Cleaning up Xiaomi system memory: 7 proven ways to return performance

Your Xiaomi smartphone is slowing down, apps are slow to open, and the system is warning you about memory shortages? The problem is clogged system memory, a hidden storage that records temporary files, app cache and MIUI data. Unlike user memory, which can be manually cleaned, the system partition requires a special approach.

In this article, you will find 7 working methods for cleaning system memory on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices – from basic to advanced, including hidden MIUI 14/15 functions and commands for ADB. We will analyze which files can be deleted without risk and which can be touched dangerously, and explain why standard cleaning through Settings often does not solve the problem.

Important: System memory is not the same as internal storage. It's a secure partition where Android data, updates, log files and cache of system processes are stored, and overflowing leads to lags, application installation errors, and even sudden reboots, starting with the safest way.

1. Clearing the cache of system applications through MIUI

The easiest and safest method is to remove the cache of Xiaomi’s built-in services, which does not require superuser rights and is suitable for all models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Cache system applications (for example, com.miui.home or com.android.systemui) can take up to 1-3 GB and is never cleaned automatically.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
3. In the list, find applications with the gear icon (system) and open them in turn.
4. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Pay special attention to these processes:

• 📱 com.miui.home - launcher MIUI (It can weigh up to 500MB of cache).
• ⚙️ com.android.systemui – system interface (responsible for notification panel).
• 🔄 com.miui.securitycenter – Security Center (accumulates scan logs).
• 📊 com.miui.analytics – analytics MIUI (can be completely shut down).

⚠️ Note: Do not clean the data (clean all data) of system applications - this will lead to malfunctions MIUI. Only remove the cache!

After cleaning, restart the device. If there is more free memory but the problem persists, move on to the next method.

2. remove unnecessary updates and APK-file

System memory is clogged not only with cache, but also with residual update files. Every time you install a MIUI update or apps through Google Play, temporary.apk files remain on the device, which can take up to 500 MB-1 GB.

To remove them:

1. Open Files → Categories → APK (or use any file manager, such as MiXplorer).
2. Delete all files with the.apk extension except those you saved specifically.
3. Go to /data/app-lib (root rights or ADB access required) and delete old libraries.

Also check the /cache folder, which stores temporary update files.

adb shell su -c "rm -rf /cache/*"

If you do not have root rights, use this secure solution:

• 🔄 Restart the device in Recovery Mode (clip the power supply) + Loudness up).
• 🧹 Select Wipe Cache Partition (not to be confused with Wipe Data!).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.

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If you clean the cache, the applications load for a long time on the first run, that's OK. The system recovers the necessary data.

3. Optimization of system memory through "Security"

MIUI 14/15 has a hidden deep cleaning tool called Acceleration in the Security app, which removes not only user debris, but also system temporary files that are not visible in standard settings.

How to use it:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Acceleration section.
3. Press Deep Clean and wait for the scan to be completed.
4. Delete all files found, especially in categories: 🗑️ Residual files (remains of remote applications). 📁 System cache (includes data) MIUI Android). 🔄 Error logs (failure logs, up to 200 MB).

Once cleaned, the system will suggest optimizing the boot. Turn off auto-run for unnecessary applications, which will reduce the load on the system memory when the device is turned on.

4 Manual deletion of log files via ADB

System log files (.log,.trace) can take up to 1-2 GB and are never deleted automatically. They are needed for diagnostics, but most users are useless. ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute commands: adb shell su rm -rf /data/log/* rm -rf /data/tombstones/* rm -rf /data/anr/* rm -rf /data/system/dropbox/*
3. Reset the device.

If the commands are not working due to the lack of root rights, use an alternative method:

adb shell pm trim-caches -f 1000

This command compulsorily clears the cache of all applications, including system ones.

⚠️ Note: Deleting log files can make it difficult to diagnose problems when contacting Xiaomi Service Center.

5. Disabling unnecessary system services

Many MIUI background processes are constantly writing data to system memory, such as Mi Cloud, Mi Analytics or Xiaomi Service Framework, which can generate up to 300MB of garbage per month, and can be turned off without consequences.

List of safe to disable services:

To disable via ADB, use the command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics

Replace com.miui.analytics with the desired package from the table.

After you turn off, restart your device. Some services (e.g., com.xiaomi.xmsf) may be activated again after you update your MIUI — check them once a month.

Disable Mi Analytics|Remove Mi Video Updates|Clear the Mi Cloud cache|Checking the autoload of applications-->

6. Reset the system partition cache (without data loss)

If previous methods didn’t work, try resetting the system partition cache via Recovery Mode.This won’t delete your files or apps, but will clear all temporary data, including corrupted files, that may be causing errors.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Choose a language (if required).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Reboot the device (Reboot → System)

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will completely reset the device to factory settings, deleting all your data.

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Recovery cache resetting is the most effective way to clean up system memory without risking data loss, and use it every 3 to 6 months for prevention.

7. Advanced cleaning with Magisk (for root)

If your device has root access (like through Magisk), you can use powerful deep cleaning tools, one of the best is the Universal GMS Doze module or the SD Maid script.

Instructions for SD Maid:

1. Install SD Maid from Magisk Repo or F-Droid.
2. Launch the application and provide root access.
3. Go to the SystemCleaner section.
4. Select the options: 🗑️ Empty folders (empty folders). 📁 Orphaned files (residual files). 🔄 App cache (cache of all applications). 📊 Log files (system logs).

Run

For power users: You can manually remove unnecessary system folders through Root Explorer:

• 🗃️ /data/local/tmp — time-file.
• 📂 /data/dalvik-cache — Dalvik cache (cleared only when rebooted).
• 📄 /data/system/package_cache — packet-cache.

Warning: Deleting files manually through root may cause the system to fail. Always back up through TWRP before such operations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Xiaomi system memory