Even after the standard MIUI removal of an application on Xiaomi smartphones, the system is left with tails: cache, temporary files, settings and even fragments of databases, which not only take up precious space in memory, but can cause failures, from slowdowns to errors when installing new versions of programs.
Unlike pure Android, the MIUI shell aggressively caches data, and some system applications (com.miui.analytics, com.xiaomi.midrop) are not removed at all by standard methods. In this article, 5 proven ways to remove remnants of applications on Xiaomi, including hidden folders and system traces, taking into account the features of MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS.
Why are there “tails” after removing apps?
Android apps store data in multiple locations, and the standard Delete feature affects only a fraction of them:
- 📁 folder /data/data/ — It stores settings, databases and app cache, and when you delete it, it stays in the folder, but it becomes inaccessible without root permissions.
- 🗑️ Cash. Dalvik/ART — Optimized files to speed up startups, only cleared when restarted or manually.
- 🔗 Symbolic links – some applications create links to /system or /vendor, which are not automatically removed.
- 📊 System Logs — MIUI maintains logs of application activity in /data/log, years-long.
For example, after deleting Facebook in memory may remain 500 MB of garbage: image cache, chat databases, and even analytics files com.facebook.katana. And apps like Xiaomi Community (com.xiaomi.vipaccount) leave traces in the back of the web. /data/user_de/0/, Not visible through the standard file manager.
Method 1: Manual removal through Settings (without root)
The safest method, but only clears a fraction of the residue, suitable for users without root rights:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show all processes (including system processes).
- Find the remote application in the list (even if it is marked as “Remote”, its data may remain).
- Click Warehouse → Clear the cache and Clear the data.
- Return to the main menu of the app and select Remove Updates (if the button is active).
For deep cleaning, go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup and run Deep Cleanup.This tool deletes temporary files, but does not touch the system logs and Dalvik cache.
Close all background applications
Connect the charger (the process can take 5-10 minutes)
Make a backup copy of important data
Check the space available (needs at least 1 GB)
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⚠️ Note: Do not clear system application data (com.android.settings, com.miui.home) – this may cause a crash MIUI and the need to reset to factory settings.
Method 2: Using ADB to remove residues (advanced)
If manual cleaning didn’t work, connect to your smartphone via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that removes even hidden folders, but requires USB debugging:
- Activate Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (stamp 7 times to become a developer).
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
- Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line and type: adb devices (wait for the serial number of the device to appear).
- Run the command to remove residues (replace package.name to the application package name): adb shell pm clear package.name adb shell rm -rf /data/data/package.name adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/Android/data/package.name
For mass cleaning of all residues of remote applications, use:
adb shell pm list packages -u | grep 'package:' | cut -f2 -d':' | xargs -n1 adb shell pm clear| ADB Team Team | What's he doing? | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| pm clear package.name | Clears the cache and application data | If the application is deleted, but its data remains |
| rm -rf /data/data/package.name | Removes the data folder manually | If the pm clear didn't work |
| pm uninstall -k --user 0 package.name | Remove the application for the current user | For system applications without root |
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To find the name of the remote application packet, use the command adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword word." For example, to search for Instagram residues, type adb shell pm list packages | grep "insta".
Method 3: Cleaning through Recovery Mode (for experienced)
If the residues of applications cause critical errors (for example, bootloop after removing system software), cleaning through Recovery will help. ART, but does not delete user data:
- Turn off your smartphone.
- Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
- Confirm the action and restart the device.
For deep cleaning (if the phone is slowing down), choose the Wipe Dalvik Cache, which will delete the optimized files of all applications, but will not affect personal data.
⚠️ Note: Do not choose Wipe Data (full reset) - this will delete all your files, photos and settings. Use this item only if other methods have not helped.
What if Recovery does not start?
Method 4: Removing residues with a file manager (with root)
If you have root rights, use Root Explorer or Solid Explorer for manual cleaning.
- 📂 /data/data/ — It stores all the applications. Only delete the remote folders.
- 📂 /sdcard/Android/obb/ — Large game cache files (may weigh several gigabytes).
- 📂 /data/app-lib/ — Application libraries (relevant to older versions) MIUI).
- 📂 /data/dalvik-cache/ — virtual machine cache ART (Cleanse only if you know what you are doing).
Example: To remove TikTok residues, find and delete folders:
/data/data/com.zhiliaoapp.musically
/sdcard/Android/data/com.zhiliaoapp.musically
/sdcard/Android/obb/com.zhiliaoapp.musicallyOn Xiaomi models with HyperOS (2026+), the /data/app/ folder can be protected by DM-Verity, which requires you to disable the Magisk verification:
magisk --disable-verityMethod 5: Automated tools (SD Maid, CCleaner)
For users without root suitable specialized utilities:
| Annex | What cleanses | Need root? |
|---|---|---|
| SD Maid | Cash, empty folders, APK residues, system logs | No (but with root cleansing deeper) |
| CCleaner | Cash, history, temporary files. | No. |
| Files by Google | Duplicate, large files, cache | No. |
| Xiaomi Cleaner (built-in) | Garbage, cache, APK remnants | No. |
Instructions for SD Maid:
- Open the app and give access to the memory.
- Go to CorpseFinder (search for remnants of remote applications).
- Press Run Now and wait for the scan to be completed.
- Check the unnecessary files and click Delete.
⚠️ Note: Do not use the “optimization” features in CCleaner or similar utilities – they often delete useful files. MIUI, And that leads to lags, so just clean the cache and the residue.
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The most effective method without root is the ADB + SD Maid combination, which removes up to 90% of the residues, including hidden folders and Dalvik cache.
How to Prevent the Storage of Garbage in the Future
Not to have to clean the system regularly:
- 🔄 Turn off automatic application recovery after reset: Settings → Google → Backup → Auto-recovery.
- 🚫 Don’t use the Play Market Optimizers – most of them load the system themselves.
- 📦 Install applications in format APKM or XAPK (through SAI), To avoid duplicate files.
- 🔍 Periodically check the folder /sdcard/Android/ For the presence of old.obb and.cache files.
On Xiaomi models with HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+) enable autocleaning of the cache: Settings → Memory → Autoclean → Enable.
This deletes unnecessary files once a week, but does not touch the app data.