to 500MB.
• 📱 Regular Memory Check: Start the Memory Analyzer once a month (Settings) → Memory. → Analysis) and delete unnecessary files.
• 🔄 Refusal APK-Files: Install apps only from Google Play or Mi App Store. manual installation APK Leaves unnecessary files in /Download.

Hidden threat! Memory cleanup applications like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster often become the source of garbage themselves. They create background processes and collect user data. Instead, use built-in MIUI tools.

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Optimal memory balance on Xiaomi Redmi: 30% free space for stable system operation. If less than 10% is free, lags and failures begin.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory on Xiaomi Redmi