Modern smartphones such as Redmi 9have enough power for everyday tasks, but over time they begin to work slower due to the accumulation of temporary files. The operating system Android and shell MIUI create a lot of cached data that takes up precious space in the internal memory. This is an inevitable process of using any gadget, but its consequences can and should be eliminated.
When the device’s memory is critically full, you may experience interface freezes, long application launch times, and even system failure to update. Regular Storage optimization helps to restore the previous speed and free up gigabytes of space for photos and videos. In this article, we will look at effective cleaning methods, from built-in tools to advanced settings.
Built-in MIUI cleaning tools
The manufacturer Xiaomi has provided a powerful built-in tool for system maintenance, which is available to every user without installing third-party software. The Security application is the central hub for managing your Redmi 9resources. It scans the device for temporary files, remnants of uninstalled apps and advertising junk.
To get started, you need to launch the application through the shield-shaped icon on the main screen. After automatic scanning, the system will offer to delete the found objects. It is important to understand that this method removes mainly application cache temporary download files, but does not affect your personal data.
- 🧹 Click the "Clean" button to delete temporary system files.
- 📱 Select the "Applications" section to find apps that take up a lot of time. places.
- 🗑️ Use the "Trash" tab to permanently delete files if it is enabled.
- ⚙️ Go to "Deep Cleaning" to search for duplicate photos and large files.
It is worth noting that automatic cleaning does not always find everything. Sometimes manual intervention is required in the settings of specific apps, especially instant messengers, which tend to accumulate gigabytes of media files. Regular use of the built-in scanner is a base, but not a panacea for all memory problems.
Run the built-in cleaning once a week to prevent the memory from becoming critically filled with system garbage.
Manually deleting cache and application data
The most voluminous garbage repositories are often social media networks and messengers. Applications like Telegram, Viber or TikTok save every video and image you watch in local memory. Over time, this media cache can take up to 10-15 GB of space, which budget Redmi 9 is a significant loss.
To free up space, you need to go to the phone settings and find the “Applications” section. Here you will see a list of all installed apps, sorted by size. Select the heaviest applications and go to the “Storage” menu. You will see two buttons: “Clear cache” and “Clear all” (or “Erase data”)
⚠️ Attention: The “Clear all” or “Erase data” button will delete not only the cache, but also your logins, passwords and correspondence history within the application. Use it only if you want to reset the application to its factory state or reinstall it.
A safer way is to use the built-in cleaning tools inside the messengers themselves. For example, in Telegram there is a “Data and Memory” section, where you can set up automatic deletion of the cache or clear it manually with one button, without losing access to your account. This allows you to save data privacy while freeing up space.
Manage files and downloads
Downloads folder (Download) often becomes a dumping ground for forgotten APK installation files, PDF documents, and browser images. Many users download files, open them once and forget to delete them. On Redmi 9 the standard Files explorer allows you to easily navigate through directories and sort content by type.
It is recommended to regularly check the folder Download and remove old application installers. After successful installation of the app, the APK file is no longer needed and only takes up space. It is also worth paying attention to the folder Bluetoothwhere received files are often saved, which may no longer be relevant.
| File type | Where to look | Can I delete |
|---|---|---|
| APK installers | Download folder | Yes, after installation |
| Temporary files | Folder.thumbnails | Yes, the system will create new |
| Logs errors | Folder log or logs | Yes, safe |
| Browser cache | Chrome settings | Yes, the history will remain |
For a deeper analysis, you can use the sorting function size in the conductor. This will allow you to instantly see the heaviest video files that you may have already transferred to your computer or the cloud, but forgot to delete from your phone. Freeing up even one large video file can give more space than clearing dozens of small caches.
☑️ Weekly storage check
Cleaning through developer mode and ADB
For advanced users who want to achieve maximum system cleanliness, there are methods that go beyond the standard interface. Activating developer mode on Redmi 9 gives access to additional debugging settings. However, using the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) command line requires connection to a computer and caution.
Using ADB, you can remove system applications (bloatware) that are pre-installed by the manufacturer and cannot be removed in the usual way. These apps often run in the background and consume resources. Before starting such manipulations, you need to enable USB debugging in the menu Settings → About phone → MIUI version (press 7 times).
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analyticsThis command, for example, disables the system analytics service Xiaomi, which collects usage data devices. Disabling such services not only frees up space, but also reduces the load on the processor, which is especially important for the processor Helio G80installed in this model. But remember that incorrect removal of system components can lead to unstable operation.
⚠️ Attention: Do not remove system applications via ADB if you do not know exactly their purpose. Removing critical components can lead to a bricked phone or an endless reboot (bootloop).
If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to limit yourself to disabling applications through the standard settings menu. This is a safer approach that allows you to return the app to a working state at any time without risk to the system. Experiments with the system partition require high qualifications.
List of applications that are safe to disable
com.miui.cloudservice (Cloud, if you don’t use it), com.facebook.katana (Facebook, if you don’t need it), com.google.android.videos (Google Movies).
Setting up automatic cleaning and optimization
To avoid manual cleaning all the time, you can set up automatic scripts in the Security application. In the settings of this application there is a “Junk Cleanup” item, where you can activate automatic deletion of the cache when the screen is locked or on a schedule. This maintains system performance at a stable level without user intervention.
It is also recommended to limit the background activity of heavy applications. In the battery settings, you can prevent certain apps from running in the background. This will prevent temporary data from accumulating when you are not actively using your phone. For Redmi 9 with its capacious battery, this will also help increase battery life.
Another useful tip is the use of cloud storage. Services like Google Photos allow you to store pictures in the cloud, deleting their local copies from the device. The “Free up space” feature in Google Photos automatically finds and deletes photos that have already been uploaded to the Internet, leaving only thumbnails on the phone.
Automating cleaning processes saves time and prevents critical memory from filling up at the most inopportune moment.
What not to do: myths about cleaning
There are a lot of tips on the Internet for “speeding up” your phone, which are actually harmful or useless. One of the most common myths is the need to install third-party Task Killers. On modern versions Android The system itself effectively manages RAM, forcibly closing applications only slows down their restart and increases battery consumption.
It is also not recommended to use aggressive cleaners that promise “cooling the processor” or “speeding up the Internet.” Often such applications themselves are a source of advertising and intrusive notifications. They create the appearance of vigorous activity, but rarely bring real benefit, only loading Redmi 9 with unnecessary processes.
You should not manually delete files from system folders through Explorer if you do not understand their purpose. Deleting files from folders Android/data or Android/obb may cause games and applications to stop launching or lose their settings. It is better to trust the cleaning to specialized system utilities.
⚠️ Attention: The MIUI interface can be updated. The location of some menu items may differ depending on the firmware version. Always check the current settings of your device.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to delete the .thumbnails folder?
Yes, it is safe. This folder stores photo thumbnails for the gallery. The next time you open the gallery, the system will automatically create them again. Deleting this folder can temporarily speed up work if it has grown to gigantic proportions.
Why does the memory fill up again immediately after cleaning?
Most likely, you have automatic media downloading active in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram). Check the settings of these applications and disable auto-saving photos and videos to the gallery.
Do you need to do a factory reset to clean it?
Hard Reset is a radical measure. It completely deletes all data. Use it only if other methods have not helped and the phone is critically slow. Don't forget to make a backup before doing this.
How to clear the cache of a specific application without deleting data?
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, select the desired application, click "Storage" and select the "Clear cache" button. Do not click “Clear all.”
Does full memory affect the charging speed of Redmi 9?
Directly - no. However, when the memory is critically full, the system runs slower, the processor may be more heavily loaded during background operations, which indirectly affects the overall power consumption and heating of the device.