How to completely clean internal memory on Xiaomi smartphones: from cache to factory settings

Xiaomi’s internal memory is one of the most common causes of brakes, app install errors, and sudden reboots. Even on top-end models like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro+, users face space shortages after 6-12 months of active use. The problem is not the storage capacity, but how the system manages data: app cache, duplicate photos, residual files after updates, and hidden debris from MIUI can occupy up to 30% of the total.

This article is not about deleting photos or cleaning the cart. We will break down system methods that allow you to free up 2 to 15 GB of memory without losing important data, including little-known features like Storage Analyzer (available with MIUI 12), manual cleaning of the /data/local/tmp folder and safe reset via Fastboot for advanced users. All instructions are tested on current firmware in 2026 and are compatible with 95% of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices.

1.Diagnosis: Why memory ends so quickly

Before you clean up your memory, you need to understand what it's doing. MIUI has a built-in analysis tool, but it hides some of the data, for example, system update files (OTAs) or Google Play Services cache can weigh a few gigabytes, but show up as "Other."

To get a full picture:

• 📊 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Memory (or Warehouse in newer versions) shows the total volume and categorization.
• 🔍 Click on category (e.g., “Applications») → «Details» → Sort by size. Pay attention to cache-sized applications. >500MB.
• 📁 Use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager) and go to the file manager. /storage/emulated/0. Folders. DCIM, Downloads and Android/data Usually takes up the most space.

Critical information: On devices with MIUI 14+ folder /data/app can weigh up 8 GB due to duplication APK-files after updates. It can't be cleaned manually, only through a reset or ADB.

2. Cleaning cache and unnecessary files without root

The safest way to free up 1-3GB is to remove the app cache and system debris, which, unlike manual file deletion, does not affect user data.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Sort by size”.
3. Select an app with a large cache (e.g. YouTube, Telegram, Google Chrome) → Storage → Clear cache.
4. For mass cleaning, use Settings → Memory → Clean (the “Clean” button at the bottom of the screen).

For deep cleaning:

• 🧹 Remove files from Downloads – outdated ones often accumulate here APK documents.
• 🗑️ Clear the Recycle Bin in the Gallery and File Manager (files are stored there for up to 30 days).
• 📥 B Settings → Memory. → Find the category “Big Files” and delete unnecessary videos/archives.

⚠️ Note: Do not cache system applications like com.android.systemui or com.miui.home manually through the ADB. This can lead to a cyclical reboot (bootloop).

3. Removal of duplicates and optimization of photo/video

Photos and videos take up 50 percent of the memory on most devices, and the problem is not how many, but how MIUI processes media files.

• 📸 Duplicates: When imported from other devices or edited, copies are created in the Xiaomi Gallery.
• 🎥 Cash thumbnails: The.thumbnails folder can weigh up to 1GB.
• 🔄 Authorization: Mi Cloud and Google Photos keep local copies even after synchronization.

How to clean:

1. Duplicates: Use the built-in Gallery tool → Albums → Duplicates (available with MIUI 13). Or install Files by Google → Cleanup → File Duplicates.
2. Cache thumbnails: Delete /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails folder through file manager (requires to show hidden files).
3. Optimize: In Google Photos, turn on “Free Space” (Settings → Free Space) to remove local copies of already uploaded photos.

Pro tip: If you shoot 4K/60fps videos frequently, transfer them to a microSD (if supported) or cloud. One hour of video at that resolution weighs ~40GB.

💡

Before deleting the photo, check the DCIM/Screenshots folder – screenshots for several years that take up gigabytes can lie here.

4. Cleaning up system debris through hidden MIUI functions

MIUI has hidden deep cleaning tools that are not available through the standard menu, such as Storage Analyzer, which shows files that are usually hidden from the user (system logs, temporary update files, etc.).

How to activate:

1. Open the phone and enter the code ##4636##.
2. Select "Storage" (Storage) → wait for the analysis.
3. In the “Other files” section, you will see files that can be safely deleted (e.g..log,.tmp).

Additional methods:

• 📦 Delete the folder. /data/local/tmp through ADB: adb shell su rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* (Root or unlocked bootloader rights required).
• 🗃️ Clear the cache. ART/Dalvik (Speed up the system: adb shell su rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/* Note: After this command, the device restarts longer than usual.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/data Without the structure, it's going to crash applications, like cleaning up. /data/data/com.android.providers.media Destroy the entire media base (photos and videos will disappear from the gallery).

5. Reset to factory settings: when necessary

If less than 10% of memory is free after all the manipulations and the system is slowing down, it’s time to do a hard reset, which deletes all data, including accounts, settings and installed applications, but returns the device to a “clean” state.

Step-by-step:

1. Back up via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset (or use Mi Mover).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” → enter a password (if any) → confirm.
4. After the reboot, follow the instructions of the setup wizard.

Alternative method via Recovery (if the phone is not turned on):

• 🔌 Turn off the device.
• 🔘 Hold the Power. + Volume Up before the Mi logo appears.
• 📛 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → confirm.

After discharge:

• ✅ Do not restore data from the backup right away – first check how much memory is free.
• ✅ Install only the necessary applications (avoid junk utilities like memory cleaners).
• ✅ Turn off auto-update apps on Google Play.

💡

Factory reset is the only way to remove system update files (OTAs) that can take up to 5GB and don’t show up in standard memory analysis.

6 How to prevent rapid memory filling in the future

To avoid clearing your memory every few months, set up Xiaomi correctly:

Additional advice:

• 📱 Use cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) to automatically upload photos/video.
• 🔄 Check the Downloads folder regularly – unnecessary ones accumulate here. APK documents.
• 🛡️ Install. SD Maid (root required) for automatic cleaning of garbage on schedule.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup