Xiaomi’s “lack of memory”: 10 working ways to free up space

The “Not enough memory” error on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most common problems users face after 1-2 years of active use. Even on devices with 128 GB or 256 GB of internal memory, space begins to run out over time due to cache accumulation, duplicate photos, heavy apps and system debris. Unlike the iPhone, where memory is tightly controlled, MIUI gives more freedom - but also requires regular “cleaning”.

In this article, we will look at all possible causes of memory overflow, from obvious (clogged Telegram cache) to hidden (MIUI system logs, which weigh gigabytes). And most importantly, we will give step-by-step instructions on how to free up space without data loss and without root rights. Spoiler: in 80% of cases, the combination of cleaning the cache, transferring files to the memory card and disabling unnecessary system processes helps.

Why Xiaomi is running out of memory fast (and how to check it)

Before you clean up your memory, you need to understand what it takes. MIUI has built-in analysis tools, but they often hide some of the data. For example, system files (/data) can weigh 10-15 GB, but the standard Settings → Memory menu does not display this.

To get a full picture:

• 📊 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Memory (or Settings) → Memory in new versions MIUI). This shows the total volume and distribution by category (applications, multimedia, systems, etc.).
• 🔍 Use third-party analyzers, such as Files by Google or SD Maid – They will show hidden folders and large files that are not visible in the standard manager.
• 📁 Check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — Here are photos and videos that can weigh 1–3 GB even after the originals have been deleted.

The main memory eaters on Xiaomi:

A critical mistake many users make: they only clear the app cache through settings, but forget about the system debris and temporary files that accumulate in /data/local/tmp and /cache folders. These files are not visible without root rights, but they can be deleted through ADB (instruction below).

Method 1: Clearing the application cache (without data loss)

Cache is temporary files that apps save to make things faster, like Instagram caches stories, YouTube caches offline videos, and Telegram can store up to 5 to 7GB of media. Clearing the cache won't delete your accounts or settings, but it will free up space.

How to clean the cache selectively:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Telegram or Facebook).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For mass cleaning:

• 🧹 Use the built-in tool: Settings → Memory. → Cleaning (in new versions) MIUI — Quick cleaning).
• 🔥 Xiaomi’s Security app has a Deep Clean feature that removes unnecessary files and remnants of deleted programs.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications (for example, com.android.systemui) - this can cause interface failures. Also do not delete application data (Clear Data button) unless you want to lose logins and settings.

Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner of the Gallery and select "Clear Cache"

Check the cache of Google Play Services (can weigh up to 1GB)

Remove Offline Content on YouTube and Netflix

Clear your history in your browser (Chrome or Mi Browser)

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Method 2: Removing duplicate photos and videos

One of the biggest memory eaters is duplicate media files, which are caused by:

• 📸 Auto-save photos from messengers (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram).
• 🔄 Sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud (files duplicated in folders) DCIM/Camera and Pictures).
• 🎥 Screenshots and screen recordings that are saved in different folders.

How to find and remove duplicates:

1. Open the Gallery app from Xiaomi.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Control → Duplicates.
3. The application will automatically find duplicate files – select unnecessary and delete.

If you don’t have a built-in tool (on older versions of MIUI), use:

• 📱 Files by Google – in the Cleanup section there is a function to search for duplicates.
• 💻 Duplicate Files Fixer (for PC) – if you need to clear memory through your computer.

⚠️ Before mass deletion of duplicates, check if they are backups of important files. For example, WhatsApp can save media in two folders: WhatsApp/Media and DCIM/WhatsApp.

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To avoid duplicates in the future, disable auto-save media in messengers: in Telegram, this is done in Settings → Data and memory → Auto-save media.

Method 3: Transfer applications and files to a memory card

If your Xiaomi supports microSD cards, you can expand the storage and transfer some data.

• 📱 Not all applications can be transferred to SD-card (especially system and game protection, for example) PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).
• ⚡ Class cards A1 or A2 They work faster, but even they slow down performance compared to internal memory.
• 🔧 V MIUI There is a limitation: only a part of the application data can be transferred to the map, not the whole whole.

How to transfer files to SD-map:

1. Insert a memory card (recommended format - exFAT for files >4 GB).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → SD card.
3. Choose Format as internal memory (this will combine the SD with the main storage) or use as a removable drive.
4. To port applications: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Select application → Memory → Change → SD card.

For transferring media files:

• 📁 Use File Manager (Files or Mi Explorer).
• 🎵 For music: Google Play Music or Mi Music has a save option on the SD.

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Formatting the card as internal memory will allow you to install applications on it, but once you remove the card, they will stop working. Use this mode only to constantly expand the memory.

Method 4: Cleaning System Garbage Through ADB (For Advanced)

If standard methods didn't work, and the memory is still full, the problem might be system files that are not visible to the user.

• 🗑️ folder /data/log — Error logs and debugging information (may weigh) 1–5 GB).
• 📦 Remains of Remote Applications in /data/app-lib.
• 🔄 Temporary update files (/cache/ota).

To remove them, you will need ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is the official tool from Google, which allows you to control the device through a computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder on your PC.
2. On your phone, turn on Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone) and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line (in the folder with ADB):

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /cache/*

If there are no root rights, use:

adb shell pm trim-caches 1G

(This will clear the cache of all applications, freeing up to 1 GB).

⚠️ Note: Delete files through ADB If you don't understand the consequences, you can crash the system. /system or /vendor — This will lead to a device blink.

Method 5: Disconnecting unnecessary system processes

MIUI is known for loading the system with unnecessary processes that consume memory and resources.

• 📡 Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser – pre-installed apps that can’t be removed but can be disabled.
• 📊 Analytics and MSA (Mobile Services Analytics – Xiaomi’s statistics collection service that writes logs to memory.
• 🎮 Game Turbo – If you don’t play mobile games, you can deactivate this process.

How to disable unnecessary services:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all processes.
3. Find an unnecessary application (such as Mi Video) and click Disable (do not Delete, as it is system software).

To disable Analytics and MSA:

1. Enter the dialer code ##4636##.
2. Select Phone Information → Menu (three dots) → Disable statistics collection.

What processes can be turned off without risk:

Method 6: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods failed and the memory is still full, a hard reset remains, which will delete all data, including apps, photos, contacts and settings, but return the device to a “clean” state.

When to do the reset:

• 🔄 The phone is slowing down, and memory is full of unknown things.
• 📱 You’ve tried all cleaning methods, but less than 10% of the total space is available.
• 🔧 Planning to sell or transfer the device.

How to reset:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) through Mi Cloud or Google Account.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Delete all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: After a reset, do not restore data from the backup immediately - first check how much memory is available. Often the problem returns if you restore old files with garbage.

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Resetting to factory settings deletes all data, including files in DCIM, Downloads and Documents folders. Before the procedure, be sure to copy them to your PC or cloud.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory on Xiaomi