Brand smartphones Xiaomi are known for their high performance and affordable price, but even powerful devices begin to work slower over time. The main reason for the decline in work speed operating system is the accumulation of digital waste. These are not just “extra files”, but a complex set of data, including remnants of deleted applications, temporary system logs and messenger caches, which can take up gigabytes of space.
Users are often faced with a situation where the built-in memory is full, and deleting photos and videos no longer helps free up space. At such a moment, it is necessary to conduct a deep storage optimization. Modern versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shell provide powerful tools for this, but they do not always cope with hidden directories or deep caches of third-party apps.
In this article we will examine not only standard cleaning methods, but also advanced techniques that allow you to return your smartphone to its former agility. We will look at working with the standard Security application, manually deleting system logs, and correctly configuring automatic garbage removal. It is important to understand that proper file system hygiene extends the life of the drive and improves stability Android.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting a deep clean, it is recommended to back up your important data. Deleting system files in unfamiliar directories can lead to application failures.
Standard cleaning tools in MIUI and HyperOS
The first step should always be to use the built-in system software. The company Xiaomi integrates the “Security” application into its firmware, which functions as a device control center. It allows you to quickly scan your memory and find obvious sources of contamination. Launch the application and select "Cleaning". The system will analyze the files and offer to delete temporary data.
However, the automatic scanner often misses residual filesthat remain after uninstalling apps. For a more thorough check, go to the "Deep Cleaning" section. Here the algorithm looks for duplicate photos, large files and unused applications. Be careful when selecting checkboxes: sometimes the system marks important documents or archives that you forgot to move as garbage.
Particular attention should be paid to the “Recommendations” section inside the security application. The settings for auto-removal of garbage from the gallery recycle bin are often hidden there. By default, files are stored there for 30 days, taking up space. You can shorten this period or set up automatic cleaning once a week. This will help maintain free space without your participation.
- 🧹 Run a scan regularly through the Security application to remove temporary caches.
- 🗑️ Check the "Trash" folder in the gallery and file manager before deep cleaning.
- ⚙️ Set up automatic garbage removal in the security application settings.
Manually clearing the application cache and system logs
Automatic cleaners do not always have access to all directories due to security restrictions Android. Manually clearing the cache of specific applications is the most effective method of combating the bloat of popular software. Messengers like Telegram and WhatsApp, as well as social networks, tend to store gigabytes of media files in hidden folders.
To clear the cache manually, go to Settings → Applications → All applications. In the list, find the most “heavy” apps (usually browsers, social networks and instant messengers). Go to the application card and select “Memory”. There you will see a “Clear cache” button. It is important not to confuse it with the “Clear all” button, since the second one will delete your logins, passwords and correspondence.
A more advanced method involves using a file manager to delete system logs. The /data/log or /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/debug_log directory may contain system error reports. Developers need these files for debugging, but for the average user they only take up space. They can be safely deleted if the smartphone is working stably.
☑️ Manual cleaning checklist
It is also worth checking the folder Android/obb i Android/data. Game caches and application data are stored here. If you deleted a game, but the folder with its name remains, you can erase it manually. However, be careful: deleting active application folders will reset their settings or require you to download the data again.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS. If you do not find the specified path, use the search in the settings.
Managing startup and background processes
Garbage in the phone is not only occupied memory, but also clogged RAM (RAM). Many applications are added to startup and run in the background, consuming processor and battery resources. The ecosystem Xiaomi has a built-in tool to control this process, which is often ignored by users.
To manage startup, open the “Security” application, scroll down to the “Permissions” section and find the “Startup” item. Here you will see a list of all apps that start with the phone. Disable everything that is not critical (it is better to leave instant messengers so as not to miss notifications, and you can safely prohibit games and stores).
Additionally, it is worth setting up background activity restrictions. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Other permissions. Find the "Run in background" option. For most apps that you rarely use, it's worth setting a limit. This will prevent them from running hidden and accumulating temporary files in RAM.
| Application type | Recommended autorun status | Background activity |
|---|---|---|
| Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) | Enabled | No restrictions |
| Social networks (VK, Instagram) | Disabled | Limited |
| Games | Disabled | Limited |
| System services | Enabled | Without restrictions |
Disabling autorun for heavy games can speed up the phone's startup by 15-20%, since the system does not need to index their resources at startup.
Cleaning hidden folders and remnants of deleted apps
Even after correctly deleting an application, “tails” often remain in the system. These could be empty folders, configuration files, or downloaded updates that were not removed by the uninstaller. To combat this, you need to use a file manager with access rights to all directories.
Standard Explorer MIUI allows you to see hidden files if you enable the appropriate option in the viewing settings. Pay attention to the folders with the names of deleted games or services in the root of the internal memory. Also check the directory Download — APK installation files are often saved there, which after installation become useless ballast.
A special type of garbage is a folder .thumbnails in the DCIM directory. Here the system stores thumbnails of all your photos and videos. Over time, this file can grow to several gigabytes. It can be safely deleted, but it will be created again the next time you open the gallery. Cleaning out this folder regularly helps free up space if you have a lot of media files.
What to do with the Android folder?
The Android folder contains data from all installed applications. You cannot remove it entirely - this will break the apps. Delete only subfolders with the names of already deleted games or services.
Another source of hidden garbage is offline maps and downloaded videos in streaming services. Check the settings of Yandex.Maps, Google Maps, YouTube and Spotify. Often, users forget about overloaded regions or playlists that take up space for months. Deleting unnecessary offline data can instantly free up several gigabytes.
Using Developer Mode for Cleaning
For advanced users, there is the option of cleaning through the developer menu. This method allows you to reset some system services and clear the cache more aggressively. To activate the mode, go to Settings → About phone and quickly press 7 times on the “MIUI Version” or “OS Version” item.
After activation, a new section “For Developers” will appear in the settings menu. There you can find the “Keep active” option. When you enable this feature, the system will kill background processes immediately after you close the application. This is a radical method that keeps the RAM clean, but can increase battery consumption due to constant reloading of applications.
There is also a “Background process limit” item in the developers menu. You can limit the number of simultaneous applications running in the background to 2 or 3. This will prevent garbage from accumulating in the RAM, but may cause the music to stop when switching to another screen. Use this setting with caution.
⚠️ Warning: Changing settings in developer mode may affect system stability. Reset to default values if you notice strange behavior of the phone.
Developer mode is a powerful tool, but its process limiting functions are best used temporarily for one-time cleaning, rather than on an ongoing basis.
Resetting settings as a last resort optimization measure
If none of the above methods helped and the phone continues to slow down, The system may have accumulated critical registry errors or file fragmentation. In this case, the only effective solution is a full reset to factory settings. This is guaranteed to remove all junk, viruses and conflicting settings.
Before performing a reset, be sure to save all important data to the cloud or to your computer. The process of (formatting) the internal memory is irreversible. Go to Settings → About phone → Reset settings and select “Delete all data”. The phone will reboot and begin the cleaning process, which may take from 10 to 30 minutes.
After the reset, it is recommended not to restore the application backup immediately. Install only the most necessary apps and observe the operation of the device for a couple of days. Often the problem of slow performance lies in one specific application that you previously installed. A gradual installation of the software will help identify the culprit.
- 💾 Make a full backup of your contacts and photos before resetting.
- 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 60% before starting the formatting procedure.
- 🚫 Do not interrupt the reset process, even if the phone seems frozen.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to delete files from the Android/data folder?
Yes, you can delete folders inside this directory if they belong to applications that you have already deleted. If the folder corresponds to an installed game or app, deleting it will reset the progress or settings of this application to factory settings.
Why does the space quickly run out again after cleaning?
Most likely, you have automatic media downloading enabled in instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp). Check the settings of these applications and disable autosaving of photos and videos to the gallery. Also, the reason may be system logs if the phone has software errors.
Do you need to install third-party apps like Clean Master?
No, in modern versions of Android and the MIUI shell, the built-in tools work more efficiently. Third-party “cleaners” themselves are often a source of advertising and garbage, and can also request unnecessary permissions, reducing security.
How to clear the DNS cache on Xiaomi?
You can use airplane mode to clear the DNS cache. Turn airplane mode on for 10 seconds and then turn it off. This will restart network interfaces and clear cached DNS records without having to reboot the entire phone.
Does memory filling affect Internet speed?
Indirectly yes. If the internal memory is full (less than 500 MB remaining), the system cannot effectively use the page file and cache network data. This leads to slower page loading and network-dependent applications.