Not enough memory on the phone Xiaomi Redmi: what to do in 2026

Your Xiaomi Redmi constantly issues a notification “Not enough memory”, applications are not updated, and photos are not saved? This problem is familiar to most owners of budget and mid-budget smartphones of the brand – especially models with 32-64 GB of internal memory. The reason is not always small storage: often memory is “eating” app cache, duplicate files, unnecessary updates and even errors in the MIUI.

In this article, 7 proven ways to make room on the Redmi Note 12/11/10 Pro, Redmi 9/10/13C and other models without losing important data. We will examine both standard methods (cleaning cache, transferring files) and hidden MIUI functions that are not written about in the official instructions.

Before you start, check how much memory is occupied: go to Settings → About Phone → Storage. If less than 10% of the total is free, the smartphone will slow down and the system will block the installation of new applications. Our goal is to free up at least 15-20% of the space.

1.Cache and garbage cleanup in MIUI

The fastest way to free up 1-3GB of memory is to delete temporary files that accumulate as applications run. MIUI has a built-in tool for this, but it doesn't always clean everything. Here's how to do it correctly:

• 🧹 Cleaning the app cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select any application (e.g. YouTube or Telegram) and click Clear Cache. Repeat for the 5-10 heaviest programs (the list is sorted by location).
• 🗑️ Dispose of garbage through Security: Open the Security app (the shield icon), go to Cleanup and click Deep Cleanup. MIUI Find residual files, log files and other unnecessary data.
• 🔍 Manually check the Download folder: Many files (APK, Documents, archives) are downloaded to the Downloads folder, but are not automatically deleted. → Download and remove all unnecessary.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for system applications (for example, MIUI System or Google Play Services – this can cause phone malfunctions, and do not manually delete files with the.obb extension: they are necessary for games.

2. Removal of duplicates and unnecessary files

Photos, screenshots and documents are often duplicated — especially if you use messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) or cloud services. MIUI has a hidden function to find duplicates, but it does not work in all versions of the firmware.

• 📸 Search for duplicate photos: Install Files by Google (free in Play Market) with a built-in Cleanup tool» → «Duplicate files that will find duplicate images and prompt them to be deleted.
• 📁 Cleaning the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails: It stores thumbnails of all photos and videos, and you can delete them safely, they will recover automatically. Use a file manager (like Mi File Manager) and manually clean this folder.
• 🎵 Remove Unused Melodies: Go to Settings → Sounds and vibrations → The ringtone. It's often where unnecessary audio files accumulate, which take up to 500 MB.

💡 Useful tip: If you take screenshots often, enable automatic deletion of old ones after 30 days. → Additionally. → Screenshots and activate the option “Autocleaning».

Outdated. APK-files from the Download folder

Duplicate photos in Telegram/WhatsApp

Cash games that you haven’t used in a long time

Log files (.log) in the root folder

Unused wallpaper and themes MIUI-->

3. Transfer applications and files to a memory card

If your Redmi supports microSD cards (e.g. Redmi 9A, Redmi 10C), you can transfer some of the data to an external drive.

1. Formatting the card as internal memory: This method allows you to install applications on the SD-It's a card, but it irreversibly links the card to the phone, and once it's extracted, it's not available. → Warehouse → Map. SD → Configure as internal memory After formatting go to Settings → Apps, select the desired and click "Move to" SD-map».
2. Use the card as a portable storage: In this case, you can only transfer files (photos, videos, music) to it, but not applications.

⚠️ Attention: Class Memory Cards UHS-I (For example, SanDisk Ultra is faster than the usual Class 10, but it costs more.

4. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Settings

MIUI has some “secret” features that help save space, which are not advertised, but they are even in older versions (e.g. MIUI 12-14):

• 🔄 Background activity restriction: Go to Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management and turn on Charge Saving mode, which will reduce the number of temporary files created by applications.
• 📦 Disabling Automatic Updates MIUI: The system downloads updates in the background, taking up to 2 GB. To disable: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-downloading updates.
• 🎨 Removal of embedded themes and wallpaper: MIUI It stores dozens of preinstalled themes that weigh hundreds of megabytes. → My subjects. → Remove (hold your finger on an unnecessary topic).

5. Use of cloud storage

If physical memory is sorely lacking, then buy a new one. SD-You don't want a card, you can move your files to the cloud. Xiaomi has its own Mi Cloud, but it only gives you 5GB for free. Alternatives:

• ☁️ Google Photos: Automatically uploads all photos and videos in their original quality (if you select the option “High quality”, space is unlimited). → Settings → Backup.
• 📂 Yandex Disk: Gives 10GB for free. Install the app and enable autoload for Camera and Downloads folders.
• 🔗 Sync with PC: Connect your phone to your computer via USB (in file transfer mode) and transfer heavy files (video, archives) to the hard drive.

💡 Useful tip: Before uploading to the cloud, check if files are duplicated. For example, Google Photos can create copies of images if they have already been downloaded from another device.

💡

Cloud storage saves space on your phone, but requires a stable internet connection to access files. Do not delete the originals from your device until you have made sure the backup is successful.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these methods worked, and there's less than 5% of free memory left, you'll have to do a hard reset, which will delete all the data, including apps, photos and settings, so first:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Copy important files to your PC or cloud (see previous section).
3. Write down usernames and passwords from your accounts (especially from Mi Account, as you will need authorization after the reset).

For discharge:

Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Resetting → Erase all data

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (such as the Note 8 Pro) may require you to enter your Mi Account password after reset, even if you haven't used it. If you forgot your password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

7.Memory expansion: what to do if nothing helps

If you’ve exhausted all the options but still lack memory, consider the following options:

• 📱 Buying a phone with more storage: Redmi models with 128 GB or more (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) Less likely to face space shortages. Pay attention to microSD support when choosing.
• 🔧 Replacement of internal memory (for experienced only): In some models (for example, Redmi) K50) You can replace the memory chip, but it requires soldering and risks losing the guarantee.
• 🛠️ Use of the OTG-flash drives: Through the adapter USB-C/OTG You can plug in an external flash drive and transfer files to it, which is suitable for watching movies or working with documents.

💡

Before buying a new phone, check if it supports UFS 2.2/3.1 technology (like the Redmi K60) which is faster than eMMC and less likely to cause the system to freeze when memory is scarce.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory on Xiaomi Redmi