Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their functionality, but over time, even they start to “brake” due to the accumulated garbage in applications. Clogged cache, unnecessary background processes and residual files after uninstallation of programs eat up precious gigabytes of memory and slow down the device. In this article, we will examine all the available ways to clean applications, from standard MIUI tools to hidden functions and third-party utilities.
Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark) use their own MIUI shell, which adds unique cleaning options on top of standard Android. For example, the built-in Optimizer can not only remove cache, but also analyze rarely used applications, and Deep Cleaning allows you to erase even system residual data.
It’s important to understand that simply removing cache through settings is only the tip of the iceberg. To clean it properly, you need to work with background processes, disable autoloading of unnecessary services, and even clean residual files manually. In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for each method, and learn which applications can be safely removed and which ones are better left.
1. Standard cache cleaning through MIUI settings
The easiest and safest way to free up memory is to delete the app cache. Cache is temporary files that programs save for quick operation (such as thumbnails of images in a gallery or web page data in a browser), these files accumulate over time and take up gigabytes of memory.
To clear the cache for a separate application:
- Open the Settings → Applications.
- Select the app you want (like YouTube or Facebook).
- Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
For mass cleaning of all applications:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Memory.
- 🧹 Click Clear (the system will automatically find unnecessary files).
- ⚡ Select the Application Cash and confirm the removal.
⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second action will delete all application settings (logins, saves, settings) and it will have to be reconfigured.
2. Deep cleaning: removal of residual files and debris
Even after the application is removed, Xiaomi often has tails — folders with settings, logs and other files — that are not deleted by standard MIUI tools, so deep cleaning is required.
Methods of deleting residual files:
- 🔍 Use the built-in Optimizer: Open the Security app (shield icon). Go to the Cleanup tab. → Deep Clean. Select Residual Files and click Clear.
- 📁 Manual cleansing through file manager: Open Files (standard manager) MIUI). Go to the Inner Memory → Android → Delete folders with names of remote applications (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
For advanced users, there is another way to clean up the system, which is through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which will allow you to delete even system residual files, but requires a connection to a PC.
Cleaning through ADB
| Cleaning method | What's removed | Risk to the system |
|---|---|---|
| Clearing the cache | Temporary application files | Low. |
| Deep Cleaning (MIUI) | Residual files, logs, garbage | Medium. |
| Manual cleaning through files | Remote application folders | High (risk of removing system files) |
| ADB-cleaning | Systemic residual data | Very tall. |
3. Disconnecting autoboot and background processes
Many apps on Xiaomi run automatically when you turn on your phone and run in the background, consuming memory and battery power. Disabling autoboot will not only free up RAM, but also speed up the device.
How to turn off autoboot:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the Autoboot tab.
- Disable unnecessary apps (such as games or social networks that you rarely use).
To disable background processes:
- 🔄 Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Battery management.
- 📉 Select Application Selection and set the Restrict Background Activity mode for unnecessary programs.
- ⚡ Enable Adaptive Battery (automatically restricts background processes).
💡
If the app stopped sending notifications (like Viber or WhatsApp) after disabling the autoboot, add it to the exception list in the battery settings.
4.Using the built-in MIUI Optimizer
The MIUI shell has a powerful cleaning tool called Security, which not only removes cache, but also analyzes system performance, detects viruses and optimizes Android.
How to use the Optimizer:
- 🛡️ Open the Security app.
- 📊 Go to the Cleanup tab – here the volume of unnecessary files is displayed.
- 🔍 Press Check to allow the system to scan the device.
- 🧹 After analysis, select what to clean: 🗑️ Cash app. 📁 Residual files 📄 Unnecessary APK (installation files) 📊 Large files (video, images)
- ✅ Click Clean and confirm the action.
Additionally, the Optimizer has an Acceleration feature that closes the background processes and frees up RAM, which is useful before running demanding games or applications.
☑️ Cleaning through the Optimizer MIUI
5. Removal of pre-installed applications (bloatware)
Xiaomi is known for installing a lot of pre-installed apps (bloatware) on its smartphones that can’t be removed by standard means, such as Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps and others that most users don’t need.
Ways to remove unnecessary system applications:
- 🔧 Disconnect (without root rights): Go to Settings → Apps. Select an unnecessary app (e.g. Mi Pay). Click Disable (this hides it from the menu and stops background processes).
- 🗑️ Complete removal (requires root or ADB): Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging. USB. Execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 For example, to delete Mi Video: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer
⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI. Do not delete services called com.android, com.miui or com.google – these are critical components of the system!
List of safe to remove applications on Xiaomi (checked on MIUI 14):
- Mi Music (com.miui.player)
- Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer)
- GetApps (com.xiaomi.mipicks)
- Mi Browser (com.android.browser)
- Mi Pay (com.mipay.wallet)