Cleaning Apps and Their Data on Xiaomi: 5 Proven Ways

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their functionality, but over time even they start to slow down, with the main reason being clogged memory from accumulated application data, cache and unnecessary files. Cleaning apps and their residual data can restore the device to performance, free up space and even solve bug problems.

Many users mistakenly think that it is enough to simply remove the application through the menu, but this is not true. Even after uninstallation, temporary files, settings and cache remain in the system, which continue to occupy space. In this article, we will analyze all the ways of cleaning, from standard MIUI tools to hidden functions and ADB commands. And also find out what data can be safely deleted and what should not be touched, so as not to break the system.

If your Redmi, POCO or Mi is slow to work, warm up or fail to make a memory deficit, it's time to do the cleaning, start with the simplest methods and get to the most advanced ones, pick the right one!

1. Standard cleaning through MIUI settings

The most obvious and safe way to do this is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are for beginners and don't require any additional knowledge.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management. Here you will see a list of all installed programs, sorted by size. Click on any application to open its card. Inside there will be tabs:

• 📱 Delete – completely uninstalls the program (not available for all system applications).
• 🧹 Clear cache – deletes temporary files that the application created to speed up work.
• 🗑️ Clear data – resets all application settings (accounts, saves, history) to a “as after installation” state».

For maximum cleaning, we recommend you to first click "Clear Cache" and then "Clear Data." Attention: after cleaning the data, you will have to re-enter your accounts and configure the application!

If you need to make room quickly, sort apps by size (click on the three dots in the top right corner → Sort → By size) so you'll immediately see the most voracious culprits of memory shortage.

2.Using MIUI Optimizer (Hidden Function)

MIUI has a hidden MIUI Optimizer tool that allows you to clean the system deeper than you would with standard settings. It's not available on all models, but if your smartphone supports this feature, it's going to be a powerful assistant.

To activate MIUI Optimizer:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 5-7 times in a row on the MIUI version until the message “You are a developer!” appears.
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional → For developers → MIUI Optimizer.

Inside you will find some useful options:

• 🔍 Deep Cleanup – Deletes Residual Files of Remote Applications.
• 📦 Memory optimization – closes the background processes that consume resources.
• 🛠️ Error Correction – automatically detects and fixes system problems.

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If your version of MIUI does not have MIUI Optimizer, try typing the “optimization” request in your settings search – sometimes the function is hidden under a different name.

Important: Some firmware MIUI Optimizer may be missing or unstable. If after using it, the smartphone starts to glittle, reboot.

3. Cleaning through Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

If the usual removal of applications does not help (for example, the program does not delete or gives an error), try to start the smartphone in Safe Mode. In this mode, all third-party applications are disabled, and you can delete even those programs that are usually blocked.

To enter Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Press your finger on the option to turn off and hold for 3-5 seconds.
3. There will be a suggestion to go to safe mode - confirm.

In Safe Mode:

• 🚫 All third-party apps will be disabled (their icons will turn grey).
• 🔄 You can also remove programs that are not usually deleted.
• ⚠️ System applications (such as Mi Browser or Mi Music) cannot be removed.

After cleaning, restart your smartphone as normal. If the problem was in the conflicting application, after removing it, the device should earn more stable.

4. Remove system applications without root (via ADB)

Many Xiaomi users are faced with the problem of embedded applications that cannot be removed in standard ways (for example, Mi Video, Mi Pay, GetApps).If you do not need them, they can be uninstalled via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) without obtaining root rights.

This will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-plug-in.

Instructions for removal:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm debugging on your phone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Delete an unnecessary application by the command (example for Mi Video): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer The full list of system application packages can be found online at the request "MIUI bloatware list".

Download ADB Tools from the official Android website|Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Enable debugging on USB phone-on|Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable|Check the connection of the adb device team-->

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI. Before the procedure, back up your data! Some applications (such as Mi Security) are not recommended to be deleted - this can break the system's security.

5. Automatic cleaning with third-party utilities

If you don't want to manually clean each application, you can use specialized utilities that analyze the system and offer the best cleaning options.

Before using any utility, check user reviews for the current version – some programs may conflict with the latest MIUI updates. Also avoid “cleaners” who promise to “speed up the phone by 300%” – often it’s empty or even malware.

⚠️ Note: Do not use "cleanup" software RAM» in real time (e.g., in real time, RAM Booster). MIUI Optimizes memory itself, and forced closure of processes can, on the contrary, slow down the work.

6. Manual cleaning of data folders (for power users)

If you're willing to dive deeper, you can manually delete unnecessary files through the file manager, a method that requires caution but frees up more space than standard methods.

Where to look for garbage:

• 🗃️ /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ — here are stored application data (cache, save, download).
• 🗑️ /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ — Large game files (can be deleted if the games are not used).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download/ — Download folder, where unnecessary files often accumulate.
• 🔄 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/ — Photo and video miniatures (you can safely clean up).

To access these folders, use a root file manager (such as Root Explorer) or a standard MI File Manager with hidden file displays enabled (Settings → Show hidden files).

Critical information: Never delete files from /system/, /data/data/ or /vendor/ folders without knowing exactly what they are intended for.

7. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all the previous methods failed, and the smartphone is still slowing down, the last option is a complete reset, which is a radical solution that will bring the phone back out of the box by removing all data, applications and settings.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-15 minutes).

After discharge:

• ✅ The phone will work faster.
• ⚠️ All applications and data will be deleted (including photos if not stored in the cloud).
• 🔄 When you first turn on, you will be asked to restore data from a backup (if it was created).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) after the reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. Make sure you remember your username and password!

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Factory reset is a last resort, only use it if other cleaning methods have failed, or you plan to sell/give your phone away.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning apps on Xiaomi