Xiaomi’s Global Phone Cleanup: A Complete User Guide

Is your Xiaomi slowing down, making errors, or just getting stuffed with unnecessary files? Global cleaning of your device is not just about removing photos and apps, but also about comprehensive memory release, system optimization, and factory performance restoration. In this article, we’ll look at all the possible methods, from basic reset to hidden MIUI features, which are not known by everyone.

Why is it important to clean your smartphone regularly? Even if you don't install new software, the system creates cache, temporary files and logs that take up gigabytes of memory over time. And after MIUI updates, there are often tails of older versions that slow down, and we'll show you how to completely clean up your Xiaomi phone without losing important data — and what to do if the device is already choking on garbage.

1.Preparation for cleaning: what to do before discharge

Before you start taking drastic measures, make sure you don't lose important data. Even if you plan on just cleaning the cache, it's better to be safe.

Make a backup copy in Mi Cloud|Copy photo/video on PC|Record logins from accounts|Check it out. IMEI (dial *#06#)|Unplug your device from your Google account (if you sell it)-->

Pay special attention to the binding to the Mi Account. If you forget the data from it after a reset, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the phone - Xiaomi requires confirmation of the original owner. Also check whether the smartphone is tied to Find My Device from Google: after a reset, you may need to enter a password from the last account used.

If you clean your phone before selling, you must:

• 🔄 Log out of all accounts (Mi Account, Google, social media)
• 📱 Delete. SIM-card and memory card (if any)
• 🔐 Disable biometric authorization (fingerprint, Face) ID)
• 📡 Forget saved Wi-Fi networks in Settings → Wi-Fi → Save networks

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If you sell a phone, take a photo of the IMEI (dial *#06#) and serial number (in the About settings) to help prove that the device is yours if the new owner locks it through the Mi Account.

2.Soft cleaning: release of memory without resetting

If your phone is just full of files but stable, try these methods without completely resetting. They will help you free up 5-15 GB of memory and speed up the system.

Start with the built-in MIUI tools:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory
2. Click "Clean" next to the "Junk Files" section
3. Select "Deep Clean" and confirm removal

For more thorough cleaning, use Security → Cleaning. Here you can remove:

• 🗑️ Application cache (up to 3-5 GB)
• 📁 Temporary download files
• 🎵 Duplications of photos and audio
• 📦 Residual files of remote programs

Pay special attention to the Autoboot section in the same Safety menu, where you can turn off the background of unnecessary applications, which will significantly save battery power and RAM, for example, many games and social networks continue to work in the background even after closing.

Once a week | Once a month | Only when the phone brakes | Never cleaned | I don't know what it is-->

3. Radical cleaning: reset to factory settings

If the soft methods didn't work, it's time to move to hard reset, which is a factory reset, and it will delete all the data, apps and settings, returning the phone to a clean look, like it was after the purchase.

There are two ways to do a reset:

Once reset, the phone will reboot and prompt you to configure it as new. On Xiaomi models with Qualcomm processors (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro), resetting via Recovery can take up to 10-15 minutes - do not interrupt the process, even if the screen is long got stuck on the Mi logo.

4. Cleaning of hidden partitions and system debris

Even after the reset, there are hidden files in the phone’s memory that are not visible to the user.

• 📂 Residual firmware data (/cache and /data/dalvik-cache)
• 🔄 Logs of the system (/data/log)
• 📱 Backup copies of updates (/data/ota_package)
• 🔑 Encryption keys (on some models)

To remove them, you will need access to root rights or use ADB. If you have experience with these tools, follow the following commands through ADB Shell:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*




rm -rf /cache/*




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /data/ota_package/*




exit




exit

Attention! These commands will delete critical system files. Don't execute them unless you're sure of your actions. On some Xiaomi models (like the POCO F3 or Mi 11), this can lead to a reboot cycle if you don't follow the sequence.

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Cleaning hidden partitions gives you a 15-20% increase in performance, but requires technical skills. For most users, a simple reset through settings is enough.

5.Optimization after cleaning: how to maintain speed

After global cleaning, the phone is fast, but how do you keep that performance for long?

1. Turn off automatic download of updates:

Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto download updates and turn off this option.Updates MIUI They often weigh 1-2GB and can slow down the phone if installed in the background.

2. Limit background activity:

In Settings → Applications → App Management, select the programs you don’t need and turn off Auto Start and Background Activity for them, especially for Facebook, Instagram and gaming.

3. Use light alternatives:

Replace heavy applications with lightweight versions:

• 📷 Facebook Lite instead of Facebook
• 💬 Messenger Lite instead of the main messenger
• 🎵 Spotify Lite or YouTube Music Go

4. Set up the cleaning according to the schedule:

In safety → Cleanup → ⚙️ Turn on "Autoclean" and set a schedule (e.g. once a week) to prevent the accumulation of garbage.

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If you install/remove applications frequently, turn on the option to “Clear Cache When Deleted” in the Security settings → Clean → Additional. This automatically deletes residual program files.

6. Features of cleaning on different models Xiaomi

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are cleaned the same way, here are the key differences for the popular series:

On devices with MIUI 13/14, we have a Smart Clean feature that analyzes user behavior and offers optimal settings. To enable it, go to Settings → Special Features → System Optimization.

Attention! On some models (e.g. Redmi) K40 or Mi 10T) After the reset, the section for the second part may disappear. SIM-It's due to a firmware bug, and to get it back, you'll have to go through the Mi Flash Tool.

7.What NOT to do when cleaning up Xiaomi

Some "advice" from the Internet can not only not help, but also finally break the phone.

• 🚫 Remove system applications through ADB without knowing the consequences (this can disable the camera or sensors)
• 🚫 Use Google Play cleaners like Clean Master or CCleaner – they often show false threats and load the system themselves
• 🚫 Format a section /system manually (this will lead to a "brick" of the phone)
• 🚫 Reset your settings via the engineering menu (#4636##) if you don't know what you're doing

Also not worth it:

• 🔋 Relieving your phone to 0% before cleaning (this can damage the battery on current models)
• 📱 Using unofficial firmware to “clean” – this voids the warranty
• 🔄 Interrupt the reset process, even if it lasts more than 10 minutes

If you are in doubt about your actions, you should contact the Xiaomi service center. Most cities have official partners who will do the cleaning in 30-60 minutes (cost is about 500-1000 rubles).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cleanup