Cleaning apps and their data on Xiaomi Redmi: a step-by-step guide with nuances

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their performance and functionality, but over time, even they start to “brake” due to the accumulated unnecessary data. Applications take up memory, cache inflates to giant sizes, and background processes slow down the system. If your Redmi has become slower to respond to commands, often overheats or issues notifications about memory shortages, it’s time to do a general cleaning.

In this article, we will explore all the ways to clean up, from basic removal of unnecessary applications to deep data reset, taking into account the features of the MIUI shell, you will learn how to safely free up space without deleting important files, and what tools the developers have provided for this, and also reveal secrets that are not written in official instructions, such as how to clean the data of system applications without root rights or why some programs “return” after deleting.

Importantly, Redmi's cleaning procedures are different from other Android devices because of the firmware that's branded, and you can't just remove pre-installed Xiaomi services, because it can disrupt the system, and we'll show you how to get around those restrictions with legal methods.

1. How to remove unnecessary apps on Xiaomi Redmi

The first step to freeing up memory is getting rid of programs you don't use. There are a number of ways you can do this on Redmi, but there are nuances with system applications.

The easiest method is through the settings menu:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the All Apps or Downloaded tab (if you want to see only the programs you have installed).

Not all programs can be removed that easily, however, such as Mi Browser, Mi Music or GetApps, which are system applications that MIUI blocks from standard removal, and only the “Disable” option is available for them (it hides the application and stops its background operation).

• 📱 Through the launcher: press the app icon on the home screen → Select “Delete”** (not for all programs).
• 🗑️ Through "Cleaning": Settings → Memory. → Cleanup** → Select applications for removal.
• 🔧 Through ADB: for power users – allows you to remove even system applications without root (instruction below).

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB It can lead to disruptions in work. MIUI. Before the procedure, back up the data in Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

2.Cache and application data cleanup: when and why it is needed

Even if you regularly delete unwanted programs, their residual files — cache and data — continue to take up memory. Cache speeds up applications, but over time grows to several gigabytes. Data stores settings, logins and other user files.

How to clear the cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like YouTube or Facebook).
3. Click Clear Cache** (it’s safe – the app will simply recreate the cache the next time it runs).

Cleaning up the app's data is a more radical step, resetting the program to factory settings (e.g., games have to start from scratch, messengers have to log in again).

1. In the same app menu, click on “Clear Data” (or “Memory Management” → “Clear All Data”).

To clean the cache of all applications at the same time:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
2. Click “Clear Cache”** at the bottom of the screen.

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If after cleaning the cache, the application began to work slower, just restart it 2-3 times - the system will restore the necessary temporary files.

3. Removal of system applications without root rights (via ADB)

Many Xiaomi Redmi users want to get rid of pre-installed services like Mi Video, Mi Pay or Cleaner, but this is not possible with standard methods (ADB), tool for debugging Android devices.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI** (tap 7 times) → Developer settings → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on your phone screen.


2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.




3. Enter the command:




adb devices




(Your device should be displayed).




4. To remove the application, use:




adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet




For example, to remove Mi Video:




adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer




5. Reboot the smartphone.

List of packages of popular system applications Xiaomi:

• com.miui.cleanmaster — Security (Cleaner)
• com.xiaomi.scanner — Scanner
• com.miui.player — Mi Music
• com.miui.bugreport - Error Report

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages called com.android., com.google. or com.qualcomm.* are critical system components, and their removal will lead to the inoperability of the smartphone and the need for complete flashing.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Download platform tools ADB|Enable debugging over USB on your smartphone |Do backup data |Check the list of packages before deleting-->

4.Deep cleaning: reset to factory settings

If your smartphone is slowing down a lot and standard methods aren't working, the last option is hard reset, which will delete all data, including apps, settings, photos and accounts. Use this method only as a last resort!

How to reset:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Alternative method (if the smartphone is not turned on):

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage volume buttons, confirm – power button).

After discharge:

• 🔄 The smartphone will return to the state of “out of the box” – will have to reconfigure MIUI.
• 📥 Restore data from a backup (if you did it through Mi Cloud or locally).
• 🔒 Remember to re-enter Xiaomi account, otherwise services like Find Device will not work.

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Factory resets even remove hidden system files that cannot be manually cleaned, the only way to get rid of viruses if they have penetrated system folders.

5. How to clean up memory from garbage without removing applications

You don't always have to remove software to make room. MIUI has built-in garbage cleaning tools, and third-party utilities that work more efficiently.

Built-in cleaning in MIUI:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
2. Click “Verify”** – the system will scan the device for unnecessary files (cache, temporary files, empty folders).
3. Select categories to clean (such as App Cache or Downloads) and click Clear.**

Third-party utilities:

• 🧹 SD Maid – deletes residual files after uninstallation of programs.
• 🗑️ Files by Google – Finds duplicate files and large data.
• 🔍 CCleaner – clears the cache and optimizes the system (caution: some functions are paid for).

Pay attention to the folders that often grow:

• /DCIM/.thumbnails – photo and video miniatures (can be removed without consequences).
• /Download – downloads from the browser (often unnecessary files accumulate there).
• /Android/data – Application data (clean manually only if you are sure that they are unnecessary).

6.Optimize the Xiaomi Redmi after cleaning

Delete applications and clean up data is only half the battle, so to make your smartphone work quickly and steadily, make additional adjustments:

Turn off the autoload of unnecessary programs:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Autoboot.
2. Turn off auto-runs for programs you rarely use (such as games or social media).

Limit background activity:

1. Set limits for energy-intensive programs (such as Facebook or TikTok).

Set up the system animation (for experienced users):

1. Enable Developer Mode (as described above).

These changes will speed up the interface response by 15-20% without loss of functionality.

7 Frequent cleaning errors and how to avoid them

Many Xiaomi Redmi users experience problems after a bad cleaning, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

• 🚫 Remove system applications without backup if you have deleted com.android.phone or other critical package through ADB, The smartphone can stop calling or connecting to the network.Solution: reflash the device via Fastboot.
• 🗃️ Clearing messenger data without exporting chats. When you clean WhatsApp or Telegram data, you lose all correspondence.
• 🔄 Reset settings without detachment of Google account. After reset, the smartphone may require data from the previous account (protection) FRP). To avoid blocking, delete your Google account in Settings → Accounts before resetting.
• 📱 Using "cleaners" from unknown sources. Some cleaning applications (e.g., from APK-files contain malicious code. Install only proven utilities from Google Play.

⚠️ Note: If after cleaning the smartphone began to overheat or discharge quickly, check the list of working processes in Settings → Battery → Battery use, maybe some program ran in the background and was consuming resources.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions