Xiaomi phone writes “lack of memory”: what to do in 2026

The “not enough memory” message on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark) comes unexpectedly – often when an app is installed, video is shot, or a system update is updated – not only because of the filled storage, but also because of the MIUI’s features: the shell reserves up to 5-7 GB for system processes, cache, and updates, even if you haven’t run them, as a result, the user sees 2-3 GB free, and the phone refuses to install the 500 MB app.

In this article, 7 proven ways to free up memory on Xiaomi without resetting to factory settings, including hidden MIUI features, working with ADB and optimization for models with eMMC memory (for example, Redmi 9A or POCO M3).

1. Check the real state of memory: hidden reserves MIUI

The first thing you need to do is to specify how much memory is actually occupied, because MIUI is not showing the user an exact number, but "conditionally available" space, for example, if the settings are 128 GB, then:

• 📱 The system takes over ~12-15 GB (including firmware and preinstalled applications).
• 🔄 Update reserve: up to 3-5GB (even if you have disabled auto-updates).
• 🗑️ Cache and temporary files – up to 2-4 GB (hidden from the user in the standard file manager).

To see the actual memory allocation, use third-party utilities like DiskUsage (from Google Play) or type in ADB:

adb shell df -h /data

This command will show how much space is occupied in the /data partition, where user files and applications are stored, and if less than 10% of the total volume is free, the phone will slow down and emit errors.

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On Xiaomi models with eMMC memory (such as Redmi 8A or POCO C3), when the storage is filled by more than 90%, the write speed drops by 2-3 times, which can cause lags even when you simply scrolle through the feed on social networks.

2.Cache and garbage cleaning: what to remove and what not to

The fastest way to free up 1-3 GB is to clean up the app cache and system debris, but it’s important not to overdo it: for example, cleaning up the cache of Google Play Services or MIUI System can lead to service disruptions.

Safe course of action:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
3. Select apps with a cache >100MB (e.g. YouTube, TikTok, Facebook) and click Clear Cache.
4. For system applications (such as Gallery or Music), use the Clear Data button only if you are ready to lose settings.

For deep cleaning:

• 🧹 Use the built-in security utility → Cleaning (removes up to 500MB of garbage).
• 🔍 Files by Google (from Play Market) – it finds duplicates and large files that are not visible in the standard manager.
• 🚫 Do not clear the cache of com.android.vending (this is Google Play Market) – this can break the installation of applications.

Clear the cache of social networks (TikTok, Instagram)|Remove downloads older 3 months|Clear the Google Chrome cache|Delete APK-files from the Download folder|Clear the file. DCIM/thumbnails (photo-sketch)-->

3. Transfer applications and files to SD-map: limitations MIUI

If your Xiaomi supports memory cards (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro), you can transfer some of the data to the microSD.

• 📌 Applications can only be ported if they support this feature (many games and instant messengers don’t).
• 🔧 MIUI prevents SD-The card is an internal memory (unlike Samsung or Huawei).
• ⚠️ After the annex has been moved to SD It can be slower (especially on cheap Class 10 cards).

How to transfer data:

1. Put it in. SD-map (recommended) UHS-I Class 10 or higher).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the application → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.
4. For files (photos, videos) use Gallery → Select → Move to SD.

⚠️ Attention: Don't put it on SD-Notification card (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) may stop showing messages on time.

4. Remove pre-installed applications (bloatware) without root

Xiaomi is known for a large number of pre-installed applications (called bloatware) that take up space and are not removed in standard ways.

• 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video (Duplicate Google Services).
• 📰 Mi Browser (can collect data).
• 🛒 GetApps, Mi Pay, Mi Credit (not available outside China/India).
• 🎮 Game Turbo (Unhelpful if you don't play).

You can remove them without root rights using ADB:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → For Developers.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer (replace com.miui.videoplayer with the desired application package).

List of safe packet removal:

com.miui.miservice - Mi Service Framework (Advertising)


com.xiaomi.midrop - Mi Drop (unusual without Xiaomi devices)




com.miui.analytics - Analytics collection




com.miui.bugreport - Error Reports (can be deleted)




com.android.browser - Standard browser (if you use Chrome)

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages with the names com.android., com.google. or com.qualcomm. – this can break the system.

Mi Browser|GetApps|Mi Music|Mi Video|Game Turbo|Nothing removed-->

5. Storage optimization for eMMC models (Redmi) 8/9/POCO)

Xiaomi budget smartphones (Redmi 8A, Redmi 9C, POCO C3) are equipped with eMMC memory, which has two key drawbacks:

1. Speed degradation when filling > 80% (the phone starts to "lag" even in the menu).
2. Limited resource of records (with frequent deletion / write files, memory “wears out” faster).

How to extend the life of eMMC and make room:

• 📉 Keep at least 10-15% of memory free (for example, 32 GB – 3-5 GB).
• 🔄 Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play (they take up space and wear out memory).
• 📷 Don't shoot the video in 4K full HD 60 FPS — One file can weigh 1-2 GB.
• 🗑️ Use fstrim to optimize memory (do once a month through the ADB): adb shell fstrim -v /data

6. reset the partition cache (wipe cache partition) without loss of data

If after all the manipulations the phone still writes “not enough memory”**, and in the settings you can see that there is a place, the problem may be in the damaged cache of the system, in which case resetting the cache of the cache partition (not to be confused with factory reset!) will help.

How to do this:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

This procedure:

• ✅ Does not delete user data (photos, applications, settings).
• ✅ Releases up to 1-2 GB of hidden garbage.
• ✅ Fixes errors with application installation (e.g. code) INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE).

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will erase all data on the phone.

7.Alternative solutions: cloud, OTG and memory replacement

If all methods have been tried and memory is still lacking, consider drastic measures:

• ☁️ Cloud storage: Google Photos (unlimited storage of compressed photos). Mi Cloud (5 GB free for Xiaomi owners). Yandex Drive (10 GB when registering).
• 🔌 OTG-Driver: Connect the flash drive through USB OTG And you can transfer movies or backups to it. All Xiaomi models from Redmi onwards are supported. 4X.
• 🔧 Replacement of memory: In some models (e.g, POCO F1 or Mi 8) can be replaced memory chip, but it requires soldering work and costs ~3-5 thousand rubles.

For owners of Xiaomi with 32 GB of memory (for example, Redmi 9A or POCO C31), the only long-term solution may be to buy a phone with a large amount of storage. The fact is that even after all the optimizations MIUI and Android take ~20 GB, and for comfortable work you need at least 10-15 GB of free space.

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If your phone is on Android 10 or older and your memory runs out 1-2 weeks after cleaning, the problem is background MIUI activity. Try turning off "Recommendations" in Settings → Screen → Screen lock and limit background activity for unnecessary apps.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory on Xiaomi