Xiaomi's Memory is Full - What to Do? Complete Cleanup Guide (2026)

Filled memory on Xiaomi smartphone is one of the most common problems faced by owners of Redmi models, POCO Even if you recently bought a phone with 128 or 256 GB, over time, free space is melting before your eyes: Android systems and shell. MIUI They cache data, they grow apps, they accumulate junk files, and as a result, the phone starts to slow down, the apps fly out, and the camera refuses to save new photos.

In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to free up memory on Xiaomi - from basic (cache and garbage removal) to advanced (transfer applications to the mobile phone). SD-map and factory reset. We'll focus on hidden functions. MIUI 14/15, You can also find a table comparing the effectiveness of each method and answers to frequent questions in the field of memory. FAQ.

1. Checking Occupied Space: What Exactly Eats Memory?

Before you clean up your memory, you need to understand which files take up the most space. Xiaomi has a built-in analyzer for this:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Wait for the scan to be completed (it may take 10 to 30 seconds).
3. Click on the category (such as “Apps” or “Media”) to see the details.

Typical memory eaters on Xiaomi:

• 📸 Photos and videos – especially in the format HEIF/HEVC (borrow 30–50% Less space, but not all programs support it).
• 🎮 Games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile can weigh 5 to 10 GB each.
• 🗑️ Application cache – temporary files that accumulate in the background (especially in messengers and social networks).
• 📁 Downloads — APK-files, documents and archives that are downloaded through the browser.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI — Firmware packs can take up to 2-3 GB and are not always automatically deleted.

If the "Other" section is more than 5-10 GB, that's a cause for concern, and most often, it hides:

• Residual files of remote applications.
• System logs (.log,.tmp).
• Cache Google Play Services and other system processes.

2.Cache and garbage cleanup: quick ways

The easiest way to free up 1-5 GB of memory is to remove the app cache and system debris. MIUI There are a few tools for this:

Clearing the cache of individual applications

If an application is unstable or takes up too much space:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram or YouTube).
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – this will remove all settings!).

For mass cleaning:

1. In the same menu, click on three dots (⋮) → «Size-based sorting».
2. Select the apps with the largest cache and clear them.

Systemic cleaning through “Safety”

MIUI has a built-in optimizer:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the “Cleaning” tab → “Deep Cleaning”.
3. Select file categories (cache, residual files, duplicates) and click “Clean”.

This method removes:

• 🧹 Cache all the apps.
• 🗑️ Temporary download files.
• 📂 Empty folders and duplicate media files.

💡

If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, that's OK, and the cache will recover after a few minutes of active use.

Disposal of garbage through ADB (advanced)

If standard methods don’t work, you can manually delete unnecessary files via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). For example, to clear the cache of all user applications, perform:

adb shell pm trim-caches -1

To remove the cache of system applications (root rights are required):

adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*"

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause system failures. Do not delete files in folders. /system or /vendor without understanding the consequences.

3. Optimization of media files: photos, videos and music

Media files are the main source of busy memory, even if you don't shoot videos in the video. 4K, Xiaomi defaults to high-resolution photos. Here's how to reduce their weight:

Change of camera resolution

By default, Xiaomi's camera shoots at maximum resolution to reduce the size of the photo:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) → «Photo permission».
3. Choose. 12 MP instead of MP 48/64/108 MP (difference as minimum, and saving memory - up to 70%).

For the video:

• In the camera settings, select "Video resolution» → Full HD (1080p) instead 4K.
• Turn off the option «HDR» — It increases the weight of files by 20-30%.

Conversion of photo to HEIF (saving up to 50% of the space)

MIUI format HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format, which takes up 2 times less space at the same quality:

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Photo format.
2. Choose «HEIF» instead «JPEG».

Cons HEIF:

• Not all social networks and messengers support the download of such files.
• On Windows, you will need to install an extension to view HEIF Image Extensions.

3.3. Transfer of media files to SD-map

If you have a microSD, transfer photos and videos to it:

1. Open the Gallery» → select files → Press "More» (⋮) → «Move it».
2. Point the folder to SD-map.

For cloud storage:

• 🌥️ Google Photos – free 15 GB (High Quality Compression»).
• 🌥️ Mi Cloud – 5GB free (integrated into the MIUI).
• 🌥️ Yandex Disk – 10 GB free (convenient for users from Russia).

⚠️ Note: When using Google Photos in Original Quality mode, files will take up space in your Google account. To avoid this, select High Quality (unlimited storage but compression).

4. Application management: removal, transfer and freezing

Apps are the second-largest memory user, even if you don't install games, Google's system services, and other devices. MIUI They can take up to 10-15 GB. Let's figure out how to deal with this.

Removal of unnecessary applications

Many preinstalled Xiaomi apps can be removed without root rights:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Press three points (⋮) → «Show all applications».
3. Select the unnecessary (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) and click Delete.

If the Remove button is inactive, try disabling the app:

1. In the app menu, click "Disable".
2. Confirm the action (this will delete all updates and cache, but not the files themselves) APK).

Transfer of annexes to SD-map

Not all applications support the transfer to SD, But for those who support it, it's a good way to save space:

1. In the app menu, click "Storage".
2. If the "Change" option is available, select SD-map.

Limitations:

• 🚫 Not all applications can be ported (especially system applications).
• 🔄 After the transfer, the application may work slower.
• ⚠️ When extracted SD-Application maps will stop working on it.

Freezing of applications through ADB

If the application cannot be removed or disabled, it can be frozen (stop without deleting).

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times click on the version number → Return to "Additional» → «For developers» → set up).
2. Enter the command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.package.name (replace com.package.name with the package name, for example com.miui.videoplayer).

To defrost:

adb shell pm enable com.package.name

Remove unnecessary applications|Clear the cache of all applications|Transfer supported applications to SD|Disable pre-installed services (Mi Video, Mi Music)|Freeze system applications through ADB-->

5. Hidden functions MIUI self-clean

MIUI 14/15 It has a few little-known features that help to automatically free up memory without manual intervention. They're often overlooked, but they can save up to 3–5 GB per month.

5.1. "Smart cleaning" in the background

This feature removes unnecessary files when the phone is idle:

1. Open "Security» → «Cleanup».
2. Turn on the "Autoclean" option.
3. Set up a schedule (for example, daily at 3:00).

What's removed:

• 🗑️ Cash app.
• 📥 Temporary download files.
• 📂 Empty folders.

Restriction of background activity

Many applications continue to run in the background, consuming memory and battery power, to limit them:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select the application → «Limit background activity».

It will suspend:

• 🔄 Auto-update of applications.
• 📥 Background data loading.
• 📊 Statistics (e.g. Google Play Services).

Compression of unused applications

MIUI It can automatically compress rarely used applications, freeing up to 50% of their size:

1. In “Security” go to “Optimization”.
2. Enable “Compression of Unused Applications.”

The next time the application is launched, it is automatically unarched.

Radical methods: resetting and flashing

If all of these methods didn't work, and there's a critically low amount of free memory (less than 500MB), you'll have to resort to radical measures. They'll delete all the data, so back up first!

Reset to factory settings

This will delete all user data, but return the phone to its original state:

1. Create a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm.

After discharge:

• 📱 The phone will be as new (without your files and apps).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI last-minute.
• 📲 Restore only the necessary data from the backup.

6.2 Flashing through Fastboot

If the reset didn't work (for example, because of corrupted system files), you can reflash the phone manually.

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Unpack the archive and connect the phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the phone is off).
3. Run command: fastboot flash all firmware.img

⚠️ Warning: Wrong firmware can turn your phone into a "brick." Make sure the firmware version matches your Xiaomi model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G — device!).

6.3 Memory enhancement through root and Magisk

If you are willing to take risks, you can get root rights and:

• 🔧 Remove system applications (bloatware).
• 📁 Move all applications to SD-map (even those that don't support it by default).
• 🗃️ Connecting an external storage device as an internal storage device).

For this:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install TWRP and run Magisk.
3. Use Magisk modules to optimize your memory.

Cons:

• 🚫 Loss of guarantee.
• 🔒 Risk of blocking the Mi Account.
• 🛠️ Possible system failures.

7. Comparison of cleaning methods: what gives more space?

To choose the most effective method, compare methods by the amount of memory released and the complexity of execution:

As you can see from the table, settings reset and firmware are the most effective, but they are also the riskiest. For most users, the best option is a combination of cleaning the cache, removing unnecessary applications and transferring media files.

💡

If you have less than 1 GB of free memory, your phone will slow down and your apps will fly out. Try to maintain a minimum of 3 to 5 GB of free space.

8.Prevention: How to avoid memory filling in the future

To avoid recurring problems, follow these guidelines:

• 📅 Weekly Cleanup: Make the habit of visiting Security once a week» → «Cleaning up and removing garbage.
• 📸 Optimize your camera: Shoot in 12 MP resolution and format HEIF.
• 🎮 Game Control: Remove the game cache (for example, in Call of Duty Mobile it can weigh up to 2 GB).
• 📥 Download restriction: Configure your browser to save files directly to SD-map.
• 🔄 Auto Updates: Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play.

Also useful:

• Use easy alternatives to popular apps (e.g. Telegram X instead of regular Telegram, Hermit to create lightweight versions of sites).
• Set up sync with the cloud and delete local copies after uploading.
• Periodically check the Download folder for unnecessary files (APK, PDF, archive).

💡

Turn on the option “Automatic Screenshot Deletion in 30 Days” in the camera settings – this will free up to 1-2 GB per month.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory on Xiaomi