Previous articleLack of memory on Xiaomi: how to free up space on your phone without losing data

You saw the words "Not enough memory" on the Xiaomi screen and you don't know what to do? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones - even on devices with 128 GB of memory, the place ends unexpectedly quickly. The reasons lie not only in your files, but also in the peculiarities of MIUI (branded shell Xiaomi), which actively uses cache, duplicates data and creates backups without your knowledge.

In this article, we will discuss 10 proven ways to free up memory on Xiaomi, from basic (removal of garbage and transfer of files) to advanced (cleaning system data and disabling unnecessary MIUI functions). All methods are tested on current versions of MIUI 14/15 and work on models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Importantly, some solutions require root or ADB rights, we will note them separately.

Before you start, check how much memory is actually occupied: go to Settings → About Phone → Storage. If the graph shows System Data or Other over 10-15 GB, this is a signal of cache clogging or MIUI errors. Let's start with the simplest ways.

1. Delete unnecessary files and application cache

The first step is to get rid of the obvious garbage: on Xiaomi, the app cache can take up to 5-8 GB (especially for instant messengers, social networks and games), and clean it safely is temporary data that the apps will recover the next time they launch.

How to clear the cache:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Select an app (such as Telegram or Facebook) → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🧹 For mass cleaning: Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup → Select "App Cache" and "Downloads".
• 🗑️ Remove the packages APK Unnecessary downloads in the Download folder (use the file manager).

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear app data (Clear data) - this will delete accounts, settings and saves. cache and data are different things!

2. Transfer files to a memory card or cloud

If you have a microSD slot on your phone, transfer photos, videos and music to it. On Xiaomi, this is done through the file manager (Mi File Manager):

• 📁 Select the files → press "Move" → Select a memory card.
• 🎵 For Music: In Mi Music, go to Settings → Storage folder and indicate the path to SD-map.

If there is no slot, use cloud services:

• ☁️ Google Photos (free up to 15GB, compression without loss of quality).
• 📦 Mi Cloud (5GB free, integrated into the MIUI).
• 🔗 Yandex Disk or Mega (up to 20 GB free).

⚠️ Note: When transferring applications to SD-map (via Settings) → Applications may be slower or not to run at all, and this method is only suitable for light utility applications, not games or instant messengers.

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Before transferring files to a memory card, format it in exFAT format – this will allow you to store files larger than 4 GB (for example, 4K video).

3. Cleanup of system debris and “Other” data

In the "Storage" section, Xiaomi's settings often display the "Other" or "System Data" category of 5-20 GB.

• 🗃️ Residual files after updates MIUI.
• 📦 Temporary data of system applications (MiuiDaemon, Security).
• 🔄 Error Logs and Memory Dumps (Created When Failed).

How to clean:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning → Deep Cleaning.
2. Select "System garbage" and "Residual files".
3. For advanced cleaning, use ADB (PC required): Adb shell pm trim-caches 512M This command will forcefully clear the cache of all applications.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders /data/app or /system manually through the file manager, this will cause the system to crash. MIUI or ADB.

4. Disabling unnecessary system applications

MIUI preinstalles dozens of apps that can't be removed but can be disabled, which frees up to 1-2 GB and reduces background activity.

• 🎵 Mi Music (if you use it) Spotify/YouTube Music).
• 📺 Mi Video (replace by Mi Video) VLC or MX Player).
• 📰 Mi Browser (use Chrome or Firefox).
• 🛒 GetApps, Mi Pay, Mi Credit (if not used).

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application → Disable (button will appear if the application is system).
3. For mass shutdown, use ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer (replace com.miui.videoplayer with the desired application package).

⚠️ Note: Do not disable applications called com.android or com.miui.core – these are critical services. MIUI. Also, avoid disabling Security (com.miui.securitycenter) or security updates will stop working.

5. Optimization of photos and videos

Photos and video are the main memory eaters. On Xiaomi, the camera defaults to high-resolution (up to 12-20 MB per photo), and 4K video weighs hundreds of megabytes.

• 📸 In Camera settings, select "Photo quality" → "High" instead of "maximum" (savings) ~30).
• 🎥 For video: limit the resolution to 1080p (instead 4K) and frame rate up to 30 FPS.
• 🔄 Use Google Photos to Auto Compress: Enable “Saving Space” in the App Settings.
• 🗑️ Remove duplicates and failed photos with Gallery (Management tab" → "Duplicate").

For advanced users: convert video to HEVC (H.265) format, which compresses files 2 times without loss of quality. Use applications like Video Compress or HandBrake.

Reduce photo resolution in camera settings

Turn off video recording in 4K

Enable compression in Google Photos

Remove duplicates through the Gallery

Convert old videos to HEVC-->

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If after all the manipulations, less than 10% of the memory is free, and the phone slows down, hard reset will help.

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. Save your photos and contacts to the cloud (Mi Cloud or Google Account).
3. Write down the logins/passwords from the accounts (they will erase!).

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select "Erase all data" and confirm.
3. After the reboot, the phone will be like new – without debris and system errors.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro) may require re-assigning your Mi Account to unlock after reset!

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Factory reset is the most radical but effective way to free up memory, and use it if other methods have failed and you have a backup of the data.

7. Advanced methods (for experienced users)

If you’re ready for experimentation, these methods will help free up extra gigabytes:

• 🔧 Shutdown MIUI Optimization (accelerates work but can disrupt stability): adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.powerkeeper After that, cleaning the cache will be more effective.
• 📦 Removing embedded fonts (releases) ~300–500 MB: Delete the folder /system/fonts (Need for root or magisk).
• 🔄 Transfer of applications to SD-map Link2SD (root).

⚠️ Warning: These methods can result in loss of warranty, phone malfunctions, or inability to upgrade MIUI. Make a backup before any manipulation of system files!

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory on Xiaomi