What to do if Xiaomi is running out of memory: A full guide to 2026

Does your Xiaomi constantly issue a notification “Not enough memory”? Apps are not updated, photos are not saved, and the system is slowing down? 16/32/64 GB of internal memory – especially on budget Redmi models POCO. But even the flagships of the 128 GBs may face space shortage due to features MIUI and app cache.

In this article, 12 proven ways to free up memory on Xiaomi without losing important data.

• 🔍 Find and delete junk files that take up gigabytes;
• 📱 Transfer applications to SD-The card (even if the system prohibits the);
• ☁️ Optimize cloud storage Mi Cloud and Google Photos;
• ⚙️ Disable functions MIUI, background-eating.

All methods tested on Xiaomi 13/12/11, Redmi Note 12/11/10 and POCO F5/X5 Android 12-14 and MIUI 14-15. If your model is older, check compatibility in the comments.

1. The analysis of occupied memory: what exactly eats the place?

Before you clean, you need to understand which files are taking up memory. MIUI There's a built-in analyzer, but it often hides system data:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click on "Details" (or "Memory Analysis").
3. Pay attention to the sections: 📁 System files (usually) 10-15 GB is the norm); 🎵 Multimedia (photo, video, music); 📦 Applications (including cache and data); 🗑️ Other (most often there is hidden garbage).

If the "Other" section is 5+ GB, that's a warning sign:

• 🗃️ Residual files of remote applications;
• 📄 System and dump logs (.dmp,.log);
• 🔄 Temporary update files MIUI;
• 📥 Unproven files from the browser or messengers.

💡

V MIUI 14+ There's a hidden deep analysis feature. To enable it, go to Settings. → Special facilities → Functions Lab and activate "Advanced Memory Analysis».

2. Cleaning up cache and unnecessary files

Application cache and system debris can take up to 3-8 GB: They can be deleted without risking data:

Clearing the cache of all applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Open each major app (e.g. Facebook, Telegram, YouTube) and click Clear Cache.

System debris disposal

Use a built-in cleaner MIUI:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Select “Cleaning” → “Deep Cleaning”.
3. Mark all the items and click "Clear".

If the built-in cleaner fails, install SD Maid or Files by Google from Play Market:

• 🗑️ Empty folders;
• 📁 Duplicate photos and videos;
• 🔍 Residual files (.apk,.tmp);
• 📥 Unused downloads.

3. Transfer of applications and data to SD-map

If your Xiaomi supports microSD, you can transfer some of the data to the map.

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support portability SD. System applications (Mi Browser, Mi Video) cannot be moved, and the card must be formatted as internal memory (this will delete all data on it!).

3.1. Formatting SD-maps as internal memory

1. Put the card in the slot.
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
3. Select “Format as an internal one» → «Clean and format».
4. After formatting, click "Transfer Data".

Manual transfer of applications

For applications that support transfer:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Spotify or Netflix).
3. Press "Storage» → «Change» → choose SD-map.

If the “Change” option is inactive:

• 📌 Application does not support transfer;
• 📌 The map is not formatted as an internal;
• 📌 There is not enough space on the map (at least 10% of free space is needed).

4. Optimization of photo and video storage

Multimedia is the ultimate memory eater. 4K It can weigh 500 MB and the photo is in format. RAW — To 30MB each, here's how to reduce your weight:

Automatic upload to the cloud

Set up an automatic upload to Google Photos or Mi Cloud:

• 📸 Google Photos: Open the app → tap on the avatar → «Photo settings. Select "Backup» → Enable the function. Set the quality "High (free)" (compresses the photo to 16 MP).

Mi Cloud

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on "Synchronization Gallery."
3. Click on “Sync Settings” and select “Original Quality” or “Compressed”.

4.2. Convert photo to photo HEIF/HEIC

Format HEIC It compresses photos 2 times more efficiently than JPEG, without loss of quality:

1. Open the camera. → Settings (cogs) → Photo format.
2. Select "Highly Effective (HEIF)».

⚠️ Attention: Files HEIC They don't open on all devices. For compatibility, use converters, for example. HEIF Image Converter.

Removal of duplicates and failed images

Google Photos automatically finds duplicates:

1. Open Google Photos → «Utilities» → «Clean up».
2. Select “Duplicates” or “Blurred Photos”.
3. Press "Delete."

5. Removal of unnecessary applications and their data

Many applications occupy 100+ Not only are MBs on their own, but they also have their data, like Facebook weighing 500MB with cache, and Google Maps weighing up to 1GB with offline maps.

5.1 How to find and remove heavy applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort by size (three-pointed) → «Size-based sorting»).
3. Remove unnecessary apps or clear their data: 🗑️ Clear data – deletes all settings and application files; 🔄 Clear the cache – deletes temporary files; ❌ Delete – completely uninstall the application.

5.2. Pre-installed applications (bloatware)

Xiaomi installs a lot of unnecessary apps (Mi Music, Mi Video, GetApps, etc.)

• 🚫 Disable (not remove, but hide and stop):
• 🗑️ Remove without rooting through ADB: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer (replace com.miui.videoplayer with the desired application package).

⚠️ Note: Deleting system applications may cause crashes. Before doing so, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

💡

Do not remove applications called com.android. or com.miui. in the package – these are critical system components!

6.Tune in. MIUI save memory

MIUI It has features that can be optimized to save space:

Disable automatic recording of conversations

The “Conversation Record” function saves all calls in.amr format (by 1-5 MB each. To turn off:

1. Open the phone. → Three points. → Settings → Recording of conversations.
2. Turn off the option or set a storage limit.

Restriction of background activity

Many applications run in the background, consuming memory and charge, to limit:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select “Background Limitation” and add apps that shouldn’t work in the background (e.g. TikTok, Instagram).

6.3 Disable animations and visual effects

MIUI It uses a lot of animations that take up RAM and cache to speed up the system:

1. Activate the developer mode (7 times tap on "Version") MIUI» In Settings → The phone).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Install: The scale of window animation → Disconnect; Scale of transition animation → Disconnect; Duration of the animator → Shut down.

7. Backup and reset to factory settings

If all the methods didn't work, the last thing you can do is reset to factory settings, which will delete all the data, but it will return the smartphone to its original state.

Creation of a backup copy

Keep important data:

• ☁️ Photos/video – upload photos to Google or Mi Cloud;
• 📱 Contacts – sync with Google Account;
• 📝 Messages - export through SMS Backup & Restore;
• 🎮 Save games – use Google Play Games or Mi Accounts.

Implementation of discharge

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Confirm the action (a password may be required).

⚠️ Warning: After the reset, all files will be deleted irrevocably. Make sure the backup is created! You may also need to re-authorize with Xiaomi and Google accounts.

💡

Reset to factory settings deletes all data, including files in folders DCIM, Downloads and WhatsApp. Before reset, check hidden folders (such as.thumbnails) that can store thumbnails of photos that take hundreds of megabytes.

8. Alternative methods (for advanced users)

If the standard methods did not help, try:

8.1 Use. ADB deep-clean

Through ADB You can remove system debris that is not available through the interface:

adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media

This command clears the media cache (including photo and video thumbnails).

Mounting SD-Cards as internal memory (advanced method)

If your model does not support the transfer of applications to SD, You can install the card as part of your internal memory:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and start the ADB.
2. Adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true
3. Reboot your phone and format it. SD-map.

⚠️ Note: This method can cause loss of data on the map and unstable operation of some applications!

Installation of custom firmware

Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience is devoid of bloatware and optimized for memory savings, but they require:

• 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader;
• 📥 Installation TWRP;
• 🛠️ Skills of working with fastboot.

Once you install custom firmware, you will lose official Xiaomi support, including security updates and access to Mi Cloud services.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory on Xiaomi