Xiaomi has no memory: what to do if the phone says “memory is full”

Why Xiaomi is running out of memory and how to fix it

You're trying to install a new app or take a photo, but Xiaomi is giving you a "not enough memory" error? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones — especially if the device has 32 or 64 GB of internal memory. The reasons can be different, from cache accumulation to improper MIUI. In this article, we will discuss 10 proven ways to free up space on the phone without resorting to radical measures like reset to factory settings.

It’s important to understand that even if you delete all photos and apps, the system can still show occupied memory, because MIUI reserves some space for system needs, and also hides some files (for example, updates or log files), we will tell you how to find and remove this “junk”, and how to transfer data to the memory card correctly if your model supports microSD.

First, check what exactly takes up space. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see a diagram of the allocation of memory by category: applications, media, cache, etc. If the System partition takes up an abnormally large amount (for example, 20+ GB on a 64-gigabyte phone), this may indicate a failure in MIUI – we will also talk about this below.

1. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work, and over time, they accumulate and can take several gigabytes. You can clear the cache in two ways: manually for each application or globally for the entire system.

To clear the cache of a separate application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like YouTube or Facebook).
3. Click "Clear the cache."

For global cache cleaning:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Cleanup.
• 🧹 Click Clear (the system will prompt you to delete unnecessary files, including cache).
• ⚙️ For deep cleaning, select Deep Cleaning (remove the cache of system applications).

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse Clear Cache with Clear Data! The second action will delete all settings and files of the application (for example, save in games or login in social networks.

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If the app gets slower after cleaning the cache, that's OK, and the cache will recover over time, and the speed will return to its previous level.

2. Remove unnecessary applications and junk files

Many users install apps and then forget about them, especially Xiaomi pre-installed services (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) that cannot be removed by standard means, but can be turned off so they don’t take up space or waste resources.

How to remove or disable unnecessary applications:

• 🗑️ For removal: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Choose unnecessary → Delete.
• ⚡ To disable (if you can’t delete): click “Disable” (the application will disappear from the menu, but will remain in memory).
• 🔍 To search for large applications: in the Memory section, sort the list by size.

Also, remove duplicate photos and videos that are often created when imported from other devices or after updates.

• 📸 Use the built-in Gallery app: open the album, click "Management» → «Search for duplicates».
• 🗃️ Check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — Here are the photos that can be safely removed.

3. Transfer data to a microSD memory card

If your Xiaomi supports memory cards (e.g. Redmi Note 10, POCO X3), you can transfer some of the data to a microSD.

• 📱 Not all models allow you to transfer applications to the map – only multimedia (photos, videos, music).
• ⚠️ MicroSD Class Cards A1/A2 They work faster, but even they can slow down applications.
• 🔄 Application portability can lead to errors if the card is retrieved.

How to transfer files to a memory card:

1. Insert the card into the slot (if hybrid slot is supported, you will have to choose between a second SIM or microSD).
2. Open Files and select files to transfer.
3. Click “Slice” (do not copy!) and paste it into the folder on the memory card.

For the transfer of applications (if supported):

• 📲 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔄 Select the application and click “Move to” SD-Card" (option may not be available).

4. Use of cloud storage

If physical memory is sorely lacking and microSD cards are not, you can move some of the data to the cloud. Xiaomi offers its own Mi Cloud storage (5 GB for free), but it is better to use more reliable services:

• ☁️ Google Photos – Automatic upload of photos and videos in original quality (15 GB free).
• 📁 Google Drive – for documents and backups (also 15 GB within Google Account).
• 🌐 Yandex Disk – 10 GB free, convenient for users from Russia.

How to set up automatic uploading of photos in Google Photos:

1. Install the Google Photos app from the Play Market.
2. Open the settings (profile icon → “Photo settings”).
3. Enable Backup and Sync and select quality (Original or High).

⚠️ Warning: After uploading photos to the cloud, do not delete them from your phone until you make sure they are successfully synced.

5. Cleanup of downloads and temporary files

Download folder is one of the most littered places on the phone. APK-files, documents, archives and other files that are often forgotten to be deleted:

• 📂 Android/data — This store the application data (for example, game cache).
• 📂 Android/obb — Game add-ons files (can weigh several gigabytes!).
• 📂 Bluetooth and SendAnywhere – Temporary files transmitted over Bluetooth or via sharing services.

How to clean these folders:

• 🗃️ Open Files and go to the Category section» → «Downloads».
• 🔍 Sort files by size and remove unnecessary ones.
• 🧹 For cleaning. Android/data and Android/obb You may need root access or a special application such as SD Maid.

Critical information: If you delete files from your Android/obb folder, some games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) may stop working and require re-uploading data (up to 10 GB!).

6. Reset the recovery partition cache (for advanced)

If standard methods didn’t help, and the system still shows busy memory, the problem may be in the recovery partition cache, which accumulates after MIUI updates and can take up to 1-3 GB.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Volume Up + Power buttons before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select “Wipe & Reset” → “Wipe Cache”.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse “Wipe Cache” with “Wipe Data” – the second action will result in a complete reset of the phone!

1. Charge your phone at least 50%

2. Make a backup copy of important data

3. Make sure you know the password from Mi-account (may be required after the reboot)

4. disable your Google account if you use a pattern lock-->

7.Verification for viruses and malware

Sometimes memory is lost due to hidden miners or viruses that download files in the background, such as Trojans that can download ads or even mine cryptocurrency, taking up space and using up the battery.

How to check your phone for viruses:

• 🛡️ Use Built-in Security: Settings → Security → Scan.
• 🔍 Install a third-party antivirus (such as Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light).
• 📊 Check the traffic consumption: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic consumption: If an application consumes a lot of data for no reason, it's a reason to be wary.

If the antivirus finds threats, remove suspicious apps and clean your phone with MIUI Security.

• 🚫 Disable the installation of applications from unknown sources: Settings → Confidentiality → Special permits → Installation of unknown applications.
• 🔄 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (new versions often close vulnerabilities).

8. factory reset (last resort)

If none of these things work, you just have to reset your phone completely, and it's a radical method that will delete all the data, including apps, photos and settings, and only use it if you:

• 📱 Phone constantly writes "memory is full" despite deleting files.
• 🔄 The system is slowing down and other methods are not helping.
• 🛠️ You plan to sell or transfer your phone.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, the phone will look like new.

⚠️ Note: After a reset, Xiaomi may require data entry from the Mi-account that was tied to the phone.If you forget the password, unlocking can take up to 72 hours!

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The factory reset deletes ALL data, including files in internal memory, and the microSD card is not affected.

Comparison of memory release methods on Xiaomi

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory on Xiaomi