Cleaning up Xiaomi’s internal memory: A complete guide for Redmi, POCO and Mi

Xiaomi's internal memory is like a storage room that gets stuffed with unnecessary stuff over time. Even if you don't download movies or install dozens of games, the system is gradually overgrown with cache, logs and temporary files. The result is that the phone starts to slow down, apps fly out, and there's only a few gigabytes of free space left, but the problem is not the storage capacity, but how the system manages it.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to clean internal memory on any Xiaomi device, from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and POCO. You will learn how to remove hidden debris, optimize MIUI, and what to do if the memory “disappears” on its own. All methods are tested on current versions of firmware (including HyperOS) and do not require root rights.

Important: Before cleaning, check how much space is actually occupied. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory – the system will show the distribution by category (applications, media, cache, etc.). If there is a mysterious “Other files” hanging on 10+ GB, this is the first signal that it is time to act.

1. Built-in tools MIUI: clean-up

The manufacturer has put in MIUI and HyperOS some tools for automatic cleaning, enough for basic maintenance, but many users neglect them.

Cleaning up the app cache is like cleaning up the dust in a room, and the cache speeds up the software, but it grows to giant sizes over time, to remove it.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Open any application (start with the “heavy”) and click Clear Cache.

For mass cleaning, use the built-in Security utility (shield icon on your desktop):

• 🧹 Acceleration → Deep Cleanup – Deletes temporary files and residual debris.
• 🗑️ Cleaning up garbage → Scanning - Finds unnecessary APK, logs and empty folders.
• 📱 Memory management → Shows which apps consume the most space.

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If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, don't worry, the system will create new temporary files the next time it runs, and the speed will return to normal.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for Google Play Services, MIUI System and Android System are not absolutely necessary, and this can cause disruptions in Google services and interfaces.

2. manually deleting unnecessary files: where to look?

System utilities don’t always deal with “invisible” debris — files that remain after you delete applications, updates, or migrate data — and here’s where to look:

To access these folders, use the built-in File Manager or third-party applications like Solid Explorer. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.

🔍 How to find "heavy" files? in the File Manager go to the Categories section → Big files. The system sorts everything by size, so it's easier to find forgotten videos in the video. 4K backup.

3. MIUI optimization: disabling unnecessary functions

Xiaomi is known for its heavy interface, which consumes a lot of space for system needs, and some features can be turned off to free up additional gigabytes:

• 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video: These apps download album covers and movie previews. Turn off auto-update in their settings or delete via Settings → Annexes → Remove (if not used).
• 📸 Autosaving Media from Chats: Settings → Annexes → chat → Autoboot media → Turn off for mobile data and Wi-Fi.
• 🌐 Cloud Mi: If you do not use, delete backups to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Data management.
• 📱 Duplicates of system applications: in MIUI Often there are two browsers (Mi Browser and Google Chrome), two calendars, etc. Leave one.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable system applications through adb or third-party utilities (such as App Inspector). MIUI, including navigation gestures, dark theme and access to network settings.

4. Cleanup through Recovery Modes (Recovery and Fastboot)

If the internal memory is crammed to the limit and the phone is slowing down, a hardware reset will help, which removes everything, including accounts and installed applications, so use it as a last resort.

Reset via Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage by volume buttons, confirm by power button).
4. After resetting, the phone will reboot to its original state.

Reset via Fastboot (for power users):

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

These commands will completely clear the partition with user data and cache. Use only if Recovery is not available.

1. Create a backup of contacts (export to VCF)

2. Save photos/video to PC or cloud

3. write down logins / passwords from accounts (Mi, Google, social networks)

4. Make sure the battery charge is > 50%-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note) 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro et al.) may disappear after being reset via Fastboot IMEI. To avoid this, save a folder before the procedure. /data/nvram (Root rights are required).

5. Hidden MIUI functions for memory release

There are little-known settings in MIUI that help you control memory more effectively than standard tools.

Restriction of background activity:

• Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
• Select Application Selection and mark Limit Background Activity for Unnecessary Programs.
• This will reduce memory consumption by applications running in the background.

Disabling animations and visual effects:

• Activate Developer Mode (7 taps according to the MIUI version in About Phone).
• Then in Settings → Additional → For developers, install:
• The scale of the animation window, the scale of the animation transition and the duration of the animator on the off..

Transfer of applications to SD-card (if supported):

Not all Xiaomi models allow you to transfer programs to a memory card, but if yours supports:

1. Put it in. SD-map (preferably class) UHS-I or A1).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the application and click Move to SD-Card (not available for all programs).

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Turning off visual effects not only frees up memory, but also speeds up the interface by 15-20% (tests on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ with MIUI 14).

6. Third-party utilities: What really works?

Google Play has hundreds of memory cleanup apps, but most of them are either useless or harmful (showing false “threats” to sell the premium version).

🔧 If you don't have root rights, you can go to Files by Google, which is the official Google app that won't hurt the system. SD Maid, but be careful with the settings.

⚠️ Please note: Do not use "Clean Master" or "Clean Master" DU Speed Booster – Not only do they not clear memory, they can also steal user data (SophosLabs research, 2023) and often consume resources in the background.

7. Prevention: How to prevent memory clogging

The best way to combat memory shortage is to keep it from clogging, and here are some habits that will help keep the internal drive in order:

• 📲 Regular check: Open Settings once a month → Memory and see what takes up the most space.
• 🚫 Rejection of collections: do not install applications like “100 games in one” or “All movies are free” – they clog up memory with advertising modules.
• ☁️ Cloud Backups: Set up an automatic photo upload to Google Photos or Mi Cloud (but watch the quota!).
• 🔄 Updates to Wi-Fi: in Settings → The phone. → Update system disable download updates via mobile Internet – they weigh up to 2-3 GB.
• 🎮 Clean up after games: After removing heavy games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) check the folder /Android/obb/ — There are often files that weigh 1–5 GB.

💡 Gamer’s Tip: If you play on Xiaomi, use Game Turbo (in game settings) to limit background processes, which reduces memory load during gaming sessions.

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Create a temporary file folder on your desktop and put everything you download for later (documents, pictures, archives) in it, and clean it once a week so that the garbage doesn't spread throughout your memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup