Smartphones of the line Xiaomi Redmi are deservedly considered one of the most popular devices on the market due to their excellent price-performance ratio. However, even powerful processors and large screens do not save from the main problem of the budget and mid-range segment - limited internal storage. Users often encounter a situation where the system starts to work slowly, and applications crash due to the fact that the storage is full to capacity.
Freeing up disk space is not just about deleting old photos or unnecessary games. This is a complex process that includes working with the system cache, managing cloud services, and properly organizing files. If you notice a "Memory Full" message, don't panic. The shell MIUI and the new HyperOS have built-in tools that will help you get back gigabytes of free space in a matter of minutes.
Next we will analyze in detail all cleaning methods: from standard settings to advanced manipulations with system folders. You will learn which files can be deleted without risk to the system, and which are better left alone. We will also touch on the topic of transferring data to a memory card, which is a salvation for models with a fixed amount of built-in storage.
Using the built-in Cleaning application
The first and most obvious step is to use the standard tool pre-installed in every smartphone Xiaomi. The Security (or Cleanup) app scans your device for junk files, app cache, and duplicates. You can launch it through the broom-shaped icon on the desktop or by going to the security settings.
After clicking the “Clear” button, the system will offer to delete temporary files that have accumulated during the operation of the browser and installed apps. Application cache - this is data that speeds up the launch of apps, but over time grows to gigantic proportions. Safely deleting them will not lead to the loss of personal data, such as logins or correspondence, but will force applications to download some elements again the next time they are launched.
Particular attention should be paid to the “Large Files” section. The scanner finds videos and archives that take up a lot of space, but which you may not have opened for a long time. Often forgotten downloads from instant messengers or old APK installation files end up there. Before deleting, review the list carefully to avoid accidentally erasing an important document.
⚠️ Attention: Be extremely careful when clearing the “Recent Deletions” section in the gallery. The files located there take up space on the disk until they are completely erased. If you just deleted something important by mistake, don't run a full recycle bin cleanup.
Run a standard cleanup at least once a week to prevent the buildup of system junk that can slow down file indexing.
Storage analysis and application management
If automatic cleaning does not give the desired result, you need to move on to manual application management. In modern versions Android on Xiaomi, the path to this information is in the menu Settings → Applications → All applications. Here you can sort the list by the size of the space occupied and identify the main memory hogs.
Often the leaders of the list are social networks and instant messengers, such as Telegram or WhatsApp. These apps save every picture and video you watch to local storage. Once you go to the settings of a specific application, you will see a “Storage” button, where you can select the “Clear cache” option. This action is safe and will free up a significant amount of space.
However, the “Clear All” (or “Reset”) button will delete not only the cache, but also the application databases. This means that you will have to re-enter passwords and configure the app. Use this function only in extreme cases, when the application does not work correctly or takes up an abnormally large amount of space due to errors.
- 📱 Social networks: Often they take up from 1 to 5 GB due to auto-loading media.
- 🎮 Games: The game cache can weigh more than the installation file itself.
- 🎵 Streaming services: Spotify or Yandex.Music cache tracks for offline listening.
Working with messengers and auto-loading media
The settings of the messengers themselves deserve special attention, so How the built-in phone cleaner does not always see attached files inside chats. Telegram, for example, has a powerful built-in cache management tool. Go to Settings → Data and memory → Memory usageto see detailed statistics.
You can configure automatic cache clearing. For example, set a rule so that photos and videos are deleted from the phone’s memory 3 days after viewing. At the same time, they will remain on the messenger servers, and you can view them again if necessary, but they will not take up disk space Xiaomi permanently.
In WhatsApp, the situation is similar, but files are often duplicated in the general gallery of the phone. To avoid this, go to your chat settings and turn off media visibility in the gallery. It is also useful to disable auto-downloading of media on a mobile network and even on Wi-Fi if you want to control every gigabyte.
How to find hidden messenger files?
Sometimes files are saved in hidden folders. Use a file manager and turn on show hidden items. The path often looks like Android/media/com.whatsapp or similar for other applications.
Regularly checking attachments in chats allows you to delete unnecessary cards, congratulations and old videos that were relevant a year ago. This is a simple but very effective way to maintain order without losing important correspondence.
Transferring data to a microSD card and cloud services
For models Redmi with support for memory cards, transferring data is the most radical and effective solution to the problem of lack of space. A modern file system allows you to transfer not only photos, but also some applications, although support for this function depends on the version Android and the specific model.
To transfer files, use the built-in file manager. Select the desired folders (for example, DCIM, Download, Movies) and select the “Move” option, specifying the SD card as the name. After transfer, make sure that the camera settings indicate saving new pictures to an external drive.
If the memory card slot is occupied by a second SIM card or the model does not support expansion, cloud services come to the rescue. Google Photos, Yandex.Disk and Mi Cloud allow you to store media files remotely. Set up automatic uploading of photos via Wi-Fi, and then delete them from the device, leaving only thumbnails for viewing.
| Data type | Recommended storage location | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Photos and Videos | Cloud or SD card | Quick access, protection against losing your phone |
| Documents | Cloud storage | Synchronization with PC, access from anywhere |
| Music | SD card | Does not consume mobile traffic, works without the Internet |
| Backups | Google Drive / Mi Cloud | Automatic recovery on reset |
Using the cloud frees up physical memory, but requires a stable Internet connection to access full versions of files.
Search and delete duplicates and hidden files
During the active use of a smartphone, duplicate files inevitably accumulate. These could be photos taken several times in a row, or downloaded documents saved in different folders. Xiaomi's built-in Cleanup tool has a special section for finding duplicates, but sometimes a deeper analysis is required.
Hidden files often remain after deleting applications. Folders with the names of deleted games or apps can lie in the root of the internal drive for months. Use a file manager, sort files by modification date, and carefully examine folders created several months ago.
It's also worth checking the Download (Downloads) folder. Browsers save everything you download there by default. The installation files .apkthat you have already used to install apps are no longer needed and can be safely deleted.
⚠️ Attention: Never delete files from system folders unless you are 100% sure of their purpose. Deleting files from folders
Android/obborAndroid/datacan lead to installed applications not working.
Resetting settings as a last resort optimization measure
If none of the above methods helped free up enough space and the phone continues to slow down, the problem may lie in deep system errors or file system fragmentation. In this case, the only effective solution is a full reset to factory settings.
This procedure completely erases all data from the internal storage, returning the phone to its “out of the box” state. Before doing this, be sure to create a complete backup of your contacts, photos and important documents on an external storage device or in the cloud. Without this step, you risk losing all information forever.
To perform a reset, go to menu Settings → About phone → Reset settings. Select "Erase all data". The process will take some time, after which the phone will reboot. You will notice that the amount of free memory has increased significantly, and the system speed has been restored.
☑️ Preparing for a full reset
Prevention of memory filling in the future
To prevent the problem of lack of memory from returning in a month, it is important to develop habits of proper use of a smartphone. Check your storage regularly to ensure it is not more than 90% full. A disk that is filled to capacity runs slower and wears out faster.
Disable automatic downloading of application updates on the mobile network, and also limit the background activity of heavy apps. Use lightweight versions of applications (Lite) if they are available for your favorite services - they take up less space and consume fewer resources.
Keep an eye on system updates MIUI or HyperOS. Xiaomi engineers are constantly optimizing memory algorithms in new firmware versions. However, keep in mind that major updates themselves may temporarily require a significant amount of free space to install.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and location of settings may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or HyperOS). If you do not find the specified menu item, use the search in the settings by entering a keyword.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to delete the Android folder on a Xiaomi phone?
Delete completely folder Android is impossible, since it stores the data of all installed applications. However, you can safely delete the contents of subfolders cache inside it if you are sure that this is a cache of deleted apps.
Why does the memory fill up by itself immediately after cleaning?
This often happens due to the work of instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), which download new media files in the background, or due to system logs that are generated when there are errors in the operation of applications.
How to transfer applications to a memory card on Redmi?
In new versions of Android, this function is often hidden or inaccessible. Try going to Settings → Applications, select an application and check for the “Move to SD card” button. If it is not there, the transfer is impossible without root access.
What is “Other” in the phone storage?
The “Other” section usually contains system files, cache, application data that the system cannot classify, as well as firmware update files. Clearing the cache and deleting old updates helps reduce this partition.
Does filling the memory affect the speed of Redmi?
Yes, directly. When free space runs out, the system has nowhere to create temporary files for processes to run, which leads to severe slowdowns, interface freezes and long application launch times.