Cleaning memory on Xiaomi: which folders can be deleted without harm to the system

Smartphones Xiaomi based MIUI are known for their functionality, but over time, even 128 GB of memory can become clogged with unnecessary files. System folders, application caches, update remnants - all this takes up precious space, slows down the device and drains the battery. However, not all folders can be emptied without risk. An error when deleting system files can lead to MIUI crashdata loss or even a device brick.

In this article we will look at which folders on Xiaomi can be safely cleanedwhich ones are strictly not recommended to be touched. We will analyze the structure of the file system MIUI 14/15, look at hidden directories that are often overlooked, and provide step-by-step guide for beginners and experienced users. We will pay special attention folders that MIUI creates automatically, but never cleans itself —they are the ones that most often become the source of problems.

Before you start cleaning, remember: not all folders are equally useful. What seems like garbage may be critical for the operation of the camera, instant messengers or system services. Therefore, each section of the article contains not only a list of folders, but detailed explanationswhy they can (or cannot) be deleted.

1. Application cache folders: what can be deleted without consequences

Application caches are temporary files that are created to speed up apps. Over time, they accumulate and can take up several gigabytes. On Xiaomi the cache is stored in two main places:

• 📁 /data/data/<package_name>/cache/ — application-specific cache (requires root access to access)
• 🗑️ /Android/data/<package_name>/cache/ — external cache (accessible without root)
• 🔄 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ — additional game files (can be deleted manually)

You can safely clear the cache through MIUI settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
2. Select the desired application (for example, YouTube or TikTok).
3. Click Storage → Clear cache.

For bulk cleaning, use the built-in utility Cleaning (broom icon in the settings menu). It automatically finds unnecessary cache, thumbnail and temporary files. data. However, the utility does not always delete deep cache —this will require manual cleaning through the file manager (for example, Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse the cache with application data! Clearing the partition Data (not Cache) will lead to resetting the app settings and logging out of your account.

2. MIUI system folders: what can be touched and what not

The file system MIUI contains dozens of hidden folders, many of which are critical for the operation of the system. Below is a table with directories allowed and prohibited for cleaning:

* - If you use the function Local backup in Settings → About phone → Backup copying, do not delete the folder Backup.

** - Some games (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) store critical files in obb . Delete only after uninstalling the game.

The folder /MIUI/Extradeserves special attention. It contains:

• 🎨 Custom themes (.mtz files)
• 🔤 System fonts
• 📱 Animation and icon files

Its cleaning will lead to resetting the themes to standard ones and may cause errors in the interface.

3. Folders with MIUI updates: how to free up gigabytes

One ​​of the main "eaters" of memory on Xiaomi is update files. Even after installing a new version of MIUI, the system does not always remove old packages. They can take up from 1 to 3 GB and are stored in the following folders:

• 📦 /cache/ — temporary update files (root required for cleaning)
• 🔄 /data/ota_package/ —downloaded OTA packages (over-the-air updates)
• 🗃️ /storage/emulated/0/Downloaded_ROM/ — manual firmware downloaded via Software update

To clear them:

1. Open Settings → About phone → MIUI update.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Delete downloaded package.
3. For folder Downloaded_ROM use the file manager and delete files with the extension .zip.

If you have root-access, you can clear /cache/ via TWRP or the command:

su
rm -rf /cache/*

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete files from /data/ota_package/ manually if you are not sure of their purpose. Some packages may be needed to roll back to a previous version of MIUI.

4. Messenger folders: how to clean Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber

Messengers are leaders in creating unnecessary files. Only Telegram can take up to 5-10 GB cache of media files, stickers and voice messages. Main folders:

For Telegram there is a hidden cleaning function cache:

1. Open Telegram and go to Settings → Data and memory.
2. Select Storage and sort files by size.
3. Click Clear cache or delete unnecessary files manually.

You can configure automatic deletion media: WhatsApp You can configure automatic media removal:

1. Go to Settings → Memory.
2. Select Memory management and mark files to delete.
3. Activate the option Automatic deletion for media older than 30/90 days.

⚠️ Attention: In folder WhatsApp/Databases chat backups are stored. Delete them only if you do not plan to restore correspondence when reinstalling.

Make sure that important files are saved in the cloud|Check the folder Sent (sent files)|Clear the cache through the messenger settings|Delete duplicates media files-->

5. Folders with downloads and temporary files

Folder Download (or Downloads) is a classic place where garbage accumulates. The following are stored here:

• 📄 PDF and DOCX files, opened once
• 🎵 Music and podcasts from the browser
• 📦 APK files of installed (and deleted) applications
• 🖼️ Pictures from social networks

You can clear it manually or through Mi File Manager:

1. Open Files (folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Categories → Downloads.
3. Sort files by date or size.
4. Select unnecessary ones and click Delete.

For automatic cleaning, use Google Files (application Files from Google):

• 🧹 Go to the section Cleaning.
• 🔍 Select Large files or Unused applications.
• 🗑️ Confirm deletion.

Pay special attention to files with the extension .apk. These are application installation packages that remain after installation. You can safely delete them if the application is already installed. However, if you are saving APKs for future installation (for example, old versions of apps), move them to a separate folder.

6. Game folders: how to delete unnecessary data without losing progress

Modern mobile games (for example, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire or Honor of Kings) can take up to 5-8 GB on the device. At the same time, most of the data is stored in three places:

• 🎮 /Android/obb/<package_name>/ — main game files (can be deleted only if the game is uninstalled)
• 🗃️ /Android/data/<package_name>/files/ — saves and cache
• 🖼️ /storage/emulated/0/<GameName>/ — screenshots and gameplay recordings

To clear game data without losing progress:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
2. Select the game and press Storage.
3. Click Clear cache (not Clear data!).

If the game supports cloud saves (for example, via Google Play Games or Mi Account), you can completely delete its data:

1. Synchronize progress with the cloud in the game settings.
2. Delete the game via Settings → Applications.
3. Delete folders obb and data for this game manually.
4. Reinstall the game and restore progress from the cloud.

⚠️ Attention: Games from Tencent (for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile) can block your account with frequent reinstallations. Do not clear data more than once a month.

7. Hidden folders and technical junk: what can be removed by experienced people. users

For users with root access or TWRP Additional folders for cleaning are available. However, working with them requires caution. Here's what you can delete:

For cleaning via TWRP:

1. Boot into TWRP (hold Power + Volume up when turning on).
2. Select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Go to /data/ and delete folders log, tombstones.
4. Do not touch dalvik-cacheif you are not sure of the consequences.

For cleaning without root use the ADB command:

adb shell pm trim-caches 256M

⚠️ Attention: Clearing /data/log/ may hide the causes of future crashes. If your Xiaomi frequently reboots or lags, first save the logs for diagnostics.

8. Automation of cleaning: MIUI tools and settings

Manual cleaning is effective, but time-consuming. Fortunately, MIUI and third-party applications offer tools for automatic optimization:

• 🧹 Built-in utility "Cleaning": located in Settings → Cleaning. Allows you to delete cache, unnecessary APKs, duplicate photos and large files.
• ⚙️ Cleaning scheduler: in the same utility you can configure automatic cleaning on a schedule (for example, once a week).
• 📊 Google Files: the Google application analyzes memory and suggests deleting unnecessary files, including cache and duplicates.
• 🛠️ SD Maid (requires root): deep cleaning of system folders, searching for "dead" files and remnants of deleted applications.

To set up automatic cleaning in MIUI:

1. Open Settings → Cleaning.
2. Click on the gear icon (⚙️) in the upper right corner.
3. Enable the option Auto-clean and select the frequency (daily/weekly).
4. Mark the types of files to delete (cache, APK, temporary files).

Suitable for advanced users Tasker - an application for automation. With it, you can create a task that will:

• Clear the cache once every 3 days.
• Delete files from Download older than 30 days.
• Notify about a large amount of garbage.

Example task for Tasker:

Profile: Clear cache (Time: 3:00, Repeat: every 3 days)
Task:
1. Run the command: pm trim-caches 512M (ADB)
2. Delete files from /storage/emulated/0/Download/ older than 30 days
3. Send notification: "Cleanup complete!"

⚠️ Attention: Automatic cleanup may remove important files unless exceptions are configured. Always check which folders are added to the "white list" in the utility settings.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cleaning folders on Xiaomi

adb shell rm -rf /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails