Message "Not enough memory" on smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO appears unexpectedly - often at the most inopportune moment: when installing an application, updating the system or even while shooting video. The reason is not always a real lack of space. More often, duplicate files, “dead” data from uninstalled apps, or incorrect storage settings are to blame. In this article we will look at items that you will not find in standard instructions for Android - from basic to advanced, including working with hidden memory sections. MIUI hidden cache, duplicate files, dead data from uninstalled apps, or incorrect storage settings. In this article we will analyze cleaning methods unique to Xiaomi, which you will not find in standard instructions for Android - from basic to advanced, including working with ADB and hidden memory sections.

It is important to understand: even if the settings show 5–10 GB of free space, the system may block its use. For example, MIUI 14+ reserves up to 3–4 GB for updates, and some models (Redmi Note 12 Pro, POCO X5) have a separate type of memory (UFS 2.2), where part of the volume is “locked down” for system needs. We will not advise the banal “delete unnecessary photos” - we will focus on technical nuanceswhich even service centers ignore.

1. Diagnostics: why Xiaomi lies about free space

Before clearing memory, you need to understand where it goes. MIUI there are three levels of storage that users often confuse:

  • 📱 User memory —what you see (photos, applications, music).
  • 🔧 System partition —hidden MIUI files that take up up to 8–12 GB (depending on the model).
  • 🔒 Backup space —locked area for updates and logs (from 1 to 5 GB).

To see the actual memory allocation:

  1. Open Settings → About phone → Memory.
  2. Tap on the usage chart - details by category will open.
  3. Pay attention to the item "System": if it takes up >15 GB, it means that garbage has accumulated from updates or logs.
📊 How often do you clear the memory on Xiaomi?
Once a week
Only when space runs out
Never
I use automatic cleaning

Critical moment: on some models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi K60) the memory menu is displayed incorrect volume due to an error in MIUI. For example, the phone shows 64 GB instead of 128 GB. This can only be treated through Fastboot or contacting the service.

⚠️ Attention: If in the section Settings → Memory → Other files you see a file logcat.dump size >500 MB is the system error log. It can be deleted manually through the file manager (path: /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log), but it is better to first save a copy on your PC.

2. Clearing MIUI cache and garbage: hidden functions

Standard clearing via Settings → Applications only deletes the surface cache. There are MIUI There is hidden toolsthat are not visible to the user:

  • 🧹 Deep cleaning MIUI: go to Settings → About phone, tap 5 times by MIUI version, then return to Settings → Additionally → Cleaning. An option will appear "Deep cleaning" —it deletes temporary files of the system kernel.
  • 🗑️ Garbage after updates: after each MIUI update, files update.zip and cache.img remain in the folder /sdcard/MIUI/backup. They can be safely deleted.
  • 🔄 Dalvik cache: if the phone starts to slow down after cleaning, reboot it - the system will automatically restore the critical cache.

For models with MIUI 13+ is available Lite mode, which reduces the weight of the system by disabling animations and background processes. Activated through:

Settings → Accessibility → Lite mode

Back up important data|Check free space in Settings|Close all applications|Connect charging (if the memory is cleared for more than 5 minutes)|Reboot the phone after cleaning-->

Expert advice: If after cleaning the memory fills up again within a few days, the culprit is background process miui.analytics (statistics collection). Disable it via Settings → Permissions → Autostart, find MIUI Analytics and disable background activity.

3. Removing duplicates and dead files

The file system Xiaomi often creates duplicate media files, especially if you:

  • 📸 Use a standard camera MIUI (it saves copies in DCIM/.thumbnails).
  • 🎵 Download music via Mi Music (the cache is stored in /Android/data/com.miui.player).
  • 📥 Receive files via Mi Share or Bluetooth (duplicates are located in /sdcard/Bluetooth and /sdcard/ShareMe).

To search for duplicates:

  1. Install Files by Google (cleaning → duplicates).
  2. Or use SD Maid (section CorpseFinder finds files from deleted applications).
  3. To manually check, open the file manager, turn on showing hidden folders and delete the contents: 
    /sdcard/.trash

    /sdcard/.MIUI
    

    /sdcard/MIUI/backup/AllBackup

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete the folder /sdcard/MIUI/extra —data for recovery after the reset is stored there. Also, do not touch the files from. extension .mbn (modem firmware) and .img (system images).

If you use Google Photos for backup, check the folder /sdcard/Pictures/.google_photos_backup —there may be gigabytes of temporary files there.

4. Transferring applications and data to a memory card

Starting from MIUI 12, Xiaomi has limited the ability to transfer applications to an SD card. However, there are workarounds. paths:

Method Suitable for Limitations
Built-in transfer (Settings → Applications → Transfer to SD) Supported applications adoptable storage Works only for some applications, may lag
Formatting SD as internal memory All models on Android 9–11 The card becomes tied to the phone and cannot be read on the PC
Manual movement through ADB Any applications (requires a PC) Difficult for beginners, risk of errors
Manager applications (for example, AppMgr III) Models with root access Requires root, may break some apps

To format the SD card as internal memory:

  1. Insert the card into the phone.
  2. Go to Settings → Storage → SD card → Configure → Internal memory.
  3. Follow the instructions (the data on the card will be erased!).

Important: After this formatting, the card cannot be removed without losing data. Also, some applications (for example, WhatsApp or banking) will refuse to work with the transferred data.

💡

If the phone does not see the SD card after formatting, try disconnecting it in Settings → Memory, removing it and inserting it again. Sometimes rebooting helps.

5. MIUI optimization: disabling unnecessary functions

MIUI overloaded with background processes that eat up memory. Here's what you can safely turn off:

  • 📡 MIUI auto update: Settings → About phone → System update → ⚙️ → Auto-download → turn off.
  • 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video: these applications cache media files even if you do not use them. Disable autoplay in Settings → Permissions → Autoplay.
  • 📊 Analytics and reports: Settings → Privacy → Special access → MIUI Analytics → disable.
  • 📱 Second space (if not used): Settings → Accessibility → Second space → delete.

For models with MIUI 14+ option available "Lite system", which removes some of the pre-installed applications (including Mi Browser, Mi Pay). Activated through:

Settings → About phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times) → Return to Settings → Advanced → Light system

If you do not use MIUI theme, delete the downloaded themes:

  1. Open Themes.
  2. Go to Profile → My downloads.
  3. Delete all unused themes (they take up to 500 MB each).
💡

Disabling unnecessary MIUI features can free up up to 2-3 GB of memory without deleting personal files.

6. Advanced methods: ADB and hidden commands

If standard methods do not help, it's time to use developer tools. To do this:

  1. Activate developer mode: Settings → About phone → MIUI version (tap 5 times).
  2. Enable USB debugging: Settings → Advanced → For developers → USB debugging.
  3. Connect the phone to the PC and use commands ADB.

List of useful commands:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.analytics # Clearing MIUI analytics

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.bugreport # Deleting error reports


adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media # Reset media cache


adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true # Allow transfer to SD (requires reboot)

For cleaning Dalvik cache (can free up to 1 GB):

adb shell su

rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*

⚠️ Attention: Commands with su require root access. Incorrect use can lead to data loss or device brick. Before experiments, make a backup copy via adb backup or Mi Cloud.

If you do not want to work s ADB, try the application MIUI Hidden Settings (available on 4PDA). It opens access to hidden cleaning settings, including:

  • Delete ART cache (speeds up the system after cleaning).
  • Reset Xiaomi account settings (if synchronization takes a lot places).
  • Cleaning kernel logs (/data/log).

7. Extreme measures: resetting and re-allocating memory

If none of the methods helped, radical solutions remain:

  • 🔄 Reset to factory settings: deletes everything, including system garbage. Important: unlink your account before resetting Xiaomi v Settings → Account, otherwise after resetting the phone will require you to enter the old password.
  • 🛠️ Repartitioning partitions: on some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F3) user section (/data) may be artificially limited. This can only be corrected through Fastboot using the utility Xiaomi Flash Tool.
  • 📦 Installing custom firmware: for example, Pixel Experience or LineageOS do not have MIUI garbage, but require unlocking bootloader.

To reset without data loss (only for MIUI 12+):

  1. Create a backup via Settings → Advanced → Backup.
  2. Select "Local backup" and save to SD card.
  3. Reset to Settings → Reset settings.
  4. After the reboot, restore the data from the backup.
⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 14 and newer, resetting may block the ability to unlock the bootloader for 72 hours (Xiaomi policy) Keep this in mind if you plan to install custom firmware.
What to do if after a reset the memory becomes full again?

If after a reset the problem returns, one of the system processes is to blame:

1. Mi Cloud - synchronizes old data (turn off auto-sync in Settings → Account).

2. Google Backup - restores the application cache (disable in Settings → Google → Backup).

3. Virus or malware - check the phone via Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to increase the memory on Xiaomi using a flash drive?

Yes, but with reservations:

  • On Android 9–11 you can format the SD card as internal memory (all data on it will be encrypted).
  • On Android 12+ this function is blocked, but can be used ADB to force transfer of applications.
  • The flash drive will not increase system partition - only user space.

Speed of working with SD (UHS-I) will be lower than with built-in memory (UFS 2.2/3.1).

Why is the memory not freed after deleting files?

This happens due to:

  • File system cache —try rebooting the phone.
  • Used space in /data/log — cleared through ADB or MIUI Hidden Settings.
  • Mounting errors section —check memory health through ##6484## (eMMC test).

If the problem persists, try turning off and turning on the device again in Settings → Memory.

How to clear memory on Xiaomi without losing data?

Safe methods:

  1. Clearing the cache via Settings → Memory → Clear.
  2. Deleting duplicates using Files by Google or SD Maid.
  3. Transferring photos/videos to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) with subsequent deletion of local copies.
  4. Disable unnecessary MIUI functions (analytics, themes, second space).

Avoid cleaning through ##4636## (testing menu) - this can damage the system files.

Why does Xiaomi reserve memory for updates?

This is a feature MIUI:

  • The system blocks 3–5 GB for downloading and installing updates.
  • On models with Dynamic RAM Expansion (for example, Xiaomi 12T) part of the memory is reserved for virtual RAM.
  • To reduce the reserve, disable auto-updates in Settings → About phone → System update.

It is impossible to completely remove the reserve - this is a security requirement for OTA updates.

Which applications take up the most memory on Xiaomi?

Top 5 “eaters” of memory in MIUI:

  1. Social networks (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram) - cache video and media (up to 5 GB).
  2. Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) - the weight of one game can reach 10–15 GB.
  3. Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) - store media files in /sdcard/Android/media.
  4. Mi Browser — caches web pages even if you don’t use it.
  5. Google Play Services — takes up to 1–2 GB for updates and data.

Check the section Settings → Applications → Storage and sort by size.