Xiaomi Redmi is not enough memory: what to do in 2026?

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones regularly face the problem of lack of internal memory, especially on budget models with a high-end memory. 32 or 64 GB of storage. The system takes up to 10-15 GB is out of the box, and over time, the place is eaten by the cache of applications, updates, duplicate photos and unnecessary files, as a result, the phone begins to slow down, issue notifications about overflow memory and even refuse to install new applications.

In this article, we will understand 7 How to Free Your Memory from Redmi Note 12/11/10, Redmi A2/A1, POCO M5/M4 and other models - from basic (cleaning the cache) to advanced (transfer applications to the SD-All methods tested on current versions MIUI 14/15 You'll also learn how to get around the restriction. MIUI installation of applications when memory is scarce, even if the system writes "Not enough space".

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

Before you clean the memory at random, check which files and applications take up the most space. MIUI There's a built-in tool for that:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Click Memory Analysis (may be called "Storage").
3. Wait for the scan to be completed (1-2 minute).

The system will show the distribution of memory by categories: applications, multimedia (photo / video), files (documents, APK), Cache and stuff:

• 📱 Apps: Games (like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) can weigh in 5-10 GB.
• 📸 Photo/video: duplicates, screenshots, video in 4K, Google's cache.
• 🗑️ Garbage: temporary files (.tmp,.log), downloads from the browser, APK-installer.
• 🔄 Updates: update files MIUI (MIUI_update.zip) weigh 2-3 GB.

If the "Other" section is more than 5 GB, that's a cause for concern.

• Residual files of remote applications (folder) /data/data).
• Logs of the system (/data/log).
• Cash. MIUI and Google services.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files from folders /system or /data No root rights! It could cause a failure. MIUI.

2.Cache and garbage cleanup: quick ways

The easiest way to free 1-3 GB of memory: clear the app cache and system debris, and you can do this in a number of ways:

Method 1: Integrated cleaning of MIUI

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Press Scan.
3. Select categories to clean: Application Cache, Unused Files, Duplicates.
4. Press Clear.

Method 2: Manually cleansing cache for individual applications

Some apps (e.g. Telegram, YouTube, TikTok) accumulate gigabytes of cache to clear it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Chrome).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For mass cleaning, use the Files by Google app (available from the Play Market):

• 🧹 Open the Cleanup tab.
• 📂 Select App Cache and Downloads.
• 🗑️ Press Clear Clear. [X] MB.

Clear the cache through Settings MIUI

Delete the browser cache (Chrome, Mi Browser)

Scan your phone Files by Google

Remove the old ones APK-files from the Download folder

Clear the cache of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)-->

⚠️ Warning: Clearing WhatsApp or Viber cache will delete all media files (photos, videos, voice) received in chats!

3. Photo and video optimization: how to save gigabytes

Photos and videos are the main memory eaters, like 1 minute of video in a single memory. 4K weight ~375 MB and photo in format RAW — Up to 20MB each, here's how to reduce your weight:

Method 1: Change the camera resolution

By default, Redmi captures at maximum resolution to reduce file size:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the badge. ⚙️ (setting).
3. Select the resolution of the photo and install it. 12 MP instead of MP 48/64/108 MPP.
4. For the video, select Full. HD (1080p) instead 4K.

Method 2: Convert HEIC into JPG

Format HEIC (It's the default on some Redmis, but not all devices support it. JPG:

• 📲 Use the app. HEIC to JPG Converter (Play Market).
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and convert via CopyTrans HEIC for Windows.

Method 3: Remove duplicates and failed photos

Google Photos automatically finds duplicates:

1. Open Google Photos → Library → Utilities. → Duplicate.
2. Select unnecessary copies and click Delete.

Also check the folders:

• 📁 DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo miniatures (can be removed).
• 📁 Pictures/Screenshots — Screenshots (often taken up) 1-2 GB).
• 📁 Download – downloads from the browser.

💡

Enable the “Free Place” function in Google Photos (Settings) → Free up space. The app will delete local copies of photos already uploaded to the cloud, but leave thumbnails for viewing.

4. Data transfer to SD-map

If you have a microSD slot on your phone, you can transfer the media and some apps to it.

Transfer of files to SD-map

1. Insert a memory card (we recommend a class) A2 or UHS-I speed).
2. Open Files → Categories → Images / Videos.
3. Select the files → More. → Move it → SD-map.

Transfer of applications to SD (Only for selected models)

Not all Redmis support porting apps to the SD. Check it out:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Spotify).
3. If there is a button, move to SD-map -- press it.

For models without application portability (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) Use cloud storage:

• 🌥️ Google Photos – unlimited storage of photos in compressed quality.
• 🌥️ Mi Cloud (5GB free) – integrated into MIUI.
• 🌥️ Yandex Disk or Mega – up to 20 GB free.

⚠️ Attention: Don't put it on SD-System application map (Settings, Phone, Messages) – this can cause crashes!

5. Removing unnecessary apps and updates

Many users install apps just in case and then forget about them.

How to find and remove unnecessary applications

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort by size (click on three dots) → By size).
3. Remove apps that haven’t been used for more than a month.

Pay attention to:

• 🎮 Games that have not been played in a long time (for example, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire).
• 📺 Applications of streaming services (Kodi, MX Player, if you don't watch offline.
• 🛠️ Cleaning utilities (such as Clean Master) that take up memory.

Removal of MIUI updates

Update files (MIUI_update.zip) weigh 2-3 GB and stay in memory after installation:

1. Open Files → Categories → System Files
2. Find the file. downloaded_rom.
3. Delete all files with the.zip extension.

Disabling pre-installed applications

Some system applications (Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) cannot be removed, but you can disable:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Pay).
3. Click Disable (not "Delete").

💡

Removal 3-5 Unnecessary applications (such as games) can be released to the public. 5-10 GB memory!

6.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If all the methods have been tried and there's still a shortage of memory, reset to factory settings, which will delete all the data, but return the phone to "clean" state. Importantly, back up first!

How to reset Redmi without losing data?

First, keep important information:

• 📱 Contacts: sync with Google Account (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization).
• 📸 Photos/video: upload photos to Google or copy them to PC.
• 💬 Messages: Use SMS Backup & Restore (Play Market).

Resetting instructions

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
3. Confirm the action (a password may be required).
4. Wait for completion (5-10 minute).

After discharge:

• 🔄 Do not restore backup through Mi Cloud – it can return garbage.
• 📥 Install only the necessary applications.
• 🛡️ Turn off auto-update apps in the Play Market.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Note 10 Pro) may block the bootloader if it was previously unlocked for root.

7 Hidden tricks: how to cheat the system when there is a lack of memory

If your phone says “Not enough memory” but you’re sure there’s enough space, try these methods:

Trick 1: Install applications through ADB

Sometimes. MIUI Blocks the installation of new applications even if 500 free+ MB. You can get around this through ADB:

1. Turn on the debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press the version → Return to the Additional Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and execute the command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This will allow installation on the computer. SD-card (if any).

The trick. 2: Clearing the folder. /cache

Deletion of folder contents /cache can release 1 GB:

1. Use a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer).
2. Move to the /cache and delete all files.
3. Reboot the phone.

Trick 3: Change the memory partition (for advanced only)

Some Redmis can increase the user partition by using the system partition, but this requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked loader.
• 🛠️ Custom recovery installations (TWRP).
• 📝 Editing the fstab file.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory at Redmi