Xiaomi phone is full of memory – what to do: 7 working ways

You see the words "Memory is full" on the Xiaomi screen, and the phone starts to slow down, apps are not updated, and photos are not saved? This problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones brand — especially if you have a model with 32 GB or 64 GB of internal memory. The causes of overflow can be different from cache accumulation and junk files to errors in the MIUI.

In this article, we will discuss all possible solutions, from basic (delete unnecessary files) to advanced (transfer data to a memory card or cloud), you will learn how to free up up to 10-15 GB of space without losing important data, even if the system shows that memory is filled with “unknown files”, instructions are suitable for all current models: Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13/14 and others.

1. Check what exactly takes up memory on Xiaomi

Before you delete something, you need to know which files or applications are eating up the most space, and MIUI has a built-in storage analyzer that will show you detailed statistics.

How to open the analyzer:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click on the graph or the line "Memory Analysis".
3. Wait for the scan to be completed (it may take 1-2 minutes).

The system will break down all data into categories: apps, photos/video, audio, documents and system files. Pay attention to the Other section, which often hides temporary files and cache that can be safely deleted.

If the analyzer shows that 5-10 GB is occupied by “system data,” it could be:

• 📁 Cache of applications (especially messengers and social networks).
• 🔄 System Logs and Error Dumps (created after failures).
• 📦 Residual files after deleting programs.
• 🔒 Encrypted data (if you use Private Safe in the MIUI).

2. Cleaning up cache and junk files

The fastest way to free up 1-3GB is to delete the app cache and temporary files, which won’t hurt your data, but can speed up your phone.

Method 1: Clearing the cache for all applications at once

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Clear Cache."
3. Confirm the action.

Attention!

YouTube

TikTok

Method 2: Manual cleaning for individual applications

Some programs (e.g. Telegram, WhatsApp, Google Chrome) can accumulate gigabytes of cache to clean it selectively:

1. Go to Settings → Apps.
2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram).
3. Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».

Delete the cache of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber)

Clear your browser data (Chrome, Mi Browser)

Remove downloads from the Download folder

Clear the cache of games (if you play heavy projects)

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Method 3: Using the built-in MIUI cleaner

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the "Cleaning" tab.
3. Click Deep Clean and select all categories (cache, residual files, APK).
4. Slip "Clean" and confirm.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in the "Important Data" section - these may be saved passwords or settings.

3. Remove unnecessary apps and games

Applications are one of the biggest memory eaters, and even if you haven’t used a program in a long time, it can take hundreds of megabytes (and games can take several gigabytes).

How to find and remove unnecessary applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by size (slip on "Size" in the top panel).
3. Look at programs that are over 100MB and you don’t use them.
4. Click on the app. → «Delete».

Pay particular attention to:

• 🎮 Games (especially Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty – They Weigh 2–5 GB Each).
• 📱 Duplicate applications (e.g., two browsers or two file managers).
• 🔧 Pre-installed programs from Xiaomi (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Pay) if you do not use them.
• 🛒 Apps that you installed “just in case” (fitness trackers, photo editor, etc.).

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If you can’t delete the pre-installed application (the “Delete” button is inactive), turn it off: click “Disable” in the app menu, which will stop it from working and free up some memory.

If you are afraid to delete something important, transfer the rarely used programs to a memory card (if supported by your model).

1. Insert microSD into your phone (if there is a slot).
2. Go to Settings → Applications, select the program.
3. Click on “Storage” → “Change” → select a memory card.

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support portability SD. After the transfer, they can also work more slowly.

4. Optimization of photos and videos

High-resolution photos and videos take up the lion’s share of memory, for example, one video in 4K lasting 1 minute can weigh 300-500 MB, and a photo with Xiaomi 13 Ultra can weigh up to 15-20 MB.

Ways to make room:

• 📸 Reduce photo/video resolution in camera settings: Open the Camera app. Tap on the gear (settings) → «Photo resolution. Choose 12 MP instead of MP 48/50/200 MM (if you do not need professional photos).
• 🎥 Turn off the video recording in 4K/8K, If you don't use this permission: In the camera settings, select "Video resolution." Set it. 1080p (Full HD) instead 4K.

Upload media files to the cloud

• Use Google Photos (free 15GB) or Mi Cloud (up to 5GB for Xiaomi accounts).
• Turn on Auto-Boot: In Google Photos, go to Settings → Backup and Sync.

Remove duplicates and failed photos

• The MIUI Gallery has a Smart Cleanup feature (in the album menu).
• Apps like Files by Google or CCleaner can also find repetitive photos.

5. Transfer data to a memory card or external storage

If your Xiaomi supports microSD (e.g. Redmi Note 12, POCO X5), transferring files to a memory card can be a lifesaver.

How to use the memory card correctly:

1. Buy a class A2 or UHS-I microSD (like SanDisk Ultra or Samsung EVO) that is faster and more reliable.
2. Insert the card into your phone and format it as internal memory (if you need to store apps) or portable (file only).
3. Move files: Open Files (MIUI app). Select folders (e.g. DCIM, Download, Music). Tap "Select" → "Move" → specify memory card.

What can be transferred to SD:

• 📷 Photo and video (folder) DCIM).
• 🎵 Music and Podcasts (Music folder).
• 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel).
• 🎮 Data from some games (through application settings).

What I CAN'T TREAT:

• 🔧 System applications (MIUI let it go).
• 📱 Apps that do not support Adoptable Storage (most games).
• 🔒 Encrypted data (e.g. from Private Safe).

⚠️ Note: If you format a card as internal memory, it cannot be retrieved and used in another device without full formatting.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If you've tried everything, but the memory is still filled with "unknown files," a complete reset may help, which will delete all the data from your phone, so use this method only as a last resort.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data”.
4. Enter your password (if installed) and confirm.

What will be removed:

• 📱 All installed applications and their data.
• 📁 Photos, videos, music (if not saved to a memory card).
• 📞 Contacts, messages, call history.
• 🔧 System settings (MIUI, wallpaper).

What's left:

• 📁 Files on a memory card (unless it is formatted as an internal one).
• ☁️ Data synced to Mi Cloud or Google Account.

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Resetting to factory settings is the last chance if other methods fail, and once reset, the phone will be "like new," but all the unsaved data will be lost forever.

7. Additional methods: cloud, OTG and storage replacement

If none of these methods worked, consider alternative options:

1. Use of cloud storage

• ☁️ Google Drive – 15 GB free, easy to use for documents and photos.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – 5GB for Xiaomi accounts, integrated with MIUI.
• ☁️ Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud – up to 10–100 GB when registering.

How to automate the download:

1. In Google Photos, turn on “Backup and Sync”.
2. In Mi Cloud, activate gallery and contacts sync.

2. Connecting an external drive over OTG

If your Xiaomi doesn’t have a microSD slot, you can use it. USB-flash-drive SSD adapter OTG:

• 🔌 Buy it. OTG-cable, USB-C to USB-A).
• 📁 Connect the flash drive and transfer files through the Files app».
• 🎮 Some games (such as Genshin Impact) allow you to store data on an external drive.

3. Replacement of internal memory (for advanced users)

⚠️ Attention: This method is only suitable for power users and requires disassembling the phone!

• 🛠️ Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10 Pro, POCO F3) It allows you to replace the built-in storage eMMC/UFS more capacious.
• 💰 Replacement cost: 3,000 to 10,000 ₽ (depending on the model and volume).
• 🔧 Where to do: in service centers with rationing experience BGA-chip.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory on Xiaomi